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  • Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

     

     

    INSATIABLE CRAVINGS

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

    Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game} 

    TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.

    Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.

    By: Chukwuma Rejoice 

    ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

    ~ Genevieve ~

    “Wait—so you’re saying you wouldn’t mind at all if he proposed to you?” Everett asked, sounding absolutely scandalised. I gave a small nod, and that only seemed to wind him up further. “As in marry him?”

    “Everett, yes. I am aware of what a proposal entails.”

    He’d been on this topic relentlessly for nearly two weeks now, ever since he’d officially met Dominic. If it wasn’t ‘Why the héll are you with him?’, it was ‘Do you know he wants to make you his wife?’—always delivered with a grimace like he’d bitten into something sour.

    “What do you even see in him?” he asked, his exasperation thick and unyielding, wrapping itself tight around the words.

    A smile crept unbidden across my lips. “What do I see in Dominic?” I could feel the warmth spreading across my face as thoughts of him drifted in like sunlight. “Alright, listen carefully, because I’m not saying this again. Dominic might not look like a good man—but he is. Beneath all that ‘pretentious gentleman’ behaviour you always mock,” I added with a chuckle, “he’s kind. Genuinely kind. Sweet. Thoughtful. Gentle.”

    “Are we still talking about the same Dominic Morozov?” he deadpanned. “Because I’m fairly certain ‘kind’, ‘sweet’, and—what was the other one?—‘gentle’ shouldn’t be used in the same breath as him.”

    “Well, they are.” My voice came out sharper than intended. “Dominic is all of that and more. He’s been there for me in ways no one else has. Doesn’t that mean something? That your sister is happy—doesn’t that matter to you?”

    He went silent. For a moment, he just stared at me. The tension in Liam’s flat suddenly thickened, like a fog settling between us. Then he sank down beside me on the worn sofa, sighing as he did.

    “Listen… it’s not that I’m not happy for you. I am. Truly. I’ve never seen that light in your eyes shine this brightly before.” His voice was soft but carried weight, like each syllable was carefully chosen. “But how do you expect me to just stand by and watch the same man who broke my little sister’s heart be the one to make it beat again?”

    I turned towards him, meeting his gaze. His eyes were full—of worry, of doubt… of fear.

    “I was there, Dove. When you became someone I barely recognised. When the heartbreak consumed you. I was the one who sat beside you as you lay in bed, too shattered to speak. I heard your cries—you thought you were whispering, but I heard every broken sound.”

    His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “All I wanted was to fix it, to make you feel better, but you gave me nothing but those hollow, practised smiles. I nearly flew back here to knock him flat—but you begged me not to. Begged. You even made Adrianna and Xavier promise not to interfere. So we didn’t. We kept our distance. And now he’s back in your life and I’m supposed to just… accept it?”

    The memories came flooding in—China, cold and distant. That first month when I’d cried myself to sleep nearly every night, when my chest physically ached. The weight of those nights pressed down on me now.

    “You’re blinded by love,” Everett murmured, shaking his head before I could say anything more. “And I’m terrifiéd I’ll have to watch you fall apart again.”

    “It won’t happen again.”

    “You can’t be certain of that.”

    “I can,” I shot back, more forcefully than I intended. His eyes widened slightly. “This time, I know. He loves me. He won’t húrt me again.”

    “He didn’t seem to struggle the first time,” Everett said quietly, his words like a kñife wrapped in velvet. Calm, but cutting. “What makes you think he won’t do it again?”

    I stood up so suddenly the sofa creaked beneath me. “I don’t know, alright? I don’t know! Blóody héll, Everett!” My hands clenched by my sides. “If you hàte him so much, then why are you with his sister?”

    “Because Aurora’s nothing like him,” he answered simply.

    I exhaled, long and heavy, as the argument drained the air from my lungs. “Alright, fine. Let’s say you’re right. But can’t we at least agree he’s not the villàin you think he is?” When he didn’t respond, I let out a frustrated hiss. “Please, Ever. If not friends, then just… be civil. For me.”

    “Dove—”

    “Please, Everett.”

    He hesitated, then gave in with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll try. Just for you. And maybe… for Rory.”

    My smile was instant and genuine. “You know, I like you with Rory.”

    He mirrored my smile. “Yeah. I like me with her too.”

    “She makes you happy.”

    “She really does.” His expression softened. The smile that followed was the most real I’d seen since… well, since before her. The One Who Shall Not Be Named. “Sometimes I think I don’t deserve her.”

    “You do,” I said firmly. “The universe wouldn’t have given her to you otherwise. And if you break her heart, Dominic will kíll you.”

    He laughed, low and genuine. “Your double standards are honestly something else.”

    “Oh, this isn’t double standards,” I smirked.

    “No?”

    “No. This is survival instinct.”

    Before he could quip back, the sharp ding of my phone snapped my attention towards the coffee table. My chest tightened. I already knew it was bàd—there was something about the sound that felt like a harbinger.

    It was a message from Echo.

    Not a private one. The group chat she’d added me to—with Rory, Sal, Blade… and me.

    Echo: Blade got out.

    Three words.

    Just three words. And yet they knocked the wind out of me.

    “I’m not stuck. I’m simply biding my time.”

    His voice echoed in my head. Blade’s words. Blade’s promise.

    Had his time come?

    What happens now?

    The air turned poisonóus, thick with dréad. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. My lungs rebelled, my mind spiralling.

    “Dove?” Everett’s voice pulled me out, grounding me. His brows furrowed as he studied my face. “What is it?”

    “Cora. She, um… just broke up with her boyfriend.”

    The lie came too easily. Too smooth. But I latched onto it like a lifeline.

    “That’s why you look like someone just threaténed you?” he asked, unconvinced. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

    It is a thréat. A threàt to the Bràtva. To Dominic. To Rory. To all of us. If Blade finds Him—if “He” wants the Bràtva as Blade claimed—then we’re all in the crosshairs.

    “It sort of is,” I said quickly, keeping my tone light. “Heartbroken Cora isn’t exactly a walk in the park.”

    Please believe me. Just this once.

    “Well, alright. I should get going anyway—give you space to deal with her.” Everett rose from the sofa, patting his pockets as he checked for his phone. “Take care of yourself, alright? And for God’s sake, pick up your phone when I ring.”

    “I will,” I promised. “You too.”

    He nodded and kissed my temple before heading out, the door clicking softly behind him.

    And just like that, I was alone—with three words that changed everything. 

    •• 

    The drive to Dominic’s house had passed in a haze. One moment I was bidding my brother goodbye, the next I was dressed, heart hammering in my chest as I sped through the streets with barely a thought, adrenaline making my hands tremble on the steering wheel.

    “Did you get the text?” It was the first thing I said the moment I stepped across the threshold into his room.

    He looked up from the soft glow of his laptop screen and gave a single, curt nod.

    “What do you reckon will happen now?” I asked, though I already knew he wouldn’t have the answer. “Where do you think he’s gone?”

    Dominic’s gaze lifted again. He gave a subtle wave of his fingers—come here. My feet felt like lead, but I forced them to move. I crossed the room and sank onto the bed beside him, the mattress dipping beneath us. The weight of my panic settled like a second skin around my shoulders, tight and suffocating.

    “He didn’t go home—his house,” he said quietly, voice devoid of emotion. “And if I knew what his next move was, I wouldn’t be sat here, Vixen.”

    I gave a slow nod and turned my eyes to the screen. “What are you doing?”

    Blade was there—on-screen, seated and handcuffed to a chair. His face, bruised and bloódied by Dexter’s fists, was already beginning to heal. But his eyes burñed, focused intently on the CCTV camera perched on the far wall. The footage was dated for the night before.

    “How the héll did he get out?”

    “I don’t know, my love.”

    I dragged my fingers across my cheek, brushing back the loose strands that had slipped from my ponytail. “So what are you watching now?”

    “I feel like I’m missing something vital, Genevieve. And it’s driving me màd. It’s right in front of me, but I can’t blóody see it.”

    I reached for his free hand, and he sighed the moment our fingers touched. He threaded his through mine and lifted them, pressing a soft kiss to the back of my hand.

    “I hate this,” he muttered. “I can’t think straight. I can’t focus. I can’t even carve out time for you. The Bràtva’s in a mess—it’s like everything’s crumbling around me.”

    I should have said something—anything—but no words came. I kept staring at the screen.

    At Blade.

    Something about him held me càptive. The smirk that didn’t quite meet his eyes. The slight tilt of his head. And—most of all—the repetitive tap tap of his fingers on his thigh, hidden beneath the table.

    “Dom.” My voice came out as a whisper, so faint I barely heard it myself.

    I couldn’t look away. The tapping… it wasn’t just a nervous tic. The longer I watched, the more it began to feel deliberate.

    Like a message.

    “His fingers… Look at his fingers,” I said again, this time louder, my voice quick and clipped. “That tapping—it’s odd, isn’t it?”

    “Odd how?”

    “Odd as in—it doesn’t feel random. Like he’s trying to tell us something.”

    Dominic turned to me, his eyes scanning mine, searching for logic or maybe signs I’d lost the plot. Then, without a word, he looked back at the screen.

    “Tell us what, exactly?”

    “Like a code.”

    That got his attention. His focus sharpened instantly. He leaned forward slightly, as though the shift would help him see clearer. “A code?”

    “Have you checked his house?”

    “Yeah. I went with Dexter and Echo, took a few of the lads. We turned the place over.”

    “Find anything?”

    “Nothing.”

    “Then this tapping—it’s a message. And whatever it is, it’s hidden there. In his house.”

    “But why would he give us a code if he’s working for someone else?”

    “I don’t know. Maybe he was ordered to. Or maybe…” I faltered, the words sticking in my throat.

    “You’re one of the clever ones.” Blade’s voice echoed in my head.

    “Or maybe what?” Dominic pressed.

    I met his gaze. “Maybe Blade’s still with the Bràtva.”

    “Gen—”

    “I know how it sounds. I know it’s fóolish. But that’s what my gut’s telling me. That’s what my heart’s screaming.”

    “And what’s your head saying?”

    “That we need to get to Blade’s house. Now. If he wants us to find something, it must matter—to you. To the Bràtva. And if someone else sees the code first, whatever he’s trying to show us… it could be lost.”

    “But I don’t even see the bloódy thing.”

    “Look properly,” I urged. “Just… look.”

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap tap.

    Tap.

    Tap.

    Tap tap tap tap.

