Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Deal With The Devil: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

VeronicaForty-five minutes later, Charlie and I stood at the gate alone. A sedan came toward us down the dusty road, pulling to a stop at the gates. My grandfather opened the back door and stepped out at the same time as the driver, and I climbed into the car with Charlie on my lap."What is that?" he asked, a clear look of distaste on his face.I scratched behind Charlie's ear and held him on my lap. "It's a puppy, Grandfather. His name is Charlie.""Does he have to join us?""Yes."He didn't argue with me but gave me a resigned look. The driver closed the door, and we were off."No one to wave you off? Where is your sister?""Resting," I lied. I knew he wouldn't like knowing Robyn was in enemy hands. Although Stephen was hardly the enemy. Maybe he was my only ally. Funny how, just a few hours ago, I'd been thinking Stefan was my ally."And Stefan?""Meetings.""Does he know you're with me?""No.""Good girl," he said with a smile, shifting his gaze out the window."Why haven't you

StefanThe looks on their faces when they saw me approach their cozy little lunch was priceless. I wished I had a camera. Shock and awe felt about the right words to describe it. At least as far as Veronica went. I had a feeling the old man expected me.When Eric had called to tell me neither she nor the dog were anywhere to be found, I knew exactly where she would be. Or at least whom she'd be with. She had ignored me completely and done the opposite of what I'd said. Which I guess meant she hadn't ignored me completely. I did always try to see the silver fucking lining.I'd called the hotel in Siena where her grandfather was staying, and it had taken only a few minutes for me to get them to tell me where their driver was taking him. Kingston Winery."Well, well, what a surprise," Marcus said, wiping his mouth with his napkin.I ignored him, my eyes on my disobedient wife instead. In that moment, I realized I couldn't name the storm of emotions swirling inside me. They were too confu

VeronicaStefan and I walked back to the house in silence. He held my hand, his thumb making circles inside my palm. The air hung heavy around him, his mood dark. I wished he'd tell me what had happened between him and Stephen."Are you okay?" I finally asked before we went inside.He turned to me and rubbed my arms, backing me against the wall. His expression looked as though he had a thousand things to say, but instead of saying any of them, he cradled my head with one hand and leaned down to kiss me full on the mouth, his lips soft against mine, the touch intimate and sensual. Different than his other kisses. Not erotic. Not at first. When he pulled back, his eyes almost gleamed.I touched his face, and he flinched. He'd have a wicked bruise tomorrow."My intention when I started this, the whole time I planned it, I never thought about you. Not you as in flesh and blood and human. My brother is right to be worried. I keep telling you I won't hurt you, but I do, don't I?""Stefan—"

StefanMy fucking brother wouldn't stop dialing my phone. I guessed Veronica had called him as soon as I left, and I knew he wouldn't stop calling. Finally, after the eighth time, I answered."What is it, Stephen.""Where are you, Stefan?""I'm guessing you know that.""On your way to Moriarty's offices?""He's gone too far.""Veronica said you have a gun.""Do you propose I go without one?""I propose you don't go at all. Not until you've calmed down. He's not some two-bit thug we're talking about. He's a legitimate businessman—""There's nothing legitimate about him.""Unless you want to give him ammunition, you can't go into Florence with a fucking gun."He was right. I knew it. But fuck. "He sent a car after us. Us, Stephen. Veronica was with me.""I realize there has to be a meeting. Just not like this, not when you're out of control.""Aren't I always out of control? That's what you were telling me a few days ago with your fists, wasn't it?"He sighed. "I need to be there too. T

StefanRage throbbed inside me, burning hot, pumping my blood with adrenaline. With a roar more animal than human, I tore free from the men who held me and lunged across the desk to fall on top of Moriarty, knocking his chair over, sending him to the floor. I wrapped my hands around his throat and squeezed, his fat flesh too thick to snap his neck. His eyes bulged, his face reddened as he struggled to breathe, but before I could kill him, I was dragged off and tossed against the far wall, a fist landing in my gut, then another, then another until I hunched over, gripping my middle. Someone kicked my legs out from under me, and I dropped to the floor. A shoe closed over my throat and held me down when Moriarty came to stand over me, kicking me hard in the kidneys.When I looked up, I saw how disheveled he looked, his tie askew, his shirt and suit splattered with what I assumed to be my blood. I laughed as one of his men kicked me again and again until I couldn't see straight."Get him