“Hmn…” Aria let out a soft moan as she inhaled deeply, a small smile curled at the corner of her lips. Her hands dug into the railing, gripping tightly while Lucian’s shirt draped over her small frame. His cologne engulfed the air around her, the hem of the shirt brushed her bare thighs as she raised one of her legs to steady her stance. A couple strands of her hair fell on her face as the breeze bristled past her. Her lips grew wider with a smile, seeing the lights all over the city, knowing that people were still out there living their best lives. Aria’s heart still thudded ever since they left the club. She couldn’t stop the rush of emotions, how Lucian’s hand clamped down on her thigh so possessively when Gianni’s hungry eyes wouldn’t get off her.Her hands went down to graze her thigh, before they slid back into the shirt. She caressed her chest, her heart. What was this feeling? Why was she basking in the thrill of Lucian claiming her? Was she starting to love this devil?
“You think Gianni would forgive the little fight that happened here last time?” Domenico muttered as he slammed his car door shut behind him, his voice laced with sarcasm.Lucian’s gaze rested on the flashy sign board that rested on the building before him, “The short bastard doesn’t have any right to offer me forgiveness. Who knows, I might still walk out with all his teeth.” His tone calm, yet echoing with so much pent up anger.He turned softly, his attention drifting to Aria as she slid out of the car. “Why don’t you stay in the car, Aria.” He said softly,Her eyes flickered between the neon lit entrance and his softened gaze, “How bad can it be? I’ve seen worse.” Her lips twitched in a half smile that didn’t reach her eyes.Lucian’s gaze remained on her body, reading her expression for the truth before he let out a soft exhale.“We need to go.” Domenico feet moved briskly towards the entrance, his gaze rested on the sign as he added, “And maybe don’t consider keeping her in t
Twenty minutes later“Where is she?” Lucian paced down the hallway, “I need to get down to the port, but I need to see Sister Maria before we leave.”Domenico glanced at his phone, “I’ve put a call through to the convent, she should be here in….”His voice trailed off when the elevator chimed as its doors slid open. Two of Lucian’s men stepped out first, carrying a wooden chest between them. Behind them, a pair of feet trailed. Her habit pressed neat against her body, with a rosary clenched tight around her hands.Her eyes flickered to the marble floors, the high windows and the open skylit of the penthouse ceiling. “She’s here,” Domenico peeped from the hallway,“Ave Maria…” She whispered, her voice in awe. “Questo posto e bellissimo.” (This place is beautiful)A squeal cut through her surprise, shattering the stillness.“Sister Maria!”Liana’s voice echoed differently with excitement as her little feet moved swiftly down the hall, her curls bouncing with each step she took. Sist
“Ah! Ahhh!” A piercing scream shattered the stillness of the morning.The duvet scrambled off Lucian as he jerked awake, his heart pounded rapidly in his chest as his hand instinctively reached for the gun at this nightstand before realizing it wasn’t danger.“Uncle!” The voice screamed, panic filled the voice so much that it echoed differently. Aria jerked up instinctively, her head snapped to Lucian, whose gaze was fixated on the door, like his ears were straining.“Liana!” He breathed, in seconds he was on his feet. Aria scrambled beside him, her barefoot almost stumbling on each other as they raced for the door. Lucian’s feet moved swiftly in the hallway, his hand pressed hurriedly on the handle of Liana’s room door.“Uncle…” Sobs tore through her throat, as she sat upright in her bed. Her small hands clutched the sheets as her small frame trembled.“Non avere paura, sono qui adesso.” (Don’t be afraid, I’m here now) He whispered as he sat gently on her bed, reaching for her.
“You’ll have a safe word,” Lucian said, his hands moving softly as he dragged the coil of leather across her skin. Her breathing got heavy as her chest rose highly, the whip hummed faintly when he snapped it tight in his fist.“Ah!” A sharp gasp escaped her throat as she flinched,“One word, and everything stops.” His feet moved repeatedly in circles around her, “One word, and I’ll let you crawl back into the light.”Her lashes fluttered against the blindfold, “What word will it be?”“You choose, little dove” He paused his steps as his mouth curved, and his eyes beamed with dark amusement. “But think carefully. Because once you say it, once you spit it past those pretty lips, you’ll make all of this…” His hand flexed upward as he cracked the whip against the marble floor, the sharp sound shattered the silence.“Go away.” He finished, Her mouth let out a soft exhale, and her thighs pressed together as if the sound itself cut through her.“Candles.” She whispered, his brow furrowe
“You’re safe now, nothing will hurt you anymore.” Aria’s hand brushed over Liana’s small frame. Her lashes rested like a fragile angel against her bruised skin, as she curled beneath the heavy duvet. Aria’s eyes darted to the small faint mark circled around her wrist, where Evelina’s men had grabbed her too roughly, or maybe it was Rafael. “Poor thing, I’m so sorry.” She whispered. Then she tucked the blankets tighter, smoothed the stray strand of hair from Liana’s forehead, and her lips collided against her temple in a soft kiss. The sheets writhe softly as Liana stirred, but she remained deeply asleep. With one last glance, Aria’s hand brushed against the door handle as she closed it softly behind her. Before she could turn, another sound shattered the silence in the air, “Hm! Fuck!” A groan echoed in the hallway, Aria’s head snapped to the side, to catch the sound. Her feet padded softly on the marble tiles, as the hem of her white gown trailed behind her,