    The silence between us was heavy, thick with concentration. Then, slowly, Dominic’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I can see it.”

    “What is it?”

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap tap. 

    Tap. 

    Tap.

    Tap tap tap tap.

    “Two. Two. Three. One. One. Four.” His voice was quiet but steady, eyes gleaming with something close to relief. “Thank—”

    His phone rang.

    It was right beside me on the bed, and I caught the name before he picked it up.

    Dexter.

    He snatched it up and stood, posture shifting into something harder, colder. The voice he used was the one I knew from the Base. The Don’s voice.

    “Yes?”

    He listened in silence, eyes narrowing. A few seconds passed.

    “I just saw it too. Meet me there?”

    Another pause. Then he cursed softly. “No, tell her to stay back.” A beat of silence. “Fine. Let her come.”

    He ended the call and turned to me, eyes dark and assessing.

    “Do you want to come with me?”

    “To Blade’s house?”

    He nodded.

    “Yeah,” I said, heart already thudding harder. “Yeah, I do.”

    TBC📖✍️

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

     

     

    INSATIABLE CRAVINGS

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

    Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game} 

    TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.

    Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.

    By: Chukwuma Rejoice 

    ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

    ~ Genevieve ~

    “Wait—so you’re saying you wouldn’t mind at all if he proposed to you?” Everett asked, sounding absolutely scandalised. I gave a small nod, and that only seemed to wind him up further. “As in marry him?”

    “Everett, yes. I am aware of what a proposal entails.”

    He’d been on this topic relentlessly for nearly two weeks now, ever since he’d officially met Dominic. If it wasn’t ‘Why the héll are you with him?’, it was ‘Do you know he wants to make you his wife?’—always delivered with a grimace like he’d bitten into something sour.

    “What do you even see in him?” he asked, his exasperation thick and unyielding, wrapping itself tight around the words.

    A smile crept unbidden across my lips. “What do I see in Dominic?” I could feel the warmth spreading across my face as thoughts of him drifted in like sunlight. “Alright, listen carefully, because I’m not saying this again. Dominic might not look like a good man—but he is. Beneath all that ‘pretentious gentleman’ behaviour you always mock,” I added with a chuckle, “he’s kind. Genuinely kind. Sweet. Thoughtful. Gentle.”

    “Are we still talking about the same Dominic Morozov?” he deadpanned. “Because I’m fairly certain ‘kind’, ‘sweet’, and—what was the other one?—‘gentle’ shouldn’t be used in the same breath as him.”

    “Well, they are.” My voice came out sharper than intended. “Dominic is all of that and more. He’s been there for me in ways no one else has. Doesn’t that mean something? That your sister is happy—doesn’t that matter to you?”

    He went silent. For a moment, he just stared at me. The tension in Liam’s flat suddenly thickened, like a fog settling between us. Then he sank down beside me on the worn sofa, sighing as he did.

    “Listen… it’s not that I’m not happy for you. I am. Truly. I’ve never seen that light in your eyes shine this brightly before.” His voice was soft but carried weight, like each syllable was carefully chosen. “But how do you expect me to just stand by and watch the same man who broke my little sister’s heart be the one to make it beat again?”

    I turned towards him, meeting his gaze. His eyes were full—of worry, of doubt… of fear.

    “I was there, Dove. When you became someone I barely recognised. When the heartbreak consumed you. I was the one who sat beside you as you lay in bed, too shattered to speak. I heard your cries—you thought you were whispering, but I heard every broken sound.”

    His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “All I wanted was to fix it, to make you feel better, but you gave me nothing but those hollow, practised smiles. I nearly flew back here to knock him flat—but you begged me not to. Begged. You even made Adrianna and Xavier promise not to interfere. So we didn’t. We kept our distance. And now he’s back in your life and I’m supposed to just… accept it?”

    The memories came flooding in—China, cold and distant. That first month when I’d cried myself to sleep nearly every night, when my chest physically ached. The weight of those nights pressed down on me now.

    “You’re blinded by love,” Everett murmured, shaking his head before I could say anything more. “And I’m terrifiéd I’ll have to watch you fall apart again.”

    “It won’t happen again.”

    “You can’t be certain of that.”

    “I can,” I shot back, more forcefully than I intended. His eyes widened slightly. “This time, I know. He loves me. He won’t húrt me again.”

    “He didn’t seem to struggle the first time,” Everett said quietly, his words like a kñife wrapped in velvet. Calm, but cutting. “What makes you think he won’t do it again?”

    I stood up so suddenly the sofa creaked beneath me. “I don’t know, alright? I don’t know! Blóody héll, Everett!” My hands clenched by my sides. “If you hàte him so much, then why are you with his sister?”

    “Because Aurora’s nothing like him,” he answered simply.

    I exhaled, long and heavy, as the argument drained the air from my lungs. “Alright, fine. Let’s say you’re right. But can’t we at least agree he’s not the villàin you think he is?” When he didn’t respond, I let out a frustrated hiss. “Please, Ever. If not friends, then just… be civil. For me.”

    “Dove—”

    “Please, Everett.”

    He hesitated, then gave in with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll try. Just for you. And maybe… for Rory.”

    My smile was instant and genuine. “You know, I like you with Rory.”

    He mirrored my smile. “Yeah. I like me with her too.”

    “She makes you happy.”

    “She really does.” His expression softened. The smile that followed was the most real I’d seen since… well, since before her. The One Who Shall Not Be Named. “Sometimes I think I don’t deserve her.”

    “You do,” I said firmly. “The universe wouldn’t have given her to you otherwise. And if you break her heart, Dominic will kíll you.”

    He laughed, low and genuine. “Your double standards are honestly something else.”

    “Oh, this isn’t double standards,” I smirked.

    “No?”

    “No. This is survival instinct.”

    Before he could quip back, the sharp ding of my phone snapped my attention towards the coffee table. My chest tightened. I already knew it was bàd—there was something about the sound that felt like a harbinger.

    It was a message from Echo.

    Not a private one. The group chat she’d added me to—with Rory, Sal, Blade… and me.

    Echo: Blade got out.

    Three words.

    Just three words. And yet they knocked the wind out of me.

    “I’m not stuck. I’m simply biding my time.”

    His voice echoed in my head. Blade’s words. Blade’s promise.

    Had his time come?

    What happens now?

    The air turned poisonóus, thick with dréad. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. My lungs rebelled, my mind spiralling.

    “Dove?” Everett’s voice pulled me out, grounding me. His brows furrowed as he studied my face. “What is it?”

    “Cora. She, um… just broke up with her boyfriend.”

    The lie came too easily. Too smooth. But I latched onto it like a lifeline.

    “That’s why you look like someone just threaténed you?” he asked, unconvinced. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

    It is a thréat. A threàt to the Bràtva. To Dominic. To Rory. To all of us. If Blade finds Him—if “He” wants the Bràtva as Blade claimed—then we’re all in the crosshairs.

    “It sort of is,” I said quickly, keeping my tone light. “Heartbroken Cora isn’t exactly a walk in the park.”

    Please believe me. Just this once.

    “Well, alright. I should get going anyway—give you space to deal with her.” Everett rose from the sofa, patting his pockets as he checked for his phone. “Take care of yourself, alright? And for God’s sake, pick up your phone when I ring.”

    “I will,” I promised. “You too.”

    He nodded and kissed my temple before heading out, the door clicking softly behind him.

    And just like that, I was alone—with three words that changed everything. 

    •• 

    The drive to Dominic’s house had passed in a haze. One moment I was bidding my brother goodbye, the next I was dressed, heart hammering in my chest as I sped through the streets with barely a thought, adrenaline making my hands tremble on the steering wheel.

    “Did you get the text?” It was the first thing I said the moment I stepped across the threshold into his room.

    He looked up from the soft glow of his laptop screen and gave a single, curt nod.

    “What do you reckon will happen now?” I asked, though I already knew he wouldn’t have the answer. “Where do you think he’s gone?”

    Dominic’s gaze lifted again. He gave a subtle wave of his fingers—come here. My feet felt like lead, but I forced them to move. I crossed the room and sank onto the bed beside him, the mattress dipping beneath us. The weight of my panic settled like a second skin around my shoulders, tight and suffocating.

    “He didn’t go home—his house,” he said quietly, voice devoid of emotion. “And if I knew what his next move was, I wouldn’t be sat here, Vixen.”

    I gave a slow nod and turned my eyes to the screen. “What are you doing?”

    Blade was there—on-screen, seated and handcuffed to a chair. His face, bruised and bloódied by Dexter’s fists, was already beginning to heal. But his eyes burñed, focused intently on the CCTV camera perched on the far wall. The footage was dated for the night before.

    “How the héll did he get out?”

    “I don’t know, my love.”

    I dragged my fingers across my cheek, brushing back the loose strands that had slipped from my ponytail. “So what are you watching now?”

    “I feel like I’m missing something vital, Genevieve. And it’s driving me màd. It’s right in front of me, but I can’t blóody see it.”

    I reached for his free hand, and he sighed the moment our fingers touched. He threaded his through mine and lifted them, pressing a soft kiss to the back of my hand.

    “I hate this,” he muttered. “I can’t think straight. I can’t focus. I can’t even carve out time for you. The Bràtva’s in a mess—it’s like everything’s crumbling around me.”

    I should have said something—anything—but no words came. I kept staring at the screen.

    At Blade.

    Something about him held me càptive. The smirk that didn’t quite meet his eyes. The slight tilt of his head. And—most of all—the repetitive tap tap of his fingers on his thigh, hidden beneath the table.

    “Dom.” My voice came out as a whisper, so faint I barely heard it myself.

    I couldn’t look away. The tapping… it wasn’t just a nervous tic. The longer I watched, the more it began to feel deliberate.

    Like a message.

    “His fingers… Look at his fingers,” I said again, this time louder, my voice quick and clipped. “That tapping—it’s odd, isn’t it?”

    “Odd how?”

    “Odd as in—it doesn’t feel random. Like he’s trying to tell us something.”

    Dominic turned to me, his eyes scanning mine, searching for logic or maybe signs I’d lost the plot. Then, without a word, he looked back at the screen.

    “Tell us what, exactly?”

    “Like a code.”

    That got his attention. His focus sharpened instantly. He leaned forward slightly, as though the shift would help him see clearer. “A code?”

    “Have you checked his house?”

    “Yeah. I went with Dexter and Echo, took a few of the lads. We turned the place over.”

    “Find anything?”

