Victorâs grip on Oliviaâs wrist was firm but not painful, yet it carried the weight of his words and a promise with a warning. Olivia hesitantly looked at him, her mind thinking of some excuses.He pulled her closer, his tall figure cast a shadow over her small body. "Iâm curious," Victor began. "What exactly you were planning to do with this?" He held up the knife as he took out from her pocket.Oliviaâs throat went dry. Her silence amused him and his lips curved into a dark smile."Let me guess," he continued, touching the blade between his fingers. "You thought you could sneak out, maybe hurt me if I got in your way, and then⌠what? Run through the forest in the middle of the night? Do you even know how far the nearest town is?"She said nothing, her eyes were between the knife and the door.Victor leaned in, he whispered in her ear. "I told you, Olivia. Thereâs no escaping me." He forcefully took her to the bedroom and what happens between them, only Olivia could feel the pain pas
Victorâs presence in Oliviaâs room felt suffocating. He was looking at her with sharp gaze, the map in his hands was like a mysterious piece of evidence. Oliviaâs heart was racing, her breathing was hard as the door shut behind him."I told you," Victor said, in a calm way. "I will be always one step ahead."Olivia sat up on bed, clutching the sheets tightly. "You canât expect me to just⌠stay here," she said with a trembling voice. "I am not a prisoner."Victor gave a smirk; his eyes get dark. "Arenât you?" he asked, moving forward. "Because last I checked, prisoners donât get the luxury of planning their escape."Victor closed the distance between them. Olivia refused to look away, even fear resides in her. "Tell me, Olivia," Victor said, "What exactly you want to do if you managed to get past me? Wander uselessly through the forest? Get help from the first car you see? Youâre smarter than that."Olivia said hesitantly. "I⌠I wasnât going to leave. I justâŚ""Donât lie to me," Victor
The room becomes suffocating as Victor closed the door behind him."Eavesdropping isnât polite," Victor said, his voice was low. "Care to explain what you were doing by the window?"Oliviaâs heart raced. "I wasnât eavesdropping," she said hesitantly, taking a step back. "I just⌠heard voices and I was curious."Victor gave a cold smile as he moves toward her. "Curiosity," he sneers. "Itâs a dangerous thing. Havenât you learned that by now?"Victor stopped few inches away from her. "What did you hear?" he asked, his voice was sharp."Nothing," Olivia lied, her voice trembles. "I couldnât make out what you were saying."Victor studied her for a moment, looking at her. "Do you know what happens to people who lie to me?" he asked. She swallowed hard. "Iâm not lying."Victorâs smiles widens but there was no warmth in it. "You are not a very good liar. But since Iâm feeling generous tonight, Iâll give you one more chance to tell me the truth."Olivia clenched her fists to calm herself. "I d
Sleep escaped her, the fragments of Victorâs conversation with the unknown visitor replayed over and over. "Sheâs not ready⌠They will expect her soon." Each word felt like a shard of glass, cutting her deeper.Who were "they"? And what could they possibly want from her?The morning sun comes through the curtains, but its warmth brought little comfort. Victor had locked her room again, a precaution she was getting used to. Yet Olivia was anything but submissive. She was roaming in the room like a caged animal.She needed answers.When Victor arrived to take her to breakfast, he was calm. His suit was perfect, his dark hair perfectly styled. He extended a hand toward her.Olivia placed her hand in his, and he take her down the familiar corridors. As they reached the dining room, Olivia forced herself to speak. "Victor, who was that man last night?"Victorâs expression didnât change but she noticed the slight tightening of his jaw. "You were dreaming," he said smoothly, pulling out her
Victor's eyes dig into Oliviaâs, pinning her in place as if he could strip away her thoughts. Her heart was racing with the memory of the journal and the circled date.âWhat is it we need to discuss?â she asked.Victor leaned in closer. âYouâve been restless,â he said, his voice was full with suspicion. âIt makes me wonder what is it that keeps you wake up late at night?âYou, Olivia thought, but she didnât say. Instead, she shrugged. âThis place. Itâs hard to feel comfortable when Iâm here locked up like a prisoner.âVictorâs smile faded, replaced by a cold expression. âYou arenât a prisoner. Youâre my wife. Thereâs a difference.ââA wife has a choice,â she shot back, surprising him. âA prisoner doesnât.âVictorâs expression changed and for a moment she thought she had gone too far. âYouâre right,â he said, leaning back. âA wife does have choices. But she doesnât make mistakes, Olivia, you chose this path when you married me. And now, you canât turn back.âHis words felt like tighten
Oliviaâs heart raced in the quiet stillness of the villa. Victorâs parting words echoes in her heart, "To see you." It was the claim and a warning, a threat wrapped in the illusion of intimacy.She sat up in her bed, her fists grasping the sheets. Each interaction with Victor seemed to strip away the darkness. But tonight, something had shifted. He had let her out of the house, let her see outside. Yet every step closer to understanding him seemed to drag her further into his web of control.The morning sunlight comes through windows, but Olivia hadnât slept all night, thinking about it. What deal? And why did Alexander look at me like I was included in it?Victor was nowhere when she stepped into the dining room. She decided to take advantage of his absence.âExcuse me,â Olivia said, her voice was calm as she addressed one of the maids. âCan you tell me where Mr. Victor is?âThe maid hesitated; her eyes had something that looked like fear. âMr. Victor is handling some business in his
