“Tell me, my sweet Mila, do you want me to stop?” “No!” I gasp. “Good, because no matter what, no matter who walks in, I won't,” He promised. Killian Knight was many things, dangerous, a certified killer, devastatingly handsome, my father's business partner and married. He was not just off limits, he was forbidden, he was a sin and I was tempted enough to risk the hell fire. He was everything that could ruin me and my body, my mind and my soul; everything was ready for it. Mila Anderson’s life takes an unexpected turn when she succumbs to the magnetic allure of her father’s enigmatic and dangerous mafia associate. What she doesn’t know is that Killian Knight has the power to unravel everything she’s carefully built. One secret revealed could bring it all crashing down. For Killian, one night with Mila changes everything. She’s everything he desires, yet she comes with her own web of secrets—and he’s determined to uncover every single one.
View More“Do as your mother says.”
Stepmother, you mean, I wanted to say. Instead, I stood silently, my lips pressed into a thin line, as my father informed me that I had to go on this so-called weekend trip they had planned with his friend. I know why exactly this trip was planned and I would rather stay away from it. The plan is to go on a weekend getaway in the vacation house of My father’s dangerous, mafia friend. Killian Knight. If you’re smart, you stay out of his way. If you’re wise, you become his friend—if you can manage it, that is. I’ve never met him, only seen photos, but I know enough. And what I know is enough for me to decide that he is too dangerous and too close to my father for comfort. He kills people for a living, and I’ve decided I’d rather live my life without the constant threat of being snuffed out in my sleep. Besides, I can’t go on this little family-friendly trip. I’ll never have an opportunity like this again: three days alone, unsupervised. There are things I need to do and people to expose. “But Father…” “No buts!” I refrained from rolling my eyes. From the corner of my eye, I saw Adeline—my dearest stepmother—wearing a smug expression. She tried her best to suppress it in front of my father. She wants this, she wants to secure her son's position as the next chairperson of Anderson Cooperate Empire and also doesn't let anyone know that she is stealing my rights. The look on my father’s face told me it was pointless to argue. I am so not in the mood to play Happy Family charade. “Understood,” I said, trying my best not to roll my eyes or give a sigh. I think I partially lost in the end. “Don’t look like I’ve just killed your cat. This is a family vacation, and Mr. Knight and his wife have so graciously chosen to host us. I don’t want anyone backing out. We’ll enjoy it like a family,” he said, his rough voice sounding like he had something stuck in his throat. “Yes, my dear, we most certainly will,” Adeline added, placing her hand over his in what seemed like a loving gesture. My father smiled at her sweetly. I held back my gag reflex. “I’ll excuse myself, Father.” He nodded without looking at me, and I slowly walked out of the study. The devil’s spawn—my stepbrother—was leaning against the wall, waiting with a smirk on his face. I was sure he was there to gloat over my failed attempt to escape this hell trip. “Told you it’d never work. Father holds the Knights in high regard, and Mr. Knight invited the whole family, little sis,” he sneered. “It’s bold of you to assume I consider you family,” I shot back. “Be careful, sister. If Father hears you talking like that…” He put a hand to his chest in mock injury, then his expression darkened as he cocked his head. “You’ll be out of here.” I gave him no response to his obvious threat. It was a threat that could very well come true any of these days considering my 21st birthday day is exactly one month away. It will be my end or I will be free from this prison I am forced to call home. I slipped away down the hallway, past the lobby, and toward the giant staircase leading to the South Wing of the mansion. This is the Andersons’ ancestral house. My father, Tommen Anderson, is the third-generation Chairman of Anderson Group Of Companies, a multinational company worth over $3 trillion. As his firstborn, I am technically the heir to this corporate empire. But if my stepmother’s scheming works, my stepbrother might end up taking over the company. I remember it quite clearly when this legacy became a shackle to me. “Only an Anderson will sit on this chair. You must promise me, Mila,” my grandfather said when he first made me sit on the chairman’s chair behind the large, old mahogany desk at Anderson Tech’s headquarters. I was ten years old and had only recently learned that I was an Anderson. I still remember him kneeling in front of me, looking me in the eye as I sat in the highest chair at Anderson Tech. His light sea green eyes—Anderson's eyes, the same eyes I see in the mirror every day— were cold, just like my father. “You are the only valid candidate,” I didn't know what to