Lahat ng Kabanata ng His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1: Kabanata 261 - Kabanata 270

Continued:"Majority should rule, no?" I frown."If only that's how it worked. Elders still have a say, and Dimitri won't go against those he worked alongside. I hate to tell you, but the men he worked closely with hold a place in his heart. Dimitri is nothing if not loyal to those who served him and alongside him.""So where do I fit into this and Bianca?""Dimitri might seem like a, ah, what do you English call it? A vicious man, but he's honestly just living up to the man his father wished him to be. Like me, you are Dimitri's good deed. A way into the pearly gates if they are indeed real. He's kept you close because he feels the need to protect you. Same for the girl, Dimitri takes the blame for her father's death, and now he has given her to you and you to her as a way to make amends.""It's a forced marriage," I spit in disbelief."A convenient forced marriage that has brought you happiness you would never have allowed yourself, you mean? I'm sure the girl was the same, and that

Continued: She shakes back and forth again, her frustration palpable as she convulses in her own whirlwind of anger. Just then, three sharp knocks reverberate through the space around us, stirring a wave of dread within me. I remain frozen behind the door, fear lancing at the thought that her father might be here for me. The sheer anxiety of that possibility grips me, rendering me motionless, and I can't help but think that this stillness might very well be my undoing. I tremble as the door swings open with that familiar whoosh, the accompanying sound of the metal scraping. This time, it's Sven who steps inside, his presence imposing as it always is, and right behind him is a dishevelled-looking Lucia, her hair tousled and windswept and a look of distress etched across her face. Sven's eyes dart to mine, wide with alarm, and I feel a matching surge of concern as he instinctively positions himself protectively in front of Lucia as if I were the danger he was paid to shield her from

NikoLucia holds Bianca close; her evident need to protect Bianca radiates from her every gesture. I can see the depth of her concern that she holds, and it tugs at my heart to know Bianca has someone who cares beyond me. It's comforting, in a way, for if anything happens to me, at least I know there's someone else to be Bianca's pillar. Still, I can't shake the longing to rudely intervene and take Bianca aside, not to diminish Lucia's care but to provide her with a different comfort in a more private manner, where she might feel free to express herself without restraint just as she has done in the days before this evening. Most importantly, I need to assess her emotional turmoil.Instead, I refrain from intervening. I watch silently as Lucia gently guides Bianca toward the sofa. They settle down together, the cushions moulding around them, creating a cosy nook where their conversation can unfold."And at last, she shatters," Alexandra cackles, her voice slicing through the air like a

Bianca The house stands unchanged, familiarly quiet amidst the dawn's soft golden light. However, outside, a group of men now loom on the beach, pacing restlessly in the early morning glow, moving as if under some unseen directive. Sven strides into the kitchen, getting straight to work, giving Lucia exactly what she suggested down at the safe house. The scent of brewing tea mingles with the salty air wafting in from the open window. He carefully prepares the steaming pot of tea, then digs out a tin of biscuits from a shadowy cupboard that looks empty and unused. Their sweet aroma tempts me as he delicately places them before Lucia. I watch him amused. He's so attentive to her needs, and it's obvious they are very familiar with one another. They share a delightful smile before she speaks. "Thank you, Sven," she replies, her smile radiating warmth that brightens the dim room and my otherwise dark mind. "I'll head out and keep an eye on things with the others," he says, nodding tow

NikoThe morning unfolds with unexpected tranquillity, the sun streaming through the windows and casting warm golden rays across the room that was yesterday shrouded in intense darkness. This ease, however, only amplifies my thoughts, drawing me into a spiral of self-doubt and guilt, haunted by the reality that Bianca faced danger because of my actions.As evening descends, the sky blushes with hues of pink and orange, and we find ourselves ensconced in the soothing embrace of the hot tub. The gentle warmth of the water contrasts with the cool air, wrapping us in a cocoon of serenity while Sven eagerly busies himself, constructing a makeshift bedroom for his stay. The humid air carries the faint scent of cedar and the distant sounds of nature, creating a false sense of security.Our trio had engaged in deep discussions about Sven's plans as we ate breakfast, each idea shared like a lifeline, reinforcing the belief that having another person around would heighten our chances of safety.