I heard Mark's order, but I couldn't move. Whether it was from fear or shock, I couldn't tell. I felt exhausted. It had been a long day, and I couldn't understand why anyone would want to break into our home, especially when it looked so derelict from the outside. The thought of Archer Donovan's assailant crossed my mind. Could they have seen me helping him and followed me home? Had they found and killed him and now wanted to eliminate any witnesses?"Adele?!" Mark's voice penetrated my mind and jolted me back to reality. My eyes darted in their sockets, and my heart pounded unnaturally. "Can you hear me?!""Y-yes," I whispered."Get to the basement, and if they find you, give them hell!" Mark growled. I swallowed and nodded."Okay," I said."I'm coming, Adele... hold on for me," Mark said, his voice filled with desperation. It pulled at my heart. I clenched my jaw as I heard the door rattling."Hurry," I said."Don't cut the line," he warned.I rose and hurried to the wide hallway on

I waited for him to leave before I let out a deep breath, feeling utterly deflated. Replaying the scene in the basement in my head, I wrapped my arms around myself as the whiff of his cologne lingered in my nostrils. I inhaled and held it in before releasing a shaky breath. The moment I saw him standing behind the monster that was trying to kill and violate me simultaneously, I thought I was hallucinating, a desperate figment of my imagination. But when he pulled the man away, I knew he was real, and I thought maybe he had followed me, still believing I was working with the people who had attacked him earlier. I tried not to dwell on the brutal way he had killed the man. There was a strange resolve in his eyes, devoid of emotion, almost inhuman. It shattered the illusion I had unconsciously crafted in my mind.And now, knowing that he was friends with Mark, all the nights Mark came home with bruises and wounds replayed in my head. I swallowed hard. And then Mark's warning not to trust

As I walked, each step causing me excruciating pain, the conflicting voices in my head reminded me that Adele was Mark's sister. They urged me to turn back, to stick to the plan. But I couldn't recall ever denying myself anything, and the desire to see Adele before I crashed overwhelmed any rational thinking. Yes, she was going to be my nurse, a terrible plan I had consciously orchestrated, knowing I was throwing her into a dangerous situation. But she was the enforcer's sister, and once she arrived at my house, there was no other role she could play but that of my nurse. I had to play my part and distance myself from her, for both our sakes. But before the mask came on, I had this one chance to speak with her, to connect.Clutching the key card in my hand, I stood in front of her suite's door. Common sense dictated that I didn't need to knock, but I did so anyway, a deliberate act to jolt myself back to reality. Minutes ticked by, and I contemplated turning back, leaving, and getting

As I observed Archer’s guards assembling into a human shield, blocking my path to his residence, I couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance at their disrespectful demeanor, and I made a mental note to have them all fired once I assumed my rightful place by Archer's side."Is Archer home?" I inquired, trying to maintain a composed tone despite my frustration."No, madam," one of the guards replied."Very well. Can I speak with his nurse? It must be quite lonely for her to be confined there all day," I suggested, attempting to feign sympathy. However, they remained unmoved, and instead, more guards gathered, reinforcing the blockade at the entrance. Anger simmered within me, though I concealed it beneath a facade of amusement."Boss said no one is allowed inside when he's not in the building," the first guard retorted."Is that so?" I scoffed. "Not even Victor?" I questioned, hoping to catch them off guard. However, they met my inquiry with blank stares."Very well then, gentlemen. I

Kuklinski, a name that sent chills down the spines of both allies and enemies alike. Being involved with the Donovans had accorded me the front-seat role to be intimately familiar with the dark deeds and reputation of this infamous mafia boss. Kuklinski was a cunning and ruthless man, known for his calculated moves and deadly organization. He had built an empire based on fear, power, and a complete disregard for human life.Our paths had crossed most violently. Especially in the meetings, Archer had made me attend with him with a concealed identity, hiding our faces behind leather masks. Kuklinski had teased Archer about it. Taunted him and even tried to force him to have us all unmasked, but Archer was strong in his resolve. "Don't tell me, simple men in a mask are making you anxious, Kuklinski, Archer Donovan isn't wearing a mask, and I believe I am the only important piece on this chess board, or don’t you agree?" Archer had said with a mocking smirk which had made Kuklinski's dark