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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
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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
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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
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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
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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. “
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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
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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 witho
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