think until it became clear that I had just transferred from an iron cage - my orphanage to a golden one - the Anderson Mansion. He was nothing but a jailer. Two years later, he passed away. This weekend was supposed to be my lone opportunity to act without Adeline or Nicolai breathing down my neck. Three consecutive days… but d*mn her for playing the perfect mother, pretending to care. For five years, I’ve been careful with every move I make. All anyone knows about me is that I’m an introverted art history student at New York University with massive social anxiety. A simple girl who thought she was an orphan and is now just grateful to have a family. Adeline wants to control my every move. She’s no fool, though. She knows she has nothing concrete on me. She has always played the part of a concerned mother. I have seen her actual colors. I will not be waiting for that side to come up again. My plans will have to wait. I packed my bag, and the next morning, we were on our way. My father and stepmother rode in the Mercedes, while I was stuck with my stepbrother, Nicolas, and half-sister, Francesca, in the BMW. “It’s been a while since we went to the beach. I’m excited!” Francesca—or Franny, as she insisted we call her—gushed. I like her, surprisingly. She’s not annoying. But I hate her hair—the glossy platinum blonde she inherited from her mother. It fell in perfect waves and looked even more angelic paired with the peach beach dress she was wearing. Her light green eyes, though, were like mine, like my father’s, like my grandfather’s. She is Anderson, after all. Probably the only one who didn't look at me like I was a stranger. I opened my phone, put in my earbuds, and watched a text pop onto the screen. Are you coming today? Later. When? 3 d. D*mn. Yeah, yeah. You and I both. We left the chaotic rhythm of New York City behind, merging onto the highway as the skyline faded in the rearview mirror. The air changed—cleaner, tinged with salt. A few hours later, we pulled into the Hamptons and parked in front of a grand beach house. The car came to a halt, and I pulled my Airpods out. As I stepped out, the scent of sea salt filled my senses. If I had to find one redeeming quality about this trip, it was this view. I’d endure the monotonous gathering just for this. “This is so beautiful!” Franny gushed again. I glanced at the property where we’d be spending the weekend. A wide, wraparound porch supported by white pillars overlooked the dunes, while tall, arched windows reflected the fading sunlight. Sprawling gardens surrounded the house, with perfectly manicured lawns stretching toward the sand. Vibrant flower beds lined the walkways, and mature trees cast dappled shadows over a stone fountain at the center of the property. The estate radiated timeless elegance—a true sanctuary. Nicolai stepped out of the car, groaning dramatically as he put on his sunglasses. “It’s too hot,” he whined, tugging at the collar of his bright red shirt. A red shirt on a beach trip—typical. I shook my head, slipping my phone and earbuds into my backpack and shutting the car door. Still, my gaze lingered on the spectacular view. What would it be like to call a place like this your own? “Oh, well, we were waiting for you!” An elegant woman in a white beach dress stepped onto the porch. She was lean, with an A-line figure and a height that gave her a commanding presence. Her warm smile, framed by red-painted lips, greeted my parents. “Kate, thank you for having us,” Adeline said, performing one of those air kisses high-class women exchange. Kate followed up with a light kiss on my father’s cheek. “How are you, Kate? It’s been a while,” my father said in what I assumed was his version of a charming tone. “I’m great. Killian and I have been looking forward to this.” “Where is my friend—” As if on cue, our host stepped onto the porch. Khaki pants. A dark blue, fitted shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean, muscular arms. He ran his hands through his hair, dark and tousled, gleaming under the sunlight. My breath hitched when his eyes locked on mine.“Tommen got away again.”I closed my eyes, dread digging deep in the pit of my stomach. I don’t know how I should feel about this. There is one side that wants to get to him as soon as possible; on the other side, if Killian comes to know the full truth of him— I shuddered at the possibility.“Mila,” Killian’s voice coaxed me out of my thoughts. I can imagine the tenderness in his eyes, god, I want to see him.“Yes.”“Are you alright?” He asked“Yes,” I said softly, reassuringly but I can not muster anything.“I am sorry.”My heart clenched at his tone“Why are you apologizing?” I frowned.“I believe I have been a bit of over-confident,”“There is so many things we don’t know Killian,” I said, “I am not making your life any easier. You are doing a fine job, but he was hiding his true identity for two decades. It won’t be easy to catch him,” I said.This is also concerning. He manages to be one step ahead of us every time. Like he always knows where and when we are coming, or he knew
