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I know it says ongoing, but it has already been completed. It has yet to be marked as completed because I'm currently working on editing the errors. If you enjoyed this book, please consider commenting, voting, and leaving a review. I would truly appreciate it! Enjoy!------------AshantiFear.Intense fear.My hands are shaking, and my breath is coming in sharp pants as I struggle to run. My lungs are begging for air, but now doesn't seem like the time to stop. I can't die. I won't die. Not now. Not until he's dead. Not until I see him struggling to breathe a word, not until his blood decorates wherever I find him. This shouldn't be the thought of a 10-year-old, but that's mine.The thudding of heavy footsteps following me makes it even worse to think that these men want me dead. Not them, though. The man they work for Roman Domino. The man that I'm going to kill The man whose name I'll forever remember, even when I'm six feet underRunning up ahead, I see a small hole that I know I can use to hide long enough if I can just fit through. I scan my environment and quickly throw my bag the opposite way, ducking into the hole to save my life. The sound of footsteps and voices gets louder as they reach my hiding place. Black Wolverine boots come into my vision, followed by several others."I'm sure she went this way," comes a deep voice that I'm sure belongs to Rick, the leader of the men. "Scan the environment and get her alive; she couldn't have gotten far.""I can't believe you allowed her to escape, Rafael," says another, followed by a crashing sound, an OOP," and strings of curses. I can't even tell what's happening right now. I want to look, but I won't. I'm sweating, and I feel like if I breathe loudly, they'll capture me. I'm folding myself so tight I could turn it into a sheet."How was I supposed to know she was hiding a knife with her?" comes another voice, followed by another crash. "In case you've forgotten, she fucking stabbed me." I did; it was either him or me, so you know what the choice was. I will fold even more if that's possible. The sound of footsteps receding makes me release the breath I didn't even know I was holding.The place has been dead silent for close to thirty minutes. The full weight of being an orphan falls on my shoulders. The loudest sob broke through me before I could even comprehend it. My entire body is shaking. I'm an orphan. I'm being chased. My body trembles as the memories of my parents' passing flash before my eyes, all in less than fifteen hours of celebration. I wish there was no party. I wish I had asked them to take me out instead.After an hour of being sorrowful and miserable, I pick myself up, wipe the tears, and swear to never be weak. He can't survive. He won't. Even if it's the last thing I do. Roman Domino will pay. My eyes harden, and so does my heart. He's responsible for this. He's behind this.I chant the mantra "He's responsible for this" over and over until it's stuck in my brain. He won't escape; there will be no mercy for him. But first, I have to escape. After thoroughly checking my surroundings, I make a run for it, heading for the subway. I'm running.The subway is a little crowded, and I've never been here before. The little things remind me that I'm not who I used to be and that I can't ever be that girl again. This place seems alive with the chattering of people walking and sitting by. The sounds of their feet The tapping of their hands. Their laughter. I'm probably the odd one out.I feel the stares of their eyes through every fibre of my skin. But it's okay. If I were them, I would look too. Who wouldn't? A kid walking alone with muddy shoes and dirty socks Blood on her dress. I'm pretty sure my black hair is sticking out everywhere, and my hazel eyes must look bloodshot with bags under them, but that's okay.Soon their stares turn into whispering, and when I can't take it anymore, I break into a run, heading for the trains. I don't care where that train is going, but I'm getting on it. And I did get on the train.I heard a couple say it was heading for New York. New York, a city that never sleeps Who would've thought that I would be on a train at this age, going to New York alone? Not me. My parents were overprotective. Were. To even think that about my parents is bizarre. I would never wish this upon anyone. Losing both parents, I mean.I'm so lost in my thoughts that I didn't see him until he said, "You shouldn't come to places like this." His eyes roamed over my figure for a second. Then, "especially if you're on the run."I shrink further away from him, which isn't even far considering I chose to sit at the very last seat on this train, away from prying eyes."I won't hurt you, Bella." He lifts his fingers to touch me, and I flinch, closing my eyes tight, waiting. "But it doesn't mean they can't. You have to run." He whispers while his eyes scan our surroundings.My eyes widen, taking in the man standing before me. Did I hear him correctly? I could run, and he wouldn't hurt me."Wha... why are you helping me?" I manage to croak out, Lawd. My voice sounds scratchy, like I haven't used