"Archer? Adele?" Mark called from the hallway, his voice filled with urgency.Archer stood up, his tall figure commanding and intimidating. He reached out his left hand towards me and spoke firmly, "Get dressed." I nodded, taking his hand as he helped me off the bed. His gaze shifted from my eyes to my body, and I noticed his breath catch before he stepped back."When you're ready, meet us through that door," he pointed to the main exit, "not through here," he gestured towards the adjoining door.Confusion filled me as I asked, "What's happening?""We're under attack. Don't worry, Mark, and I will keep you safe," he assured me before leaving through the adjoining door. "Now might be a good time to adopt a more inconspicuous look," he added, glancing back at me, before locking the door behind him.In a rush, I followed Archer's instructions, quickly finding a matching sweatshirt and pants in the closet. I slipped on my white sneakers, grabbed a face cap to hide my hair, and slid my pho
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
A wave of relief washed over me as I caught sight of Mark returning, carrying my bag. He asked me to wait in his car while he quickly retrieved my belongings. At first, I didn't consider it urgent, thinking that one of Archer's staff could pack and send it to us later. But Mark had insisted, emphasizing the importance. He headed straight to the trunk of the car and stowed the bag away before joining me inside. Settling behind the wheel, he turned to me and asked, "Ready?""Absolutely. Despite being surrounded by luxury these past few days, there's something strangely enticing about sleeping in my own bed," I shared, my excitement masked beneath a composed demeanor. Mark chuckled warmly."Great. How about we order some takeout and watch that new movie you've been eager to see together?" he suggested."Yay! Movie night. Movie night," I chanted gleefully. His laughter filled the car as he playfully nudged my shoulder."You're such a baby," he teased affectionately."And you love indulgin
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
I got up and left the room. Disregarding Mark's instructions, I defied his request and ventured in the opposite direction—I turned left down the hallway. Adele's room awaited me at the end of the corridor. Without hesitation, I turned the doorknob, and the door silently swung open. I stepped into the darkness-shrouded room, my eyes gradually adjusting to the dimness. The mild chill in the air didn't bother me as I shut the door gently behind me. I leaned against it, fixing my gaze upon the alluring silhouette of Adele, her graceful curves accentuated by the sheets that covered her.Approaching the bed with cautious steps, I noticed that she lay beneath the covers, completely naked, just as she had been a few hours earlier when I had stumbled upon her pleasuring herself in my spare room, consumed by thoughts of me. My breath hitched in my throat as she stirred in her sleep, the contours of her full breasts becoming visible. A surge of desire coursed through my veins, overwhelming my se
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
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on my waking form. As I stretched, I couldn't help but feel the lingering soreness that served as a delightful reminder of my unforgettable night with Archer. It had surpassed all my expectations, shattering the preconceived notions I held about intimacy. The girls at school had warned me about the potential pain, and the textbook descriptions had painted a somewhat daunting picture. Yet, with Archer, it had been different. The desire that had pulsed between us overshadowed any discomfort, and the momentary twinge of pain was swiftly erased from my memory. He had consumed me entirely—mind, body, and soul—and each time he claimed me, it ignited a wild frenzy within me. I knew it wasn't one-sided; I had felt his own fervor reverberate through his quivering body. A sweet smile danced upon my lips as I turned to the side of the bed he had occupied, burying my nose in the pillow and inhaling deeply. A rush of happiness wa
Living alone in the house felt weird, and since Adele had transferred to a college in Duport, I couldn't help but realize how empty my life had become without her. Ever since we were thrust into this situation, with me, an eighteen-year-old, suddenly responsible for my ten-year-old sister, my daily existence revolved around keeping her safe and ensuring she had everything she needed. Thoughts of my own future or going to university never crossed my mind, even though Adele often brought up the subject. I couldn't help but smile at the memory of her offer: she was determined to finish college, secure a job, and then insisted I could go to university too. She continuously pestered me about it, and to appease her, I agreed, although I had no real intention of pursuing higher education. What would be the point? We had enough money to lead a comfortable life, thanks to my cautious financial planning. However, I never let Adele know the extent of my efforts to ensure our comfort and her s