Novels by A novel by Nancy

Karina“I’ll send someone for you in two days,” Raoul says, draping my coat over my body, his gaze on mine. Then, he turns back to his desk and picks up the intercom receiver. I suppose that is my cue to leave. Awkwardly, I gather the coat closer to myself, making the buckle up even tighter. I bend to pick the discarded dress up.“Leave it.” He says dryly. “It will be burnt up later.”I bite my lip and turn, headed for the door. “And, Karina?” he says in a deceptively soft voice, making my steps falter to a stop.“You know what will happen if you run away, don’t you?”“Where were you?” Raine asks the moment I walk in through the door. She tries to sound flippant, but her voice has a bit of fear in it. She thought I had left.I flash her a reassuring smile, tightening my coat around myself self-consciously. She doesn't need to know what I just agreed to do. I will keep her safe as long as I can. That's the least I can do.She is lounged in front of the TV, scrolling through Netflix. Th

RaoulWhen Karina walked in, I could tell what drew Luca to her in the first place. Her thick blonde hair is tied at the nape of her neck, drawing attention to her face. She is bare-faced tonight, unlike she had been on that night four years ago. Those blue Disney princess eyes are wiped clean of makeup, framed by thick, dark lashes.She seems taut like she could snap any time soon. I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.She is wearing a black trench coat which is not knotted, revealing a high-necked black dress. Almost like she is here for a funeral. Her funeral. She hadn’t dressed so conservatively four years ago. Her supermodel figure had been on full display, the low-cut gown exposing more of her full breasts than it concealed.She had walked into my Vegas casino with her father, all killer legs and lipstick and big hair. Luca—or the twenty million dollar estate in Santorini—hadn’t stood a chance. It had been horrible. Luca almost went bankrupt. His father had threatened to disinher

Karina“NO! THAT’S LIMITED EDITION!” Mum screams as I scrape through her closet for things we can sell to thrift stores to get money. We can get about ten grand from her closet and jewelry. L’esattore won’t make us vanish if we can get him ten grand, I reason hopefully.Raine would be safe and I can get a second job or a loan from a less dangerous loan shark. I’m not dumb enough to try and escape or call the police. That would make him want to make us vanish for sure. I try not to think of where I would get the rest of the money from. The money I can scrape from Mum’s closet is as far as I would let myself think.“That was Aaron’s last gift to me!” She screams as I pack up a cashmere sweater.Well, Dad’s last gift to me and Raine was debt, so I’m not keen on those. It’s late right now but I've called a few thrift stores that would like to take on her clothes. I've even called a jeweler who would like to assess her gold and diamonds.She pulls the sweater from me and I hold on to it. I

Karina“WOULD YOU PREFER TO BE BENT OVER MY DESK?”For what seems like an eternity, I am silent.“W... what...?” I choke out.Raoul takes a look away from his computer to study me behind the lens of his glasses. His blue eyes are arctic with distaste as they take in the high neckline of the dress I have on.“Or would you prefer to fuck while standing?” He says coldly, his handsome face blank. I wonder if he's being serious or if he’s trying to scare me off.I hold on to the lapels of my coat, blood rushing to my face. I tell to think of how lucky I was a week ago when I had been blissfully unaware that my dad had screwed us all over.(One week earlier)I watch the coffin being lowered into the ground, willing myself not to break down. Mum is already a sobbing wreck and that’s not doing us any good. I look around. There’s a very small crowd of people who came to mourn my dad. Me, Mum, and Raine have made a pointed effort not to speak to me today.Dad had died as dramatically as he had

Slowly, he bends closer, his breath mingling with hers. He can feel the heat radiating from her body, the frantic pulse that beats in her neck. Her confused, tearful eyes search his, seeking for explanation and validation from a man she thought she knew. He kisses her eyelids, his lips soft against her damp skin. Slowly, deliberately, he traces the path of her tears with his lips, a strange mixture of tenderness and possessiveness in his touch. He finally stops at her mouth, his lips gently brushing against hers, savoring the softness before deepening the kiss. Adrianna tries to turn her face away, a futile attempt to break free from the sudden intimacy but his free hand cups her cheek, holding her captive. His lips press harder, demanding entrance, but she keeps her mouth tightly closed. A cruel glint enters his eyes. He presses down on her injured finger, and as a sharp hiss of pain escapes her lips, his tongue forces its way into her mouth, angrily exploring its soft interior.Hi