it in years."I don't know," he shrugs, and he sits beside me so casually, like we're best friends. "But it doesn't feel right to kill you for something you didn't do." The way he says it so easily, like we're discussing global warming,"What's in it for you?" I'm even surprised my voice sounded confident despite how broken I am inside. Surely he wouldn't help me escape just because he wanted to. There has to be something he wants. But his response surprised me, to say the least."Nothing. There's nothing you can give me." His eyes roamed the train, then fell back on me. "I could've killed you earlier, but I didn't."Before I can get a word out, he continues, "Run far away; take this." It was only then that I noticed he had a similar bag to what I was carrying when I ran out of my house. "There's enough money to sustain you for a while, and there are other materials in here; change your clothes. Get off this train and jump on another. Don't ever return, and if I were you, I would change my name while I'm at it."I don't blink for another second, and then another. He was commanding me, and I let his words soak me. His eyes roam me from my head to my toes, lingering on my face long before he gets up and leaves without a backward glance.I watch him walk away until he's out of my vision. I drag my feet to look for the bathroom and lock myself in one of the stalls. I quickly open the bag and see there are different clothes and bills of money that look way more plentiful than I've ever been allowed to hold.This is it. I don't understand why he helped me, but I'm grateful. He said to change my name, so I will. But for now, I have to get out of here. I change into fresh shirts and pants and tuck my head into the cap in the bag. Looking through the bag, I see a note: "Call this number when you need help."Below are a number of different addresses. For what? I don't know, but now's not the time to figure it out. Looking in the mirror, I don't look like the 10-year-old girl who left her house this morning. That's good. I look different. Different is good. Different is what I need right now.Leaving the bathroom with a solemn promise to myself, I hop on a different train and pray that whatever the future has for me will be good. After sitting, an older woman is scolding her daughter, whom she calls "Ashanti." Ashanti. I love it. Ashanti Dunbar. Perfect.Sweat.I'm covered in it. It's been 15 years since that fateful day. But just like every other night, the day haunts me. Plague my dreams. The screams of my parents. Their eyes that were so full of life turned so …cold.It's been exactly 5475 days since I became Ashanti. 8 years ago, I became the bridge between the Mafia and the human world. I know it sounds corny, but I am. Even I can't comprehend how a fragile 10-year-old girl turned into someone who is feared by most.The mere name Ashanti sends shivers in the back of men. It's a very long story of how that happened. One I'm not ready to jump into, but a single nightmare I'm back to that girl. Every night I'm not 25 but 10.Throwing the duvet off me, I check the time, and it's 2:43 am. I'm not going to get some sleep anyway. I might as well get some work done.Taking my pack of cigarettes, I walked to the balcony of my apartment on the last floor. There's a queen size bed covered with black sheets and four pillows of the same col
The beep of the elevator alerted me of my arrival. The door swung open, and two bulky men stood guard at the entrance. The first guy walked up ahead of me and blocked my path. Not today. I can't stand these fuckers. Always trying to intimidate me.“He's busy presently” Joe or John or whatever the hell his name says, standing taller and puffing his chest out.See this one, I can take it out easily, his body is big, but his reflexes are slow. He moves his left foot first all the time. Ah, the things I noticed. “That's not my problem love, I'm not here for your crap John” I take a step further until we're toe to toe” I'm seeing him now. Get out of my way. Or I will go through you.” I grit out, folding my knuckles so tight I'm sure they're white… The fucker grinned like he knows how much I hate his guts or that I was going to say that. “It's Jax. There's no need for violence” His sick smile is still plastered to his face. I want to knock that shit out, “and I was fucking with you” He ret
The Background is a network that ruled the city and the majority of the surrounding countries. It's sickening how influential these people are, always covering up their shit, but not from me. I see and hear everything about everyone except Roman.The man is like a snake living somewhere with no idea of its existence. If I didn't hear his name that day or learned of him while I worked with this network, I would've thought he was a fragment of my imagination. The network is separated into different branches, headed by the same kind of assholes, But Roman is the overall boss for everything. Their code is mostly about loyalty, you see, when you join the background you don't belong to yourself. You dedicate your life to the Background, you'll take a bullet, a knife, and whatever weapon available to keep the Background a secret. These men here will do anything and everything to protect their asses and burn someone else's. The second thing about joining is you risk your family, especially if
