LOGINChapter 114Dante’s POVThe warehouse office smelled like old coffee and cigarette smoke. I sat in the big leather chair, staring at the multiple screens in front of me. My men had hacked into Sabina’s club cameras hours ago. The footage played clearly. I watched everything unfold in that red room. Nina in that tiny lace outfit. The powerful man stepping in. Sabina on her knees crying. Then the way he hugged Nina. Gave her his jacket. Called her his goddaughter.I leaned back and rubbed my jaw. My coffee had gone cold beside me. Nina did not need rescuing anymore. That much was obvious. She had walked straight into the arms of President Albert Gilead. The most dangerous man on this island when it came to power and weapons.A strange feeling settled in my chest. Not relief. Not exactly worry either. Something sharper. Suspicion.Nikolai stood beside me, arms crossed. He had been quiet for a while. Enzo leaned against the wall, chewing on a toothpick. Nana moved around in the small kitc
Chapter 113Nina’s POVAlbert looked at Stacy with a firm, serious expression that left no room for argument. “No. She is not a thief. She is like a sister to you now. You both should try and be friends. I mean it, Stacy. This is important to me.”Stacy opened her mouth wide, ready to fight back. Her face turned bright red with anger. “But Daddy, you don’t understand! She tried to steal from me at the store! She ate my food, touched my things, and embarrassed me in front of everyone! How can you—”He cut her off gently but firmly by placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “I am pretty sure there is some misunderstanding here, my dear. Make her feel welcome in our home. Give her a change of clothes and treat her properly. She has been through a lot.”Stacy squinted her face like she had just bitten into a lemon. Her lips pressed together tight. Albert smiled at her warmly, trying to soften the moment. “I might consider gifting you that yacht you have been begging for if you behave well to
Chapter 112Nina’s POVI kept waiting for the shot. My body stayed tense. Hands still raised. But the man lowered his gun completely. He stepped closer. Before I could move, he pulled me into a hug. His arms wrapped around me tight. I froze. My hands stayed at my sides. I hugged myself instead, trying to cover my body in that tiny lace outfit.He pulled back fast. “I am sorry.” His voice sounded gentle now. He took off his suit jacket quickly and put it around my shoulders. The fabric was warm and heavy. It smelled like expensive cologne. I pulled it tight around me and held it closed at the front. It covered me down to my thighs. For the first time in hours, I felt a little less naked.“Lock Sabina up,” he told one of the bodyguards. “I will attend to her when I have the time. But before then.” He turned to me. “What will you like to be done to her, Nina?”I looked at Sabina. She was still on the floor, eyes red from crying. Part of me wanted her to suffer. But another part felt tire
Chapter 111Nina’s POVI squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the bullet. My hands stayed up, covering my head and chest as best as they could. The tiny red lace felt like nothing now. My whole body shook. Any second the gun would go off and that would be it. No more running. No more pain. Just nothing. My mind flashed to my mother’s face. To the old house. To better days. I held my breath and waited for the loud bang.But nothing came.The room stayed quiet except for Sabina’s soft crying on the floor. I opened one eye slowly. The man still held the gun, but his hand had lowered a little. His eyes were wide now. Not angry anymore. Shocked. He stared at my hand like he had seen a ghost.“Who gave you this ring?” he asked. His voice cracked just a bit. It sounded almost panicked.I blinked fast. My arms were still raised. I did not know what to say. The ring on my finger felt suddenly heavy. It was the jade one my mother gave me. The one the accountant wanted to buy earlier.“What’s yo
Chapter 110Nina’s POVThe shadow in the doorway stepped forward and the red room suddenly felt smaller. The lights finally showed his face. He was an older man, around my father’s age, with neatly combed gray hair and a sharp black suit. Everything about him looked expensive and important. Behind him, twenty bodyguards filled the space. They stood tall and silent with guns ready.Sabina dropped straight to her knees. Her body shook hard. “Your Excellency, please. I can explain everything.”Your Excellency. The words sent fear through me. He was clearly very powerful. Mysterious but feared by everyone. He had taken Sabina from the streets and given her this club, money, cars, and whatever she wanted. In return she was supposed to be only his woman. But she had been cheating with other women.He spoke in a calm voice that still carried heavy danger. “I brought you out of the trenches, Sabina. Gave you this club and everything you asked for. All I wanted was loyalty. Instead you sleep w
Chapter 109Dante’s POVThe morning sun came through the big windows and lit up the dining table. I sat at the head like always. My plate had scrambled eggs, toast with butter, and some sliced mango. The coffee was strong and black. I ate slow, enjoying each bite. The house felt heavy around me, but I stayed calm.Nana moved between the kitchen and the table. She dished out food for the boys. Her hands were not steady today. Silent tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks as she served the rice and sauce. She wiped her face fast with her apron, but the tears kept coming. She said nothing. Just kept working.The boys looked messed up. Enzo stood by the window, arms crossed tight. He kept checking his watch. Leo sat with his head down, picking at his food but not really eating. The whole room felt like it was holding its breath.I took another sip of coffee and said nothing.Nikolai came down the stairs later. His steps were heavy. He carried his laptop under his arm. His eyes looked red a
Chapter TenNina’s POVI woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains and the taste of salt on my lips from dried tears.For a moment, I didn’t remember where I was. Then it all came crashing back.You’re ours now, Nina. Whether you like it or not.Dante’s words echoed in my skull, cold a
Chapter TwelveNina’s POVI couldn’t sleep.The bed was too soft, the room too quiet, and my mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the ocean closing over my head. Felt the water filling my lungs. Heard Dante’s cold voice promising punishment.I sat up, pushing the blankets
Chapter Eleven Nina’s POV I was dying. The ocean just took. My lungs screamed for air that wouldn’t come. I tried to kick, but my legs had turned to dead weight, useless appendages dragging me deeper into the blue-black void. My arms moved in slow motion, pushing weakly against water that felt
Chapter FiveNina’s POVThe knock came again.Three short taps. Not loud, but firm. Like whoever was on the other side knew I’d heard the first time and was being patient. Kind. Or pretending to be.I stayed frozen against the door, heart still racing from what I’d seen downstairs.Another knock.“







