Water spills from my lips as I am hauled upright. Coughing as I gasp for air, a familiar voice fills my ear canals. “Rise and shine, Volkov. If we are going to escape, now is the time.” I pull back the curtains to my bloodshot eyes, my gaze instantly falls upon a set of brown irises staring back at me with pity and urgency. “Leo...” I whisper his name like it's a beautiful prayer, inhaling deeply through my mouth. “Si, Konstatin left the door wide open as you magically held his attention.” He says with astonishment, holding his hand out for me to take. I brush my hand over my face, clutching my chest as the pressure starts to fade. Looking down at the ground, I see Konstatin passed out on the rug, with a plank of wood resting next to his head. A small trail of blood flows behind his ear, and I look back at Leo with wide eyes. “Is he-” “No, unfortunately, he is still alive. I don't have the strength or fire within me to take his life.” He utters, breaking eye contact with me

There comes a time in one's life when you are faced with a decision that can alter the entirety of your existence.And for me, this is one of those moments; do I lay still and let these savage monsters have a piece of the Volkov printsessa they so desperately want, or, do I fight for a life that no longer feels like my own?A life that has been nothing but a living nightmare and keeps spiralling out of control. But then I remember watching a movie about a female who was in a domestic, violent marriage. She managed to escape, making it her life mission to keep her young son protected from her husband, who relentlessly tracked them down, turning their lives upside down at every turning point. One day, she decides she has had enough, playing by the book has only landed her in more shit and the only way she was going to ever truly be free from her abuser, was to face him. She took self-defense classes, showed up at his house when she believed she was strong enough and fought him. But

Dmitris' Point Of View.I shove my phone back into my pants, a sinister smile spreads across my face as the anticipation scorches my flesh. I start to count down the seconds as promised by Amani just as Konstatin reaches out and draws back Zeyneps veil off her face. He continues to block my view of her, whispering something into her ear that makes her body visibly shudder. Next, he cocks his head back, releasing a fake hearty laugh as he places her hand in Sandros'. They exchange a look at one another, before Konstatin takes a step back, moving away to take a seat on the pew at the head of the congregation.I suck on my upper teeth, my gaze leaving him as I look at Zeynep, and my heart plummets into the pit of my stomach. The past couple of days have been hell for her, and it shows on her face, which is stained with different shades of bruises.Her full lips are painted red that are turned down at the corners of her mouth. Her big blue eyes are engulfed with secrets and trauma I wil

My eyes wander over his face and all I can think about is, how is he still alive?“I should be, but fate has other plans for me.” He says in a strained tone.I drop my hands and clear my throat. “What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here, Leo. If any of Konstatins' goons see you...” I ask him softly, wriggling in his arms, gesturing for him to put me down, and he lowers me onto the grass. “I had to come. I had to make sure that you were able to escape from my father and Konstatin before your vows were said. I was hobbling towards the church entrance when the cars exploded, I knew that someone had come to your rescue, and I made my way around the back of the church, so my father wouldn't see me.” My pulse spikes as I see Ivan jumping out of the van, storming towards Leo with a murderous look erupting across his face. The instant he grabs Leo by the scruff of his collar, shaking him. I reach out and slap Ivan across the face. Hard. Harder than I had initially intended and he l

I was drowning in my nightmares that were suffocating me. I was in a box of sand, sinking, unable to catch my breath. Then out of nowhere, Konstatins' hands were snaking around my waist, and the cold chill of his gun glided over my shuddering body. The sound of a door creaking open fills my ear canals as I look up and watch Sandro approaching us. The foul scent of cigarettes, the whisper of Nicos' next line of threats, and the guard's goading ring in my ears as he egged them all on. Leo's fists pound and pound… into a faceless figure that lies motionless on the ground.Grunts filled with savage rage resonate through the air.Fingers feather over my arm, and I am hauled upright with a sharp inhale. Two liquid bronze eyes with flecks of amber locked on mine, and soft hands pressing my shoulders down. He smells like fresh snowflakes and almonds, and despite my terror; it's the best thing I have smelt in days.Ragged breaths tear through my lungs as Amani leans over me with a look o