    “Nothing.”

    “Then this tapping—it’s a message. And whatever it is, it’s hidden there. In his house.”

    “But why would he give us a code if he’s working for someone else?”

    “I don’t know. Maybe he was ordered to. Or maybe…” I faltered, the words sticking in my throat.

    “You’re one of the clever ones.” Blade’s voice echoed in my head.

    “Or maybe what?” Dominic pressed.

    I met his gaze. “Maybe Blade’s still with the Bràtva.”

    “Gen—”

    “I know how it sounds. I know it’s fóolish. But that’s what my gut’s telling me. That’s what my heart’s screaming.”

    “And what’s your head saying?”

    “That we need to get to Blade’s house. Now. If he wants us to find something, it must matter—to you. To the Bràtva. And if someone else sees the code first, whatever he’s trying to show us… it could be lost.”

    “But I don’t even see the bloódy thing.”

    “Look properly,” I urged. “Just… look.”

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap tap.

    Tap.

    Tap.

    Tap tap tap tap.

    The silence between us was heavy, thick with concentration. Then, slowly, Dominic’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I can see it.”

    “What is it?”

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap tap. 

    Tap. 

    Tap.

    Tap tap tap tap.

    “Two. Two. Three. One. One. Four.” His voice was quiet but steady, eyes gleaming with something close to relief. “Thank—”

    His phone rang.

    It was right beside me on the bed, and I caught the name before he picked it up.

    Dexter.

    He snatched it up and stood, posture shifting into something harder, colder. The voice he used was the one I knew from the Base. The Don’s voice.

    “Yes?”

    He listened in silence, eyes narrowing. A few seconds passed.

    “I just saw it too. Meet me there?”

    Another pause. Then he cursed softly. “No, tell her to stay back.” A beat of silence. “Fine. Let her come.”

    He ended the call and turned to me, eyes dark and assessing.

    “Do you want to come with me?”

    “To Blade’s house?”

    He nodded.

    “Yeah,” I said, heart already thudding harder. “Yeah, I do.”

    TBC📖✍️

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

     

     

    INSATIABLE CRAVINGS

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 120

    Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game} 

    TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.

    Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.

    By: Chukwuma Rejoice 

    ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

    ~ Genevieve ~

    “Wait—so you’re saying you wouldn’t mind at all if he proposed to you?” Everett asked, sounding absolutely scandalised. I gave a small nod, and that only seemed to wind him up further. “As in marry him?”

    “Everett, yes. I am aware of what a proposal entails.”

    He’d been on this topic relentlessly for nearly two weeks now, ever since he’d officially met Dominic. If it wasn’t ‘Why the héll are you with him?’, it was ‘Do you know he wants to make you his wife?’—always delivered with a grimace like he’d bitten into something sour.

    “What do you even see in him?” he asked, his exasperation thick and unyielding, wrapping itself tight around the words.

    A smile crept unbidden across my lips. “What do I see in Dominic?” I could feel the warmth spreading across my face as thoughts of him drifted in like sunlight. “Alright, listen carefully, because I’m not saying this again. Dominic might not look like a good man—but he is. Beneath all that ‘pretentious gentleman’ behaviour you always mock,” I added with a chuckle, “he’s kind. Genuinely kind. Sweet. Thoughtful. Gentle.”

    “Are we still talking about the same Dominic Morozov?” he deadpanned. “Because I’m fairly certain ‘kind’, ‘sweet’, and—what was the other one?—‘gentle’ shouldn’t be used in the same breath as him.”

    “Well, they are.” My voice came out sharper than intended. “Dominic is all of that and more. He’s been there for me in ways no one else has. Doesn’t that mean something? That your sister is happy—doesn’t that matter to you?”

    He went silent. For a moment, he just stared at me. The tension in Liam’s flat suddenly thickened, like a fog settling between us. Then he sank down beside me on the worn sofa, sighing as he did.

    “Listen… it’s not that I’m not happy for you. I am. Truly. I’ve never seen that light in your eyes shine this brightly before.” His voice was soft but carried weight, like each syllable was carefully chosen. “But how do you expect me to just stand by and watch the same man who broke my little sister’s heart be the one to make it beat again?”

    I turned towards him, meeting his gaze. His eyes were full—of worry, of doubt… of fear.

    “I was there, Dove. When you became someone I barely recognised. When the heartbreak consumed you. I was the one who sat beside you as you lay in bed, too shattered to speak. I heard your cries—you thought you were whispering, but I heard every broken sound.”

    His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “All I wanted was to fix it, to make you feel better, but you gave me nothing but those hollow, practised smiles. I nearly flew back here to knock him flat—but you begged me not to. Begged. You even made Adrianna and Xavier promise not to interfere. So we didn’t. We kept our distance. And now he’s back in your life and I’m supposed to just… accept it?”

    The memories came flooding in—China, cold and distant. That first month when I’d cried myself to sleep nearly every night, when my chest physically ached. The weight of those nights pressed down on me now.

    “You’re blinded by love,” Everett murmured, shaking his head before I could say anything more. “And I’m terrifiéd I’ll have to watch you fall apart again.”

    “It won’t happen again.”

    “You can’t be certain of that.”

    “I can,” I shot back, more forcefully than I intended. His eyes widened slightly. “This time, I know. He loves me. He won’t húrt me again.”

    “He didn’t seem to struggle the first time,” Everett said quietly, his words like a kñife wrapped in velvet. Calm, but cutting. “What makes you think he won’t do it again?”

    I stood up so suddenly the sofa creaked beneath me. “I don’t know, alright? I don’t know! Blóody héll, Everett!” My hands clenched by my sides. “If you hàte him so much, then why are you with his sister?”

    “Because Aurora’s nothing like him,” he answered simply.

    I exhaled, long and heavy, as the argument drained the air from my lungs. “Alright, fine. Let’s say you’re right. But can’t we at least agree he’s not the villàin you think he is?” When he didn’t respond, I let out a frustrated hiss. “Please, Ever. If not friends, then just… be civil. For me.”

    “Dove—”

    “Please, Everett.”

    He hesitated, then gave in with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll try. Just for you. And maybe… for Rory.”

    My smile was instant and genuine. “You know, I like you with Rory.”

    He mirrored my smile. “Yeah. I like me with her too.”

    “She makes you happy.”

    “She really does.” His expression softened. The smile that followed was the most real I’d seen since… well, since before her. The One Who Shall Not Be Named. “Sometimes I think I don’t deserve her.”

    “You do,” I said firmly. “The universe wouldn’t have given her to you otherwise. And if you break her heart, Dominic will kíll you.”

    He laughed, low and genuine. “Your double standards are honestly something else.”

    “Oh, this isn’t double standards,” I smirked.

    “No?”

    “No. This is survival instinct.”

    Before he could quip back, the sharp ding of my phone snapped my attention towards the coffee table. My chest tightened. I already knew it was bàd—there was something about the sound that felt like a harbinger.

    It was a message from Echo.

    Not a private one. The group chat she’d added me to—with Rory, Sal, Blade… and me.

    Echo: Blade got out.

    Three words.

    Just three words. And yet they knocked the wind out of me.

    “I’m not stuck. I’m simply biding my time.”

    His voice echoed in my head. Blade’s words. Blade’s promise.

    Had his time come?

    What happens now?

    The air turned poisonóus, thick with dréad. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. My lungs rebelled, my mind spiralling.

    “Dove?” Everett’s voice pulled me out, grounding me. His brows furrowed as he studied my face. “What is it?”

    “Cora. She, um… just broke up with her boyfriend.”

    The lie came too easily. Too smooth. But I latched onto it like a lifeline.

    “That’s why you look like someone just threaténed you?” he asked, unconvinced. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

    It is a thréat. A threàt to the Bràtva. To Dominic. To Rory. To all of us. If Blade finds Him—if “He” wants the Bràtva as Blade claimed—then we’re all in the crosshairs.

    “It sort of is,” I said quickly, keeping my tone light. “Heartbroken Cora isn’t exactly a walk in the park.”

    Please believe me. Just this once.

    “Well, alright. I should get going anyway—give you space to deal with her.” Everett rose from the sofa, patting his pockets as he checked for his phone. “Take care of yourself, alright? And for God’s sake, pick up your phone when I ring.”

    “I will,” I promised. “You too.”

    He nodded and kissed my temple before heading out, the door clicking softly behind him.

    And just like that, I was alone—with three words that changed everything. 

    •• 

    The drive to Dominic’s house had passed in a haze. One moment I was bidding my brother goodbye, the next I was dressed, heart hammering in my chest as I sped through the streets with barely a thought, adrenaline making my hands tremble on the steering wheel.

    “Did you get the text?” It was the first thing I said the moment I stepped across the threshold into his room.

    He looked up from the soft glow of his laptop screen and gave a single, curt nod.

    “What do you reckon will happen now?” I asked, though I already knew he wouldn’t have the answer. “Where do you think he’s gone?”

    Dominic’s gaze lifted again. He gave a subtle wave of his fingers—come here. My feet felt like lead, but I forced them to move. I crossed the room and sank onto the bed beside him, the mattress dipping beneath us. The weight of my panic settled like a second skin around my shoulders, tight and suffocating.

    “He didn’t go home—his house,” he said quietly, voice devoid of emotion. “And if I knew what his next move was, I wouldn’t be sat here, Vixen.”

    I gave a slow nod and turned my eyes to the screen. “What are you doing?”

    Blade was there—on-screen, seated and handcuffed to a chair. His face, bruised and bloódied by Dexter’s fists, was already beginning to heal. But his eyes burñed, focused intently on the CCTV camera perched on the far wall. The footage was dated for the night before.

    “How the héll did he get out?”

    “I don’t know, my love.”

    I dragged my fingers across my cheek, brushing back the loose strands that had slipped from my ponytail. “So what are you watching now?”

    “I feel like I’m missing something vital, Genevieve. And it’s driving me màd. It’s right in front of me, but I can’t blóody see it.”

    I reached for his free hand, and he sighed the moment our fingers touched. He threaded his through mine and lifted them, pressing a soft kiss to the back of my hand.

    “I hate this,” he muttered. “I can’t think straight. I can’t focus. I can’t even carve out time for you. The Bràtva’s in a mess—it’s like everything’s crumbling around me.”

    I should have said something—anything—but no words came. I kept staring at the screen.

    At Blade.

