All Chapters of Their Rivalry: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

London, England ~ Ava’s POVIt had been three bloody months since the incident at el Costa de Plata. I hadn’t breathed a word to Leroy, and my father had been actively avoiding me. I could never keep him in the same room with me long enough to get answers. As if that wasn’t enough, the Shade kept pestering me for details I wasn’t ready to share.Ellie had deduced that something had gone down between Leroy and me, but she wasn’t sure what exactly had happened. Eli didn’t really care about my relationship with my bodyguard. What he was interested in, was why I had a grazed shoulder, cracked jaw and blood-stained clothes when I returned. Henry was silent for now, but I knew he would flip when he found out what Leroy had done.Right now I was hiding in the home theatre, stuffing my mouth with salted popcorn and watching a horror movie- Countdown. I had gotten to the part where Quinn was about to sacrifice herself for her sister, when the screen went pitch black.“Bloody hell.” I muttered,

London, England ~ Leonardo’s POVMy father’s jet landed at the WIA in London. The lawyer who held unto the contract I had signed under duress was a reminder that my marital status depended on whether or not the chica signed the contract.Amaia was a good fuck last night, so I had decided to keep her around for a while. I gave her the keys to the penthouse that Lucia had occupied to seal the deal. Hopefully she wouldn’t make the same mistake Lucia made.I got out of the jet after Cami, the cold air brushing what little skin I had exposed. It was my first time here in England, and I didn’t like it one bit. I felt vulnerable. My father, la Rosa de Sangre, and about six bodyguards were here with me but I still felt uneasy.“The rides are here.” Miguel announced as a midnight blue limousine and two black Lamborghini rolled up.We got into the limo and the guards filed into the Lamborghini. One set off in front of the limo while the other rolled behind. After the limo came to a halt an hour

London, England ~ Leonardo’s POV“Please excuse our tardiness, we were held back due to the sudden change in the weather.” I explained, stepping into the nicely decorated large room.Ava turned her head to glance at me, her expression blank. I could tell she didn’t buy my excuse, and I didn’t give a shit. Her eyes appraised everyone entering the room, until they landed on a certain brunette. The blonde’s eyes narrowed, her eyebrow raised questionably, and her lips twitched slightly.“Why is there an uninvited guest in your midst?” An older woman with steel blue eyes stared pointedly at Amaia. Her gaze seemed to shoot daggers.I brought her along despite my parents’ protests to make a statement. I’d still do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. No forced marriage would change that.The woman turned her attention towards me as Amaia confidently moved forward to link arms with me. She stared pointedly at me in anticipation of a reply to her question.“I answer to no…”“Boy it would be bes

Madrid, Spain ~ Leonardo’s POVWe were waiting at the lawyer’s penthouse for the Shade’s arrival. We had been here for more than thirty minutes and they still hadn’t shown up, igniting hope within me. I silently prayed that they’d call to cancel the marriage. Unfortunately for me, the past few weeks had been unmerciful towards me, and I just wanted some kind of relief.“I just got off the phone with Ellie. She says they're on their way, but it might take them a little longer to get here.” Camilla informed, entering the sitting room with a tray of iced coffee and a pot of sangría.I was pouring myself a glass of the sangría when the lawyer entered with Federico behind him. I sat upright and wore a blank expression as the Shade strutted in, Ava leading them. I abandoned the drink to join her with the lawyer. He took us through the necessary procedures for our marriage to be legalized.“Now what? Do they live together or...?” Miguel trailed off.“Later.” Ava answered.“Not later, dear. No

Unknown Location ~ Unknown POV“Привет.” He picked up on the second ring. I didn’t reply, focusing on the tone of his voice to ascertain that he was the one I had to talk to.“Привет? Who is this?” He persisted.A small smile graced my lips as it dawned on me that it was him and knowing him he was probably about to hung up on me.“Do not disconnect the call.” I stated, moving unto the balcony for privacy. ()“Who are you?” He sternly repeated.“I can’t say much over the phone. Caution is everything but trust me I’m not an enemy.”“Who are you?” I heard a pen drop unto the table as he also switched to English“4 22 7 20 23” I uttered each digit slowly and carefully.I heard a scoff, then a hand slammed against a table.“He’s dead!”“Believe me. I’m very much alive, Markus.” I was the only one who ever referred to him using his actual first name. Others either shortened it to Mark, referred to him using his last name or called him by his title.“I was at your funeral.” He replied, disbel