Chapter: Chapter 190ARYNMarcus rubbed his eyes with the back of a hand, swearing softly. “She’s real, right? I’m not hallucinating again? Because earlier I thought the sphinx statue was talking to me about ammo reserves.”I snorted, the sound dry and tired. “You hallucinated earlier, Marcus?”“Long story involving a head wound and four cups of coffee.”Before Marcus could elaborate, the front door burst open. Lily, her hair disheveled, her face smudged, but her eyes bright with sudden, fierce hope, gasped when she saw me.“Oh my God—Aryn!”She ran forward and hugged me too, as much as her belly could allow.“You are okay,” she whispered shakily into my shoulder, her tears immediately soaking my shirt.“Lily,” I said, hugging her tightly.“You remember?""As if I could ever forget you for a long time."She laughed through her tears, the sound utterly joyful. "Next time, if you must leave, promise not to disappear during a fucking all-out mafia war, okay?""It was while Lily and I were still locked in our
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Chapter 188ARYNThe drive back was annoyingly long even though Arya was driving fast , herspeed bordering on reckless, determined to reach our destination before dawn. One hand gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white; the other occasionally left the wheel, reaching over to brush my arm or my thigh, a quick, almost imperceptible gesture, like she needed to confirm through touch that I was still solid, still present, still there.My head rested against the cold glass of the side window. “Still with me, Aryn?” Arya asked quietly, her focus absolute on the road, but her voice laced with concern.I nodded slowly, the movement jarring my tired muscles. “Yeah. I’m just… heavy.”As Arya guided the car off the main highway and onto the long, familiar private road leading to the estate. We saw thick smoke curling into the sky..“Oh fuck,” Arya muttered. She eased her foot off the accelerator.The gates were broken. Bullet casing glittered on the asphalt and in the gravel.“What the hell happened here
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Chapter 188LORENZO Gunfire erupted from multiple angles simultaneously. Rounds ripped through the manicured hedges hammered the front façade of my ancestral house like it was made of fucking paper. Above us, shattered glass rained down from the second-floor windows.“Cover the left flank! Stefano, watch the driveway approach!” I roared. My voice was amplified by pure adrenaline.Marcus was beside me providing surprisingly effective cover. He fired back relentlessly, his movements sharp but worryingly reckless, his massive frame vibrating with barely contained fury. “I’ll fucking kill him! I swear to God I will!”The rage was understandable. But rage made you slow, made you stupid.“Stay alive first, you idiot!” I bellowed. I grabbed his shoulder and shoved him roughly behind a thick, cylindrical pillar supporting the portico just as a concentrated burst of automatic fire chewed viciously into the stone where his head had been a fraction of a second earlier. Dust and stone fragments flew, stin
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Chapter 187ARYNThe moment Dimitri laughed, I knew one thing with certainty:He had to die. Today.I recognized the laughter somehow.“Bring it on,” he said again, the challenge ringing out, almost jovial, considering the circumstances. He spread his arms wide, a gesture of almost theatrical invitation. “Let’s see what’s left of you, little rose.”Little rose. The nickname....was familiar.Arya shifted closer to me. Her body angled just enough to shield mine from Dimitri’s direct line of sight, though she didn’t look at me, keeping her focus entirely on him. It was a reflex, an instinctual, protective movement.“You talk too much,” Arya said coldly “All men like you do. You think your words are weapons, but they’re just noise.”Dimitri’s gaze, which had been fixed on me, slid to her. It was a lazy movement, full of insolent boredom, “And you are smarter than I expected, twin number one but you’re still the wrong twin.”He turned back to me, “You,” he said, his voice dropping to a soft, intima
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Chapter 186ARYNI didn’t know how long I stayed hidden.Time stopped meaning anything when fear settled into my bones. I was pressed into the narrow space behind a false wall panel—knees drawn to my chest, breath shallow, hand clamped over my mouth. The room smelled like dust and old concrete, and every sound echoed too loudly in my ears.Footsteps and voices and men.I breathed in through my nose and tasted metal.The cut on my arm had bled more than I expected, soaking into the sleeve I’d torn to use as a bandage. I’d tied it tight—instinct, not memory—and somehow the bleeding had slowed. That alone scared me. I didn’t remember learning how to do that.A sound shifted behind me and hand brushed my shoulder.I almost screamed.The sound clawed up my throat, sharp and panicked, and I spun violently, elbow flying instinctively toward whoever had touched me—And stopped. It was Arya. She clapped a hand over my mouth before any sound could escape and pulled me into a silent, bone-crushing hug.“I’