    Something about him held me càptive. The smirk that didn’t quite meet his eyes. The slight tilt of his head. And—most of all—the repetitive tap tap of his fingers on his thigh, hidden beneath the table.

    “Dom.” My voice came out as a whisper, so faint I barely heard it myself.

    I couldn’t look away. The tapping… it wasn’t just a nervous tic. The longer I watched, the more it began to feel deliberate.

    Like a message.

    “His fingers… Look at his fingers,” I said again, this time louder, my voice quick and clipped. “That tapping—it’s odd, isn’t it?”

    “Odd how?”

    “Odd as in—it doesn’t feel random. Like he’s trying to tell us something.”

    Dominic turned to me, his eyes scanning mine, searching for logic or maybe signs I’d lost the plot. Then, without a word, he looked back at the screen.

    “Tell us what, exactly?”

    “Like a code.”

    That got his attention. His focus sharpened instantly. He leaned forward slightly, as though the shift would help him see clearer. “A code?”

    “Have you checked his house?”

    “Yeah. I went with Dexter and Echo, took a few of the lads. We turned the place over.”

    “Find anything?”

    “Nothing.”

    “Then this tapping—it’s a message. And whatever it is, it’s hidden there. In his house.”

    “But why would he give us a code if he’s working for someone else?”

    “I don’t know. Maybe he was ordered to. Or maybe…” I faltered, the words sticking in my throat.

    “You’re one of the clever ones.” Blade’s voice echoed in my head.

    “Or maybe what?” Dominic pressed.

    I met his gaze. “Maybe Blade’s still with the Bràtva.”

    “Gen—”

    “I know how it sounds. I know it’s fóolish. But that’s what my gut’s telling me. That’s what my heart’s screaming.”

    “And what’s your head saying?”

    “That we need to get to Blade’s house. Now. If he wants us to find something, it must matter—to you. To the Bràtva. And if someone else sees the code first, whatever he’s trying to show us… it could be lost.”

    “But I don’t even see the bloódy thing.”

    “Look properly,” I urged. “Just… look.”

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap tap.

    Tap.

    Tap.

    Tap tap tap tap.

    The silence between us was heavy, thick with concentration. Then, slowly, Dominic’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I can see it.”

    “What is it?”

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap.

    Tap tap tap. 

    Tap. 

    Tap.

    Tap tap tap tap.

    “Two. Two. Three. One. One. Four.” His voice was quiet but steady, eyes gleaming with something close to relief. “Thank—”

    His phone rang.

    It was right beside me on the bed, and I caught the name before he picked it up.

    Dexter.

    He snatched it up and stood, posture shifting into something harder, colder. The voice he used was the one I knew from the Base. The Don’s voice.

    “Yes?”

    He listened in silence, eyes narrowing. A few seconds passed.

    “I just saw it too. Meet me there?”

    Another pause. Then he cursed softly. “No, tell her to stay back.” A beat of silence. “Fine. Let her come.”

    He ended the call and turned to me, eyes dark and assessing.

    “Do you want to come with me?”

    “To Blade’s house?”

    He nodded.

    “Yeah,” I said, heart already thudding harder. “Yeah, I do.”

    TBC📖✍️

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • The Masked – Episode 9&10

    The Masked – Episode 9&10

     

    THE TORMENTOR 2

    THE MASKED 

    The Masked – Episode 9&10

     ( Where•are•you, Ixora? )

    Book 2 in the Mindf+ck Trilogy

    by Naomi Cindy B.

    _________________________

    All rights reserved.

    No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

    Copyright © 2025 

    _________________________

    Elsa’s eyes dilated, nearly tearing her lids apart as she watched the occuring horror.

    Blood is flooding out of Warren’s stabbed eye, and both Capri and Ashton look like they just saw the darkest damnation as they stared at him with their jaws on the floor.

    Warren removed the pin from that eye, then he began bringing it to the second one, and Elsa made to come out of her hiding place, but Mykel pulled her back, and she gasped.

    “Let go!” She glared.

    Mykel smirked, holding her second hand too.

    “I’m not the type to listen to orders, you know me very well, Ixora” he sternly said, and then he pulled her out of the place.

    Before Warren could stab himself in the second eye, Ashton and Capri held him

    They had to fight him like they’re his enemies, punching him countlessly in the face and chest before they could forcefully take the pin from him since he’s so darn strong.

    By the time they got the pin, Warren lay flat on the ground, looking up at the chandeliers with his one working eye as blood continued pouring out of the second wounded eye.

    “Ixora…” He sickly muttered.

    “Call an ambulance” Ashton told Capri, and Capri retrieved his phone.

    —

    Lydia is still on the chase with Maureen, and right now they’re out of the hall premises.

    Maureen knowingly began rounding the amphitheater, and Lydia ran after her like a hound dog, pouring all her energy into the chase and losing much energy in the process.

    When she noticed it’s gonna continue like this till probably forever, she entered the amphitheater and rolled out of the door from the other side, cleanly double-crossing her.

    Maureen came to a half, dropping her sword on the ground before raising her hands up.

    No part of her face is showing since the ninja outfit is securely wrapped around her head.

    “Oh wow…you caught me” she said, her voice thick under the black wrap.

    “Just give up, Maureen. Doreen died after giving birth to Warren, so what? Did he kill her?” Lydia replied, and Maureen laughed.

    “His birth caused the death of Doreen, end of discussion” she said, rubbing her head.

    “I know the exact reason why you’re like this, it’s not exactly because of her death, is it?” Lydia scoffed.

    “Oh I see that crippled man already told you too much” Maureen replied with another crooked laughter.

    “And you know what? You aren’t even close to the truth! You’d be shocked when you find out you’re after the wrong person” Lydia said.

    “Pep talk? I’m so not a fan of it, so why don’t we meet another time? I’m after Warren’s legs, and till I cripple him like his father, I’ll be unstoppable! The crippled fool left him in jail to protect him from me that year, right? But this time, he won’t be able to hide from me! His legs and life is mine!” Maureen replied, his sneer evident in his voice.

    Then she threw down a smoke shell, and then she jumped out of the corner, down the lawn.

    Lydia covered her nose with an hand and ran through the smokes, jumping down too, but Maureen was already gone.

    “Shit” she kicked the wall.

    —

    [Back In The Hall]

    Tina and Monty are still in their hiding place below the platform.

    They’re both squatting, holding each other, but then noticed someone is in front of them, covering them from everything.

    Monty stood and pushed the person with her leg, and he fell forward before facing them.

    It’s Bronx.

    “What? You thought it was your brotherhood who attacked?” Monty said dryly, and he stood.

    “You should reduce the way you’re so gutsy, you think I’m lying when I say they’re dangerous? I haven’t even seen our leader before bî+ch!” He said, and Monty nodded.

    “Of course, only Bronx would do something that idiotic, you’re in a cult and you don’t know the leader’s identity? Let me tell you, just stay off the lane of Tina and I, I’m done with you and your cult” she said.

    “I know you’re still after them, i know you’re still trying to track me down. But I don’t want you to die pointlessly like your father, which is why I’m always taking my time to warm you!” Bronx snarled.

    “You have no damn right to talk about my father! The same father you burnt his coffin? Shut your trap!!” Monty bit back, and when Bronx tried talking again, Tina stepped in…

    “Stop it, you’re doing too much, and it’s irritating” she said, then she left the hall with Monty.

    Bronx digged his fingers in his hair frustratingly, checking his phone.

    He’s supposed to kill the two tonight, but he didn’t.

    Normally, the brotherhood would have texted him to warn him, but there’s nothing from them.

    His messages is dry.

    Their warnings are dangerous, but their silence? More dangerous.

    He rushed out of the hall in fear.

    It was Romeo who helped Serena up, but immediately she stood, she pushed him away.

    “Ixora…” He blinked.

    “I don’t want you!!!” Serena’s eyes are teary as she spoke, and her wounded knees are bleeding subtly.

    “You’re bleeding, let’s get you to the clinic” he held her again, but she pushed him away irritatingly.

    “Don’t touch me!!” She yelled, unable to fold that stupid scene away from her head.

    The scene of how Mykel pulled Elsa to safety when the metal almost crashed on her.

    She saw it, and her hate has been overflowing since then.

    How dare Elsa even go near Mykel? How could Mykel touch her?

    “But you’re bleeding” Romeo’s annoying voice spoke again.

    “Look away!!! Don’t just touch me you dirty, dirty thing!” Serena yelled, and Romeo’s eyes widened.

    Bethel and Winter joined them, and Bethel suddenly pulled Serena’s hair, causing her to wail.

    “I dunno what you ate that changed you during your one year absence, but you better lecture yourself on how to talk to people! My brother is not a pig!” She said.

    “Let go of her!” Winter took Serena from Bethel.

    “She doesn’t want your brother, tell your brother to buy some self-respect, it’s not hard” she continued, then she took Serena out of the hall.

    Romeo almost followed them, but Bethel held him back.

    “Let her go, don’t be silly” she said, and Clover joined them.

    “Are you sure this is Ixora? She’s nothing like her” he said.

    “Ixora is not the rising issue right now, we have drugs to collect at the port” Bethel replied, leading the way out.

    Clover gave Romeo a jacket which he wore on top of his shirt.

    “You saw what Mykel did, ri?” He said.

    “How he joined the masked girl to cover Warren?” Clover replied.

    “Don’t try to stop me when I start with Mykel” Romeo said as they both exited the empty hall.

    Clover grabbed him.

    “Don’t try anything funny, we need his connections, and we even went as far as forming a band to get him” he said.

    Romeo broke free.

    “Bullcrap, him protecting Warren? We’re supposed to be enemies with Satan’s Heirs!” He said.

    “So what? You’re gonna hurt the son of a mafia?” Clover said glaringly.

    “I’ll just give him a mild warning, that should do” Romeo replied.

    “This isn’t only because he protected Warren, right? It’s actually because you know Ixora has been staring at him!” Bethel said, coming back to them.

    Romeo pushed both Romeo and Clover out of the way and left them.

    “He’s hopeless” Bethel clocked her tongue as she shook her head.

    “I just want all of these to be fuckin over” Clover said frustratedly.

    —

    [Park]

    Mykel didn’t let go of Elsa till they arrived at the densest part of the campus park, and she adjusted her mask, stepping back.

    She could hear the wailing of ambulance as it drove Warren out of the campus, and that assured her that he’s gonna be fine.

    So far he’s not dead, then everything is in control.

    “Why are you masked? Why are you walking around wearing that mask and allowing that imposter to act like you?” Mykel asked.

