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2024-12-17 23:59:15
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DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 58
LILIANAI've made it my mission to avoid him at all costs. If I hear his voice echoing somewhere in the house, I stay locked in my room. When I do leave, I take routes I know he wouldn't. It's easier this way—less suffocating.I avoid Zip too. She's taken a sudden liking to Melanie, and the two of them seem to find joy in whispering and laughing just loud enough for me to overhear.“Isn't it pathetic?” I once caught Zip saying in the hallway. “Acting like a guest when she's just another debt. How long until he gets bored and tosses her out like the rest?” “Ouch!” Melanie exclaimed dramatically, a hand pressed to her chest. “That was too harsh.”“You know you're worth more to the family than worthless tramps like her.” Zip said in a bid to appease her.Their cruel laughter followed, and I've steered clear of them ever since. Lately, I've been feeling worse than usual. On most mornings, I don't even get out of bed until noon. My body feels heavy, weighed down my feverish spells that c
Last Updated : 2024-12-19DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 59
LILIANAEverything is a blur around me. The array of colorful dresses that Rachel spreads on the bed and her robotic response when I'm too numb to do anything but stare blankly at them.Alice comes to style my hair and when she's done, Rachel picks out a red number. I know that the dress is only going to make me more noticeable in the crowd. But hopelessness keeps me quiet.“We don't want to be late, the Pakhan is going to be angry.” Rachel says in a quiet voice. When I look at her face, she looks away from me.These days, she's been terribly distant and avoiding me generally. She barely steps foot in here except with Alice's prodding. I can tell she's burdened but I know she won't say what it is.Whatever it might be, I hope she deals with it. At least, she's lucky she's not about to be sold off to some brute whose existence she has no idea about. This will become my life in a few hours, oh Zot! {Oh God!}There's shuffling around me, Rachel flinching as she moves out of sight and A
Last Updated : 2024-12-23DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 60
DAMIANI gaze out the window watching the sunset with a glass of vodka, sipping through it gingerly and sloshing the hot liquid around in my mouth. Initially, I wanted a glass to steady me and now, I see myself downing the third. Pouring one more shot into the fourth, I pause with my hands hovering over the glass as Liliana's face forces itself into my mind. The sight of her pain when I showed her the document. Indeed, she had no idea and has been trying to prove her innocence. Hence, her rebellion. Stupid fucking idiot. How was I blind to her pleas? I admit to being a stubborn man with rough edges and a soul soiled black, but hurting women is what I don't partake in. I just…I couldn't…I always seem to lose my sense of reasoning whenever I'm within a meter radius of Liliana. “I see the way you look at her.” Alice said to me one day. “If you give her a chance to mourn, then approach her.”I'd scoffed so hard at those words. “Approach her? If I were to ever date anyone, it wouldn'
Last Updated : 2024-12-27DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 61
DAMIANSoon, Genovese and I are seated opposite each other. His smile is tight and his fingers drum an unsteady rhythm on the table.“You've got a nice place here, Damian,” he comments, voice oozing false charm. “Glad you think so,” I reply, shuffling the cards. In that moment, I can't wait for the day where I'd have to put a bullet through his skull. “I hear you've been struggling though. The debts your little billionaire boy left behind—messy.”His face twitches just for second but it's enough to know that I hit a nerve. I deal the cards and the game begins.The air thickens with tension,the pile of chips in the center growing. Genovese keeps glancing at Sergei like he's waiting for a signal. I don't let it distract me. By now, the hum around us has risen which means more people have joined the table to watch. Even better because I'd love to whip his ass back to his condo.The final hand comes. I lay down my cards—straight flush. His jaw tightens, but he forces a grin.“Seems you
Last Updated : 2024-12-27DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 62
LILIANAThe champagne flute trembles slightly in my grip, its stem icy against my fingertips. The fizz tickles ny nose before I take a sip. It's cold. Crisp. Completely useless at dulling the ache lodged in the center of my chest. I set the glass down and exhale slowly, watching the bubbles rise to the surface. Selena's voice is a distant hum in the background. When Melanie and Zip sauntered their way over to torment me, Selena stepped right in to pull me out of there. Although, I'm grateful for that, I'd need her to shut up. She's yapping excitedly about something I do not care about. I mean, why not? She's not the one getting traded off tonight. She's very married to one of the Kastorov brothers. Right now, she's saying something about the hors d'oeuvres or is it the chandeliers? Trying to befriend me probably but I don't care. She doesn't know that by the end of tonight, I'll be someone else's property. “You're impossible,” she mutters, taking a huge swig from her glass when
Last Updated : 2024-12-28DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 63
LILIANAHis voice cuts through the silence like a blade slicing through butter. There he stands at the edge of the room. His dark eyes lock onto me, stealing every trace of oxygen from my chest in that single look.I'd be damned if I say his presence isn't commanding. The man rises from his seat, his face flushed with rage.“She slapped me!” He sputters, pointing at me. “Your little pet doesn't know her place and trust me, I'll make sure she gets the training she lacks.”“Maybe you should keep your sticky fingers to yourself next time.” I reiterate in anger. Damian's gaze flicks to me then back to the man. “Genovese, as long as this party continues, she is mine.” His voice is calm. Dangerous even. “And I don't share.”The thrill that shoots up my spine is delicious. So delicious that the man's glare drilling holes into the side of my face is nothing compared to the heat in Damian's gaze.It pulls moisture to my core and settles there, growing into a small pool. Why do I love it so mu
