"Since you already know that Bernard Kuklinski is dead, do you also know Mark is bringing in his love child?""Love child?" he repeated, sitting up, his thick eyebrows furrowed. A surge of pleasure rushed through me, knowing that even the all-powerful Victor Donovan had missed that piece of information."Bernard Kuklinski kept her in the convent," I said, leaving out the other details. "We need to protect her.""Ha, it's good that you acknowledge Jared as a ticking time bomb, ready to detonate and bring us all down. And yet, you eliminated his father, the only figure who had some semblance of control over him. His father may have been unstable, but he at least respected certain boundaries. Jared, on the other hand..." he paused, his voice filled with a mix of apprehension and concern."I understand that Jared needs to be dealt with, Father. And this new girl, we can groom her to assume control," I asserted, radiating confidence. Victor Donovan's eyebrows furrowed with intrigue."Berna

Several nights had passed since I took on the role of Archer's nurse, and every night I eagerly anticipated the firm knock on the door connecting our rooms. It signaled that he was ready for me to assist with his bath or change his wound dressings. It had become the highlight of my days, as the rest of my time was occupied with reading fiction, attending online lectures, and enjoying the luxurious meals offered in Archer's home. Occasionally, he would join me for a meal, albeit in silence, but I relished those moments nonetheless. Despite his aloof and obnoxious demeanor, I found myself drawn to him, sensing that beneath his cold facade, there was a yearning for companionship.As the familiar knock resounded in the room, I rose from my bed, dressed in a loose blouse and shorts. With bated breath, I approached the door and opened it, stepping into his dimly lit room. Archer sat at the foot of the bed, wearing only his boxers, and I couldn't help but stare at his magnificently sculpted

It was a tremendous relief to witness her departure. I couldn't bear the thought of her being entangled in all of this, in the madness that consumed my life. She was pure and innocent, and I marveled at how Mark had managed to preserve that innocence despite everything the two had experienced together. It wouldn't be fair to shatter that delicate bubble of purity. Perhaps it was also because I dreaded her witnessing this side of me, the mobster, the killer—a wretched soul. I yearned to maintain a semblance of honor in her eyes, even if it meant keeping her shielded from the darkest aspects of my life. I longed for her to continue looking at me the way she always did when we were alone, with that untainted adoration in her eyes, even though I had forced her into intimate situations. And my God, the sight of her when I found her under the sheet, naked and lost in innocent desire, while Mark had gone to secure Katie and I went for Adele—it nearly undid me. The memory of her touch, her t

The dimly lit nightclub pulsed with energy as I sat alone in the VIP section, surrounded by scantily dressed females coming and going. The air was thick with the beats of the music and the scent of perfume, but my attention was elsewhere. I stared into my glass, swirling the vibrant red liquid that was my signature cocktail—a fruity concoction with a strong kick of alcohol. It was a combination of tropical juices, a splash of rum, and a hint of lime. The glass glistened as condensation formed on its surface, the ice cubes clinking softly with each swirl.Usually, I would have called upon a few of my favorite strippers to entertain me, but tonight my thoughts were consumed by Adele. Her face lingered in my mind, her eyes, her laughter, the taste of her coating my tongue, her intoxicating fragrance—it all twisted my heart. I drank more and more, hoping to drown my thoughts in the intoxicating elixir.Unbeknownst to me, the girls who served me noticed my distress. Concerned gazes were ex

Ignoring his question, I sat up, cradling my head and pretending to be hungover. "Have you seen my phone?" I asked."It must be with Chad," he replied."What time is it?" I inquired."It's 2 p.m.," he responded."2 p.m.? Dude, why didn't you guys wake me?!" I exclaimed, surprised."I just said... Damn it," he exclaimed in exasperation, pausing briefly before adding, almost muttering to himself, "You probably don't remember a thing.""Jesus, did I throw up in your bath?" I asked, concerned."You were in the bath?" he questioned, surprised."Ah, man, how much did I drink?" I wondered aloud."Too much, I suppose. I'm wondering why you did, though. It's unlike you, especially knowing you're not out of the woods yet," he remarked, his tone concerned."Any information about Vemon and Adolf?" I asked, groaning and running my fingers through my hair."The town is awfully quiet..." he replied. I met his gaze, understanding the underlying message that we needed to be on guard."I'm sorry I brok