"And you're damn well aware that nobody in my organization had anything to do with that kid's death. It's not our style," he retorted, his voice filled with defiance. He hesitated, eyeing my open jacket with a glare. "As if you have a style. Christ. Did you come here to kill me? That's ballsy, even for a monster like you." I took a deep breath, considering my response carefully. "I suggest you allow me inside, David, unless you want your neighbors to overhear our conversation. Especially since I suspect you're a corrupt agent," I replied, a hint of amusement lacing my words. When he hesitated, I chuckled softly. "Fuck you. I'm not corrupt," he shot back. "Not what I've heard. And if I wanted you dead, Agent Fiennes, your body would already be in the morgue," I countered, my tone dripping with a cold and calculated confidence. Hissing, he reluctantly opened the door wider, granting me entry into his humble abode. His house was far from extravagant; the sparse furniture appeared worn
Death had been a constant presence in my life since I was a child. I witnessed my father's brutal enforcement of justice, executing one of his own men in cold blood. The nauseating feeling in my stomach that day was etched into my memory, a stark reminder of my father's power and influence. Loss had plagued my family, almost tearing my parents apart years ago. And now, faced with the possibility of Emily's death, I realized how unaccustomed I was to such emotions. I had built walls around my heart, refusing to let anyone in, keeping relationships distant. It was the way my family operated, maintaining control and isolation. Loneliness had become my companion. My father had drilled into me the importance of detachment. If I didn't care about anyone, I wouldn't experience the pain of loss. We were forbidden from having pets in our household, and laughter was a rare occurrence. Holidays were marked by my mother's tears, and my father's absence from our lives was a constant reminder of
"I... Of course, boss. Where are you heading?" Angelo inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Out of town. It should only take a day. Just ensure that the operations on the streets are running smoothly. Do you understand?" I spoke with a mix of determination and doubt, already questioning my decision regarding Victor. Heads would roll for his incompetence. I trusted Angelo to follow my orders, although I knew questions would arise in such a short amount of time. I had less than twenty-four hours before chaos erupted. All I could do now was embark on the nearly three-hour trip to Galena. I had purchased a secluded cabin there years ago, a hidden sanctuary where no one would suspect my presence. Not even my father knew its exact location. He had taught me the importance of having a getaway, and I had carefully chosen this cabin without physically visiting it. In the rare moments I had spent there, I had found a semblance of peace amidst the serenity. Safety was always a concern, a
EMILY Dread filled every fiber of my being, escalating with each passing moment. The presence of an unidentified and potentially dangerous entity outside had instilled a profound and all-encompassing fear within me. The arduous journey to the cabin, fraught with treacherous snow and ice, had been distressing, but at least Dante had proven himself to be kind and communicative. However, throughout the entire trip, I had been plagued by worry, unable to relax, particularly because Dante kept glancing into the rearview mirror as if we were being pursued by monsters. It felt as though our lives were in imminent danger. And now this. My stomach churned, and my heart raced with the weight of the tragedy that might have unfolded, as well as the knowledge that Rafael had come searching for us. It was difficult to believe that he genuinely cared, considering how little I knew about him now. Since being forcefully taken from his house, my thoughts had been consumed by the enigmatic and rugge
"There are far too many missing pieces," Rafael remarked, walking toward the window and peering outside. He turned to Dante. "Are you certain you weren't followed?" "Not a chance," Dante replied. "You know, we could use her supposed death to our advantage." "Yes, we could," Rafael agreed, releasing his grip on my arm and gently brushing hair out of my eyes. "I was sick when your father told me what he believed had happened. I had no way of knowing if you'd betrayed me." "You automatically assume I'm a traitor, Rafael? Do you have no one you can trust?" My words hung in the air, creating an uncomfortable silence. "I've survived by considering every aspect of a situation," he casually replied. It was clear that he had little trust in anyone. I took a closer look at Dante's wound, relieved to see that it was only a minor graze. "I wouldn't betray you, Rafael. I came to you for help because I trust you with my life. And my heart." The words slipped out unexpectedly. Ever since he had
Rafael's lips curled into a faint smile as he recounted the conversation with his father. "He told me that one day, as the firstborn son, I would inherit the responsibility he carried. He believed in my ability to protect those I cared about. At the time, I was too young to fully comprehend his words, but in that moment, I felt like I was on top of the world, as if my father was telling me I was special." His voice carried a tinge of sadness, and tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm... sorry," I murmured. "There's no need to apologize. That night marked the beginning of my journey into adulthood. He also warned me to be cautious in choosing whom to trust, as caring for others came with risks." "That's a terrible thing to tell a young boy," I said, my voice filled with empathy. Rafael raised an eyebrow. "Is it? He was preparing me for a life within the dark realm of a mafia family. After that day, I respected him even more." "Why are you sharing this with me?" I mustered the courage to
I observed as he carefully placed his weapons on the small nightstand, both prepared for action. He could never truly relax or simply be a man. Tonight, he was not only my lover but also my protector. He was also my dominant. In my desires. In my training. In my pain. And in every moment of pleasure he chose to grant me. In other words, he was awe-inspiring. Standing three feet away from the bed, he stared down at me, his chest rising and falling. Although I couldn't see the darkness in his eyes, I could feel the intensity of his gaze coursing through my entire body. Another growl escaped his lips as he removed his coat and tossed it aside. He proceeded to remove his shirt, pulling it over his head and shoulders before advancing toward the bed. "Undress. I want to see all of you," he commanded in the husky voice that I had come to adore. Trembling, I got off the bed, struggling to unfasten the button on my jeans. These were clothes I had bought at Dante's insistence before we
And so, I knew deep within my heart that I would also be his downfall. Something inside me snapped, bringing a newfound clarity to my mind. The emotional turmoil became overwhelming, too much to bear. I loved him, there was no denying that, but I couldn't envision a future where we would be safe together. There would always be adversaries lurking, seeking to seize what he held most dear. No. That line of thinking was wrong. I closed my eyes, grappling with the decision, desperately wishing I could express my love for him over and over again. He would go to great lengths to ensure my safety. He would jeopardize his home, his wealth, and even his family to protect me. But I couldn't allow that to happen. Not now. Not ever. And so, I would have to bid him farewell. Somehow. Yes, it would break my heart, but at least he would live. RAFAEL "Go and remove your plug. I'm going to fuck your tight ass," my commanding voice startled Emily, her eyes widening with surprise. She hesitated