MasukDante's POV "The death of Mr. Armani was not taken lightly by House Nocturne. They believe you did it out of greed for their eastern territories," Luca said, his voice cutting through the haze of my thoughts. I didn't look up from the glass in my hand. Whiskey. Always whiskey these days. The amber liquid caught the morning light streaming through the penthouse windows, turning it gold. Like her hair. She was in my thoughts again. I never sleep with the nuns, I make them see their inner side that they cover with holiness, as if they are free from sin. I let them sit with realization and shame for being a disgrace for their so called father in heaven. And I had done the same last night. But something about that silly martyr refused to leave my head. She clung to my mind like a leech. Was it her voice? The way she had taunted me? Her scent? I had washed my hands more than ten times today but still I can smell her, feel her, see her on that table asking me if I was scared to tou
He froze for a split second, his eyebrow arching in surprise, like he'd expected whimpers, tears of being forced to do what she didn't want. But I was not what he was expecting. Then that smirk returned, slower this time. "Wow, you surprise me every single time, palomita. All this... caused by the drug? So needy... and wanting." He reached for the side table, picking up small silver clips that glinted under the low light."What are those?" I asked, but my tone was curious now, edged with defiance, my body arching toward him without permission.He didn't answer. Instead, he leaned over me, pinching one nipple between his fingers first, rolling it until I moaned, loud and unashamed. Then he attached the clip, the sharp bite sending fire through my chest, pleasure and pain twisting together until I couldn't tell them apart.I thrashed against the ropes, my back bowing off the table, a cry escaping my lips. "Oh God—"He clipped the other nipple just as quickly, the dual sensation making
"Or are you going to delay that too, Miss I-am-not-scared-of-death but her body is shaking from the thought that she might die tonight." He mocked. I bit my lower lip, I hate him. I hate that smirk on his handsome face, I hate his tone. I hate everything about him. And with that hate in my eyes staring at his smug face, my hands moved to the thin straps of the white lace. They were shaking so badly I could barely grip the fabric. "Pathetic," he said, walking back to the couch. He sat down and picked up a glass of something amber from the table. "All that bravado. All that defiance. And you can't even take off a dress." "I'm trying," I whispered but no matter what I tell myself, I was still a coward. "Try harder." I pulled at the strap but my fingers wouldn't cooperate. "Please," I heard myself say. "I just need a moment—" "You don't get moments," he interrupted. "I gave you an order and you must follow them. That's the only rule that matters in this room." I squeez
My feet moved before I could decide. One step. Then another. Following him toward that door at the back of the club like I had any choice left in this world.The door led to a private room. Smaller than the club outside but somehow more suffocating. Red velvet couches lined the walls. Low lighting made everything look like it was dipped in blood. The smell that hit me was suffocating. Smoke and alcohol filled most of the atmosphere and it had me choked..I gulped and walked deeper into the room.Dante was already relaxed on the center couch, legs spread wide like he owned not just this room but the entire world. He reached for something on the table—a silver cigarette case that caught the light when he opened it.But I noticed something. A slight detail that didn't fit with the rest of his controlled perfection.His hands shook as he lit the cigarette.Just barely. Just enough that the flame wavered before catching. Then it was gone, hidden behind the smooth way he brought the cigare
The scream died in my throat, choked off by the metallic tang of blood that sprayed across the floor. Mr. Armani's body slumped like a discarded rag, his eyes still wide with that drunken surprise, a hole where his forehead used to be.I pressed myself against the wall until the stone bit into my spine through the fur coat.Two buff men dressed in gray suit, appeared from nowhere, their movement robotic as one gripped Mr. Armani's ankles and dragged him across the floor like he was taking out trash, his body leaving a dark smear on the tile. The other crouched with a spray bottle and a cloth, wiping the blood away in long, practiced strokes.The music never stopped during all these. Nobody seemed to care as they continued dancing and sinning their lives away. My whole body was shaking, I could feel it in my teeth, in my knees, in the fingers I had pressed flat against the wall like I could push through it if I tried hard enough. My eyes were too wide and I couldn't make them smaller
I stared out the window of the limousine, looking at familiar streets I passed to help the children of the southern part of town. I had always walked enjoying the sun against my face, the cool breeze against my palm.Now I was looking through the window exposed. Naked.My lips felt the pressure of my teeth, unshed tears burned my eyes as I clenched and unclenched my fists. I wasn't always a good child. I wasn't a saint. I was a spoiled brat who wanted to enjoy the world but was tied down by my mother.Having dreams had killed her though.Had killed me once. And will kill me again.I dreamt of dying. Nightmares. Dreams, all coming into one. And I had sworn the day I became a call girl, would be the day I end it. Unfortunately that day was today. Because what is there to enjoy in a world filled with judgement and hate? The driver had left a small bottle of whiskey on the seat beside me. I stared at it for a long moment before grabbing it with trembling hands. I had never drunk a