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Chapter 185The meeting pissed me off. No—that was putting it lightly. The meeting made me want to put a bullet through the mahogany table and ask everyone politely to clean their own fucking brains off the floor. I Every minute we spent talking was a minute the Russians were consolidating their gains, proving the weakness of the Italian families, and carving up the territory my grandfather had bled for. I sat at the head of the long table, jaw clenched so tight my molars ached, fingers tapping slowly against my whiskey glass. The sound was the only rhythm in the room, a counterpoint to the useless, circular bullshit the heads of the Italian families were peddling. “The Russians crossed another border last night,” Don Salvi repeated, leaning forward to tap his ash into a crystal tray. Salvi, a man whose spine had been replaced with lukewarm pasta twenty years ago, looked genuinely shaken. “Hit two warehouses in Naples. Clean work. No survivors. They didn’t even touch the product; they just e
Last Updated: 2025-11-30
Chapter: Chapter 6CamillaWow! The freedom, the pleasurable freedom I had felt that night had been planned. I had been played. Again.Was I really that dumb? At least now I knew what kind of game we were playing."Planned," I said, my voice coming out flatter than I expected. "You knew who I was.""I knew my father was marrying some money grubbing girl. And then I saw you in the bar." He pocketed the phone. "And when I did? Yeah. I made a choice.""Money grubbing?!""It's why the others come. For the money, the fame, the prestige."I laughed dryly. "So what, you fucked me to get leverage? To humiliate your father? To....""All of the above," he cut in. "And besides you were kind of desperate."I clenched my fist. "Believe me, I wouldn't have allowed you to touch me, if I knew what kind of a bastard you are."He smiled. "I think you would." I stared at him for a long moment, and the stupid girl from two nights ago, the one who'd gasped against his mouth and come apart on his fingers like I'd never be
Last Updated: 2026-03-23
Chapter: Chapter FiveLucas I woke up alone on Wednesday morning. The sheets on the right side were cool and barely wrinkled. No warm body curled against me, no soft breathing, no faint scent of vanilla and whiskey lingering on the pillow. She was just gone. Typical. I rolled onto my back, stared at the hotel ceiling for a second, then let out a low, pissed-off laugh. Of fucking course. My eyes landed on the nightstand. A fat stack of bills sat neatly on it, and I scoffed in annoyance. “Classy,” I muttered. “Real fucking classy, princess.” I remembered last night. I’d come here hunting for the girl who stole our product. There had been a mole on her forehead from the picture my man had sent me and he had also tracked her here. I had spotted her at the booth from across the room and moved towards her immediately. But when I’d caught her. There was no mole, her skin was flawless and she looked breathtaking with her sea green eyes staring at me with a flushed face but she was rude so I had eventua
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter FourCamilla Thursday, September 4, 2025. I was going to be a bride who had just given 22 hours and 44 minutes to prepare for her wedding and who knew the groom 22 hours 36 minutes to the wedding through the internet. Not to mention he was twice my age. My mother stormed into my room around 5 am to get me ready. Apparently the groom wanted the marriage to be in the morning because he had some work to do. It was weird but nobody could question Don Salvatore. I looked at the clock as the maids dragged my corset blouse until I was sure that I had broken some ribs. 7: 10 am. I had just 50 more minutes. I came down the stairs and Vanessa gave me a look over. " At least you don't look like a whore this time.”I closed my eyes. I pictured myself bolting through the garden, barefoot, with my makeup, screaming for someone, anyone, to help me. I pictured the guards tackling me, my father’s disappointed sigh and Leo’s hand on my shoulder like a chain.I pictured dying on that altar. I could just g