Now every puzzle piece fell into place. This was the answer to my question—why would Christen Meng help my father if he knew he was once the Shadow Knight—not just any Shadow Knight—he was at one point the heir of the half, but now it was mine. Christen Meng wanted his brother’s throne. He couldn’t do it alone without his support, something that could stand against Meng Shao—Meng Shao who was rarely seen. There was not even a photo of him, not in the most confidential database, not even deep in the dark web. Killian at one point became a public figure for the sake of appearance his grandfather wanted to give him, but Meng Shao—no one knew his story, and now Christen Meng wanted his throne.He was helping my father so he could take the Shadow Knight and then they both would move to take over Meng Shao.For all his help, this was what Tommen owed him.I sat back on my bed and I could hear Killian’s silence as I pieced it together from the other side.“So, now?” I asked. “We trace the c
"I can’t see you disappear behind a disguise," Killian's words were said with a bit of melancholy that I didn’t know he could possibly hold. When I asked him later why is that?"The more you master the identity you are wearing the more you lose yourself," he looked into my eyes steady, yet there was something chaotic about it too."It will slowly deconstruct your sense of identity."I know what he meant when I looked myself in the mirror that day, an almost sick kind of relief washed over me. Instead of my sea-green eyes I was looking back at the dark eyes. The brown skin, there was a mole on the side of the cheekbone. It wasn’t just a disguise it was a different skin… and it felt… wonderful.I am not Mila Anderson anymore."But who you are will, never change, " the familiar haunting voice came from my right and I whipped my head so quickly in the direction, my green eyes now morphed into a more icy and hardened look."Father," I whispered but it echoed in the void. I swallowed as a c
I took a deep breath. “Yes,” I finally said. Finally reminding myself what was happening and where I am. This was the Transformation Room, as they call it—or for short, TR.The Transformation Room is actually a hall in the Shadow Knight base, with eight fluorescent white lights lighting up the whole room. I think at least a hundred people could fit in if they stood touching one another. The floor was white, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors replaced the walls. I would look around anywhere, and I would look right into my own green eyes.It was unsettling. I had never looked so much into my own eyes before. They stood out—reminding me every single time that I’m an Anderson. Those were the eyes of the man who… and the pictures in the white files flashed behind my eyes, turning a cold pit in my stomach.On my right side, there were lines of stands with all kinds of clothes and uniforms hanging. In front of me was a long table with salon seats lined against the mirror. There were makeup it
“You have an ABP on you, and there is a lookout for you everywhere. Adeline Anderson homicide is a high classified case, as of now,” Yusuf said as he stood in the office.“Therefore, transporting you to the headquarters is going to be challenging,” Bash said, standing beside Yusuf, his expression neutral and professional, but he briefly glanced at Killian before training his eyes back to me. “There are news and posters of you on every news channel.”“I am a suspect or declared a fugitive?” I asked, rolling my eyes and leaning back on the sofa.“Someone is clearly pushing for you to be found,” Killian said. He sat beside me, looking at me with an obvious look.“Great!” I scoffed. My father can’t wait to kill me. “What’s the plan then?” I asked.“The plan is to keep it low key,” Bash said.“Isn’t that the motto here?” I raised my eyebrow and looked at the three of them.“He also means that we have to work on a disguise, and your means of transport has to be unexpected,” Killian said. “A
I did think of the possibility that Tommen knew something, but this… the extent I couldn’t guess. But now, he might have guessed already that I have something to do with KJM, and this will cost me—what I am not willing to pay.Killian moved before I did, the chair he was casually rocking now fell forward with a thud as he abruptly got up, his phone in his hands, making calls as he paced the room. I heard him talking and setting up as I pulled out my laptop from under my desk. After all of my previous devices were thrown out, I was provided the replacement. I configured it as before.Good thing everyone is already attuned. My fingers fly on the keyboard with practiced ease, as my thoughts run a mile a minute to make sure I don’t miss anything. This time I can’t afford any mistake.“I need to know everyone’s current location on KJM,” Killian's voice was low but commanding. It was the kind of voice that one wouldn’t be able to look away from, even if he was coming at them with a knife.M
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments