Inara
GRAVES VILLA
4:30 AM
1 open my eyes with difficulty because of the blinding light.
I look around. I’m in a bedroom.
I see Alexander’s face. He’s standing above me, looking at me.
As soon as his gaze meets mine, he steps back, visibly embarrassed to have been caught in the act.
“Where’s Mathieu? Is he okay?”
“He’s in one of the villa’s rooms. He wanted to stay, but I insisted he go rest. I promised him I’d watch over you.”
I let out a sigh of relief knowing he’s okay.
I’m in Alexander’s bed. I sit up, even though it hurts. I lower my eyes to look at my body. I’m still in my underwear, and all my wounds are covered with bandages and dressings.
“I treated you. I didn’t want to disturb Erika in the middle of the night. I didn’t take advantage, in case you’re worried. I just did what Thad to do.”
At this point, whatever.
“I’m grateful you came to find us.”
A migraine grips me, which I suppress.
“It’s nothing, It’s my fault Mathieu ended up in that situation.”
I guess he told you about the beating from Khalid.”
“He’s just a son of a bitch.”
“You said it.”
“You have to stop thinking you’re invincible,”
He seems irritated and clearly annoyed by my attitude.
“I didn’t want him to go after Mathieu. A few lashes weren’t going to stop me from saving my friend.”
“Yeah, I know–like when you preferred to sacrifice your body to save Maria.”
I stare into space, trying to suppress my trembling.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
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19:02 Mon, 25 Aug MW
Chapter 99
He nods.
“What did your father want from you?”
“Something my mother stole from him, and he thinks I have it.”
I don’t know why I’m revealing this to him. Nothing matters anymore.
I’m going to die soon.
“You don’t have it?”
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“No, I don’t know what he’s talking about, but I have to find a way to get it. What he just did–that’s just a taste of what’s coming for me and my loved ones if I don’t get my hands on it.”
“I should have killed him when I had the chance.”
We look at each other in silence.
“I haven’t forgotten that you used me.”
He gives a faint smile.
“I wouldn’t have expected anything less from you, doll.”
He approaches and places his hand on my bandaged cheek, gently stroking it while I watch him. I see only his eyes. Eyes that can
awaken so many sensations in me.
Normally, I would have ordered him to take his hand off that very second, but a little tenderness after what just happened doesn’t
hurt.
“In a few hours, I’m supposed to sleep with Khalid’s friend.”
I needed to tell him.
He frowns.
“You’re going to sleep with a man when your body is in pieces?”
His voice is filled with hostility.
“That’s not going to stop my father. I don’t think his friend minds. He wants me, no matter what state my body’s in.”
“I won’t let him lay a hand on you, doll.”
At those words, I feel a warmth between my legs, even though my body is in shreds? Not the time, Inara.
“Don’t get involved, it could worsen Khalid’s anger. And why are you acting like this? I found out what you were hiding. You can stop your little act now, there’s no point in lying anymore, you know.”
He sighs and brings his face close to mine. Our gazes mix as only a small distance separates us. I feel his scent overwhelm me. I carefully observe the features of his face.
“I’ve lied to you about a lot of things, and I’m still hiding stuff from you, but…”
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Chapter 99
༢ ཊཱི 36% –
The door suddenly bursts open with Mathieu rushing in. He runs toward me and looks me over. Alexander steps back quickly.
“I knew I heard voices! You’re finally awake!”
I know he’s dying to hug me but holds back so as not to hurt me.
“I’ll leave you two,” Alexander says to us.
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He heads to the exit without a single glance back. Mathieu doesn’t realize what he just interrupted, since he sits on the chair next to my bed smiling.
Wait–what did he just interrupt?
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to defend you. I’m so ashamed.”
He lowers his head.
“I’m the one who should be sorry for dragging you into my family mess. My father is unstable, and you didn’t deserve to face him. I wish you had never met him. I’d completely understand if you didn’t want to be around me anymore, just to avoid risking your life or getting into trouble for no reason.”
I avert my eyes while waiting for a response from him, but he doesn’t reply. Instead, he stands up to hug me, trying not to squeeze too tightly. I roll my eyes upward to stop the tears from falling and return his embrace, even though my body is falling apart.
“I’ll never leave you. I’ll stay with you until death. You’re my sister. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but you won’t get rid of me that easily. You and me we’re tied now. We’re not just friends anymore. Consider me your family. You deserve to be happy. I love you so much, Inara.”
Mathieu, Maria, and Sam–the three people I need the most in this world.
GRAVES VILLA
7:02 a.m.
I slowly open my eyes, letting out faint groans of pain due to my limbs still being weak from the beating I received last night.
My skin is burning. It’ll take time for me to recover.
I try to sit up to pour myself a glass of water, but I feel a weight on my body preventing me from moving–or even breathing.
A man.
A man is lying next to me, his arms wrapped around me.
I can’t make out his facial features despite trying to find some distinguishing mark that would reveal his identity.
As if that weren’t enough, my head is spinning, and I feel like I’m about to pass out. The headaches have been recurring for several days. It’s becoming unbearable.
I continue inspecting the stranger’s face by touch, despite the darkness in the room, when suddenly an arm grabs my waist violently, making me cry out in pain.
The man’s imposing body leans over mine, making it impossible for me to resist.
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Chapter 99
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He opens his eyes, and I realize it’s none other than Alexander. He seems just as surprised as I am and quickly releases his grip on my waist, though he doesn’t move his body off mine.
“It’s you.”
I’m not the only one who had a brief memory lapse,
“What made you touch my face like that?”
“Don’t get any ideas. I just wanted to see if your face was familiar.”
“Just admit you were dying to touch my lips.”
Traise an eyebrow at his smirk.
“You have to admit it’s not exactly reassuring to wake up next to a stranger.”
He watches me in silence, still lying on top of me. He stares at my features intently, as if trying to memorize them.
Needless to say, not only is this closeness tormenting my body, but it’s also sparking a slight heat in my lower belly.
He studies my lips with undisguised desire,
When is this sexual tension finally going to end?
“Can I ask how you ended up lying next to me?”
“Mathieu and I took turns watching over you in case your condition worsened. It was my shift.”
He could’ve sat in a chair or even laid on the floor. Don’t forget, Inara, this is his room, and you’re under his roof.
“Alright, now that this misunderstanding is cleared up, could you kindly get off of me
I can make out a smirk forming on his lips, even in the darkness.
“I’m quite comfortable here. Why should I move?”
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“Because you’re crushing my limbs with your body weight.”
And also because feeling your crotch this close to mine is seriously making me uncomfortable.
I’m trembling and melting from how close our bodies are far beyond any acceptable safety limit.
Feeling his breath and gaze on me stirs a rush of conflicting emotions.
“I can do whatever I want with you, baby,”
This is getting indecent.
“If only you knew how badly I want to take you right now, violently, and hear you scream my name. I can’t wait for the moment you’ll fulfill all my fantasies.”
My heart is racing wildly while our eyes stay locked on each other.
What are you waiting for then?
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Chapter 99
Inara, get a grip–don’t forget he used you!
And don’t forget your body is in pieces right now–you wouldn’t even be able to handle it!
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“Let me go. I don’t trust you. I haven’t forgotten what you did to me. I don’t want you to touch me. Stop thinking your dreams are going to come true.”
I fight not to let my impulses override my reason.
“I’m leaving. I have things to take care of.”
He watches me coldly.
He moves off my body while I struggle to hide my unease.
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AD