Victorâs grip on Oliviaâs arm was tight as he took her down the staircase. The air grew cooler as going down, the scent of stones was filling her senses. Her heart was beating hard. Whatever lay below this secret door felt like the key to everything that Victor had kept locked away.âVictor,â Olivia said with a voice shaky, âyou donât have to do this. Just tell me whatâs going on.âHe didnât reply. She tried to resist, planting her feet on the steps, but he tightened his grip more, pulling her along.âYou wanted to know,â he said. âYouâll get them. But donât expect to like what you find.âThe staircase ended, opening into a dark room. Olivia blinked as her eyes adjusted to see the room. The space was unlike anything she had seen in the villa, stone walls lined with shelves holding documents and strange artifacts. A large table was in the center filled with maps and photographs.But it wasnât the room that get her attention. It was the man standing at the far end, his back to them.âAl
Olivia stood froze, her mind was spinning as she stared at Alamâs tall figure. There was something familiar about him, in the sharpness of his eyes.âProtection, Alexander?â Alam scoff. âDonât make me laugh. You can barely protect yourself.â Alexanderâs jaw tightens, but he didnât respond. Instead, he shifted to Olivia, a silent warning in his eyes.Alam wasnât just another of Victorâs man, he was someone who held power. âYouâve got some nerve,â she said, her voice calm despite her pounding heart. âComing in here and acting like you own me.âAlam raised an eyebrow, totally amused âOwn you? No. But you belong to Victor, and by it, you answer to me.â The words hit her like a slap. She bit her lip, refusing to let her fear show. âI donât belong to anyone.âAlam chuckled darkly. âThatâs where you are wrong, sweetheart. You were taken away before you were even born.âAlexander moved stepping closer to Olivia as if to shield her. âThatâs enough, Alam. She doesnât need to know everything.â A
Inside Victorâs penthouse, bathed in the soft golden glow of city lights, Olivia lay beneath him, her body tangled with his. The weight of the past few months⌠the fights, the betrayals, the near-death experiences had faded into the background as they focused only on each other.Victor traced his fingers down her bare spine, his touch featherlight, sending a shiver through her. âYouâre mine,â he whispered, his voice husky.Olivia arched into him, her lips curving into a soft smile. âAnd youâre mine.âIt wasnât just a claim, it was a promise.Victor didnât waste another second. He captured her lips in a deep and consuming kiss, his tongue tangling with hers, drawing out a soft moan from her. His hands roamed her body with a respect that made her heart ache. He had always been possessive, but tonight, there was something different⌠something softer, more tender.His mouth got down her jaw, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses down her neck, lingering at the sensitive spot where her pulse r
The weight of the past no longer felt as suffocating as it once did. Olivia was sitting on the edge of Victorâs massive bed, her fingers tracing the edge of the silk sheets. The events of the past weeks had been overwhelmingâŚ. betrayal, danger, and the lingering ghosts of her fatherâs mistakes.But now, for the first time, she felt free.Victor stood across the room, watching her. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing the toned muscles beneath, his dark eyes were filled with something. He knew what tonight meant. Not just for him, but for her.She turned to look at him, her lips parting slightly as she whispered, âIâm ready to move on.âVictor took slow and measured steps towards her, his presence consuming her senses. When he reached her, he cupped her face in his hands, his fingers brushing against her jawline with a gentleness that sent shivers within her.âYouâre sure?â His voice was husky, deep with desire but laced with restraint.Olivia nodded, her hands finding their way to his
The tension in the room was suffocating. Olivia sat across from Victor in his private study, their hands intertwined on the polished wooden desk between them. Neither of them spoke for a long time, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them.Russo was more than just another threatâŚ. he was a ghost from Victorâs past, someone who had been waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now, he had made his move.âI donât want you involved in this,â Victor finally said, his voice low but firm.Olivia tightened her grip on his hand. âYou donât get to make that choice for me.âVictorâs eyes darken. âThis isnât like before, Olivia. Russo isnât just another rival looking to take my empire, he wants blood. My blood.â His jaw clenched. âAnd if he knows how much you mean to me, heâll come after you, too.âOliviaâs heart pounded. âThen letâs stop him before he gets the chance.âVictor exhaled sharply. âYou donâtâŚ..ââI understand perfectly,â she interrupted. âYouâve spent your entire life