“Does anyone hear that? Bianca exclaims, finally breaking the awkward atmosphere. A triumphant smile stretches across her face as she squeezes Lance's hand, likely savoring every moment while Adrianna stares wide-eyed at Lance, searching for any sign of his reaction. “You can leave now, Ramon,” Bianca instructs him, then faces Adrianna, trying so hard to hide her smug smile. “I feel overwhelmed,” Bianca exclaims, a triumphant smile stretching across her face as she squeezes Lance's hand. “This must be a joke,” Adrianna mutters to herself, trying very hard to steady her breath. Why did Lance keep his engagement from her? Is she that less of a human that he only keeps her by his side as a mistress?? She can't bear the pain anymore and slams her hand on my table. “Lance! What is this all about? She shouts, standing up from her seat. “Why did you hide this from me? Why do you like humiliating me?…..a sob escapes her throat. Lance's expression freezes, an inscrutable mask slipping ove

“Ma, is there anything else you require?” The maid asks softly, her voice barely a whisper in the spacious room. Adrianna glances at her lingering figure near the doorways, she forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. “No thank you,” she replies and glances at the young maid. “You can take your leave now.” With that, the maid bows and exits the room, her footsteps fading into the hallway and leaving Adrianna alone with her unsettling thoughts. Her mind drifts back to the earlier event—a storm of jealousy and confusion swirls within her. Even the most oblivious of hearts would recognize the tension between Lance and Bianca. The way their eyes had met and lingered, a silent conversation passing between them, as if they had been yearning for that connection, made her stomach twist. She had stood there frozen, a silent observer and to confirm her suspicion, Lance with a dismissive wave sent her away to her room. “What type of relationship do these two have? She wonders. Now, the

“What the fuck are you—?? He drags her towards him, cutting her sentences midway. He envelopes her in an embrace that feels both warm and comforting. “Adrianna,” he murmurs, his voice rich and low. Adrianna feels confused about his latest action. “Why is Lance suddenly acting all nice and strange? What plan is he harboring?? She wonders. She instinctively strains against him, her hands pushing his solid forearms, but he remains unyielding. Lance's brow furrows, a line etching itself between his dark eyes. “Why does her sadness affect him so? He wonders a familiar ache tightening in his chest but he quickly dismisses the feelings. Caught in the moment, Adrianna finds herself softening against his chest, listening to the rhythmic beat on his chest. Raising her gaze, her eyes lock with his—dark, full of desire and a deep longing. It was clear that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. “I love you, Lance,” she confesses in her heart. Her tightens, faced with the reality, she must

23Adrianna's heart quickens as Lance leans in closer, his lips claiming hers in a passionate kiss. Lance's lips are firm and demanding. The warmth of his body envelopes her, and she feels his hands clutching her closer, their intensity igniting memories of a bond that once radiated warmth. One hand caresses her hair gently, fingers weaving into her strands. In that moment, she melts against him, torn between unbridled joy and a pang of heart-wrenching sadness. Despite the kiss, deep down, she knows their relationship will never return to its former glory. As Lance finally breaks the kiss, his breath mingling with the gentle breeze of the outdoor pool area, his piercing blue eyes search her face. They hold both concern and a touch of desperation. “What’s wrong?” he whispers, his thumb brushing softly along her cheek as he traces the tears that roll silently down her skin. “I—” she begins, her voice trembling, but words escape her. Instead, she allows herself to be swept away, feeli

22“Adrianna!” comes his low, commanding voice, slicing through the darkness. “Do you think you can hide from me?” Her heart races as she steps back instinctively, disoriented by the storm of emotion crashing over her. The man she both desires and despises sits poised like a predator ready to strike, his intense gaze fixing upon her with unyielding intensity. “What are you doing here?” she demands, every ounce of her frustration pouring into her words, turning the air electric. “I'm here for you, Adrianna?” Lance replies languorously. He leans casually against the wall, his presence commanding and unyielding in the darkness of the room. He beckons Adrianna to him with a lazy smile, the corners of his lips curling up playfully. Yet, she hesitates, her heart pounding frantically in her chest. “No—and see yourself out, please.” Lance's smile widens and he walks toward her. Panic engulfs her as he approaches, triggering an instinctual need to flee. “Adrianna,” he purrs, stepping clos