LOGINShare
21
Last Updated:
2024-11-06 06:09:34
Latest chapter
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 146
DAMIANThe string quartet plays something that sounds like a mourning in disguise. More like an obituary rendition for my miserable heart. It’s not meant to be, I know. But everything sounds like grief to a man who has lost what matters the most.Liliana’s body is tense in my arms and her spine stiffens. Her shoulders are pulled tight like she’d rather be anywhere else than with me. She cannot even lift her gaze to my face and that tears into my wounds afresh. I don’t blame her. Yet, I can’t let go. I keep my hands resting on the small of her back, trying to remember the warmth of her, and my fingers just keep trembling with the effort.God, what if this is the last time I touch her like this?She’s not putting herself through the punishment of dancing with me. She’s just…enduring.Even if she doesn’t look at me, my eyes cannot seem to leave her face. Six months away from me really worked wonders for her and it makes my heart ache all over again. She’s always been beautiful in this
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 145
LILIANAFrom my peripheral vision, a tall figure walks toward us in a stride I have memorized in the deep, dark recesses of my mind. Some things can never be erased no matter how hard we try. For example, the feel of him stroking inside me, reaching depths I never knew existed. But all of that does not even hold a candle to the ache this man has carved into me by himself. That’s how I’m able to slink out of the chokehold he has on me.By the way, where’s his whore? I don’t see her around trying to ruin anyone’s happiness. It’s like she senses and repels a joyous atmosphere. Selena pulls back and gives me a little spin which, unfortunately, puts me directly in the hands of the man I’ve been fighting to ignore all night. With deft movement, he catches me, pulling me flush to his chest and for a moment, I forget to breathe. He’s not even shameless about the way he looks at me like I’m something essential. Like I might disappear if he dares to blink. The way his gaze doesn’t falter fro
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 144
DAMIANLiliana still detests me.She looks at me with so much animosity that breaks and terrifies me, shaking me to my core. She looks at me, but sees past and over me. She’s broken. She wants nothing to do with me. She’s angry. And that’s my fault. Without a single doubt. All I ask however, is how to make up for every single one of my mistakes. I can’t take her silence. I can’t take fucking take it. My gaze strays to the newly wedded, dancing couple in the center of the floor while all I truly care about is the drink in my hand. Until, the woman of my dreams walks in like she did when my men brought her bound to my basement, upending my world and the walls I’ve built around me.I have to talk to her. Maybe she’ll realize then how the power she wields over me. Or how I’m scared of this distance between us. Or how I’m going insane with the need to touch her. Maybe she’ll realize how I want to spend the rest of my days at her feet being a fucking simp for her.Groveling.Worshipping.
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 143
LILIANAI never thought I’d say this but here I am in front of a grand reception hall with dignitaries lining throughout the entirety of the place. It’s teeming with security teams, flashy cars, dazzling women and men in dapper suits.Everyone is dressed to kill. Unfortunately, so am I.Theo steps out of the car to open the door for me, holding a hand out as I carefully make sure I don’t trip on this dress he picked out for me. He does have quite the taste, I give him that.Our invitation cards are scanned when we get to the entrance and just before we get in, I turn my head just in time to see a figure watching in the darkness. Theo tugs my hand, bringing me to the awareness of my surroundings as we step into the room. The figure is forgotten the next instant.The moment I walk in, it feels like I’ve walked straight into a fairytale. Soft golden lights trickle down from crystal chandeliers like melted stars, casting everything in a dreamy glow. The air smells of roses and something s
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 142
LILIANA“Are you busy?” Theodore says from the door, looking at the diary in my hand with interest. “You’ve been holed up with that book for weeks now. Sure it’s still nothing?”I close the book and sigh, despite the terrible wave of sadness that rolls over me. “It’s just…” The words get stuck.I’ve read the book to a point of obsession, as though thumbing through the pages over and over will make me feel closer to my Lajla. It does. Only alongside it comes the ache that is now ripping through my chest, carving a hole everytime.Arbana deserves worse than death for the decline of her daughters. His gaze softens. “Since you returned, you’ve been avoiding all forms of interactions with me and I understand why. But if you need someone to talk to, I’m around the corner.”The door clicks softly as he leaves and guilt swirls. I’ve judged him even after listening to his side of the story. Six months ago when I returned, I wasn’t expecting to hear his open confessions like that.I knew somet
