AnnaThe experience of awakening in an unfamiliar place can be quite terrifying. For me, it was a filthy and malodorous room. As I looked around, I noted the old mattress on which I lay. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my head caused me to halt my motion. Reaching for my head, I discovered a small bump. Grimacing with pain, I endeavored to recollect what had happened to me.As I struggled to summon my memories, the door to my cell swung open, and a rugged-looking man entered. "At last, Sleeping Beauty has awoken," he quipped.I glared at him, my gaze slowly drifting towards the door. I wondered how many guards were stationed outside and how far I could go if I managed to flee.The scruffy man, seemingly able to read my thoughts, countered, "You had best dismiss such notions if you hope to survive. There are roughly twenty guards stationed outside who have been instructed to shoot on sight if you attempt to leave this room."In order to increase my odds of survival or escape, it
DANTEMy mind is consumed with worry and fear. It has been three long days since Anna went missing, and I am on the brink of madness. Although Tasha and her son are still in my grasp, I would never hurt them. However, I cannot release them until I find Anna. I know that Valentine and Orlando are not responsible for her disappearance, but I refuse to let them go. With Valentine under my thumb, he has no choice but to help me find Anna.Playing fair is not in my nature, and I am willing to use any tactic necessary to get what I want. Two days ago, I called Valentine to my side and demanded answers. I needed to know what his deal with Orlando was and why Anna was targeted. Despite his promises of innocence and ignorance, I did not believe him. In exchange for information, I held his mistress and son hostage, knowing full well he would do anything to save them.Valentine believed I would agree to his demands, but I had my own terms. The only way he could see his loved ones again was if he
DANTEMy mind is consumed with worry and fear. It has been three long days since Anna went missing, and I am on the brink of madness. Although Tasha and her son are still in my grasp, I would never hurt them. However, I cannot release them until I find Anna. I know that Valentine and Orlando are not responsible for her disappearance, but I refuse to let them go. With Valentine under my thumb, he has no choice but to help me find Anna.Playing fair is not in my nature, and I am willing to use any tactic necessary to get what I want. Two days ago, I called Valentine to my side and demanded answers. I needed to know what his deal with Orlando was and why Anna was targeted. Despite his promises of innocence and ignorance, I did not believe him. In exchange for information, I held his mistress and son hostage, knowing full well he would do anything to save them.Valentine believed I would agree to his demands, but I had my own terms. The only way he could see his loved ones again was if he
DANTELuca was a man whose life I once saved from a brutal and certain death. He was a solitary tracker, wandering the wilderness alone, but three years ago, he was captured by a group of unsavory characters. It was a stroke of luck that the one who had taken him happened to be on my list of people to eliminate. When I ultimately put a bullet in that bastard's head, I set Luca free. He had promised to repay me for my kindness, but at the time, I didn't take his vow too seriously.Yet, as the years passed, Luca kept in touch with me through the occasional greeting card, always marking the seasons. When I reached out to him this morning, he quickly promised to be at my apartment before dinner. While I'm not entirely sure if he remembers his promise to repay me, I don't care. I'm just glad to have him on my side.However, I have other problems to deal with at the moment. I've been preparing for the payback scheme from Valentine. I kidnapped his mistress and son and also burnt his goods.W
ANNAAs I looked at the gaping hole in my hand, I couldn't help but feel a wave of anger and betrayal wash over me. How could I have been so blind to Debbie's true nature? I inspected the makeshift bandage that was wrapped tightly around my wound, realizing that it was nothing more than a dirty old rag. With the throbbing pain in my hand growing more intense, I feared that the wound may have already become infected.Exhausted from dealing with this whole ordeal, I closed my eyes and attempted to will the physical and emotional pain away. But before I could fully escape into my thoughts, the door to my cell creaked open and Debbie sauntered in, followed by Jasper carrying a small purse."Hello, love. How are you doing?" Debbie's saccharine tone grated on my nerves.Staring daggers at her, I thought of a thousand ways to take revenge on her. "I'll be fine without having to see your face," I spat out.A sly smile spread across Debbie's lips as she took the purse from Jasper and opened it.
DANTEAs I rushed to Anna's side, my heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest. The sight of so much blood was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not getting there sooner. But dwelling on what could have been was not going to save Anna's life.My mind raced as I assessed the situation. Matteo had taken Debbie hostage, and as much as I wanted to make her pay, my priority was to get Anna the help she needed. The amount of blood she had lost was alarming, and I knew that time was of the essence. Saving the baby was not a possibility, but I was determined to do everything in my power to save Anna.As Anna's condition worsened, I found myself praying for her. It was strange how she had managed to awaken my spiritual side, something I had never paid much attention to before she came into my life.When Anna's eyelids began to droop, I knew I had to fight to keep her conscious. I didn't want to lose her, and the memory of someone who had died
ANNAThe sound of a persistent beep invaded my dreams, causing me to stir in my sleep. It was strange because Dante wasn't the type to set alarms, and I definitely hadn't set one. As I tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen, stopping me in my tracks.As I forced my eyes open, the beeping became more insistent. It took me a moment to realize that I was in a hospital room, hooked up to various machines that were beeping and whirring around me. I scanned the room, trying to get my bearings, and spotted Dante sitting uncomfortably in a white plastic chair beside me.His eyes met mine, and he offered a small smile. "Good morning," he said softly. Despite his attempt to sound upbeat, I could sense that something was off."Morning," I replied, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling of anxiety in my gut. "What's going on?"Dante rose from his chair and sat down on the edge of my bed, taking my hand in his. "Are you in pain? Do you need me to call a doctor?"As Dante held my hand,
DANTEAnna's request for me to stay away had been nagging at me but I couldn't ignore her any longer. I knew that my absence would give her the space she needed, but it also gave her time to build up resentment towards me. Despite my reservations, I decided to enter her room. As I stepped closer to her door, I heard her discussing something with Matteo.My heart sank as I listened to their conversation, hoping that Matteo wouldn't spill the beans about Anna's mother's death. Anna was already going through so much pain after the loss of our baby. Adding her mother's death to the mix would only make things worse. I stood back and paid closer attention to what they were saying.Suddenly, something Anna said caught my attention. She mentioned that they things she had learnt about her life would hinder her from feeling shocked about anything. My curiosity was piqued, but I couldn't help but wonder what Morello had told her. Morello had a reputation for being talkative, and I couldn't help b