    “And who told you I’m Ixora?” Elsa replied with squints.

    “You’re still gonna deny? We’re the only two people who covered Warren when the ninja woman was coming his way! He knew Ixora was beside him in his blind state, and I can’t be Ixora, which means you!” He replied, and Elsa scoffed.

    “Are you done? I really do not have the time for your shenanigans” she said and made a smooth turn, then she began sliding down the park, but she felt him close, so she stopped.

    Mykel actually followed her.

    He stretched his hand forward, trying to pull off her mask, but she avoided the hand by shifting, then she rested on a car hood and kneeled him on the chest.

    Mykel only staggered roughly, but the moment he became stable, he pulled her knees and dragged her to the edge of the hood, taking her mask between his teeth and attempting to tear.

    Again, Elsa escaped by elbowing him on the neck, and he let go, so she slid down from the car and began running down the park.

    “Nadine your best friend is stuck in Russia, a call to my gramps will take her out of the Barinov guild” Mykel talked, had Elsa stopped running.

    Warm sweat crawled down her temples, and her palms folded.

    “If Nadine is not your best friend, if you didn’t meet me at the mill when we were young, if you’re not the Ixora whom I taught the guitar and scrabble—the one when smells fruity like peaches, then you can leave” he said, and Elsa released shallow hot breaths from her nostrils, her standstill more firm.

    Her chest was pounding as her hand went to her face, and she untied the mask from where she had tied it behind her head.

    The mask came off, and she turned back, walking slowly to him.

    Mykel’s calm got robbed from him the moment he saw her approaching, and he had to approach her too, meeting her in the middle of the park and hugging her tight.

    Elsa reciprocated and hugged him back, making him smile heartily.

    “How have you been?” She asked

    “What do you think?” He replied, and she smiled, hugging him tighter.

    Five minutes later, he was already in his car with him, and he drove them out of the campus to a street food joint.

    “I hated street food, but I tried out Cali’s, and it wasn’t bad” he said.

    “Haven’t tried it before” she replied.

    “Coming” he said, exiting the car.

    Two minutes later, he came back with a paper bag of burgers and pies which he dropped beside her.

    “I see you’re still obsessed with burgers, you kept singing about your love for it at the mill” Elsa said, smiling as she picked one.

    Thanks to the tinted windows, no one can see the inside of the car.

    “Hmm! Not bad” she nodded as she ate.

    “Eat up, you need it after saving two people during that pandemonium” he said.

    “I had to, Serena has to believe I’m under hypnosis to protect her” she replied.

    “So it’s Serena? Your cousin? Carrying your face?” He asked.

    “You’re not to tell anyone till I decide to tell” she replied.

    “What about Warren?” He asked.

    “Can we not talk about him?” She replied, taking another bite from her burger.

    “You still got feelings for him?” He asked, and she choked on the burger, coughing out.

    He quickly offered water which she drank in a rush.

    “I told you I don’t wanna talk about him.” She strictly said.

    “Sorry” he replied, and she sighed, resting back on her chair before checking the time.

    She’d get an earful tonight when she gets back to the mansion, but she doesn’t care.

    “So…if I tell you to marry me before I’ll help you save Nadine, what are you gonna say?” Mykel asked, and her eyes lifted, slowly.

    “Is that a joke?”

    “Joke?” Mykel smiled.

    “Do you know how many years I’ve kept this?” He said, bringing out the scrabble piece which has IXORA written on it.

    “I carried it around like an amulet, and I planned marry you on the spot the next time I set my eyes on you again. You’re the only one I can actually speak to, Ixora. My voice wouldn’t open if I tried to speak to  my parents. It’s only you, you’re the only one who has actually heard my voice, so if you think I’m letting you go, then you don’t know how hard I can chase” he said.

    Elsa closed her eyes, her chest heavy.

    “And Nadine’s case is not the only one I can help with, I know Evelyn’s new face too” he said, and her eyes opened widely.

    She grabbed his arms.

    “Seriously?”

    He nodded simply.

    —

    [Crescent Hospital]

    The stretcher carrying Warren is just riding into the hospital with Ashton and Capri at each side of it, wheeling with the nurses and doctors.

    The blood from his eye hasn’t stopped pouring, but the second eye is still open, so painfully red.

    The stabbed eye is obviously starting to affect the fine one too.

    He was wheeled into the EU, and both Ashton and Capri were locked out at the hallway.

    They began pacing, waiting for when the doctors will come out, but it took more than an hour, and nothing is happening.

    Not even a single doctor came out of the EU which just shows how critical it it.

    Capri didn’t bother to wipe his tears as they fell slowly, and Ashton had to stop to stare at him.

    “Why the hell are you crying?” He demanded, and Capri sighed, sitting on the bench.

    “Hawke is my father, isn’t he? I ran away from the truth for so long, I warned y’all to never address him as my father cos I was ashamed. It was my father who made War pass through hell in jail. I chose to bear Leo—my mother’s surname instead of Benson—Hawke’s surname, cos why? I couldn’t stand it, but what now? He has ruined him so there’s no point running around in circles. He didn’t only wreck him physically but also mentally and emotionally! War can never be normal again I swear” he said, wiping his tears.

    “So what now? You’re gonna do what?” Ashton questioned.

    “I’m gonna go into the core prison tonight and get rid of him” Capri said, but Ashton scoffed.

    “He’s not yours to kill, War could have killed him before he left prison, but he chose to keep him alive for this long cos killing him would be too nice! So calm your balls and chill out” Ashton replied.

    Konstantin’s call on Capri’s phone lessened the tension, and Capri got his phone with cold hands, swiping green.

    “What’s up, gee”

    “Not cool, y’all have to come down to Russia and attend my wedding, with Akem” Konstantin replied, and their eyes popped.

    “Yeah…I’m shackled, so there’s no hope of ever coming out of here. It’d have been easy if Nadine isn’t involved, but she is…if I make one wrong move, then she’d die” Konstantin explained.

    “You can’t be in a gay marriage you motherfûcker! You can’t give up! You don’t give up!” Ashton shouted.

    “I give up!! I fuckin give up!! Being a part of Satan’s Heirs made me forget my roots for a while. I can’t change nothing, I’ll remain the son of the Evil Witch forever. Till we meet again, mates” Konstantin replied, hanging up.

    Ashton and Capri exchanged glances, then Lydia wheeled Elder Creed into the hallway with Beatrice behind them.

    “How did it happen?” The old man asked.

    “The night blindness thingy” Capri replied.

    “Is it making any sense? He’s the strongest when he’s blind cos he functions better in the dark! His other senses stay at alert whenever he’s blind so why would anyone be able to stab him in the eye?” Elder Creed said.

    “No one stabbed him” Capri said again.

    “Huh?” Elder Creed replied.

    “He stabbed himself” Ashton added, and the old man gasped.

    And then the doctors finally came out of the EU, looking tensed.

    “He needs an eye donor. We have to operate on the stabbed eye and replace it, else…the second eye will go blind completely too” the doctor said.

    “Take one of my eyes” Elder Creed immediately said.

    “Sire!” Lydia and Beatrice chorused shockingly.

    “Take me eye” Elder Creed repeated.

    From the end of the hall, Chicago stood like an assassin, watching the scenario like she payed for thriller.

    “Shit, dude’s gonna get himself killed” she muttered, slipping out of the hall.

    “He can’t get an old man’s eye, that’d be useless. I should take Ixora’s eye or something” she continued talking to herself as she left the hospital.

    —

    [Romeo’s Mansion]

    The three partners already arrived from the port, and right now they’re repackaging the drugs as usual on the large table.

    “Is it just me, or is Bronx involved in some shady shit?” Bethel said.

    “Are you only just realizing? He belongs in a secret cult” Clover replied.

    “Isn’t he Ashton’s brother? I heard their father is crazily abusive. He beat their mother to death” Bethel said.

    “Every student of ILC have sob stories to tell, baby sis” Clover replied, and they both looked at Romeo who’s not contributing into the discussion.

    He just stood there, staring into space while thinking of the wounds on Ixora’s knees.

    Will she be ok?

    The chiming of his phone made him jerk, and when he checked the message, he grimaced.

    Unknown: Outside your mansion, Rom-Rom.

    “Be right back” he said, rushing out.

    Bethel immediately sat on a chair, licking her pale lips to hide their chapped nature.

    Clover sat in front of her.

    “Don’t you think it’s hightime you tell me what’s going on? I know you’ve been taking the drugs since last year” he said.

    Bethel looked up, and he nodded.

    “Tell me, What’s up?” He asked.

    —

    On getting outside, Romeo met the person he expected, sitting in front of the gate and smoking sinfully.

    Chicago.

    She stood immediately she saw him though, and he angrily walked to her, punching her in the face.

    The cigarette fell from Chicago’s lips, and she chuckled.

    “I know you’re the one who pushed the mounters in the hall earlier! You hurt Ixora and ruined the concert, and then you had the guts to come here?” He sneered.

    “I wanted to kill Ixora, you should be glad she only got hurt” Chicago replied.

    “Carina…” He continued glaring, and she smiled.

    “I hate that name yunno? But when it comes from you, It’s not that bad. You moaned it so loud when I gave you your first orgasm. Your d+ck was in my mouth when you were like Carina…oh…oh..f+ck!” She mimicked, and Romeo punched her again.

    This time, she punched him back, their respective hits leaving imprints on their faces.

    “You never visited me for once in jail, that’s enough reason to kill you. The fact that you’re now obsessed with Ixora? That’s enough reason to kill her. We never broke up before I went to jail, we only took a break, so I dunno what excuse a fucked up bitch like you is gonna give, but you and your new obsession better be ready for my brutal arse clap back” she smiled, taking her cigar from the ground.

    She resumed smoking as she walked out of his sight, and Romeo fisted his jaws.

    —

    [Stonia’s Mansion]

    When Elsa got back, she was told that her attention is needed in the living room, and she just knew it’s what she has been expecting.

    She entered the mansion and met Serena with Stonia.

    Even Winter is with them since she followed Serena home.

    Serena’s legs are on Stonia’s laps, and she just finished applying balm on the peeled knees.

    Rafael isn’t here, probably still battling with the government at the commissioner’s office.

    Gently, Stonia dropped Serena’s legs, then she stood, walking slowly to Elsa.

    “You left her for danger when everyone was running away from the hall? I thought you were professional” she said.

