Chapter 24“What do you want? You’re bothering me.” Lucifer said, lighting up a cigarette and bringing it up to his lips. In a slow drag, he pulled it away, exhaling as if he had been freed of all tension around him.Katherine stood by the door, arms crossed over her chest as her face contorted into one of confusion.“So, this is what you do, huh?” Katherine frowned, finally speaking up after a short while of silence. Her fists clenched as she stared at the nonchalant man, who flipped through documents that sat on the table. He didn’t bother sparing her a glance. The girl was too in over her head. Who did she think she was? The butt of the cigarette lit up as he took another satisfying drag, blowing the smoke out. Katherine coughed, waving her hand in the air, as if that would clear the air faster. She hated cigarettes, most especially the smell that followed. “Do you not care about me at all?” She asked weakly, stepping closer to him but still staying behind the table. Slowly, Lu
Chapter 25Lucifer moved down the dark hall in long strides, Anthonio rushing to keep up with him by his side. “Boss, they mentioned a little of bit of a hassle with the shipment, but things should be okay.” He said, clearing his throat and fixing his tie. Lucifer paused for a moment, turning to face him. His eyes went dark and he couldn’t hide the growing anger on his face. “A hassle?”Anthonio scratched the nape of his neck, avoiding Lucifer’s gaze. “Well, the thing is…” “I was in the middle of something, Anthonio.I’m sure you’re aware.” He cocked a brow, continuing his walk down the hall. “Yes, yes sir. I know and I apologize, but this was a matter of urgency and I had to have you out as soon as possible.” He babbled, linking his hands together in anxiousness as the briefcase he held in his hands somewhat weighed him down. For all his years of working side by side with Lucifer, he still feared him more than anything in the world. Forget being the Capo, when it came to anything
CHAPTER 26“Oh, she’s waking up now.” Angelie turned to the doctor as she watched Katherine shift around on the bed. A part of her was extremely relieved that Katherine was fine, since she had been locked in that room for however long. “Good. Good, give her time to re-energize.” The doctor, Cara said stepping forward to look at her. “She needs the rest, I’ve administered some medications that might make her extremely weak.” She explained, as she crossed her arms waking for Katherine to regain consciousness. Katherine’s eyes blinked open slowly. Everything around her looked like blotches of nothing and she became worried. Impatient, she quickly sat up on the couch and her hand shot up to her head as pain surged through.“Oh, dear. No, no,” Angelie rushed over, guiding Katherine’s head back onto the pillow. She had sat up too fast and it would surely affect her. “You need to lay down and get proper rest.” She mumbled, fixing the pillow up and dragging the blanket over her body.Kather
CHAPTER 27“You need to come over tomorrow.” Lucifer breathed into the phone, his voice low and husky. “Oh? When should I?” Natalia's edgy voice said from the other end of the phone. It hadn't been a long time ago since they had laid together, and it hadn't been a frequent service either. Somehow, buried deep in her, she felt as though Lucifer was beginning to lose interest in her. Of course, she usually had a lot of patrons, but Lucifer…Lucifer was different. Even though the sex was rough, she enjoyed it. There was a sliver of hope that soon she'd be the Dona—the woman hooked onto his right arm at all times—demanding utmost respect and rising to the top of the food chain alongside him.She wanted to be feared—respected—and she'd go to almost any length if she could have that for herself. “Tomorrow. As early as you can.” He said, his jaw clenched as he paced around the room. He was unsteady at the moment, and he just needed an escape from the flurry of emotions that he felt at the
Chapter 28Katherine was about to run mad.Or at least that was what she felt. Every day, there was always something new happening with Lucifer. She could never seem to catch a breath without getting the wind knocked out of her immediately after. After overhearing the conversation between him and Natalia yesterday, she knew very clearly where she stood in Lucifer’s life. “As if I ever even meant anything to him,” She snorted, rummaging through her wardrobe, looking for a dress to pull on. Angelie had already informed her to get ready for breakfast, but Katherine lingered behind, wasting more time than usual, because she didn’t even want to see him.All through the day, she tried her best not to interact with him, ignoring him with every chance she had, and so far, it was working smoothly. She was sure that he hadn’t even noticed anyway, but she knew that this was ideally the best thing to do. Stay as far away from him as possible. Finally getting dressed and ready to head out, she
CHAPTER 29The bullet was for Lucifer.Katherine shrieked, the air vanishing from her lungs, leaving her breathless. Somehow, Lucifer had tumbled onto the floor, crashing into a pile of bags in the gazebo's corner. His face was twisted in pain and a few meters away from him, she could see a shiny gold object on the floor coated in crimson red.“Lucifer…” Katherine scrambled to his side, kneeling beside him. He held a hand up to his stomach, as though he had been severely injured and at that time, he could barely move. Katherine’s feet seemed to be rooted to the floor, a telltale sign of the shock coursing through her veins.“Damn it…” He hissed, dragging Katherine by the foot sending her tumbling to the floor.“Are you trying to get killed?” he spat, as she crawled to him. Her hands hovered uselessly over him, unsure of what to do.“You're bleeding, Lucifer.” Katherine flung the sun hat off of her head, moving quickly to hold him down. “Help is coming.” She said, panicking. Fear gripp
