تسجيل الدخولIt seemed like all I do in my life was run —run from danger, from the past, from Demetrio. Whatever it was, I was always on the run and right now was no different.My chaser was hot on my tail, gaining on me. My lungs burned, my stomach churned, my feet pounded against the ground as I pushed them forward like my life depended on it— it did.Whoever was chasing me wasn’t doing it for funsies nor were they going to high-five when they caught up with me. They meant business, wicked business and I wasn’t going to find out what.“Cellie!” A familiar voice yelled behind me, almost freezing me in my tracks. My heartbeat took on a frantic pace as my knees weakened with fear.No. He shouldn’t be here, how was he here?Gasper’s furious voice sliced through the night as he called out my name again, the single syllable dripping with venom that made my blood run cold. “Stop running, you little bitch!”My legs ached, but I pushed harder, zigzagging through the narrow streets. Shadows flickered in t
Dark, foggy and cold. The street was desolate, just like my heart. I shuffled down the run-down lane of a place I had no inkling what it was called. I’d strayed too far from the bus stop Dominic had dropped me off. I had no idea how much distance I’d covered. Walking aimlessly for days, I was drained and dehydrated but my legs seemed to have a mind and strength of their own that kept them going, my footsteps muffled by the strong wind blanketing the night.Far away, I needed to get far away from Demetrio.A chilly wind cut past me, making me shudder and I wrapped one hand around myself, the other gripping tightly on my slung duffel bag.I dodged several plastic bags flying around in the air, avoided a murky puddle and pressed on. The streets grew even darker as I walked further into the night, I was losing moonlight and needed to find somewhere to rest for the night. Somewhere proper this time, not the cardboard shack I’d been subjecting myself to. Right before we parted, Dominic had
Demetrio’s pov“A week, Demetrio. That’s how long you’re required to rest.” Dominic nagged even as he helped me sit up like I ordered him to.“When did you say Grigori was arriving?” I threw at Dominic, ignoring his previous statement. My mind was occupied with thoughts of Cellie and what new discoveries Grigori made that had him sounding so out of breath when we spoke on the phone earlier.I couldn’t wait to hear what he had for me.It’s been four days since I woke up from my cursed coma. And Dominic and Alfonso have been on my neck about how fast I was taking things. I knew they were only worried about me but it annoyed me nonetheless.Cellie’s been out in the wild with no protection, it killed me more not knowing where she was and if she was safe. Demanding answers from her friend hadn’t helped, Diana had sworn she had no idea and from the scared and worried look she had, I could tell she was telling the truth.Cellie told nobody where she was going.Dominic assisted me as I slowly
Demetrio’s povThe woman was crying, tears staining her cheeks, her eyes red and puffy. “Demetrio!” She called.Cellie.I tried to call back but my lips refused to move as if sealed together with tape.“Demetrio!” Cellie called again.I’m right here, baby. I wanted to tell her, I wanted to wipe her tears but my lips weren’t the only thing frozen in place.“His eyes are fluttering, he is about to wake up?” A new voice said, sounding far off.I ignored focusing only on—“Please wake up. Please don’t die.” Cellie said, pleadingly.I’m not going to–“Boss! Are you awake?”My eyes slowly open to the blurry faces of Dominic and Santino, loaming over me.“He’s awake! Alfonso! The Don is awake.” Santino—or was it Dominic?— was yelling.Alfonso came into the frame, something very similar to a stethoscope dangling from his neck. He began asking questions but everything was starting to tip over once more and the only words I caught before slipping back into darkness were painkillers and stitches
Cellie’s pov“Demetrio.” I nudged him gently, my hands shaky as fear, shock and rising panic seeped into my bones.He didn’t respond. He didn’t move. All of him, all big mass that was his body just laid in my arms, still and limp.Except for the blood. It trickled relentlessly.More panic surged through my veins as I stared at him, my vision going blurry. I blinked away the tears.My heart seized with terror, each second stretching into an eternity. I clutched him tighter, desperately hoping to feel some sign of life.“Demetrio, please,” my voice broke. “Stay with me.” I looked back at his wound and my heart beat even faster. He was losing a lot of blood so much his rich, olive skin was turning pale.Thinking fast, I took off the jacket he gave to me earlier, folded it into a ball and pressed it to where the bullet tore through while praying desperately that it will help slow down the blood loss.Demetrio reacted to the pressure, his breath coming out in a ragged wheeze, a small sound
Cellie’s povIt was that day on the DeLeon patio all over again. Gunshots fired off all around me, likely killing whoever was the target. A full on war was going on but I was crouched in the dark space of a rusted mediumly large container, my hands pressed over my ears as I rocked myself in an attempt to fight off the dark memories threatening to resurface— me, locked in a closet as my father ducked around our tiny living room, trying to find cover from the bullets being shot at him.He failed.Now, so many years later I was in a similar situation and this time I’d tried to help the very man responsible for that fateful Sunday. It was a laughable situation.A shot went off somewhere very close to where I was and I stiffened in fear. Was there even a chance that I might make it out alive? Was there a chance that any of us will? I thought about Demetrio and my pulse quickened. Was he okay? Hurt? Was he…I snapped my eyes shut, refusing to complete the thought. I was scared out of my min
Demetrio’s pov“So where did you say she ran off to again?” I said to Cellie’s chief bodyguard, pacing around the hallway like a man with hornets in his pants.Sergio scratched at his nose before clasping his hands in front of him, his eyes everywhere but on mine. “The library, Don. A guard said he
Cellie’s povMy feet were rooted to the ground, my heart hammering so hard, I could hear every beat pump in my ears, my mind was a choir of dissonance.“Hello, Cellie.” Gasper drawled, a fiendish glint in his eyes so subtle you’d have to look too closely to see. And almost no one else ever did, not
Cellie’s povWe kissed our way into the library, my hands all over Demetrio’s thick back and shoulders as we danced over to the cluster of settees. My back connected with the plushness of the large chaise with a light bounce as Demetrio half straddled me, his mouth all over my neck, hot and scaldin
Cellie’s pov“I know I’ve already seen how gorgeous you look in this dress but I have to say it again. You’re so gorg!” Diana exclaimed as soon as I stepped into the penthouse’s second living room.A big smile stretched my cheeks and I did a diva move. “Thank you, baby. You’re absolutely beautiful