    Elsa kept shut, and Stonia angrily slapped her.

    Elsa’s face reddened, but Stonia slapped her again, and again, and again.

    Four good times, till Elsa fell on her knees in front of Stonia.

    Stonia proceeded to kicking her, and Elsa fell on her butt.

    Serena smiled, and Winter sat with her, both watching with joy.

    “She’s my world! You have no other use than to protect her with you life! I didn’t assign guards to go with her cos I believed you’re enough, but she got hurt at your watch? How useless can you be?” Stonia kicked Elsa in the jaw again, and Elsa shifted back, wiping her bloody lips with her palm.

    “Go out! You’re not allowed to sleep in your quarters tonight! Go sleep in the streets and reset your sleepy brain then come back tomorrow morning, out!!” Stonia yelled.

    Elsa stood and left the house, her steps slow till she stepped out of the gate.

    She walked as far as possible from the mansion before digging her phone out of her boy shorts pocket.

    She dialled Dr. Fat.

    “Yes?” His voice boomed.

    “The swim session I asked for, can it still be done tonight?” She asked.

    “I think so” he replied.

    “Then book it, and send me the location” she hung up, then she dialled Mykel’s line.

    It was ringing as she walked down the road, and when he picked, she halted.

    “Get Nadine outta Russia tomorrow, and you can get me a ring tonight” she said.

    —

    [Crescent Hospital, Warren’s Ward]

    Capri and Ashton are outside, even Elder Creed and the rest.

    Warren didn’t allow the entry of anyone else.

    He’s up from the bed right now, and his stabbed eye is blocked with a slightly bloody eye patch.

    He stood by the window, lips pale and face sick as he made deductions.

    Even Ixora covered him in the hall earlier, he didn’t only perceive her scent..he perceived another scent.

    The smell of potpourri, and that only means two people covered him.

    Who smells like potpourri in the whole of ILC?

    Maybe if he identifies that person, he’d find Ixora.

    Also…the fool pretending to be Ixora, he made his deductions about her before he went to the hall earlier.

    There’s only one person who’s obsessed with Ixora’s parents, so much that she fantasizes them as hers.

    It’s Serena, her cousin.

    According to research, Serena has been with her grandma in Serbia since last year.

    But what if she’s not actually in Serbia?

    What if she’s the one carrying Ixora’s face around?

    He has to find out, as soon as possible.

    He picked his hood and put it on, zipping up.

    Not minding the hellish pain crashing his patched eye and the splitting headache slamming his head, he opened the ward window and looked down.

    It’s not so high, so he jumped out, landing on the ground with his knees which bled out immediately.

    However, he stood…, not feeling it at all as he walked out of the hospital, dialling Chicago’s line.

    “Who allowed you touch your phone, cyclops?” Chicago’s loud voice came.

    “I’m gonna need you to make a check on Serena in Serbia” Warren replied, stopping at the back of a truck.

    There’s more bloodstain on his face white eye patch right now.

    “Done, you’ll get her location tomorrow, but on one condition” Chicago replied.

    Warren rested on the truck.

    “I’m gonna kill Ixora, and I’m gonna take her eyes” she said.

    “You can do whatever the f+ck you want with her, she’s a f+ckin fake” Warren replied, hanging up before dragging himself to cross the road.

    —

    [Dee Swimhouse]

    Dr. Fat made sure to book exclusive services, so Ixora got her separate swimming hall.

    She didn’t hesitate to jump into the water after getting rid of her disguise and changing into her black bikini.

    As she swam back and forth in the blue pool, her mind wandered back and forth too.

    From Nadine, to Stonia who slapped her four times, to Serena who’s probably feeling on top of the world right now, to Evelyn who’s hiding wherever she is.

    All these shit has to be over very soon, and she has to start from somewhere…. from Nadine.

    Nadine has to come back from Russian first, then they can face Evelyn together.

    She surfaced in the pool when someone entered the hall, and she came out, water dripping down her body to her hips and thighs as she walked on the pool edge to the person who just entered..

    Mykel.

    “Swimming at night? New” Mykel said, walking to her too.

    “What? You don’t want a wife who swims at night?” She replied, and he stopped in front of her, touching her lip burst.

    “Who did this?” He demanded.

    “Why? So you can go fight for your wife to be?” She replied.

    “Who?” His eyes caught with hers, and she adjusted her bra strap.

    “Are you more interested in knowing who hurt me? Or are you more interested in getting engaged with me?” She said.

    “I’m not proceeding till you tell me who gave your lip this cut” he replied, and she sighed.

    “Fine, you’ll know who did it after I become your fiancee. Let’s get it done, and by tomorrow, I want Nadine out of Russia” she said.

    Mykel was still staring at her bruised lip as he dipped his hand into his pocket, bringing out a ring box.

    “You have no idea how long I’ve been keeping this” he said.

    “How many years?” She smiled.

    “I’ll tell you after I become your fiance” he replied, and she chuckled.

    “Are we playing games now?”

    “You started it, jewel eyes” he replied, opening the box and revealing the most ethereal ring existing.

    Built with diamonds and pearls, crafted with regality and power, crusted with substance…

    It’s so beautiful it’d make the devil cry.

    Elsa kept her smile intact as Mykel slid the ring into her ring finger, then he brought the finger to his lips to kiss.

    “The engagement documents will be ready tomorrow, you’ll have to follow me home to sign with my parents” he said.

    “Sure, husband-to-be” Elsa replied, and Mykel smiled so wide that his lips almost tore.

    He kissed her forehead.

    TBC.

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Twisted Empire – Episode 3&4

    Twisted Empire – Episode 3&4

     

    TWISTED EMPIRE

    Twisted Empire – Episode 3&4

    (Her Blade, His Neck )

    ________________________

    All rights reserved.

    No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

    Copyright © 2025 

    by Naomi Cindy B.

    __________________________

    [DeVille White Castle, Athens]

    With his face to the dark sky, Four stood at the lounge beside the castle walls, and there’s a short stick of cigar on his lips which he’s holding with a stainless cigar holder.

    He’s not a fan of holding cigar sticks with his fingers, so he uses the holder all the time.

    He needs the smokes to clear his head and regulate his eyes with his environment, and it helped.

    As he smoked, he didn’t tear his eyes away from the sky. He calmly puffed out the smokes, letting it follow the cold wind which blew his open shirt.

    He finished smoking the blunt, and a butler appeared with an ashtray which he dropped the stainless holder on.

    The butler left, and he took another look around the lucid environment, getting a clearer view.

    His palpitations are gone, and his restlessness already dissipated with the cigar smokes, so he feels better.

    He sat on the lounge chair, and Yulia joined him shortly, sitting beside him after adjusting the excessively wide black hat she’s wearing.

    “Feel better now?” She asked.

    “Not much, but fair” he replied with a slight frown on his brows, and she smiled, handing him an envelope.

    Neutrally, Four took it and opened it.

    It contains pictures of Teal Ambrose, his potential wife.

    Every single picture are unaware pictures of her on the training field…with her uncles.

    “She’s a beauty, isn’t she? And she’s not a weakling. In fact, her uncles has been training her since 6, and she beats men” Yulia nudged him, but he didn’t even look up.

    He kept staring at the pictures, his chin rising.

    “Her strong abilities is the main reason your father decided to not only make her your wife, but also let her be a member of the squad. A typical untouchable couple, hmm?” Yulia continued.

    Still, Four didn’t look up. He kept staring, and as usual, his eyes held nothing, so Yulia has no idea what he’s thinking about.

    “Why am I the new squad leader? Why not Axel?” He asked when he finally decided to speak.

    “What do you mean why? You’re stronger than Axel” Yulia blinked.

    “But he has been in the military, dedicating his life to father’s service since he was 10, so why should I come out of my darn room and suddenly lead the squad?” He asked, casting her a stinging look.

    “Ohh…son. When last did you even communicate with your brother? He didn’t tell you he led a squad last year? He was the leader of last year’s squad, but almost all his squad members were killed during the last terrorist attack… He only escaped with three other members” Yulia explained.

    Four took a small bottle of gin from the butler behind the chair, having a sip as Yulia touched his muscular arm.

    “That’s why your father cancelled his squad to create yours, and yunno what? Your squad members are stronger cos everyone of them have been receiving trainings since they were little. Your squad will last” she continued.

    Four took another look at Teal’s pictures in his hand, then he stood and began walking in.

    “You still won’t tell me why you stayed in your room for nineteen years and refused to come out?” Yulia asked, standing quickly.

    Four stopped walking, the cap of the gin bottle falling from him.

    “I mean…you practically lived all your life in your room. You attended elementary, highschool, and college online! You graduated online! You received trainings online and had gym installed in your room! You refused any invitation, and now that you’re finally out, you still won’t tell me why?” She continued.

    Four had a second sip from the gin bottle, then he turned to her.

    “Need to go start packing, will be hitting the military tomorrow” he blandly said, ignoring her questions.

    Yulia nodded reluctantly, then he threw the gin bottle back to the butler before going in.

    Yulia picked her phone and dialled her husband’s line.

    Pedro picked very fast.

    “Hello, General Pedro DeVille” she smiled jovially.

    “Is my dearest missing me already?” Pedro replied, his voice hoarse but holding a edge of simplicity at the same time…for her.

    “Of course, you’ve been at the base since three weeks ago without coming home” Yulia replied, taking her seat.

    “New recruits are coming in, I can’t just leave it all to Axel” Pedro replied.

    Yulia nodded.

    “So…did you deliver the letter? He rejected?” Pedro asked.

    “Guess what? I finally got to see my son out of the room! He came out!” Yulia shouted.

    “Are you joking?” Pedro asked.

    “I’m real, he stepped out, and now I realize I didn’t get a good view of him when he was inside. He’s so fuçking tall, my neck hurts just looking up at him, and his packs? You’re telling me he got those from training in his room? Our son is so mighty, Pedro” she replied, and the man sighed.

    “He’s 29, hitting 30 soon. What were you expecting? A baby?” 

    “I’m just mystified is all, and another good news, he agreed to come after seeing her pictures!” Yulia announced.

    “Agreed to come? Just like that? Are you sure?” Pedro asked.

    “I think it was love at first sight when he saw her photos, she’s beautiful” Yulia bit her lip.

    “Love at first sight? Four? Stop with the delusions, wife. By the way I’m impatiently waiting to see him here” Pedro replied.

    “I know I know!” Yulia said gushed.

