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Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-02 23:41:59
Bab terkait
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 90
ANOTHER CHARACTER POV ALERT!SICILYThe garage smells of oil, metal and hardwork as is required of a car factory like mine. My men, the ones closest to me, move around like a well-oiled machine to check the compartments, tighten the bolts and seal the hidden spaces where the firearms rest. This is our craft. Our business and survival. My focus is soon interrupted by my phone ringing. When I pull it out of my pocket, the name that reflects makes me grin. I flip Oleg the bird when he starts to make noises like a monkey. “Hi, munchkins,” Zip drawls, dragging her nickname for me longer than necessary.“Hey, baby.”“You sound tired,” she says immediately. Trust her to be observant when it comes to me. “Long day?”“You could say that. How’s yours?”“Better now that I’m talking to you.” She teases with a light laugh. “I went shopping today. Got a few bags, an antique rug for my condo and oh, those whiskey glasses to replace the ones you kept complaining about.”I huff a laugh. “You mean t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 91
DAMIANA week later, I call for a meeting between my closest men in my office.The place smells like cigar smoke and rich leather. The air also is thick with the low murmur of conversation. Zoran talks about his latest security expansions, high-end contracts of which most are surprisingly legal this time but he never turns down a favor for the right price. Andros leans back in his seat, nodding along but mostly listening. Sydney hangs around my left with his arms folded, occasionally offering a word or two when necessary.I take a sip of my whiskey, letting the amber liquid burn slowly down my throat. “The real estate projects in Bogota are progressing well. The columbian families are using the resorts exactly how we expected, you know, keeping their assets clean, moving money in and out without suspicion.”Andros smirks. “Bet they love the extra security too.”“They do,” I agree, setting my glass down. “And it benefits us. A win-win.”Sydney scoffs lightly. “Until the wrong person f
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-05DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 92
LILIANA“What do you think you’re doing?” Alice shouts in alarm when I step into the kitchen with my tray after my breakfast. She takes it out of my hands.“I need some fresh air, Alice. It’s too stifling in there especially with all of you treating me like some egg.” “I don’t care, duska. Damian gave strict instructions to oversee your welfare.” She gives what I think are instructions in Russian to a cook standing and watching us. “Now, come darling, let’s go back to your room.”“No. I’ll take one quick tour around the house and afterwards, I’ll head back inside. Promise.”She squints her eyes to tell me she doesn’t believe but shrugs. “One tour and that’s it.”I give her a grin in response and walk out of the kitchen. To my right is a door I’ve come to recognize too much due to my countless wandering. Slipping out the door, the first gust of wind blows against my face.It’s refreshing against my skin and reminds me of the beach. When was the last time I was even at a place like tha
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-07DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 93
DAMIANBefore Zoran leaves, he makes sure I give him a lay down of everything that has been happening, including the text message. He showed no sign of surprise. Of course betrayal is a regular occurrence in the house of a made man. However from this moment onward, I know who to draw close and who to look out for. Like the saying goes ‘if you want to eat with the devil, then you dine with a long spoon’. That’s exactly what I’ll be doing. A call comes in. It’s from one of my men who oversees the resorts in southside Sochi. “There’s a Sergeant Dickson here to speak to you. He has the badge, boss.”Another snooping dog. “What does he want?”He switches to thick Russian. “I overheard him say something about dead bodies in one of the resorts. He didn’t leave much to make a full report out of but I say this is happening too often to be a mere accident.” “Hmm.” That’s also a possibility. “Put him on the phone.” A small shuffle and then a high voice that instantly grates on my nerves. “I
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 94
DAMIANWe raise our heads and are appalled at the sight of Bonanno whose head lolls back with the bullet carving a hole in his throat. Blood pumps out steadily from the gape. Karmen stifles a cry, staring at the corpse that used to be her father but she knows better than to make a sound. Her eyes jump to mine with tears shining through. “We are under an attack,” Sergei whispers, drawing out a gun from nowhere. That’s why I say made men don’t make the mistake of submitting all their weapons, whether in public or privately. Each of us have our hands on a weapon, including Karmen who digs her hands between her thighs and draws out a small gun. A small hush descends over us, so deafening that I can hear the sound of traffic from miles away. Nothing else comes. It’s like the shooter has retreated or maybe they’ve got their target. Everyone pins me with an expectant look, waiting for my lead, bidding time with me.Then…the sound of a reload. “Stay glued to the walls now,” I hiss, count
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 95
LILIANAAlice and I are seated in the patio sharing a cup of her delicious, home-made version of the virgin mojito. It’s sweet like I thought it would be and makes me feel relaxed. She never disappoints. Zip left here some hours ago and before she did, she gave me a funny look. Alice says it’s her guilty face. I haven’t stopped laughing since I learned that. “Look at her playing. I’ve never seen her so…free in a while. To be honest, since you came into our lives—”“Since I was forced into your lives,” I tell her, with care not to soil her feelings. Thankfully, she dismisses it with a laugh.“I understand you had no choice then. How about now?”“I still don’t have one. Every time I bring up the topic of letting me go, he reminds me of wanting to keep me safe when I’m not even safe here.”She sighs, setting her drink down. “It’s not his fault, duska. He’s always been like that with the people he cares about. Believe it or not, he cares about you. More than he shows you.”That implies I
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 96
DAMIAN I’m standing atop the balcony which overlooks the main house, staring straight in one direction only; that one spot in the garden blackened with soot from the explosion. It’s hard to believe that she’s gone. The last living memory of Stelleza. “How the hell did this happen?” It’s more of a question of deep reflection. First, the anonymous text to watch my back, then the attempt on my life and now…Irina is dead. Burned to an unrecognizable char. A hand clasps on my other shoulder, the one that’s free from bleeding. I trace the hand to find Zoran. Hair tousled and shirt rumpled. “I’m sorry, bro.” I just nod, because what more can I do? One thing I know for sure is that, when I get to the root of this madness, I will not spare anyone I find pulling the trigger. “Where’s Alice?” It takes a long pause before I reply, “She left with Liliana.” “There really is a mole who will not stop until they see that we meet our deaths. Whoever planned this chose the perfect time know
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 97
LILIANAThe water fills to the brim in the bath-tub, almost spilling over with bubbles. I watch from the door as Rachael turns off the faucet and pours in some essential oils from the vials lined up on the counter.I’m somewhere else in my head, miles and miles away from reality. I could’ve died alongside her, but she chose to save me. Thinking about it makes my stomach churn with unease, yet gratitude.“With all that has happened, I’m sure you’d like to soak in—” she notices me. “We will miss her dearly, of course. She was like the little sister I never had.”I sigh, pulling the bathrobe tighter around me. “She didn’t deserve that.”“None of us do but here we are, taking shit we don’t plan for.” She laughs bitterly, wiping her wet hands with a napkin. Her first statement throws me off guard. Are we still talking about Irina or…? “I’m sure she wouldn’t want us fussing over her now. She’s at rest wherever she is.” She dips her hand in to test the temperature. “The water is gonna get co
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15
Bab terbaru
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 fro
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 witho
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