CHAPTER 30Katherine stared outside the window, flipping the pages of a book that rested in her lap. This was the 5th book this week, and she was already growing weary. She sat perched on the edge of the window sill wondering when this whole thing would be over. Even since the shooter had attacked, everyone was on edge, most especially Lucifer. Alongside him constantly was Anthonio. Sometimes, as they passed through the house, she could feel his eyes on her lingering for a short while. When she finally realized that she was being observed, he'd peel his eyes away from her, avoiding her gaze.She found it odd, but did it really matter? They rarely ever spoke, and she was sure there'd be no reason to until she left this house for good. Anthonio was just the capo, nothing else—nothing special.Apart from this, she was tired of being in this house. It didn't help that she had no one to converse with, or any other thing to do. Gardening was a hobby that she loved and had just recently go
CHAPTER 31“Do you like your surprise?” Lucifer whispered, slithering his arm around Katherine's waist. She gazed around, taking in the elegant, calm atmosphere. The soft glow of candlelight cast a warm, inviting ambiance over the room. A lone pianist sat at a grand piano, his fingers dancing across the keys, creating a soothing masterpiece. The gentle hum of patrons’ conversations and the tinkling of silverware filled the air, along with the rich aroma of simmering sauces and freshly made pasta. Katherine could feel her heart pounding in her chest wildly as her eyes went over the room once again. She'd never been somewhere this elegant. Maybe just with the rich family she used to work for, as an usher, but never as a customer. She looked down at her dress, pulling it down gently, and back to the patrons all at their individual tables. “Well…this surprise would be much better if you weren't here with me," she drawled, a sarcastic smirk playing on her lips.Lucifer scoffed, guidin
CHAPTER 143Usually he would wear black but not today. Today wasn't one of those days when he would dress to scare.Instead, he wore a soft grey sweater and faded jeans. His usual scowl was replaced with a calmer and softer look. He didn’t walk like death today, rather he walked like a stranger trying not to scare a cat.The room's back door creaked when he entered, with arms full of plush toys, bright snack bags, and a pink-and-purple doll set tucked beneath one elbow. He ordered his guards to stay outside. Today was for him and the girls.The faint scent of old crayons and spilled juice filled the living room and the little girls sat huddled on a couch, with eyes wide opened. They seemed to be playing but the moment they saw him, they scrambled backwards. Madelaine darted behind the couch and Adelaide crawled under the coffee table with her bunny.Lucifer set the things down slowly on the couch. “I’m not here to hurt you,” he said, with a very low and careful voice. “I brought you s
CHAPTER 142Katherine sat on the edge of the oversized velvet armchair, with her arms crossed tightly over her chest and her eyes fixed on the floor. There was a brief and suffocating silence like if one of them dared make a noise, Someone might end them.Giovanni poured two glasses of red wine. He took his time with it, swirling the liquid, and watching it settle.“You look good,” he muttered as his eyes lingered on her, taking in her curves in the red dress. “What’s the occasion?”“Don’t do that,” she said quietly, her voice tight. “Didn’t you say you needed to... talk to me?”“Oh? You do like hearing things don't you?” he whispered, with a smirk.Katherine swallowed. “Why... why am I here?”“Because I enjoy your company,” Giovanni said with a wide grin.Katherine’s jaw clenched, and she shook her head, her eyes darting toward the door. “I don’t want to stay. Please let me go.”“Not until I decide,” Giovanni said.Katherine’s breath hitched as she forced herself to meet his eyes, wh
CHAPTER 141The early morning air was chill as it occupied Asher’s lungs. Breathing in was hard and it made his insides numb. His feet hit the pavement in rhythm as he jogged, left, right, left. Almost as though he was trying to outrun the problem in his chest. The streets were empty and the sky still gray with dawn. He sighed deeply.He needed this.Ever since Lucifer’s visit… the blood, the screaming, the stench of gunpowder, it all haunted him. But worse than the pain in Lucifer's voice or his sister ’s sobs, was the realization that Katherine had never made it home.Lucifer hadn’t said it outright, but Asher could almost taste it in his words. Katherine was still missing and if she was alive, he couldn't tell.He jogged faster, trying to drown out the thoughts from within and his breath fogged in the cold air.The sound of the ringtone breaking the silence, interrupting his music and the vibration in his pocket stopped him dead in the tracks. He slowed and pulled out his phone.W
