Novels by Nellie Downs

SkaiGunshots thundered in the air - a battle between the guards and Giovanni’s men. Pain erupted in my chest, the sounds fading into the background as the car moved away. Tears began to drop until I couldn't control them anymore.It was supposed to be my happiest day. Why must they come?“Why must they be everywhere just to ruin me?” I later turned to Juliano, whose fingers had been flying across the screen. I didn't know who he was calling.Maybe his guards or other securities. He didn't talk, he pulled me closer, my head buried on his chest and his hands draped over me.I sobbed and sniffed, every nerve of my body reacting. A loud familiar sound pierced through - his ringtone.He picked it up “Sir, it was brutal.” The voice on the other end said, in panic, skipping the pleasantries. My heart skipped, breath paused.“Giovanni is shot dead. Tillard sustained major injuries.” The guard said quickly.My lips curved into a smug smirk, as I tried to raise my head a bit, the tears on my

SkaiIt was just like a meeting. The centre light glimmered in the glass table, beautiful enough to draw my attention. Nowadays, little things snatch my focus and I drift away at the slightest chance. Bruno. Juliano. Margo.We sat like we were listening to war orders, like plans before making an attack. And that was exactly what it was.As if we all waited for who to talk first, Margo cleared her throat and straightened a bit in her chair.“The corps still have them in custody. Aver has been arrested too.” Margot's voice was calm, disgust dripping from her words, the venom hiding underneath the surface. You could tell how much she didn't like Aver.“When they get to Carlo, Giovanni would get distracted, finding ways to save his son.”As if planned, we all nodded in agreement.As simple as her statement was, the truth glistened. Giovanni wouldn't bear seeing his son behind bars. Let's see where this goes.She turned to Bruno“Do you have the guys ready?” She asked and he nodded.I ma

Skai“Juliano” I called, struggling to catch up with his pace. Who knows what he'd do, out of anger. He didn't look back. He didn't wait. His fury mounted with each step.“Please wait”, I said, my voice rising a bit, hoping that would make him pause for a minute, but he didn't.Honestly, I was getting scared. He was more than a storm, like a thunderbolt that wanted to strike Zack alive. He deserved it. I didn't weigh their level of cruelty, but killing his mother? That was extreme.In no time, he was downstairs. My pulse throbbed at his expression.“Zack” He raged, chest heaving up and down with undiluted fury. I didn't think nothing in this world would calm him. Not even Margo or Allysia.All the guards around came out, clearly surprised. Everyone expected what would happen next, including me.“Yes, boss” Zack came out of his quarter, all eyes turned to him. He stopped in his tracks. The forced smile on his filthy face faltered, confusion covered his features like balm. His eyes look

SkaiWeeks rolled past, like the time wasted in Giovanni’s house. No attacks. No weird messages. No strange movements from Zack and truth be told, I almost gave up. I almost doubted myself, maybe it was all in my subconsciousness. Maybe Zack was innocent.No matter how I forced myself to believe, something flickered beneath. And I decided to lay low and watch if anything will happen. I didn't have the luxury of time but I worked with the flow.Practically, that was the same thing he did - waiting for me to make the first move, then he kicked start. Like two warriors in the dark.And for a moment - just a fraction of seconds. I almost forgot Juliano was seated next to me. I took a glance and his profile was expressionless.None of us talked, we were just there. Our knuckles meet and I intertwine our hands for self- comfort. Our emotions were mutual. None of us gathered the courage to address it. We loved each other in silence, if that's the correct word to use. Obviously tired of the

~Skai Everything in my head was him, as if he had stolen my senses. I was obsessed, and I couldn't save myself. We stared at each other, like our souls were in deep conversations. I got into my room and glided underneath the sheets, and sleep drifted me away. I didn't know how long until I heard a knock on the door. “Come in,” I croaked, coughing. I reached for the glass of water on my nightstand. I gulped, almost selfishly. I calmed down, trying to focus on the itching in my throat. Juliano's face flashed into my head. I just smiled. “What would you like to eat, ma'am?” The maid said, bowing slightly. I looked out of the window. It was late afternoon. "Chicken soup should be fine.” I replied. “Hmm, Beatrice.” I called. She looked back. “I'm Celine, ma'am" I didn't know her name, but out of desperation. “Celine, did Margo set the dining?” “Not yet, Mr Juliano asked me to serve your food inside.” "Can I get painkillers too" "Alright." My cheeks flushed, but I tried to

~Juliano "You'll understand soon” I stood up and pressed a kiss on her forehead. Without saying a word, I turned on my heels and left the room. I didn't know how long I was there, until my phone buzzed. I could stay with her for hours without getting tired. I love watching her fall for my little gestures - the twitches in her eyes, the stolen glances. I need to claim her before anybody does. I walked through the hallway absentmindedly, resisting the urge to scare at my phone screen. The headline echoed in my head more than it should. Either reflex or instinct, something screamed at me not to check my phone until I entered my room. My fingers acted fast - too fast. I swiped up my phone screen, and it was just a message : Let's see who plays this game better. And that was it. No Caller ID. “What game?” I mulled over the word. But I could guess where it came from. The enemies. Our enemies. This time, I promised to be steps ahead. Not one. Not two. I couldn't trust anybody.