GINEVRA By my dressing table was a huge mirror, and by that mirror, I stood. Confused out of my mind, tears brimming my eyes, my body trembling, and an emotion that had no explanation surging through my veins. For hours, I had been standing in front of that mirror. Unable to move, unable to blink, and unable to properly function. Tears brimmed my eyes some more, stinging at the corners, wanting to slip out. I blinked rapidly, holding the tears in.What had I gotten myself into?What was I doing wrong?I had desperately sought after power all my life, and now, I had that power, I had gained myself quite the reputation—I was something. And yet, I was miserable.With great power, came great pain. The power I had achieved was my undoing.I blinked again, taking in the reflection of me as repeated flashbacks of when I pulled open the back doors of the truck came afresh in my memory, disorienting my conscious state.The many pairs of eyes belonging to women and children that had fearfull

GINEVRAOne week later.“Oh. . .Hi, Cassie! Why’re you just standing there? Come in.”My personal assistant strutted into my office and began assisting me with the files I had to organize before I retired for the day.With Cassie by my corner, my work ran smoothly. She was an angel, specially sent my way to make my life a little easier than it had been. She had always been there to help me whenever I ran into any unforeseen problems with the business.Cassie cared for me like a sister, and it hadn’t taken too long before I began letting her into my deepest, darkest secrets.Of course, not every information was shared, but she knew enough. Enough to know that the legal businesses my family ran was a front for something far more dangerous.Letting Cassie into that part of my life was my way of baiting her—I threw her a bone and waited for her to fall into my trap, but she instead proved herself worthy enough to earn my trust.Cyrus’s distrust for her was just his paranoia and she had pr

GINEVRA I jerked awake to heat, my heart plummeting my ribcage.My body had tightened with want beneath the sheets, my lips eliciting strained gasps.I had woken from the same dream—a nightmare, perhaps. It had been the same dream that had had me dreading sleep in the last seven days. The same dream that was filled with the face of the man whose essence had seeped into my bloodstreams. Like he was a part of me.Figuratively, I was born with a weak heart.It had only been a few days since Ghost was here. Only a few days since his hands were on me. A few days since his lips had peppered across my skin, unraveling every inch of me. Only a few days, and yet, I missed him desperately. I yearned for him. I desired his touch—his absence aggravated me.I needed him like he was my oxygen. As though I couldn’t breathe without him.It was foolish, I knew. I was foolish, and my heart had been the most foolish of all my organs.Frustrated by my disoriented state, I slipped off the bed and headed

GINEVRA Windows wind down, the cool breeze of the evening caressing my skin, opera playing in the background, and my eyes darting around in awe, taking in the beauty of the city. It was one evening. I had craved to live normally for just one evening, I had desired freedom only for one evening–to be alone, to drive alone, to enjoy my own company without constantly looking over my shoulders. I had desired to be with my own thoughts for one evening, but the universe–my enemies perhaps–had other plans.The hours spent at the office had proven to be calming to the soul—with a few joints burnt, and a few bottles of red wine emptied, I had surfed through a few documents smooth and easy like it meant nothing. Got a few minutes of sleep at some point even.It had been a smooth evening until I decided that I had to drive around town. I needed to take in the beauty of Sicily’s sunset without my soldiers hovering over me and scaring away some unsuspecting locals.That too, had been a success.

GINEVRA My body had instantly stiffened with tension when a subtle chaos ensued. The soldiers in the hall shuffled around, more soldiers filed into the hallway, their stance firm, steady, at alert, their hands against the guns that was still tucked into their waistbands. They were prepared for whatever was to come. My eyes met with Cyrus’s rigid form. He had his hand pressed against the earpiece in his ear, and his lips pursed. A few seconds of silence passed, he nodded once. “Stay here. I’ll be right with you.” He whispered. Without allowing me an opportunity for questions, he stormed out the hall. Soldiers followed. Cassandra stepped forward and intertwined her fingers with mine, squeezing gently as though providing me support. As much as I appreciated her gesture, I couldn’t stop my restless mind from running wild with crazy imaginings. With a clear of her throat, Cassandra announced. “Due to an emergency that has presented itself with an urgency to be attended to, we’ll have