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter ThreeCamillaI broke the kiss first, gasping against his mouth. I felt alive in a way I hadn't been in months, even with Dylan. Lucas stared down at me, his eyes dark with desire. molten. Around us people cheered and someone was banging on the poker table like we’d just scored the winning goal. Lucas ran his thumb along my bottom lip slowly. " I have been wanting to shut that pretty mouth of yours since you told me not to touch you,” he said, roughly. “Too fucking distracting.”A startled laugh burst out of me. “You’re still an asshole though.”“Guilty.” His grin made him look ten times better. “But I’m the asshole who’s gonna make you forget whoever made you come here today.”He didn’t wait for permission before pulling me through the crowd to the dance floor."What are you doing?” I half-shouted over the music.He pulled me against him with his hands in my waist as his mouth brushed my ear. “Helping you forget the bastard who broke your heart.”I stiffened. “How do you know....?”“Your
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter TwoCamillaThe taxi driver must have sensed my desperation because he didn't ask questions. He just drove until we stopped in front of the hotel bar I had described. Temptation. My sobs had quieted to a numb ache by the time he pulled over. I handed him cash without counting, and stumbled out into the night.I often visited the bar once every month so it was the only place I could think of. I pushed through the door, going straight to my favorite booth. I'd never been much of a drinker, Dylan always said it made me "too emotional," as if that was a bad thing. But tonight? I needed to drown. Drown the betrayal, the stupidity, the gaping hole where my heart used to be.I slid into the booth and waved at Gina who was a waitress at the club. She came up to me and raised an eyebrow. "What'll it be, Cam? The usuals?""No, I need something stronger. Like a very strong whiskey," I said, my voice strained from all the crying. "It should be neat."She looked at me like she wanted to ask me somethi
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter OneCamilla"What. The. Fuck?!"I stood there, the vanilla cake now forgotten on the floor because right there, on the couch was Dylan eating Bella out. Bella, my best friend, the girl who had held my hand when my parents disowned me. Her hands were tangled up in his hair as she moaned. She was wearing nothing but one of my favorite oversized shirts, the one I had bought for us as couples. Dylan only groaned and he saw me while Bella simply paused, her head tilting back as she let out a long, bored sigh. She untangled herself from Dylan, sitting up casually manner."You’re finally here," Bella said, smoothing down the shirt, 'my', shirt. She checked her fingernails like she had been waiting for me. "Took you long enough."This couldn't be happening, right? Just yesterday, Dylan had proposed to me. It had been with a cheap ring but I was happy. I looked at him and he stood up, quickly stepping in front of Bella as if he were protecting her from a monster."Don't look at her like that, Ca
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Chapter: Chapter fifteen NerissaThe event was… dazzling, loud, and way too glamorous for my comfort zone.Everywhere I looked, people sparkled, literally. Sequins, diamonds, champagne bubbles. The air smelled like perfume and expensive stress. I kept my smile in place because that’s what assistants of powerful men do at high-profile events, smile, nod, and pretend they belong.Except my cheeks were starting to hurt. No, seriously. They hurt. I could feel the muscles in my face trembling from all the polite grinning. Every time someone approached Asher, I had to plaster on that same rehearsed expression, pleasant, harmless, professional.But Asher? He fit in effortlessly, of course. He moved through the crowd like he owned the place. Which, knowing him, he probably did. He shook hands, exchanged subtle smirks, whispered things that made people laugh too easily. And me? I was just the shadow in heels trying not to trip on the carpet. I wonder why he had forced me to come in the first place.At some point, he
Last Updated: 2025-11-02
Chapter: Chapter FourteenNerissa I spent the rest of the morning trying to act like I wasn’t spiraling. How could everything change so fast? One day I was a simple assistant with a semi-peaceful routine, and now I was being told to shadow a man like Asher Grayson to every meeting and every event like some executive groupie. And worse—I had no way out of it. The contract I’d signed blindly on my first day, desperate for work, had just become a leash around my neck. At exactly three o’clock, Asher stepped out of his office. I was already on my feet before he even called my name. “Let’s go,” he said, not waiting to see if I followed. I did, of course. Because what else could I do? He didn’t speak much in the car, just typed away on his phone. I sat beside him, stiff as a board, fidgeting with my skirt and wondering if he could sense how badly I wanted to be anywhere else. The boutique was in a quiet corner of the city—discreet, classy, expensive. Everything about it screamed Asher Grayson. I stepped insi
