Semua Bab The Black Rose: Bab 11 - Bab 20

# ELLIE "I will need my belongings back from my hotel room." "You're not in any position to make demands," Silas cut me off, disdain coating every word that left his lips. I had unfortunately been paired with him because, according to Lorenzo, Silas had to walk me back to my room while he spoke to Noir about God-knows-what. I didn't complain upfront, but now I realized I should have. I didn't want to be subjected to the torture of having to put up with this shitty attitude. "Do you even realize what you have agreed to?" Silas scoffed, looking down at me like a dumb child incapable of making decisions. "We cannot let you in on any of our business or plans without you belonging solely to The Black Rose... there will be no out for you," Silas emphasized. "Not even when Elijah's killer is found," he declared coldly—or rather, with a satisfied tone. I gritted my teeth, trying hard not to show just how much his words affected me. Not just his words... I wasn't a thirsty woman on a norma

ELLIE Fiore didn't like me. She tried to hide it, but I could tell immediately when she took my hand in hers. Her skin was soft, like a baby's, moist but not in a disgusting way. Her long lashes framed her eyes that seemed to have a naturally sultry shape to them. I was a very perceptive person, but also cautious. I was immediately rigid when I noted her barely hidden disdain. It seemed the people I'd come across in the past few days didn't really need a reason to hate me. First Silas, now her. And I wasn't even sure what Noir and Lorenzo felt towards me. They certainly didn't like me either. I was here solely because of what they thought to be their duty. When that fades... what will become of me? None of that matters now. I'd already dug my grave, already told them I was willing to know their secrets at the cost of my freedom. It would be worth it if my brother could rest in peace. We moved from the living room to have breakfast, and surprisingly, Fiore offered to cook. I not

LORENZO I should have shut this down from the beginning. From that first night when Noir brought her into our home, holding her unconscious body in his arms. His fucking arms! The same man who can never stand being touched by a woman. I've lost count of how many women I've had to settle after they lost their fingers. Noir hates women due to his past, detests their touch, and I respect that. Until Ellie. She comes in and changes everything. I fear for her, somewhat. I know my warnings won't keep Noir away if he really wants to hurt her. But I wish he won't. She's under my protection... she is... mine. Somewhat. She belongs to the Black Rose now. I know Elijah would've never supported such a decision, but it's for the best. This way, I can protect her for as long as I'm in power, and she won't be living with some sort of hope that she'll ever leave. Now that her name's attached to ours, people will go to great lengths to get to her. This is for the best. At least that's what I keep

ELLIEHis familiar voice was like an unwavering shade in the winds, the first and only thing that kept me sober and grounded since I stepped foot into the club. I knew I should've but I didn't pull away from his touch, not when the warmth from his hard chest seeped in through his clothes on my bare back like lava escaping its years of entrapment in a volcano. I didn't know what it was about him, how me managed to leave me both relaxed and tensed up in his presence. I've witnessed him kill someone, twice. Yet. I turned around slowly, to meet his gaze, his mismatched eyes held mine as his lips curled up slightly. He was dressed in dark washed jeans and what seemed to be a band T-shirt that had a red skull with a long nail running through it, and then on top of it was a leather jacket that caught every glimmering light. Smooth and probably expensive as hell. He looked like a biker, and held a dangerous attractiveness that somehow called yet deterred me. "Noir," I breathed, crani

ELLIE He kept staring, making it obvious that I was the one he had his eyes set on. I guess word hadn't spread as the men wanted it to. Everyone else looked at me like I was off limits, a blade with barbs on the handle. All but him. He suddenly began walking towards me, eyes trained on my figure as he approached. I sucked in a deep breath, suddenly nervous under his unfamiliar gaze. I couldn't tell what the man was thinking; I didn't understand why he was coming over. I didn't have much time to think before he reached the counter and signaled the bartender to his side as he took the stool right next to me. He was tall, almost as tall as Noir, with a lean figure that seemed both athletic and relaxed. His expression gave nothing away, and his eyes remained on me. I noted the golden Rolex on his wrist as he called the bartender over. She looked at him with a rather confused but polite gaze. He was unfamiliar to her as well. Who was he? "Whiskey for me and another round of what she'