The meeting room was a magnificent extravaganza display featuring towering marble columns, intricately carved ceilings, and glittering chandeliers. The spacious room, furnished with plush velvet sofas and antique mahogany tables, serves as the meeting room. The soft glow of dimmed lights created an eerie ambiance, casting long shadows across the room.Adler sat at the head of the table, his fingers playing around the rim of his glass of wine, settling back against his seat, his eyes struggling to capture Dimitri's mood.Which was quite challenging in the dim space they were in, where the men appeared restless and tense, although ammunition had been collected at the entrance to the meeting room.For they all knew the outcome of this meeting would either shape or even mar the underworld.About twelve men were surrounding the table, Consisting of him, Domenico and Priest, and the Capos who spearheaded the minor regions. Besides him, Priest was passed a small tray of white powdery subst
LILY'S POV."The fear in your eyes? it's the kick I didn't know I needed." Larissa flicked her hair back before she clutched the purse with both hands, looking so at ease.And I, still repeating the words of comfort, could feel my blood rushing through my veins as I spotted the men.There were about four individuals wearing black short-sleeved Polo shirts, and with every glance I took, they seemed to be closer.And each time they drew nearer, and I noticed how big they were, I realised how much chance I didn't stand against them.I shut my eyes, hoping when I blinked them back open, my fear would be gone, or maybe even all of this, and I would be back at my workplace the hour before I graced Greg's invitation in Palazzo CremisiBut when I flashed them open, she was still right there, staring at me.I clutched the fabric of my gown, "Adler will not allow me to be taken,"She turned her back on me and began to waltz away, "RIP, Lily; I wish I never met you."There were times I wished I
"They almost had her; we were there just in time," I heard the familiar voice.My forehead creased, and through tear-filled eyes, I saw the frame studying me while holding the phone to his ear.When I saw Rune peering down at me, a weak relief filled me when he reported into the phone, "Adler, she's fine. It was a close call, though."I smiled through my tears, threw every discomfort I felt around him; unable to control the relief, I hugged him."Thank you... Thank you so much."He appeared rigid. I knew he was staring down at my head as my shoulders shook, and I cried into his chest, "I thought I was going to die."Rune patted my head awkwardly, then muttered, "It's alright, dollface,"But I still clung to his shirt, refusing to let go, afraid to let go. I wasn't in danger anymore, but I couldn't overcome the fear that had enveloped me, the terror that consumed me.It was so extreme that it blurred my vision, and although a part of the reason I held onto Rune was
[LARISSA.]She slammed her bag against the wall, sinking her fingers into her hair.She felt the tears on her lids—hot, painful tears made from the deepest part of her distress.Her door was shut, and although she had expected her husband to walk into the room and confront her, he hadn't.Old coward. That was what he was—hiding behind looking after the Bratva to shield his cowardice.Larissa raised her head, catching her reflection in the mirror at the room's far end. The beautiful sparkle in her eyes was no longer present since she had lost her candlelight.Since she lost her son.And the only opportunity they had to put his spirits to rest, her husband had thrown it away for ammunition. Dimitri exchanged my son's life for mere shells.Her hands and lips trembled; she was made a fool of by her husband, the father of her child, who was supposed to push for revenge as much as she did.Clutching at the material of her gown, she sobbed, tears washing down her mascara, creating streaks o
LILY'S POV.I folded the last of my clothes, placing them carefully in a box.It was morning, a day after the event that had almost gotten me killed, and throughout last night, I couldn't sleep; with my eyes wide open, I stared up at the ceiling, planning my exit out of the manor.It was a tough decision, especially when my subconscious seemed to remind me I was behind on my rent, might have gotten fired from my job, and had absolutely nothing to get Eva going.But still, it was better than staying past my welcome, parasitizing on a help rendered. So at six that morning, I had begun to get my things in order, ignoring the migraine that pierced through my skull from the hangover from last night.I smiled when I remembered Priest scrunching his nose at the smell of alcohol oozing from my breath, but still, he had stayed around.At seven, I was done packing, and in the next thirty minutes, I was walking towards Eva's room, situated in another part of the house.I knocked quietly on her
AUTHOR'S POV (SALVATORE)He watched Adler shut the door before turning to Eva, but finding her already staring at him, he tilted his head sideways."You're hard on Lily."She ignored him, instead walking towards her wardrobe to arrange the clothes he suspected her sister had touched."If you want to keep your place here, I advise you not to snub me when I talk to you?" his tone hardened; damn, he had never been this way before, not with the opposite sex, since he hardly crossed them.But there was something about this brat, far beyond the rudeness and sneering upturned lips, that seemed to get to him.He wasn't sure if he wanted to strangle her or keep his distance.She swivelled now, her chin inclined upward, "Alright, sir, what can I do for you?"The cynicism wasn't hidden in her voice. Choosing to ignore it for Lily's sake and her own safety. He stood tall, "I heard Lily say she was abused?"Her sarcasm disappeared, and for a moment, her lips parted with surprise, "I don't know what
[LILY'S POV.]"...I won't act like I'm not pleased, you know," Salvatore confessed as he swerved the car towards my working place.I narrowed my eyes at him, and he smiled sheepishly. He was driving me to work, my bag on my lap, and my hands still fidgety from the last time I and Adler spoke."Come on, Lily, don't act like it wasn't for the best. Yes, Adler might have presented it unconventionally, which is Soo him," he shrugged, "But I'm sure it was for the best."Unconventional was an understatement to his presentation. Correctly, it should be aggressive, and he still managed to send it across poorly.***"Sit down." Adler had ordered two days ago as I stood in his room. Making me wonder, why room? Didn't they have an office for this sort of thing?I noticed a video projector sitting just at the edge of the large, black spread covered bed as I entered the room. The curtains were grey, and I noticed he had rushed to throw a gun into a drawer.The sight of a big bed was setting off a
Adler had told me I should be assertive, right? He had said not to flinch, speak my mind, and even demand what I want.But what if that person was everything your trauma embodied? What if you couldn't help but want to create enough distance because you never really moved on from him?"Honey," Clare's calm voice reached me as my fingers clutched tightly at my gown, and my knuckles turned white. "Are you okay?"Was I okay? No, I wasn't. I turned to her and nodded, lips curving as usual, "Yes, I am fine," I bent down to pick up the book I had let go some seconds ago, holding it as if it could protect me.Greg let his eyes roam on the walls, the ceiling, and even the senior citizens and my well-to-do cousin did not hesitate to show the disdain he held for every one of them.Finally, his attention was back on me, and he motioned to the door with his pupils, "Come on, somewhere private."I would have said no, told him to leave, call security on him, but knowing our history of how situation