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DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 76
LILIANASomething in my hold jerks sharply, tugging me out of sleep but my eyes are too heavy to keep them awake so I fall back to sleep. It happens again, stronger this time.“Stop.” I moan, turning away from the disturbance. Stellëza. My ears pick that up. With a grogginess that keeps my body still half paralyzed, I turn my head to the sound. Moonlight spills through the open balcony windows and stretches its milky streak across Damian's tortured features. His lips tug downwards but it's not in a frown. The tear line disappearing into his hair at the crown suggests something else. I shoot up and go into a kneeling position, hovering above him. “Damian…” my voice is a little above a whisper. No response. Just more stifled moans and his jaw flexing continuously. When I touch him, his muscles are locked tight like he's fighting against some invisible force. If he continues like this… “Damian.” I try again, firmer this time. “Damian, open your eyes. It's just a dream.”That's when
Last Updated : 2025-01-24DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 77
DAMIANBefore the crack of dawn, I slip out from the covers with great care not to wake Liliana, then I took the same route out of her bedroom. I can't believe myself after last night, revealing things without a second thought. What hold did I let her have on me that I start to lack self control? Only one person has this effect on me. Only one fucking person!“You becoming too soft, you heartless bastard.” I say to myself as I take my bath. The words don't even bring me to remorse. Instead, I'm angrier at myself and want so badly to punch the mirror.When I'm done, I don on a grey shirt leaving some buttons open and a pair of black pants, then find my way to my office where loads of work has been piled up for me since I started slacking.She's bad influence for the Seemya’s business.Halfway buried in work, the door opens and Zoran strides in. His hair is ruffled and the dark rings under his eyes tell me he's had a rough night. Not one of pleasure. I take one look at his face and I g
Last Updated : 2025-01-28DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 78
DAMIANAfter I send Sydney out of my office, I call in Andros who is already on his way to me. He shows me proof of my suspicion on a screen.With terse silence, I watch the clip play out and what I find makes my jaw tick and blood boil with concealed rage. It's not what I expect taken from a blurry view. The person does look awfully familiar.“How were you able to lay your hands on this?” I ask after the clip stops.“You seem to forget the plants we have in several places, Pakhan. We have advantageous views.”“So what makes you think there isn't one right now in my premises, scoping on everything I do and telling out my business?”“That’s who I just showed you, boss. He's an embarrassment to this Seemya and needs to be executed immediately.” His lips curl up in disgust at the end.My phone buzzes on the table and Sicily's name is on the screen. I don't want to pick the call but for business sake, I do. “Hello.”“Pakhan, did you see the news circulating all around in the Bratva? Gen
Last Updated : 2025-01-29DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 79
LILIANA A FEW HOURS AGO…The car rolls to a stop just inside the gates before Zoran cuts out the hum of the engine almost immediately. The amount of anxiety that rolls off him is contagious enough to seep into me and leave me restless. My fingers twitch against my lap as I take in the mansion looming ahead.The guards stationed outside, although trying to look composed, grip their weapons a little tighter, flinching at every crash that comes from inside the house. Beside me, Zoran exhales sharply, quickly moping his face with his palm. He gives me an apologetic look and I try to give him a smile which I fail terribly at. He looks like he wants to say something, then he shakes his head thinking better of it.With every crash that blasts through the house, he looks terrified, which is comical to me because I’ve never heard of a mafia man shaking in terror because of his woman. It’s usually the other way around. His jaw is set hard like he’s bracing himself to be hit by a storm. “You’
Last Updated : 2025-02-08DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 80
LILIANAI gather her into my arms. She doesn’t resist. I stroke her hair while whispering soft reassurances, willing her to calm down. “You’re strong, Selena, stronger than you know.”She lets out a short, derisive bark of laughter. “I don’t feel it.”“You are,” I insist firmly. “The fact that you’re still standing after all this? That’s strength.”She clings tighter, her breath coming in shaky gasps. “I want to give up.”“I know.”“I keep trying and it's just–” Another sob wracks her body. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”My hold on her tightens. “You’ll take as much as you need to, because that’s who you are. You love fiercely and fight just the same. Even when it feels impossible.”She sniffles, pulling back slightly to look at me with red-rimmed and glassy eyes. “You don’t understand. It’s not that easy.”I pause long enough to think about it, then I admit, “I don’t. Not completely. But I do know fear. I know what it’s like to be terrified of the future. Of yourself.” I ex
Last Updated : 2025-02-09DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 81
LILIANADamian still has the painting cradled in his hands as we sit on the bench in the courtyard and talk about my leaving. I've been holed up here for close to two months and judging by the proof of my innocence, I should be a free woman.I'm still as a rock as I wait for his final verdict. Something says he won't grant me my wishes. He sets the canvas down finally, making sure to prop it by the leg of the bench before leaning back and stretching out his legs.“What you ask is very risky, Milaya. I'm afraid I cannot grant you your request.” His voice is gentle, almost belittling, like he's regarding a little child who is asking for a fifth round of cotton candy.My irritation spikes and I try to keep it on a low since clashing with him has never done either of us any good. “I don't think anything is risky about what I'm asking. It's pretty simple; let me go home. You can have your men drive me and I promise, one word won't go out.”“Sentiments has never done the Bratva a favor i
Last Updated : 2025-02-15DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 82
LILIANA“That's surprising,” I say quietly to myself. When I open the door, there's no one else in the hallway except for Irina dressed in a pink nightdress and holding her trusty teddy bear.“I used to have my friends sleep next to me when I was at theirs. Sleeping alone will be strange for me until after a few days of settling in.”Well, she does have a point. “In that case, welcome to my room.”“Was Kristoffor here?” She blurts out without second thoughts and I have to turn around to look at the supposed little girl. “No. That's just one of my colognes.”“You share colognes now?” Her voice is tinged with delight.“Sorry to burst your bubbles but whatever you're hoping we would be will never happen. He's an a… maybe we should just go to bed.”Irina giggles. She hops on the bed, plopping down on it almost immediately. “You can say asshole. I'm not so young.”That has me curious. I walk to the balcony to slide the glass doors back into place. A delusional part of me hopes he's wait
Last Updated : 2025-02-17DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 83
DAMIANWhat should serve as comfort, brings me none. I'm tossing and turning in my bed, sighing, willing this anger swirling in my chest to disappear.I don't know how long it's been but Liliana's earlier rejection burns vivid in my mind. Running a hand through my hair, I begin to pace my bedroom. Sleep won't come, and I think I know why. Liliana rejected me. Not in an emotional outburst, nor with hesitation. Just a simple, uninterested dismissal, like one would a schoolboy who didn't matter. The last time anyone made me feel like this was with Stellëza. It's pissing me off. No one has ever turned me down like that before. Call me egoistic but it's not just my pride that took the hit—there’s something else I can't shake. And then, there is her damn request. The one that ruined the night. She wants me to send her home. She is still ignorant to the way things happen in the Bratva. How else do I make it clear to her that home means death. As long as people think I killed Genovese
Last Updated : 2025-02-18
Latest chapter
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
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
