Skai's POV My back pressed against the hard door, feeling like broken bottles were buried in it. My intercostal muscles hit against my ribs. Sweat broke on my forehead, back and chest, staining my satin nightwear as it clung to my skin – itching.As if that wasn't enough, my phone vibrated.Every nerve of my body was pitched on high alert. The boots sounded on every corner down the stairs.Giovanni might have arrived at any time – to my detriment. I didn't hear the sound of the gates. The mansion was too big to listen to external sounds.“Who is there?” The voice thundered, and I shrieked, recognising who it was. It was one of his men who didn't like me and wouldn't hesitate to throw me into a deep grave.I imagined a boat sailing in the middle of a sea. After a while, the water became violent, raging. The tides moved up and down.The boat struggled for a while but, at the end, it turned upside down. The flag resting on the surface of the window is drowning slowly. It'd still resurfa
Skai's POV The flight back home was quiet as I looked outside the window. Having a view of the whole country from above was refreshing. There was no bugging pest like Adam beside me.I had discarded his complimentary card like dirt in a bin – useless and annoying. There was no reason to keep it. He also came for a family trip, not that he resided in Egypt. He could have offered no help. Besides, confiding in a stranger is a risk.A slow thought that crept like a cold worm through all his brain - Carlo and Aver. The first kiss happened because I couldn't control my crazy emotions. Pulling him to myself made me buried deep into his shackles.Giovanni’s driver came to pick me up at the airport, and we got home. I was welcomed by the huge building that haunted me. If there was another house I could live in; carrying out his missions wouldn't be an issue.The strap of my bag felt like elastic blending into my skin, I adjusted it and headed straight to my room. The bedspread was neatly la
Skai’s POV The sun slipped quietly through the thin white curtain, forming golden streaks on the bedspread, and a few rays scattered on the floor. The whole appearance gave the room a soft glow.The hotel felt a bit like home. Giovanni’s house was the exact opposite. The corners had seen more blood spills, like somewhere humans weren't supposed to live. I missed my apartment. I had slept like a log without any feeling of attack at midnight.I walked freely without guards armed loaded and cocked rifles. No sitting behind the monitors, checking for strange movements from Luca's men. For the short while, I felt peace. Just for the meantime. There were dogs growling like they craved human meats.I ripped my eyes open; the first thing that came to my mind was my last mission. I've never tried it, and it felt like a test. One that could cost my life.The world is not a wish-granting factory, and no one would fulfil all of my wishes. I would have liked to stay back in Egypt. To grant these
Skai’s POV An eerie feeling caught up with me. No matter how I pretend not to notice it.I adjusted the scope and peered through the long-range lens, once more searching the sea of faces. My attention landed on the centre of attraction: the customs officers by the water, all stationed at the pier. A man leaned toward a woman with brunette hair, speaking into her ear.It was a rooftop with a direct view of the sea. The fact that Giovanni has everything accurate even in his absence remained a mystery.A delusional part of me expected Matteo to walk up the stairs with his bright smile, stretching his hands forward in request for the binoculars. Or offering to assist me with the footage. I had concluded that no one would help me with the shipments. Maybe it'd be more secretive that way, even though I can't tamper with his shipments. There must be other ways.I scanned onwards; they all looked strange. Of course, this wasn't Italy. Where I knew the officers that work for us. Boss said he
Skai’s POV Sitting behind the desk with my hands placed on my lap, I had arrived there late and hadn't seen Grace confess her crimes – as a recruiter. The female cop stared; forgetting to ask for my ID. “Grace's journal was translated, and she was calculating the amount of debt she was owing. There's a photo of a close friend and her. She isn't a recruiter, just the head of workers. Her plan was to relocate to Egypt; they seized her passports and phones. None of them could communicate with their families. According to her, Frank gets a percentage from their wages, and she only gets to save peanuts monthly.” Her words tallied, and I nodded. Then a brief silence; neither of us talked. The name clicked instantly. Whenever I figured I was almost maintaining eye contact, I switched to the notes on the table. “What country did she travel from?” “Umm, Italy” A little smirk played on my lips. With doubt and anxiety gripping my chest, I knew I'd have to be blatantly honest if I
Skai’s POV The building looked old and dirty. It was located on a lone street. Workers should have good accommodation, but reverse was the case here. The employers didn't care about the health and safety of the workers. The manager even mentioned that she doesn't know where Grace lives.The black van was packed in front of the building. It gave full certainty that we were at the right place. “Six hotels, seven days a week”“I pick them up at 9am and drop them off at the end of the shift,” the driver explained, he looked innocent.The entrance was surrounded by overgrown flowers and trees that were almost the same height as the roof. “Let's try not to overwhelm them.” The officer opened the door.The front door opened to a large room. The house smelt of stale food and cold coffee. The walls were plastered with old newspapers and posters that were peeling off already. Each poster was better than the last.Standing in the house, I was ten per cent fulfilled and ninety per cent hopeful