RALI
Adrenaline kicked in and I slammed my elbow back at him with every ounce of strength I had left. It connected with something—his jaw, maybe—but all I got in return was a low grunt. He didn't move an inch. Like he was made of steel and fed on madness.
His fingers tangled deeper into my hair, yanking hard until my head snapped back and my cheek hit the cold floor.
Oh, fuck him a million times.
I struggled some more, then he did something that drained the strength out of me. He reached for my injured thigh and pressed into the spot.
My mouth fell open before the cry rang out. I stopped struggling and writhed from the pain that exploded like a siren through my nerves. He stopped almost immediately.
"I told you I was fine with whatever method you choose," he whispered into my ear while I sobbed.
He re
RALII wore my smile like a mask stitched too tight—one I'd perfected from years of pretending not to feel exhaustion clawing at my spine. With a half-drained glass of champagne between my fingers, I drifted through the event room.Tonight, of all nights, they just had to hold this event. I was fucking exhausted. And unfortunately, this event was pretty important to me.Compliments danced around me like confetti from every stranger I passed."Oh, my God. You look stunning.""Your dress is lovely."I smiled on cue, nodding like a wind-up doll with manners. But the moment I reached the wine counter, I exhaled as if I'd been holding my breath all night.I wasn't there for a refill. I just needed a second of stillness in a room drowning in silk, sequins, and the scent of power.I wished Veronica were here. She'd know how to keep me busy with gossip. But the event was strictly invite-only. The sort of elitist gathering where even your plus-one needed a background check. I was only
VOIDThere were days I wished I had mystical powers. Not to heal. Not to protect. But to resurrect the dead.And not because I missed anyone, no. I wanted to drag certain motherfuckers back to life just so I could kill them myself and make sure they truly understood the monster they tried to escape.My thoughts were chaotic as I took in the sight before me. Three bodies, all laid horizontally beside me, their faces pale already.Eric and Miles were flanking me, having been the ones that brought the bodies over. I couldn't go to the house myself since the location was blown and the enemies could just be around, waiting for me to show up.The bodies before me were men from our failed mission. Men that didn't think twice before ending their lives just to fucking escape me.The plan I'd come up with five days ago was a success—or would've been a success if these assholes weren't dead in front of me.A relative of one of the deceased had been moved to a private apartment after the
He didn't have to hold my legs up anymore. They stayed exactly where he'd placed them.I knew he wasn't bluffing. He was the kind of man who carried out his threats.Without shifting the blade, his fingers returned to my heat, parting me again. His elbows pried my thighs wider as his thumb rolled over my clit in circles.It was a terrifying mix: fear at my ribs, pleasure in my veins."I know you don't want this." His eyes were on my pussy where he stroked. "You don't want me here and probably wish you could claw your way free from me." He moved the knife until the flat of the blade rested at the crest of my mound, just above the place his thumb pressed in maddening circles.My lower lip went in-between my teeth again, a hot ball forming in my lower abdomen."But you don't really have a choice, Green."Two fingers pushed into me.Oh, God."No matter how much you hate this, all you can do is sit here, your thighs wide open for me while I do what I wish with your pussy."The tremor incre
Or—I tried. The hit landed, but it was like throwing cotton at a tank. He didn't even flinch.He only paused for a second, and when I tried to use that tiny second to free my leg, I realized he still had them firmly trapped in his hands. His strength was insane. I could hardly move a limb."Please don't tell me you fight with that fist," he looked up at me like he was truly concerned. "Fuck. We might really need to work on that, Rali."Blood heated in my face. Was the son of a bitch calling me weak?I tightened my fist and tried to punch him again, but in one smooth motion, he let go of one leg and caught my hand mid-air. His reflexes were inhuman. I barely saw him move.Not hesitating, I used the advantage of my free leg to kick him in the shoulder—or I thought I kicked him. He released my fist and rose with a grunt. In that tiny moment, I saw the rage in his eyes, right before he struck me in the cheek with the back of his palm. My head snapped sideways as my vision spun. I squee
The monster didn't flinch. He adjusted his stance, pinned one arm beside my head with a force that said 'don't even think about moving,' while the other curled around my waist.His knee wedged between mine. I could feel the roughness of his pants grazing dangerously close to where I was most vulnerable, and the intimacy of it made my skin crawl."You have no idea how fucking obsessed I am with you, Green." His voice was low, gravel-edged and intimate, and brushed against the sensitive dip beneath my jaw. Oh, God. This looked like a movie scene. If this were anyone else—a harmless man with sweet eyes and kind hands—I'd have melted. I'd have kissed him. But it was him—the monster. The monster who killed people without remorse. The monster who hurt me. I could never fall for anything he does, no matter how good he made it sound. No, I wanted to destroy him."You're the most perfect woman I have ever laid eyes on, Rali." His lips ghosted over my skin like he owned it. "For sixteen yea
I nearly launched out of my own skin. The towel almost slipped from my grasp as I staggered back, hands flying to hold it tighter.I turned toward the voice, and the moment my eyes found him, I forgot how to breathe.He stood in the shadowed corner near the bookshelf—that damned dark corner that always seemed to drink more light than it should. He leaned there like he owned the place: arms folded across his chest, one boot crossed lazily over the other.He looked carved from shadow, dressed head-to-toe in his signature black: leather jacket, fitted pants, dark boots, and those unsettling gloves.The only color in him was danger.And yet, even in this sinister appearance, his face was cruelly handsome. Aggravatingly sculpted. His beauty was the kind that left a mark, feeling like something you'd need permission to even admire.My fingers clut