All Chapters of ROSES ON FIRE: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

ClarissaPalermo, ItalyI have never felt so scared in my life, maybe only during the ordeal I went through many years ago. This was a different kind of fear, though. I didn’t stick around to make introductions and walked out the door that was still open. All the armed men pointed their guns at me, but only a gesture from the mobster prevented them from firing. “Get back!” he shouted at them so that I could get through them. I ran to the gate, but when I tried to get through, it was locked. I panicked. “Let me out!” I shouted, pulling on the metal bars, but to no avail. They were immovable. I stopped for a few seconds and lowered my gaze. The calmer I was, the more chance I had of escaping. I understood that a man posing as Damien Moreau, Pierre’s assistant, had kidnapped me, and brought me here, to Riccardo Serratore’s cartel, the same mobster to whom I had refused his proposal. “I will not hurt you, Miss Ward.” He continued to say from the doorway with his low, scary voice. “M

ClarissaI didn’t really know what was happening to me around this man. I didn’t know him, and moreover his face didn’t inspire confidence. That he was also a mobster filled me with horror and intrigue.He had brought me here against my will and now his mere touch was provoking feelings I had long buried. Touching that once disgusted me. Feelings I had repressed in order to survive. But life showed me the hard way, so I had to bury them so deep inside me they would never surface. I had refused to feel pleasure of any kind, except professional ones. And now, an innocent touch of my wound, my arm not only sent shivers of desire throughout my numb body, but stopped him from making his next move. He was on his knees in front of me, with the kit opened at my feet and his gaze drawn to my eyes, then to my cleavage and then to rest on my bare thigh. He had her hand so close I could feel the tiny hairs on it caressing my soft skin. My breathing was getting heavier and heavier and with no

RiccardoMaybe Fabrizio was right, though, and bringing this woman into the house wasn’t such a good idea. It clouded my mind. On one hand, it made me do all sorts of sinful things to her and at the same time something was stopping me in time not to hurt her more. On the other hand, I would ravish her regardless of her pleas. It was so impossible sometimes to control myself around her. I preferred to leave if things took a turn I didn’t expect.It was already a game of cat and mouse that was tiring me out. I didn’t have the time for such nonsense. This time, she let me approach without protest. She was waiting for me to take the scissors and start the entire process. Damn, why was my every move so awkward when I touched her involuntarily or on purpose? It was just a helping hand with no other intentions. I was doing her a favor and felt like I was on fire. Everything in me would ignite and the bottom of hell was cold compared to how I was feeling right now. I cursed in my mind a fe

ClarissaI almost swallowed my words, wanting to speak, but all I did was get up from the table and go into the kitchen. I didn’t even know how I found it, as I was a nervous wreck. This man was already allowing himself too much. Anyway, it was all so confusing ever since I came to his house. Or rather, since they brought me here by force. Would Fabrizio be more tolerant and rational? I could have a talk with him, eventually. At the moment I was trying to calm down. And as I stood with my hands resting on the sink counter, this woman, Aida, walked in slowly, coming close to me. “Please forgive my Riccardo. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” she said in a warm voice, perhaps warmer than I expected. I turned and looked at her. Her eyes betrayed nothing, and they were not dark. They were gentle.“Should I forgive him? For how many times? You don’t seem to know the entire story and how I got here,” I answered her bluntly. She seemed like an intelligent woman one day who knew. M

ClarissaI was getting fed up with his inhumane treatment towards me. It was clear he would not give up his idiotic idea. Maybe the sooner I got on with it, the faster I’d get out of here. I couldn’t stand another minute in this house and around him. Lucky for me, this troglodyte didn’t confiscate my phone. And just as I was heading for my purse, I heard it ringing. It was about time someone looked for me. Since I’ve been here, it was like I didn’t exist to the ones outside.I desperately looked for the phone in my purse to make as little noise as possible and stared at the display. It was Pierre. God help me! Maybe he could get me out of here. “Miss Ward?” I heard his worried voice. “Pierre? Pierre, is that you?” It wasn’t until I asked that I realized I had said his first name.“Of course it’s me. Where are you? It’s been a week and no sign of you. Nor from my assistant…” he said in a low voice, like he was whispering. I also felt a slight hesitation in his voice when he heard me