LOGIN~ William's POV ~The morning air felt bitterly cold against my skin, carrying the sharp scent of damp earth and impending rain. It was finally the day. Today was the day we were supposed to get the passports, board the cargo ship, and leave this city and its bloody ghosts behind.I pushed the laundry room door open quietly, stepping into the small bedroom where Steph was fast asleep. I reached down, gently shaking her small shoulder."Steph," I whispered softly, bending down beside her bed. "Hey, sweetie, wake up. It's time."Steph rubbed her sleepy eyes with her tiny fists, yawning softly as she sat up. "Huh...? Is it time for the big boat?""Yes, princess, it's time," I said, reaching over to quickly pull her thick jacket over her arms and zip it up to her neck. "We have to hurry, okay? Wash your face real quick, put on your boots, and get your backpack. We need to leave before the sun comes up.""Okay, uncle," she mumbled, scrambling out of bed and slipping into her sneakers as fa
~ Dante's POV ~The heavy bass in Elysium thumped through the floorboards, vibrating right up through the soles of my boots, but I barely registered the music. The flashing neon lights of the VIP lounge blurred into a messy streak of purples and reds.But I was completely, miserably drunk.I sat slumped in the deep leather booth, two empty bottles of bourbon resting between my thighs as I reached for a crystal glass on the table. My head throbbed, my veins burning with alcohol, but no matter how much liquid poison I poured down my throat, the sharp, suffocating ache in my chest refused to fade.Before my fingers could wrap around the glass, a sharp hand snapped out and swiped it off the table.I lifted my heavy eyelids, glaring upward through a haze of smoke and liquor.Eve was standing over me, a thin cigar clamped tightly between her ruby-red lips. She took a slow drag, blowing a thick cloud of white smoke toward the ceiling, looking at me with irritation written all over her sharp
I carried Steph down the stairs, my legs still trembling slightly from the adrenaline that had just coursed through my body. The moment my feet touched the ground floor, I set Steph down on her feet.Laurent was still slumped against the front door, his forehead resting against his knees as his chest heaved up and down."God... that was way too close," I breathed out, running a hand through my hair as I walked over to him. "Laurent... are you okay?"Laurent let out a ragged, shaky exhale, pulling his head up and resting it back against the door. His skin was slick with sweat, his eyes wide and completely blown out."I am so stupid, Liam!" Laurent groaned, slapping his own forehead with his hand. "I was so focused on throwing the food into the sink that I completely forgot about the three glasses on the table! I almost got us all killed!""Hey, don't say that," I said quickly, crouching down beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "You saved us. If you hadn't distracted Marco wh
He stepped past the dining area and walked into the living room, his heavy boots echoing off the hardwood floor, his eyes scanning the whole space. Laurent trailed frantically behind him like a nervous moth.“Hey babe, why are you suddenly looking around?” Laurent tried to act annoyed but Marco wasn't responding and honestly, I was about to piss my pants. If he finds me, I'm dead. Marco stopped right in front of the television. The screen was playing a bright, colorful animated show, full of high-pitched squeaks and bouncy music.Marco slowly turned his head, staring at Laurent. "Why are you watching a children's cartoon, Laurent? You hate animated shows."“Fuck,” I cursed silently in my head, pressing my hand against my mouth."I…I don't hate them!" Laurent blurted out, waving his hand dismissively while sweating bullets. "I was just... scrolling through the channels! I left it on while I was preparing food! You know how background noise helps when you're alone in a big apartment!"
Okay! I was freaking out at this point. Laurent’s eyes blew wide open, his skin turning completely paper-white as he stared at the phone in his hand. We were both panicking and my brain had short circuited."Willy, go up! Go upstairs, now!" Laurent gestured wildly in a frantic whisper, waving his arms toward the wooden staircase.I scrambled immediately, my flipflops making almost no sound as I bolted toward the living room. Steph was sitting on the carpet, looking up at me with confused, innocent eyes. I scooped her up into my arms in one swift motion, tucking her face against my neck.“What's happening? Are we running away again?” She asked. "Shh, baby, stay completely quiet, okay? Not a single word," I whispered into her ear. She nodded frantically, clutching my shirt with her tiny hands.Behind me, Laurent moved like a maniac. He grabbed the half-eaten plates of rice and grilled chicken, rushing to the kitchen and hurling them into the deep sink with a chaotic rattle. He grabbed
~ William's POV ~I sat on the edge of the narrow bed, staring blankly at the beige wall in front of me.It had been a few excruciating days, and every single second felt like a slow, painful crawl. I was completely and utterly miserable. The small room felt less like a safe house and more like a cage, wrapping around my throat until I could barely breathe.The only saving grace in this nightmare was that Steph hadn't been pressing me with endless questions. She could sense the dark cloud hanging over my shoulders, and thankfully, she spent most of her time playing with her dolls or watching cartoons in the living room. I didn't even know what I would tell her if she asked why we had abandoned our home in the middle of the night.And Laurent? He had been an absolute lifesaver. He hadn't stepped foot inside his clothing shop since the night he brought us here, leaving his trusted employees to run the business completely. He had told me that he feared if the wrong eyes saw him out and
~ Dante's POV ~I couldn't sleep. I sat on my private balcony overlooking the estate, the cool pre dawn air biting at my bare chest. The only company I allowed myself was the curling white smoke of my cigar. I puffed slowly, letting the sweet smell fill my nostrils, trying to focus my scattered tho
My chest was heaving, and the anger was choking me in my throat. With a snarl, I slammed my fist onto the desk. The expensive wood shuddered, but the impact only rattled the frustration deep in my bones.“Fuck!” I cussed annoyed. "Boss please don't be upset," Antonio's voice came through the haze
Rocco sauntered into the study, the door slamming with unnecessary force. He walked recklessly then dropped into the armchair opposite my desk, throwing his feet up onto the table surface. “Welcome home.” Antonio offered but was very well ignored.Rocco fixed his golden eyes on me, a peculiar frow
I burst into the closest bathroom I could find, slamming the stall door behind me. I was panting heavily, my reflection a wild eyed, sweaty mess in the mirror. I closed my eyes and leaned against the cold tiles, gripping my already half risen erection.“Fucking…fucks!” I didn't even know what to sa