AN/ This chapter contains smut. If you're not a fan, please skip to the next ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇I've been twisting and turning for the last 1 hour, and thirty minutes. I can't sleep. I keep getting flashes of my past. What I had to do because of that man. What I went through because of that man. I can't believe I finally met him, the man I've been waiting to see for so many years. No matter how many times I told myself I was ready to meet him, I wasn't. Throwing the duvet off me, I grab the pack of cigarettes and sit on the couch, my mind going back to the Encounter. “Roman, Roman Domino "It took me a total amount of one point and two seconds for my brain to register what he said. My entire body stiffened, and my eyes flew open and met his eyes. My heart is beating rapidly, I can hear the blood rushing to my ears. The distinct sound of a gunshot ran in my ear, and the lifeless body of my mother fell onto the floor, bleeding profusely. “You look like you've seen a ghost, are y
AshantiI felt the trickling of breath on my neck, the heat emanating from the body next to me had me jumping upright. I wince at the pain in myself. I look at my side and find Mason sleeping, snoring slightly. His muscular chest is on full display, there's a thin sheet covering the rest of his body. Fuck, I can't believe I broke my rules, and fuck Mason. I've never been one to make rash decisions, but just my first encounter with the man I hate, and here I am. Rolling the duvet off me, I look across the room and grabbed Mason's shirt on the chair arm, and quickly cover my body, I didn't even bring a fucking change of clothes and I can't even believe I SLEPT right after we got done. Sure he's far too good at fucking, if anything the throbbing between my legs bare witness to how good this man fucks. Searching for my phone, I quickly send a message to Roman asking where we're supposed to meet and head for the shower.I peel my clothes off me and check the water's temperature until I'm
Ashanti“Are you looking for something?” His voice is deep, smooth, and velvety. I feel tingles spread throughout my body. My entire body froze as his words registered. Shit. Shit. Shit. “Ah yes, I'm looking for the bathroom" I turned calmly, my face into an emotionless mask. Play it cool. Play it cool. His eyes roamed my body, staying longer on my face. I don't like it.“The bathroom is that way,” He says finally, pointing to another door on the opposite side.“Thanks” I mumbled as I walk past him, his manly scent swept through my nostril with no warning, fuck he smells so good.Entering the bathroom, I hurriedly walk to the sink and turn the faucet on. I don't even know how the fuck I wasn't paying attention. Whatever attraction I have towards this man can't ruin my plans. With a little motivation to myself, I wash my face and flush the toilet.Stepping into the living room, I'm met with Roman sitting comfortably with two empty champagne glasses, and a bottle of red wine. Expensive
ASHANTIThe sound of Metallic Music echoes throughout the room as I enter, Lucas is bent over a machine, probably working on one of his many products. I met Lucas in my 3rd year in New York. He saw a 13-year-old girl begging, barely having flesh on her bones, and took her in. Trained her and never left her side.I shake my head, to clear memories of that part of my life. I never thought I would be reduced to that level, Roman will pay.I slow my steps as I take a steady breath and try to sneak up on Lucas. We've done this so many times. He turns around at the last minute and the next time my ass is on the ground. "Fuck Lucas” I curse, as I groaned out in pain. He's fucking strong“Language,” he says with laughter, I rolled my eyes at him "I taught you what you know, stop sneaking up on me”“You could've allowed me this one” I muttered as I tried to get up, he offered his hands but I twat them away which only makes him laugh harder. “This old man still manages to lay you on your ass,
AshantiMy back hits the wall as Mason pounds into me violently“Oh fuck…yes yes yes” I'm blabbing, Fuck he fucks so good“You're so fucking tight” he groaned, as he lifts my right legs and hiked them up his hips, twisting and fucking me so rough, so dirty. “Fuckkk, right there”“C'mon” his voice is hoarse, he maneuvers his hands and presses his thumb on my clit, I see fucking stars behind my eyes.I arch my back off the wall, as wave and wave of pleasure rush through me. My entire body converse as my release rush through me.“Fuckkkk Mason, don't fucking stop” Mason take my words as encouragement as he continues to pound into me mercilessly. His body stiffens as he found his release.“fuckkkkkk” he groaned as he rests his head in the crook of my neck. “that was fucking fantastic, we should do it more often” “We should” I agree as he pulled out and sets me back on my feet. After Leaving Caleb, I was headed home when Mason texted me. I figured I could use the distraction, plus the ple