CHAPTER 140The sky was a thick shade of ash and the rain poured heavily against the rooftop of thel bungalow like it was trying to peel it off. Lightning darted across the sky and the thunder rumbled every now and then.Lucifer pushed his hair out his face and held his weapon tightly as he stood before the metal gate, with two of his guards flanking him with stone-cold faces and their guns already drawn.“Clear anything in the way but the family,” he ordered. “Yes, lord,” they said and aimed their guns.The dogs came first, walking up and down in distress. It was almost as though they could sense them. Three of them barked and charged which pissed Lucifer off. He had wanted a silent announcement but all thanks to the dogs for being the SOS.The dogs didn’t make it past the gate because Lucifer already raised his gun with a strong calculation and fired. Three bullets, three thuds and their barks rolled back into their throats before it was followed by a defeating silence.They forced
CHAPTER 139Katherine’s head ached. She couldn’t tell how long she’d been down there. The days bled together, and she couldn't tell the night from the day and all through, food was passed to her in a tray, slid underneath the dungeon gates. But she couldn't bring herself to eat it even though it smelt good— looked good. It was left untouched and taken out the next day.Every night she cried herself to sleep, calling Noah’s name until her throat was raw. Her stomach ached, but she refused to eat. It wasn’t hunger that gnawed at her, it was the grief and fear of something happening to her son.Each time the door opened, she screamed for Noah, hoping it was him, but it was one of those cruel guards.And each time, she was beaten for it.A week went by, and she was on the same spot, bruised, and weak and also thin. But she never stopped. She was cold. Hungry. Tired. The only thing keeping her sane was the thought of Noah. Of holding him again.And Lucifer.God… she hated herself for it, b
CHAPTER 138Katherine stepped out of the Landan house looking weary. She had no idea how long she was going to walk before she could get into town. Asher had given her a small map but she had seemed to forget how to use those things. It was a bit tricky but she had thanked him for his kind gesture. And she had to be quick else this was the time that the Landans usually returned and if they saw her on the road that could lead to other complications.The goodbye with the girls, the way Asher pressed that card into her hand, she couldn't stop thinking of it all. she held Noah tightly to her chest. She had no idea how heavy he had become. He was a big baby, warm but really had enough healthy weight.She draped the blanket over her shoulders tightly. Her back ached and her shoulders but she needed to get away from there first.She hadn't even gone a distance until a black van pulled up behind her. She paused in her tracks looking around for where to dash into but it was too late.She drop
CHAPTER 137Katherine’s fingers trembled as she folded the last piece of clothing into the worn, faded bag. Her vision blurred, hot tears clouded the shapes of everything in the room.She sniffled, biting her lip hard enough to hurt. Why did he have to show up? He shouldn't have even tried to. She was fine without him, was figuring life out by herself.A soft knock came at the door, and before she could answer, tiny feet padded in. Adelaide and Madelaine with their eyes round and curious, stood in the doorway. When they saw the tears streaming down Katherine’s face, they didn’t ask what was wrong rather they simply moved to her. The two little girls wrapped their arms around her legs, holding her tight.Katherine dropped to her knees and gathered them into her arms, pressing their heads against her shoulders as the sobs came harder.“Will I ever see you again?” Madelaine asked, her voice shaky and her eyes glossy with tears.Adelaide clung to her tighter. “I don’t want you to go…”Ka
CHAPTER 136Asher sat with Noah resting quietly in his arms, the child’s tiny face pressed against his chest. His little hands clutched at Asher’s shirt without even knowing why. Asher glanced down at him and for the first time really looked. Although both parents Dna had contributed to the boy, his eyes… they were just like his father’s,Lucifer Cain.The ruthless, famous man whose reputation made even hardened men lower their heads. So this was the person Katherine had been running from all this time. The deadly Mafia.He wanted to know how she ended up with him. He had called her wife, asked for his son, showed possession and Katherine was vulnerbale. So vulnerbale and broken. Even after he left, she was still sitting in silence and trembling.Asher swallowed hard as he tried to put his messy thoughts together. The first time he heard of Lucifer, he had wanted to look for a way to harm Ethan. To set him up and fuck him up. But he couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand them. They wer
CHAPTER 135The house was quiet, except for the soft sound of the old ceiling fan and the gentle scratch of a cloth as Katherine wiped down the table. The scent of cleaning solution hung in the air. She hummed as she cleaned, trying to relish the moment and clear her head, before the doorbell rang.Her hand froze mid-wipe, cloth pressed against the wood. The sound came again, persistently, like it needed attention.It was just her and Asher home. And no one came here.No one should.Her chest tightened. She didn't want to do this. Not again.Day after day, boxes arrived. Packages filled with things she never asked for — diapers, clothes, money and various self care she could never afford. She wanted to throw them out, burn them, scream at the sky, but she didn’t.Instead, she let them pile up in Asher’s room, turning his space into a cramped storeroom of her trash. The Landans’ patience had run thin and she couldn't blame them. Kind people had their limits.The bell rang again, caus