    —

    [Military Base, Senior Sergeants Quarters~Axel’s Unit]

    Axel’s Unit would have been the largest unit in the quarters, but despite being the general’s son, it’s compulsory to follow the living rules, so his unit is the second largest.

    The largest Unit belongs to the Master Sergeant which hasn’t been chosen yet since the former one died, so the Unit has been vacant since last year.

    Inside Axel’s Unit, Allegra’s loud moans blasted through the walls, and she’s laughing together with it, sounding totally crazy.

    She’s in bed, naked.

    Her legs are wide, and Axel is between the legs. There’s a black dildo with him which he’s fuckin her with, guiding it slickly into her opening, and slickly out.

    “Are you really not gonna use your c0ck on me tonight? C’mon, don’t be like this, I can barely feel this dildo, I’m too wide for it” Allegra said, pulling at his shirt.

    Axel tore her hands away from his shirt, and she made whimpering sounds as he slid the dildo into her again.

    Allegra looked down at it, seeing how her puxxy is not hugging it at all… it’s too small.

    She began laughing again. “Fine..if you’re gonna f+ck me with a dildo, then get a bigger one…this stick is torture” she said.

    “Never have I seen a bigger sl+t than you, Allegra” Axel chuckled, pulling her clî+.

    Allegra moaned, her lashes lowering.

    “And never have you seen me denying that, Axel. I was tailormade for you…only you can fill me” she whispered seductively.

    Axel was about to unbolt his belt and get down to business when she talked again..

    “Now that I think about it, I’ve not seen your brother before, no one in this base has seen him before or even a picture of him. Tell me, is he hot like you?” 

    Axel instantly gave up on unbolting, he got down from the bed.

    “Axe!” Allegra got down too.

    “Must you mention him every f+ckin time? He’s not even here yet but you’re already getting distracted? His coming hasn’t even been confirmed yet, and the Four I know will never agree to come!” He snarled, and their phones buzzed at the same time.

    It’s the Base news update, and the update was posted by General Pedro himself… just now.

    General Pedro: Armies of Athens, get ready with togetherness to welcome my first son to the base soon. Four DeVille is coming, the Master Sergeant of the base and leader of the new squad… Maelstrom!.

    The phone fell from Axel, and Allegra’s eye’s widened like shit.

    “Master Sergeant? Just like that? So you’re telling me Four will get to live in the biggest Unit? Why? Cos he’s your elder brother?” She said breathlessly.

    Axel just threw on his shirt and stormed out of the room, leaving the quarters and jogging down the field.

    “Sir!” The juniors were saluting as he jogged past them on the bonfire spot, but as usual, he didn’t reply.

    He did the three minutes jog to the General’s office, and he didn’t even bother to knock before barging in.

    General Pedro is on seat, doing FaceTime with his wife Yulia.

    “Go back, knock” he said.

    “Is that Axel?” Yulia asked from the screen.

    “I’ll call you back in ten minutes, dearest” Pedro replied, ending the FaceTime.

    “Dad…” Axel started speaking.

    “Go back, knock” Pedro glared, his eyes piercing.

    He’s in his early sixties, and his air is a mix of grey and black since he’s not wearing his cap right now.

    His body is buff and full like a typical military boss, and his face is icy enough to command order.

    That’s why he’s feared.

    Axel walked out of the office, then he closed the door and knocked.

    “It’s Sergeant Axel, sir” he said.

    “Proceed” Pedro replied, and Axel came in, saluting sharply.

    “Now talk” Pedro said.

    “Dad…Four as the Master Sergeant? Making him the leader of Maelstrom squad wasn’t enough? What about me? I’ve been serving you here since I was 10! Four can’t just come out of his room and overtake me!” Axel complained.

    “If you’re expecting a change in my decision, then you already know my response, Axe. You might have been here for long, but you’re still not as capable as him. All you do is maltreat juniors and fool around with Allegra” Pedro replied.

    “What!” Axel gasped, and the man rested back on his chair.

    Axel nodded. “I don’t wanna hate my brother, at all. But I see that happening cos this is my right, no one is robbing it away!” He said, leaving the office.

    Pedro drummed his fingers on the desk speechlessly.

    —

    [Next Morning, Kalynda Local Airport]

    The drive from the town to the airport took ah hour approximately, and Teal stayed silent throughout, making sure a large part of her face is covered completely by the bucket hat she’s wearing.

    She’s at the backseat of the minivan, and her uncles are in the front… Uncle Dave is driving.

    After she passed out at the cave last night, she woke up to meet herself in this car, and she couldn’t stop smirking.

    Her uncles would go this far?

    She’s not the type to pass out easily. The stone must have hit a soft part of her head and that’s why passed out.

    She didn’t even struggle with them or try to fight, she just mellowed.

    She’d go to that military base, and she’d purposely fail the Intelligence exams.

    She heard new recruits write intelligence exams on their first day, and if you fail to have good IQ, you’d be thrown out of the base.

    Her IQ is 100, she’s madly brilliant, but she’s gonna purposely fail, and boom… she’d be thrown out.

    As simple as that.

    The car pulled up at the airport road, and she was shocked to see the number of youths going to the base from this town.

    They’re more than fifty, and they’re already going on board.

    She took her bag from the minivan truck, then she started leaving to join them, but her uncles blocked her.

    “Outta my f+ckin way” She glared with a loud hiss.

    “We can’t fail our promise to your parents, you have to understand. Before your parents died in the forest that night, we promised to…”

    “Can you stop talking about my dead parents?” She cut Uncle Dave off.

    “We’re allowed to come visiting monthly, and we’ll come monthly” Uncle Paul stroked her hair, but she slapped his hand away.

    “Don’t come,I don’t wanna see your faces! Betrayers! Just pray I don’t block your numbers” She glared, pulling her bag and finally leaving them.

    She lifted her bucket hat a bit so she’d have a clearer view of everyone, and she was shocked to see Stormy!

    Stormy too? Seems everyone in this place is going.

    Stormy is standing with Morgan, and Morgan is crying.

    Aww, lover girl.

    The Sheriff is standing behind her, and the woman doesn’t even care about her tears, all she wants to see is Morgan getting on that plane.

    Teal was about to look away from that angle when her eyes caught someone who’s wearing a bucket hat like her.

    Only one person has this same design in town, so she curiously walked to the person and snatched the cap from his head.

    Rook!

    “F+ck… Battery” Rook’s eyes widened, same with hers.

    “You’re one of them? So you knew I got enlisted too? And you didn’t tell me?” Teal said.

    “I swear I was gonna tell you, but your uncles—”

    “Of course it’s my uncles! And you better go drag them into the plane with you cos they’d be your best friend in the base, we’re over!” Teal snapped, walking away from him.

    “Battery!” Rook ran after her.

    It was at that moment the last announcement came, so they had to go on board.

    Unluckily, their seats are far from each other, so they can’t even communicate.

    Rook is at the far back, and she’s at the middle with a guy who’s not ready to switch seats with Rook.

    Rook had to start texting her…

    Rook: C’mon Battery… I’m sorry.

    She didn’t reply, so he sent another text.

    Rook: What do you want? I’ll pay the bribe.

    She replied to this one.

    Battery: Your head, on a platter.

    Rook: F+ck you.

    Teal looked back at him, and when their eyes met, she gave him her gloved middle finger, a small smile on her face.

    Rook chuckled, knowing it’s settled.

    Teal doesn’t hold grudges for long, but when she does? Even Satan won’t appease her from hell.

    The plane took off ten minutes later, and Morgan started crying again.

    She’s sitting right beside Stormy, and Stormy is staring at her.

    “Don’t stare, i miss my Quentin” Morgan sniffled tearfully, blowing snort from her nose.

    “Sorry” Stormy muttered.

    —

    [Athens Military Base, Family Housing]

    Family Housing is for senior Sergeants who’re already married and wish to stay in the base with their wife.

    Sergeant Kash got married just last month, and as expected, he brought his wife to the base, and he was given a suite in the Family Housing.

    His wife—Cassie is in the kitchen, cooking breakfast when he came out in his dress uniform, ready for today’s duty.

    The sergeants are in charge of supervising the Intelligence exams.

    “Is the exams starting already?” Cassie asked, redressing his cap.

    “Nope, the new recruits are still getting checked in, but I’m gonna go see the General first” Kash replied, giving her a soft kiss which made her smile.

    “The base has been loud with the news of Snowman since General announced it last night. I guess Axel is boiling right now” she said.

    “He can’t defy the General, can he? His squad perished, so he should move on and let Four use his time too. I’ll be back soon for brunch, love ya!” Kash replied, kissing her again.

    Cassie waved him, and he began walking out the door, but he suddenly stopped and turned back.

    “You said your junior sis got enlisted too” he said.

    “She’s already in, she came with yesterday’s new recruits” Cassie replied.

    “I’ll see her soon then” Kash said, eventually leaving.

    Cassie returned to her cooking, but then a faint knock sounded at the door, interrupting again.

    She rushed to open, and she gasped when she saw her sister… Shannon.

    “Big sis!” Shannon squealed.

    “Shannon!” Cassie drew her into a tight hug.

    “It was so hard finding this family housing. Gawd! There are too many buildings in this base and I got confused, and the Senior Sergeants are so strict and stern! Only few of them were friendly enough to show me the way” Shannon complained.

    Cassie broke the hug, and she was about to reply to her complain when she noticed her red cheek.

    “What happened? Did someone slap you?” She touched the cheek.

    “I came with makeup and earrings yesterday, and a particular wicked Specialist slapped me, she even made me kneel for hours” Shannon replied, showing her equally red knees.

    “Allegra?” Cassie scoffed.

    “Yes! That’s her… She’s a popular wicked bî+ch” Shannon replied.

    Cassie folded her fists.

    —

    The Kalynda plane landed since ten minutes ago at the military airfield, and right now the recruits are lining up into the base.

    Teal stayed beside Rook on the line, and as they lined in, the eyes of everyone is wide.

    The sealed war weapons and ammunities in the base? The infrastructure? The protection? 

    Everything is just in place and well organized like they’re preparing for battle, and it’s attractive…to Teal.

    She quickly slapped herself. 

    “You can’t get intrigued by this place, Teal” she muttered.

    “You’re already here, no need slapping yourself” Rook said behind her.

    “Watch me ruin my Intelligence exams” Teal smirked.

    “Watch me stop you” Rook replied.

    “You’re welcome to try” Teal said, then she dropped her bag on the front desk since it’s her turn to get checked.