The morning light filters through the window, casting a warm glow over the safehouse. Olivia sat at the kitchen table, absentmindedly tracing patterns on the wooden surface. She felt the quiet peace of the moment, but the weight of the past weeks lingered in the back of her mind⌠a constant reminder of the danger they had barely escaped.Victor was uncharacteristically silent as he moved around the kitchen, his movements purposeful. The tension in his shoulders was less pronounced, but his eyes remained guarded. Olivia could sense he was lost in his thoughts, and she wondered if he was considering the same thing she was: their future.âWhatâs on your mind?â she finally asked, breaking the silence.Victor paused, setting a mug of coffee in front of her.âEverything,â he replied, his voice low. He leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest as he regarded her. âOur lives. What comes next.âOlivia met his gaze steadily, her fingers tightening around the warm mug. âWeâve talke
The air smelled of smoke and blood. The echoes of gunfire had finally faded, leaving only a suffocating silence in their wake.Olivia stood beside Victor, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the gun still warm from the final shot she had fired. Around them, the bodies of their enemies lay motionless, the last remnants of a threat that had haunted them for too long.It was over.Or at least, it should have been.Victor exhaled, running a hand through his bloodied hair. His dark eyes scanned the scene, ensuring there were no survivors. His entire body was tense, shoulders tensed, fists clenched. He wasnât celebrating. He never did.âThis was their last move,â he muttered. âThey had no backup plan. No one else is coming.âOlivia swallows hard. âThen why donât you look relieved?âVictorâs eyes flickered to her. âBecause peace never lasts in this world.âShe knew he was right. Even as they stood victorious, Olivia could feel the weight of everything they had lost, of everything the
The air inside Victorâs office was unspeakable. A large map of the city was spread across the table, red markings and hastily scribbled notes covering its surface. His men stood around, speaking in low, urgent voices, but Oliviaâs focus was only on Victor.He looked more dangerous than she had ever seen him. His suit jacket was draped over the chair, sleeves rolled up to reveal his powerful forearms. His jaw was clenched, his dark eyes scanning the map with deadly eyes.âThis isnât just another power move,â Victor finally said. âTheyâre coming for everything. My business. My territory. And you.âA chill ran down, but she forced herself to stand firm. She wasnât the same woman who had fought to escape him.Now, she was fighting to survive with him.âSo whatâs the plan?â she asked.Victorâs gaze flickered to her, studying her reaction. âYou want to fight? Youâll fight.âOlivia barely had time to react before Victor turned to his men. âGet her a gun. And prepare the car.âHer heart pound
The ride back to Victorâs estate was silent.Olivia was sitting in the passenger seat of his black SUV, staring out at the passing city lights. Her body ached from the fight, her wrists sore from where Marco had grabbed her, but none of that compared to the storm inside her.Victorâs fingers drummed against the steering wheel; his knuckles still bruised from the fight. He hadnât said a word since they left the warehouse. His jaw was locked tight.But she knew him well enough by now.He was furious.Not just at Marco. Not just at his enemies.At her.She exhaled sharply and turned to face him. âSay something.âVictor didnât respond.âVictor.âHis grip tightened on the wheel. âYou could have died.âOlivia bit her lip. âSo could you.âHe let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. âThatâs different.ââNo, itâs not.â She clenched her fists. âYou act like youâre the only one allowed to make sacrifices. But I chose to do that. Just like you always do.âVictor suddenly pulled the car over, the
The tension in the room was suffocating. Olivia sat across from Marco Ricci, one of Victorâs most dangerous enemies, trying to steady her breathing as she made her proposal.âIâm not here as Victorâs pawn,â she said, keeping her voice firm. âI came on my own. To negotiate.âMarco leaned back in his chair, a cruel smirk curling on his lips. His dark eyes studied her, filled with amusement and something dangerous.âYou must think highly of yourself,â he murmured. âWalking into a lionâs den without your masterâs leash.âOlivia clenched her fists under the table. âVictor doesnât own me.âMarco chuckled, swirling the glass of alcohol in his hand. âNo? Then why does he tear the world apart for you?âShe had no answer for that.Marco leaned forward. âSo, tell me, sweetheart. What do you think you can offer me that would make me reconsider my war with Victor?âOlivia swallowed. This was the moment that could change everything.âA deal,â she said. âA ceasefire. I know you want Victorâs world,
The silence between them was suffocating.Victor was standing in front of Olivia; his piercing eyes were locked onto hers.Her body still ached from the suffering of being kidnapped, her mind still reeling from the fear of almost losing herself again. And yet, here she was, face to face with the man who had burned himself into her heart, despite all the things he had done.She swallowed hard before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper but carrying the weight of everything she felt.âIf I asked you to let me go⌠would you?âVictorâs entire body tensed.He didnât answer immediately. Instead, he took a slow step toward her, his movements deliberate, controlled. But Olivia didnât back away this time.His jaw clenched. âWhy are you asking me this?âHer fingers curled into fists at her sides. âBecause I need to know.âVictor exhaled sharply, his hand running through his dark hair in frustration. âOlivia, after everything⌠after what they did to you⌠youâre asking me if I would let you