All Chapters of Love To Hate Me: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

For the past five days, I've been knee-deep in the dark underbelly of Los Angeles, dealing with the aftermath of Dad's latest power play. Exploring the complex web of alliances and rivalries, I'm becoming increasingly adept at taking down those who dare to challenge the Bravta's rule. The city streets are a labyrinth of corruption and deceit, where the strong survive and the weak are devoured. I've been learning the ropes with Asael and the others, and I have to admit, it's exhilarating. But this life wasn't my choice. Dad told me to use school as a cover to stay in Los Angeles, to keep a low profile until I'm ready to take over as the lord and boss of the Russian Mafia. It's a role I'm not sure I'm ready for, but I know I have no choice. Stepping into the warehouse at the port, the smell of saltwater and diesel hits me like a punch to the gut. I grip my mace tightly, the familiar weight of it a comforting presence in my hand. Asael and the others spread out around me, our eyes s

"Yes!" I breathe out sharply, my chest heaving with excitement.Before I can even process anything else, Rhys's face is inches from mine, the barrel of his gun pressed against my forehead.Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know playing with a loaded gun is dangerous, but it's even more dangerous in Rhys's hands.Especially with him this close.His eyes dips to my lips, lingering for a moment before locking onto mine, the intensity making my heart skip a beat.A sly grin spreads across his face as he drags the gun down to my nose, the tip tracing a path along my skin. His finger hovers over the trigger, and my mind goes blank.Fear and anticipation war for dominance as my state of reasoning is now non-existent because I'm already stiff as a pole.May I should change my..."Uh... Rhys..." I try to speak, but before I can get another word out, Rhys's lips crash onto mine. His kiss is fierce and intense, his teeth nipping at my lips as his tongue invades my mouth. Sending all kinds of electric zaps i

I've never seen the soccer field this packed. The atmosphere is electric, with screaming students from both Goodrich Elite College and City Stars College filling the air. Everyone around me is cheering, including Keon and Ethan, who are seated on either side of me, yelling and whooping at the top of their lungs.I, on the other hand, am frozen, my eyes fixed on Rhys as he stands among his teammates, listening to their coach's instructions.My hands feel sweaty, and my heart is racing. I feel like I'm the one playing, not him – that's how nervous I am.To be honest, I didn't expect Rhys to personally invite me to watch the game. I was planning to come anyway.But what really caught me off guard was the feeling of being honored and truly wanted when he asked me himself.I think he's starting to warm up to me, and I have to admit, I'm warming up to him too.The whistle blows, and the cheers erupt as the players rush onto the field to take their positions. They all look so focused, and th

"Yes!!" Jasper exclaims, his eyes lighting up like fireworks on a summer night. He licks his lips with excitement as he takes another bite of his food. "Okay then." I give him a nod and watch as he savors each morsel. . After Jasper finishes his meal, I collect the tray, the clinking of dishes and silverware echoing through the empty halls of the mansion. While I retreat to the kitchen, the silence is almost piercing, a far cry from the chaos that unfolded last night. Luciano had offered to escort Keon back to his dorm, but Jasper had been MIA. I recalled the sense of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach as we searched for him. I checked the VIP bathroom with Asael and Ethan, but Jasper was nowhere to be found. We finally tracked down his whereabouts to the club's main bathroom, where we stumbled upon an unexpected scene. Collins and his friends were sprawled out on the floor, their bodies battered and bruised, their own blood pooling around them. The air was so

I've never been interested in men. I've never entertained the thought.That was until Luciano came out as gay at fifteen. He'd had a crush on Damon for as long as I could remember.Our families had been close-knit since our parents' school days. My father, Vadim Volkov, head of the Russian mafia, and Luciano's father, head of the Spanish mafia, shared an unbreakable bond and loyalty.Their friendship had blossomed into a lasting alliance, strengthened by the coincidence of their wives giving birth to sons in the same year.Luciani is a few months older than me, born in September, while I'm a December boy.When he didn't win Damon's heart, he set his sights on me at sixteen. He confessed his feelings, and we made a playful bet that he could make me fall for him.We even shared a kiss, but it didn't spark anything romantic between us. We never made a big deal about it, occasionally bringing it up to laugh.I've always identified as straight, drawn to girls. I've had numerous flings, but