All Chapters of The Assassin’s Portrait: Stepbrother Dark Romance : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

꧁ Marisella ꧂ Inhaling for patience, I grip the cold railing of the balcony. I’d hoped this would be a simple affair. Roll around, get paid, and bounce. I’ve planned only one tryst to make up for Mom’s bills for the month. Then I’ll use the borrowed time to hunt for job number three. I move to face him. My back hits his front. Has he always been that close? My heart thumps as his size registers against me. The back of my head is flush with the flexing pecs of his chest. The curve of my ass kisses his crotch, a pulsing bar of solid cock pressing between my cheeks. “Looks like you’re happy with the replacement,” I purr, trying to catch my breath. He is big. I haven’t been with any man, but I'm not exactly a virgin. I have an arsenal of silicone and plastic hidden in my closet, but the Russian’s size trumps them all. “I trust you’ve read and understood my tastes,” he bites out. “I have,” I lie over the rim of my glass. Sonya had developed an allergic reaction to a new skincar

꧁ Marisella ꧂ Alexei stumbles away and out of my line of sight. His ragged breathing reaches me from the living area, footsteps heavy as he paces. I remain on my knees in bed, mouth gagged, cheek pressed against the bed. Alexei’s cock had been in me. Alexei… I shudder at the memory. The stretch. The weight. His warm sac pressing against my folds. I hadn’t even gotten one thrust—just a sink ’n’ go. I need him back. No! I shouldn’t. This is horrible. “Mmmhph…!” Damned gag. The air conditioner’s hum lulls me for a second before I begin to hyperventilate. I need to move. Can’t. Shivers rack my body as I tug on my wrists, but they’re cuffed fast to my knees. My spine stiffens, and in the dwindling arousal, the position becomes uncomfortable. When I turn my head to the other side, my neck cricks. “Mmhmhp!” Thunderous footsteps return. My heart stutters as he wrenches the cuffs off me. The metal bar disappears in turn, striking the wall. My wrists pop free, knees instinctively

꧁ Marisella ꧂ The front door closes as quietly as I can manage behind me, my shoulders weighed down and weary. When I turn into the living room, Nurse Elise raises her head, shifting her chart to the sofa. “Good evening, Mari.” Her tone is unusually curt, and I understand why. “I’m sorry for the delay, thank you for staying with her,” I whisper back. Her face softens slightly. “How did the interview go?” I’d told her I had an interview right after my waitressing shift at 8 p.m. She’d agreed to stay with my mom until 10 p.m.—I’d returned minutes shy of 12am. I plaster on a smile. “Went great. Got the job, and even a deposit.” “Wow! I told you you’d ace it. Congratulations.” And ace it I did, until the client had seen my face. The deposit was appreciated though; I now have a three‑month window of Mom’s medical bills settled. “Thank you,” I tell her. “I just did a final visual examination. Pay attention, and call me if anything feels off, okay?” She fixes her bag strap over her

꧁ Marisella ꧂ “Okay, stop right there.” Sonya steps in front of our boss, her eyes glacial with fury. “We both know you couldn’t differentiate between a mole and your own arse. Fire me if you want, but I cornered Marisella. She’s been trying to escape me, but I can’t help filling her ears with woeful tales of my skincare fail!” Her eyes are glacial as she stares Pascal down. I’ve never been able to understand how she can stand up to him like this without repercussions. He does have a crush on her. She weaponizes it, but what if it doesn’t work this time? Has she gone too far? I clutch my metaphorical pearls, my mind reeling with panic. Pascal’s sneer deepens as he looks from Sonya to me, and back again. “Get back to work. This is your final warning.” Sonya and I exchange a look of relief. We follow closely behind him as he returns to the bar, his practiced smile back in place once we cross the inner doors. Before Sonya and I separate to man our stations, I grasp her hand an

꧁ Marisella ꧂ He catches me in time before I crash backward onto Mom’s resting form. His fingers scald my back with heat not nearly as strong as the one that pools in my belly. Get it together, I chide myself. My heart slams in my chest. He’d followed me in? I spin the surprise to loathing, glaring at him. But he doesn’t even see me, his gaze is transfixed on Mom. Shock, sadness, and fear play on his face in a montage. He parts his lips to speak, but I shut him up with a hand over his mouth. God. His lips are impossibly soft against the sensitive skin of my palm, and a wayward spirit in me wills him to lick it. His eyes flash open in surprise, brows drawing together in confusion. Then warning. With an answering glare, I mouth, “Leave. Leave now.” His lips thin beneath my palm, and we both glance toward my mother. But her eyes are still closed, her breaths steady. When I face Alexei again, I remove my hand from his mouth and point firmly at the door. The light leaves his e