Last Updated: 2025-04-14
Chapter: Chapter 7Nerissa The next morning, I arrived at the office feeling a sense of calm. The previous evening's drama with Jace and his girlfriend was behind me, and I was ready to tackle the day's tasks. Balancing work and caring for Luke had become my routine, and I was growing more comfortable with it.As I stepped into the building, I exchanged greetings with Leah and Dan, who were chatting near the entrance. Their friendly smiles were a welcome start to the day."Morning, Nerissa," Leah called out."Good morning! How's everything?" I replied.Dan chuckled. "Same old, same old. Ready for another thrilling day in the world of IT."We shared a laugh before I made my way to Asher's office. My plan was to organize his workspace before he arrived, a routine I had maintained during his absence. I knocked lightly on the door, and hearing no response, I pushed it open.To my surprise, Asher was seated at his desk, reviewing some documents. He looked up, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine."Nerissa,"
Last Updated: 2025-04-09
Chapter: Chapter twelveNerissaIt had been a few weeks since the first awkward elevator encounter, and I was starting to get used to seeing my neighbor with a new girlfriend every week. Honestly, it wasn’t my business, and I kept reminding myself of that. Still, I made sure Luke didn’t come in contact with him. The last thing I needed was Luke picking up any habits from someone who clearly didn’t care about anyone else’s comfort.The loud music blasting through the thin apartment walls didn’t help either. Sometimes it started early in the morning; other times, it kept going well into the night. I’d started using earplugs just to get some sleep.At work, things were surprisingly better. Asher hadn’t been coming to the office lately, which was a huge relief. I didn’t have to constantly worry about accidentally saying or doing something that might give away my secret. I could actually breathe.I’d also made a few friends. Dan, from the IT department, was a sweetheart with a quick wit, and Leah from accounting
Last Updated: 2025-04-03
Chapter: Chapter Eleven NerissaI walked back toward the office, my heels clicking against the polished floors, but my mind was miles away. Why did Dan bring up Silver? Had he seen her? Had she asked about me?I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. It didn’t matter. She didn’t matter.What mattered right now was getting through the day without losing my sanity. By the time I reached Asher’s office, I had regained my composure. I knocked twice, waiting for permission to enter. “Come in.” His voice was clipped, impatient. I pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately noticing the tension in the air. Asher sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping against the dark wood, his jaw set tight. “You took your time,” he remarked, not bothering to look up from the papers in front of him. I bit back a retort. Professional. Indifferent. Play the part.“I was in the middle of something,” I replied smoothly, walking over to stand beside his desk. He finally looked up, and for a brief moment, somet
Last Updated: 2025-03-25
Chapter: Chapter TenNerissa I pushed Asher off me cleaning my mouth furiously even though the feeling of his lips still lingered. "How dare you kiss me without my permission?" He gave me a smug smile and sat on his chair, "Because you are mine now, Nerissa. The moment you became my secretary you became my possession." How in the name of everything normal did I end up with this cocky rich man? "Think about the money, think about the money" I chanted to myself. I took a deep breath and flashed my professional smile. "With all due respect, Mr Blackwood..." "Please call me Asher." "With all due respect, Mr Blackwood, please don't touch me without my permission or you would be sued by assault." I didn't wait for him to talk before I walked out of the room. I walked towards the ladies room still seething from what had just happened..The nerve of that infuriating annoying...... I forced a polite smile as I passed a few colleagues in the hallway. The weight of expectations clung to me like an ill-fitt
Last Updated: 2025-03-21
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