All Chapters of Flames of love and war: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

KelvinMorning light bleeds through the curtains, gold against the linen sheets, and the first thing I feel is warmth.Not the kind that comes from the sun, but the kind that comes from the woman asleep beside me.It's a different kind of sensation when there's someone you deeply care about lying next to you.Laura’s hair is a dark mess across the pillow, the strands catching the light in a way that makes me pause and stare in awe.Her face is turned toward me, soft and unguarded in sleep, the faintest shadow of circles beneath her eyes from everything that’s happened lately.That's my fault… I think, tracing the line of her jaw with my eyes, the curve of her lips and the smattering of freckles that dotted her cheek in this cute manner.It hits me then and I realize that there’s this ache in my chest I can’t quite name when I look at her.It's a strange feeling …. how someone can make you feel peace and chaos at the same time.I’ve spent years learning to live without attachment.To k

KelvinI waited behind, allowing to forest's silence to envelope me.The kind of quiet that presses against your chest and makes the blood in your veins sound louder than the world itself.At first, I had chosen to take the soft and easy route, play on his emotions the force him to give up the information that we needed but has the car moved away a blood thirsty wave encompassed me and I wanted to make Marcus bleed so I had them bring him back.My men complied instantly for the next thirty minutes, the forest echoed with his screams.It didn't give me as much satisfaction as I hoped but it was better than nothing.Finally playtime was over and it was time to take him backMarcus’s screams had since died out long ago, leaving behind the scent of sweat, fear, and gunpowder.My men had dragged him to the van, his hands bound, face swollen and streaked with dirt. The night had swallowed his fries and his begging, but it was still ringing in my ears.I stood there, staring at the spot wher

LauraAfter Kelvin left, I waited for him to show but when thirty minutes and then an hour passed by, I realized that it was going to take a while before he shows up.So I went up to the balcony to catch some fresh air, mulling over everything that Kelvin had told me earlier and what that would mean for me and life as I knew it.I was still there when the message came, my phone buzzing against my dress, the sound causing me to jolt in surprise.Skye’s name popped up on my screen in a form of text message:Girls’ night at my suite. Bring shots and also bring yourself.It was so exactly what I needed at that moment, I almost laughed at my phone.It's just like they knew what I needed to take my mind off things.I typed back a quick yes and left Kelvin a one-line note:Hey, I went out to meet with the girls. I might probably be late, please text me once you're back.A couple minutes later, having changed into another outfit and put on minimal makeup with comfortable shoes, I walked out t

NikolaiRain pattered on the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city from my penthouse/ home office.The rain hadn’t stopped since morning.I'm not sure if that was a good or bad thing, as I'd been cooped up here all morning.Moscow rain had a way of making everything feel like an omen, the kind of gray that seeped into your bones, whispering that something bad was about to happen.Today was one of those lazy days I sparingly have to myself but I think after the whole stress I've been through for the past couple of months, I deserved it.I allowed my body to sink into the soft chaise lounge, a glass of whiskey cradled loosely in my hand as I thought back to the day that life as I knew it changed in a blink.Just six months ago…~~~~~~~~~Six months ago…The day started out like any other…calm, quiet, and serene.Being the son of Ivan Vassilev meant that I was groomed to take over from a young age.That entails setting a system in place that has things running smoothly so I d

LauraI woke up to warmth.Kelvin’s warmth, to be specific.My cheek was on his chest, my arm draped across his stomach, our legs tangled beneath the blanket. The curtains were slightly parted, letting a thin stream of moonlight spill across the room.It painted everything silver…. the walls, the sheets, the slow rise and fall of Kelvin’s breathing.After the argument we had the other day, Kelvin found a way to apologize to me and we made up.Honestly, I preferred him not being mad at me as it unveiled a softer side of him I loved to see.His hand rested on my lower back, unmoving but heavy.Even in sleep, he held me like I was something he was protecting.Or something he was afraid to lose.I didn’t know how long I stayed there with my eyes open, listening to the soft hush of the ocean outside and the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear.In this moment, my heart felt full.At peace.If I could, I would freeze the moment in time and just soak it in.Peace like this wasn’t somethin