Last Updated : 2024-12-29DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 64
LILIANAThe moment I step out of the casino, it feels like my legs are moving without me. I'm like a doll being yanked around by invisible strings, having no say for herself. The air is sticky, the lights too bright and for a second, I wish I could blink and wake up somewhere else. Anywhere else. I crane my neck to look for a particular face. Damian's nowhere in sight and it's as if he's vanished into thin air. Minutes ago, I was kneeling before him in a forbidden prayer. I'd barely touched the zipper of his pants when a knock brought me back down to earth. It was Andros who requested his presence urgently. Putting himself back in order, he stepped out of the room without a glance at me. The shame that coursed through me can't be explained. I wanted the earth to give way and close over me in that moment.My stomach twists at the shameful memory. Used. That's how I feel. Like a coin passed around a table until it's too worn to be recognized. On the brighter side, I hadn't touched
Last Updated : 2024-12-29DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 65
DAMIANRed. All I see is crimson red in the shape of large welts on her naked skin. I open my eyes only to realize it's just a dream. With a weary sigh, I swing my legs over the bed.The pills and glass of water on my bedside remains untouched. That's perhaps the reason why my sleep has been nothing but shit. So, I take the pills and swallow them. Then, I lay back in bed to wait for sleep to come woo me. After trying unsuccessfully to fall asleep, I decide that a drive would do me some good. Now tell me why I'm parked right outside Genovese's house around a few minutes to five and telling the guards I have an important discussion with him?Under normal circumstances, what conversation would drive me to Genovese's house if it isn't about Liliana?Of course, they let me in without so much as a question. Genovese has always been a reckless man who believes nothing can upend him from his exalted position. He better watch out because he wouldn't see it coming. The house is empty and d
Last Updated : 2024-12-30
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DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 137
LAJLA/STELLEZAThe muffled sound of gunshot still rings aloud in my brain, hours after I’d bathed and settled on my bed. Sleep refused to take over and now I’m left to stare at the ceiling and wonder what next.A gentle knock has me sitting up. Red comes in with two mugs of something steamy. Perfect for the cold weather. I grab one, then immediately go to work distracting myself and trying not to look in her direction. If I don’t, then maybe she won’t recall the calamity that happened at the club.Again, this is Red we’re talking about. Nothing goes past her nose without deep scrutiny. Better than I am who would rather pretend not to see it. I don’t care about a lot of things.“Let’s talk about what happened earlier tonight.”“Hmm hmm, this tastes better than all the others you have made, don’t you think?” That’s my pathetic attempt at diverting the topic, of course this will make her prod for words.She gives me a serious look that strips away every trace of amusement from my face.
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 136
LAJLA/STELLEZA“Table four in the aisle next to Bri.”“Got it.” I pick the tray, trying to keep the drinks from spilling as well as maintaining my balance on the killer heels on my feet. The place is teeming with hyped, drunk men enjoying the show that the dancers give them.Although there’s a no-touching policy enforced here, some of these men have no idea what it means to keep their hands to themselves at all times.I smile at the customers around the table and they return it as I serve their drinks. They’re still nice and friendly until the booze kicks in. On my way back, I find myself looking at Red as she glides around the pole in that lingerie set I got her. She’s magnificent when she dances and that’s probably why she’s at the centre where most men are spraying her so much cash with reckless abandon.They all love her.She’s Fin’s golden ticket and I’m proud of her. I walk into a hard wall the moment I turn. The apology falls out of my lips before I can stop it. The stranger
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 135
LAJLA/STELLEZA“Who is that?” Red asks, with a squint at the woman.Ignoring the dread which has now pooled down at the bottom of my spine, I straighten my posture and tug on her hands. “No one. Come on.”Red complies thankfully. But she still has that thinking look on her face. One where her lips curled into her mouth in thought.“You can’t ignore me forever, Lajla. Me and you have to talk and we have to do it now.” The woman’s stern voice commands again, rattling me in my steps. “Or she gets it.”On another thought, I change my mind about ignoring her. “Um, Red? I’ll need you to be on the lookout for the uber. I’ll be with you in five minutes tops.” I’m already on the move before she can voice her protest.The woman’s lips are curled into a sneer when she sees me approaching. “I knew you’d be a fool to not answer your mother’s call.”“My mother’s dead.” I reiterate, cold and calmly. “I don’t have all night, Arbana. What do you want?”“It’s been what, eight months? Six? You left with
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 134