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 141
TRIGGER WARNING ⚠ LAJLA/STELLEZAThe man called Kyle hands the phone back to me with a smirk and leans back in his seat. “There. He should be fine now.”Just as I try to call Damian quickly, Nicolo pulls the phone out of my hands and slips it into his pocket, grinning. “Where were we?”Hysteria climbs steadily, heating my skin and nearly sending me into a craze. “You cannot do this! You cannot touch me without consent. You do know you're a notable individual and you know what that spells for your reputation.”“Wrong, bella. It’s not rape if we have your consent.” Immediately he says those words, something sharp pricks my neck, leaving before I get the chance to grip it. “What was that?” I rub the spot and bring my fingers to my face. There’s nothing. “What have you done to me, you bastard?”“Wait a while, bellisima,” Nicolo leers while fucking me with his eyes. “A few seconds more.”They’re all watching me with an anticipation that sickens me, waiting for some reaction. I pause to o
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 140
LAJLA/STELLEZA“Have you seen your brother?” I ask the moment I spot Zoran in the reserved room of his club. He’s not alone. His friends also flank both sides of him as they drink and discuss. Judging by their stance and the atmosphere, it is the right timing.He nods, smiling at me. “He had to handle business and told me to tell you to give him a few hours.”Sadness settles around me at the news. Business kept him away from me for two weeks and now he’s gone off on another round. As if reading my mind, Zoran approaches me, gentle in his stride as he leads me to another secluded area that is off limits.“It’s just business he has to handle. I promise you he’ll be back before you know it. Some things have been tampered with in his absence and he’s working to tie up loose ends.” His phone pings on cue. “Oh look, he just asked if you’ve arrived.”That seems to settle my worries only a little but not completely erase it. “I’ll just wait then.”“Sure you don’t wanna join me and my friends?
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 139
LAJLA/STELLEZAA little smile. Whispered conversations. A little touch. Nights of pleasure sigh. That’s the only way I can explain whatever this is between Damian and I. He captured my heart before I even realized it. And the way he takes me with so much intentionality both scares me and takes my breath away. What if I wake up one morning only to realize that it’s all been a fantasy? A longing for the scarred girl inside me to feel loved by a man like him? This is the monster of the Seemya Kastorov who nestles beside me every night like a tamed tiger. “What are you hiding from me?” I raise my head and there he is, tanned skin glowing by the streaks of morning light filtering in. His arms are crossed and I drag my gaze away from the way his muscles ripple in that tight shirt to his beautiful eyes. Two years since we’ve been together and he’s still a wonder to behold. Mine.I smile at him. “Now, why would I want to hide anything from you?” He smiles briefly but it turns into a frow
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 138
LAJLA/STELLEZAMoving to Sochi has been the best decision I’ve made for myself. Being miles away from my mother, getting my life together again, relishing in my new found freedom–it’s bliss. Being able to afford a comfortable place of my own, not having to bust my ass working for meagre.Thankfully, Liliana is old enough to have control over a bank account. It doesn’t need to go through our greedy mother before it gets to her. Although on certain days, I get sad and miss her. I miss Red too. She’s been more than a friend, supporting me every step of the way, even on my worst days when all I wanted to do was wear a noose around my neck and hang. There’s only one thing I’ve never told her and I would like to keep it a secret for a while. If she finds out, she’s going to have my head for it–literally kill me. But if she learns my reason at the right time, she’ll understand. Just maybe.Snapping out of my thoughts, I throw on my blonde wig to hide my dark locks. My red gloss stands out
You may also like
His Purchased Wife
Elk Entertainment74.5K viewsObsession
Laila_Ali313161.0K viewsTied to the mafia man
Pravs_3618551.4K viewsTHE MAFIA'S CAPTIVE ANGEL
Queenies121.8K viewsHis Ruthless Love
Sia Ahin440 viewsA Bride For A Truce
Veetoria888 viewsTaming The Wild Alpha 3
Ethan Choi3.9K viewsThe Undercover Bride (Mafia Escapade)
Priscillia 1.1K views
