LOGINCellie’s povIf I was to be honest with myself, I was really regretting turning down Manuel’s money. And that was because taking it wouldn’t have been as bad as what would happen if I didn’t meet Gasper’s deadline.My current situation has brought me to the realization that sometimes, integrity was overrated.I blew a hot breath against the squeaky clean pane of my bedroom window then mindlessly traced a heart on the steamed haze, my teeth sawing ruthlessly on my bottom lip. Below me, Chicago city went on, just as always. It never cared if your new life was about to be uprooted just as soon as it started, it didn’t care if you were going crazy just thinking about it. The city life must go on and the business never ceases.I wondered if any of the people below also had a dreadful ultimatum hanging over their heads like a rainy cloud.I studied the heart I’d drawn, almost bursting into a hysterical fit of laughter at the jagged line– which I had no memory of recalling at what point I ad
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 saw her run there while he was doing his rounds.”I stopped and pierced him with a hard glare. “And nobody else knows of her whereabouts since then?”I was so livid I could murder someone. Cellie had disappeared since meeting her returned foster brother and according to my calculations that was about fifteen minutes ago. I was going out of my mind with worry and my blasted soldiers were feeding me everything but the news of her location.The mansion was a big one, she could be anywhere. She could also be OFF the property and in a van stealing her away to the Bratva for all I know.“You’d best find her in the next five minutes or this night would end up terribly for you,” I said in a neutral
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 my mother, not the neighbors, not the school teachers.Except me.Terror from the past took hold of me. I dug my nails into Demetrio’s arm, clinging to him, undoubtedly leaving marks with my fingernails.“Cellie, aren’t you going to greet your brother?” My mother said, stepping between the two of us, smiling like a Cheshire Cat, her eyes darting around us. It was clear she didn’t want her “perfect” family to appear just as it was— dysfunctional, disastrous.“Good to see you again sister,” Gasper smiled innocently at me, “your big brother is home.”Sister… brother… such laughable terms. Unsolicited memories of what my so called brother had done to me popped up in my head and I fought a shudd
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 scalding and driving me crazy.I arched off the chaise to allow him pull down the zipper behind my dress, my heart taking off when he sucked hard on the spot directly below my jaw.I sighed deeply at the delicious feeling, unconsciously tilting to accommodate more of his ministrations—kisses and nibbles in just the precise spots to make me quiver. Evidence that Demetrio knew my body better than I did.“You’re terrific in this dress but even more mouthwatering out of it.” He said in a thick, sandpaper voice that rubbed my senses the right way.My blood heated at his praise, sending a deep flush to all the way to my toes. Demetrio’s gaze licked at my skin, making my nipples tighten under his lustful
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 yourself.” I said, gesturing to her whole frame.My friend did her signature hair flip, fluttering her thick lashes. “Well, I have you to thank for this dress and my mama for this face.”She was right, Mama Dee really scored with making her. She was one of the most beautiful people I know and right now, all that bountiful qualities were at their full shine. From her honey brown hair to her emerald green eyes, she was radiant. If she turned hundred heads before, she was going to turn a thousand more today.Diana hooked her arm around mine, “We should get going. I’m itching to witness Demetrio’s reaction when he sees you.”We were riding to the party together, Demetrio had some early morning b
Cellie’s pov“I wonder why you kept such an amazing friend from me, Cellie. Lord knows I could do with one more.” Georgiana gave me a mock frown before going back to grinning at Diana.It wasn’t even up to ten minutes since I’d introduced them to each other and they were already besties. Georgiana was completely besotted with Diana and vice versa. They’d been talking non stop and I was beginning to feel like the third wheeler. I knew it was over when they found out they both shared a love for plants even though their main interests were quite distinct— flowers being Georgiana’s and succulents being Diana’s but plants all the same. They also bonded over their obsession with some guy from a love series whose title I couldn’t recall.“As much as I’d love to leave you guys to your heartwarming meet cute, I’m afraid I have to remind you of our initial appointment.”Both girls turned to me with the exact same look of slight disappointment. They’d been in the middle of chatting about waterin