UNKNOWN POVIt’s been one hell of a week running around, bussing all these tables and getting these drunk men to keep their wandering fingers to themselves. How can they even when the only things Phineas lets us wear is some shiny, barely-there silver slip that clings like a second skin. The hem barely brushes the tops of my thighs, and the neckline dips low enough to tease but not reveal it all.Just enough to keep the tips flowing. Thin spaghetti straps dig into my shoulders, sometimes falling off and keeps me wondering when my shift comes to an end. The stupid uniform keeps flashing skin from the right side of me where there’s a high slit.“This is bait, Fin,” I complained one day. “The shoes are killing me. Can we switch to maybe sneakers or something?”“It’s what keeps this place running, honey.” He patted my hand and batted artificial eyelashes at me. “You’re doing just great in them. A few minutes more and I’ll let you off.”So, I suck it up and take it like a good girl. Not
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 133
LILIANAI can’t bring myself to look at Theodore as he sits opposite me with legs apart, elbows on knees and head bowed. Is that supposed to be the posture of remorse? What the hell did I walk into?He sighs and raises his head. “Lily, what happened? How did you escape that monster?”I say nothing. Just sit there and stare, wondering if I’m in my right senses if I decide to trust him once more. However, I’d be a fool. Time should have taught me better.“You knew my husband sold me off to the Russian mafia, didn’t you? You were aware of it all. You listened to me get kidnapped by the men Kyle used to mingle with and you did nothing.”His features scrunch up in anger. He shakes his head. “Sold you off? Kyle sold you off?”Irritation flares hot. “Don’t try to make me look foolish, Theo. If it worked in the past, doesn’t mean it can happen again. Tell me the things I need to know. Did you know Kyle was involved in dirty dealings with these men?”He opens his mouth to say something, then s
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 132
LILIANA“Don’t feel bad, Liliana. Certain things happen and we have no control over them.” Those are my sister’s words that I try to console myself with. It didn’t matter what situation we were in, she knew the right things to say.But as I sit in this car and gaze at the house I have abandoned for months, I feel like I have lost everything all over again. What words would she have for me if she were still around?Eric gives me a look from the mirror. “I’m sorry if you had to be caught up in the middle of the heat like this. But if there’s anyone to blame, it should be Kyle.”“I don’t think I need that information anymore. Kyle is dead and I’m back home.” Even if it doesn’t feel like one. “You don’t need to apologize. We are all tethered to something one way or the other and owe dues.”He shrugs. “I guess you can put it like that.”Squaring my shoulders, I open the car door and step out. Before I can take more steps, Eric halts me. “I’m not in the best position to say this but you sho
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 131
LILIANAI’m looking into the face of the man who was my bodyguard appointed by Theo to watch me after my husband died and can’t seem to fathom what he’s doing in the home of my captor.Does Damian know he’s in here? The answer comes to me almost immediately; yes, he does. Yet, the truth in that doesn’t stop me from asking my own questions. “W-what are you doing here?” I stammer out.He’s Eric alright, but at the same time, he’s not. His face lacks the warmth I trusted. That character has fallen out of place and here is the man he has always been.Wait, who is he? “I need to ask you come questions and I’ll need you to be completely honest with me.” He sounds detached.Says the lapdog masquerading as a double agent to feed information to his master. Can’t a woman trust anyone these days?“You both know each other?” Rachel looks between me and the burly man still patiently waiting for my attention. When nobody gives her a response, she excuses us and shuts the door.“Liliana—”“Don’t t
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 130
LILIANAThe journal feels heavy as it sits in my palms. Not because it is thick or leather-bound or anything grand. It’s just heavy…filled with my sister’s wordings–Well, I don’t know that for sure until I open it and that’s what I’m scared of. I stare at it intently and it’s almost like I can hear it whispering at me to open it and face what I’ve been running away since I returned to this cursed house.Rachel watches me from the corner of her eye, not saying a word until I sigh. “You should come with me. I don’t think you want to be in here as much as I do.” Her eyes are filled with untold tales. “Let’s go to your room. You don’t want to be seen like tis in the hallway.”I nod, then rise to follow her stiffly, following her down the corridor like a ghost. My limbs are moving, but my mind’s reeling. Even my heart isn’t beating right. Once we’re inside my quarters, I drop the journal on the bed and start grabbing my things. “Liliana.” Rachel approaches me gently. “What did he tell
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 129
DAMIAN Her eyes widen in caution as I approach her. Like she’s scared of me, or maybe scared I’d hurt her even when I’m certain she knows I can’t. She doesn’t really know the power she holds over me, does she? I should say I am disappointed but how can I when I can’t even tell her how I really feel about her? That’s just hypocrisy. Behind her is Stelleza’s wardrobe full of her things which I stowed away in her memory. “I couldn’t throw her things out, neither could I burn them.” I remember the exact angle where I kept the journal hidden. Since this is her blood sister we’re talking about, then perhaps she has a right to know what it entails and the truth about how she died. Reaching further into the back, my fingertips graze a hard leather. Bringing it out, I flip the leather-bound journal and hand it to her. She gazes down at the book, not taking it yet. “What is this?” “She wrote this,” I murmur, recalling the dark words that birthed my rage. “She wrote every word on every