    “Unzip! You want me to unzip for you?” Allegra shouted, and Teal looked up, feeling like slapping her.

    No one shouts at her that way.

    She unzipped the bag, and Allegra began checking her things out.

    Everything is ok, except the hen-feather cap.

    Allegra threw it into the trash bin, and Teal gasped.

    “Are you crazy? That’s my treasure!” She said, picking it up.

    “Crazy?” Allegra’s eye’s hardened.

    “Battery…” Rook called silently, trying to caution Teal.

    “Yeah…crazy. You have a problem with that?” Teal brazenly replied.

    “Shit” Rook muttered, and Allegra was already bolting towards Teal when a junior came by.

    “Specialist Allegra, your attention is needed at the exam hall” he reported.

    Allegra threw a sour look at Teal, then she left with the junior.

    Room inhaled in relief, and it was April who checked out his own bag.

    He’s good to go, so he left with Teal after they both got their room numbers.

    “She’s a Specialist, Battery. You could have been wounded! You shouldn’t have spoken to her that way” Rook said.

    “Do I look like I give a f+ck about anyone here?” Teal rolled eyes.

    New recruits stay in the barracks, and male barracks is different from females, so they parted ways at the lawn, going to their different barracks.

    “Specialist my foot, no one touches my cap” Teal was muttering as she strut towards the female barracks.

    Someone walked past her, and she stopped as her nose smelled his perf.

    Cigarettes and a mix of Tom Ford cologne.

    Tom Ford is madly expensive, must be a rich dude, so she turned back to have a better view, but she only saw his attractive back view before he entered a building.

    “That was fast” she muttered, concentrating back on her walk.

    Entering the female barracks, she was more than astounded at how the rooms are crowded.

    There are ten people per room, and she nearly screamed out.

    She’d be sharing a room with nine others?

    Calm down, Teal. You’re going to ruin your exam, and you’re gonna get thrown out.

    There’s no way you’re living here.

    She pacified herself with that before entering her room… room 4.

    It’s so f+çking noisy.

    There are seven females in the room already, so there’s one empty bunk left.

    Then there’s another bunk which only the lower part is occupied..the upper part is empty.

    Teal choose to place her bag there, and as she entered, the ladies minded their business, pretending not to see her.

    She was about to place her bag on top of that bunk when one of the ladies finally noticed her.

    “I wouldn’t share a bunk with that person if I were you” the lady said, coming closer.

    Teal faced her. 

    She’s a snobbish-looking lady, and she looks like the type who’d snatch her best friend’s man.

    “Why do you think the upper part of her bunk is empty? It’s cos she’s bad luck, anyone who shares a bunk with her dies in missions. Three casualties and still counting” the lady said.

    “I didn’t ask you, and I don’t care. That bad luck? I want it. Can’t wait to meet her” Teal replied, dropping her bag on top of the bunk.

    “Wow, I like you…my name is Sierra, you?” The lady extended an hand.

    “I’m busy” Teal replied, walking out of the room.

    —

    [Male Barracks]

    Rook found his room easily, and he wasn’t shocked to see there are ten people per room cos his parents already told him that military works with togetherness.

    No one knows when terrorists might attack, so they stay together at all times. You can’t have privacy here.

    He’s the last person to arrive in that room since there are already nine males inside.

    He dropped his bag on the lower part of the available bunk, and his bunkmate who’s on top of the bunk jumped down.

    “Hey, mate. I’m Brent” he smiled.

    “Rook” Rook smiled back, but his smile faded when he saw someone else…

    A shirtless guy who’s just getting down from his own bunk, and he’s hot as hell.

    Rook instantly couldn’t breath.

    What’s this handsomeness?

    “You’re gay?” Brent asked.

    “Is it obvious?” Rook replied, still not looking away from the guy.

    “You’re literally eating Theo with your eyes, so yes … It’s obvious” Brent said, and Rook blinked.

    “His name is Theo?” 

    “Yes” Brent hung his arm on Rook’s neck.

    “But don’t try talking to him, he’ll disgrace you. He hates everyone and never talks” Brent replied, pulling him out of the room.

    “I have to go for my exams” Rook said.

    “Me too, new recruit” Brent replied, and Rook grinned.

    “Can’t wait to introduce you to Battery, she’d like you” 

    “Battery?” Brent blinked in confusion.

    “Teal, my best friend. But I call her Battery” Rook replied.

    “Ou” Brent remarked as they went down the front steps.

    —

    [Exam Hall]

    Only Sergeants are allowed to supervise, but thanks to Axel’s influence, Allegra is opportuned to supervise too.

    Six sergeants are in the hall plus Allegra, and the new recruits are already filing in for their papers.

    “Has your brother arrived?” Allegra asked beside Axel, wearing her cap.

    “Haven’t seen him, but I’m sure he has arrived. He’s probably secretly observing things for now, it’d take time before he gets used to the crowd” Axel replied.

    “You sound like you don’t hate him despite how your father placed him over you” Allegra said, and Axel faced her.

    “And you sound like you badly want me to hate him” he said.

    Allegra sighed.

    “One of the new recruits disrespected me this morning…can you punish her for me?” She asked.

    “Just point her out, I need someone to vent out my anger on anyways” Axel replied, and she smiled.

    Kash walked past them, and Allegra pretended to not see him, so he stopped.

    “Where is your greetings?” He demanded.

    Allegra didn’t talk.

    “Listen, the only people you can display your madness to are the junior new recruits. You might be Axel’s toy, but that doesn’t mean you get to act out of place. Fact still remains that you’re an ordinary Specialist, far below Sergeants. You’re free to disrespect Axel since he f+cks you senseless anyways, but you will give me salutations anytime you see me!” Kash gritted.

    “Kash…” Axel said.

    “No, Axe. Don’t!” Kash glared.

    Allegra stepped forward, saluting with reluctance.

    “Sir!” 

    “Good” Kash rolled eyes, walking to the front of the hall.

    “Add Sergeant Kash to the list of people you’d punish for me, he grew wings since he got married to Cassie” Allegra said, a volcano of rage boiling in her.

    Axel is raging too. 

    Kash is extremely cold, so they don’t get along at all.

    “Can’t wait to get promoted to Sergeant, I’ll f+ck him up” Allegra added.

    Ten minutes later, the hall became full, and all seats were taken except three.

    Rook, Teal, and Brent.

    They’re not here yet.

    The exams started without them anyways.

    The Sergeants distributed the question papers and answer booklets, and immediately the exam started, Rook and Brent rushed in.

    “The latecomers? Come here” Axel said, smoothly removing his belt.

    “No. Sergeant. We had problem locating this hall, we didn’t intentionally come late” Rook quickly said.

    Axel walked fast to him, slinging the belt to his body.

    “F+ck! I said we had problems locating this hall! We didn’t intentionally come late!” Rook groaned.

    “You do not talk unless you’re asked to! You do not talk!!” Axel yelled, slamming the belt on Rook for the second time.

    Rook went silent, and Axel continued thrashing him with the belt.

    Brent couldn’t talk nor move, he just watched with shakiness.

    The hall went silent, and the other recruits watched in fear. Only the sound of the belt clashing against Rook’s body could be heard.

    Morgan and Stormy are sitting not far from each other, and Stormy is feeling the pains on her seat like she’s the one getting beaten.

    The other sergeants couldn’t do anything… Axel is the General’s son anyways, no one can stop him.

    Allegra is expressionless, but it’s obvious she’s enjoying the beatings.

    Axel kept lashing Rook with the belt, and as he lashed, only one thing is resounding in his head…

    FOUR IS NOW THE MASTER SERGEANT.

    He increased the heaviness of his lashes, and the belt has wounded Rook’s lower stomach already.

    It’s bleeding slightly, and the blood stained his white singlet, but he stood there, silently taking the beatings.

    “Whim!” 

    Another belt lash landed on his stomach, and he groaned, the sting killing him inside.

    And then she came in.

    Teal.

    She has been searching for the exam hall too, and she only just located it.

    Immediately she entered and saw what’s going on, her eyes widened.

    “Axe, that’s her. The bî+ch newbie who disrespected me” Allegra pointed from the back.

    “How dare you come this late! And how dare you disrespect Allegra!” Axel faced Teal, sweating profusely.

    “How dare you dare me? And how dare you lay your diseased hands on my best friend!?” Teal questioned back with mad rage, her eyes fire-red.

    TBC.

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Insatiable Cravings – Episode 115

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 115

      

     

    INSATIABLE CRAVINGS

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 115&116

    Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game} 

    TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.

    Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.

    By: Chukwuma Rejoice 

    ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

    ~ Dominic ~

    You’re already too late.

    The words hung in the air like the reek of something foul—clinging, inescapable. They wormed into my skull, repeating in a maddéning loop until they lost all meaning. Just noise. Too late. Too late. Too late.

    I stared down at Blade. Smug bastàrd, still grinning despite the blóod trailing from the corner of his mouth. He looked like a man who held a secret—one he was too much of a cowàrd to bury and too much of a traitōr to protect.

    I stepped back, breathing through my nose, each inhale sharp and laced with the metallic tang of blóod. Rage coiled tight in my chest, fists clenched so hard my knuckles cracked. But lashing out wouldn’t get me what I needed. Not now.

    “F+ck,” I muttered under my breath.

    He laughed. A horrid, gurgling thing that scraped down my spine. “Don’t pańic just yet, Boss.”

    I turned on my heel, refusing to give him another second of my gaze. My eyes found her across the room—always her. As though the air itself bent to lead me back to her.

    She leant against the wall, arms crossed, eyes narrowed and watchful. Not frightened. Just alert. Always reading me, dissecting me in that way that made me feel too seen.

    Then she asked for something mad—five minutes alone with Blade—and of course I agreed. Because saying no to her has never been something I’ve excelled at.

    The door hissed open. I stepped out without a word, the door slamming behind me with the finality of a coffin lid.

    Dexter was already outside, watching the feed on the iPad like a hawk. His entire frame was stiff, bristling with tension.

    “Why’d you leave her alone with him?” His voice was low but edged with fury. And worry.

    “She’s fine.”

    “But what if he does something?”

    “We’re right here.”

    “Dominic.” He looked up then, eyes sharp, troubled. “Don’t underestimate Blade. He’s one of the best assassiń here—one of yours. You trained him, remember? If he wants to húrt her, he could do it before we even blink.”

    Húrt her?

    The thought lodged like a splinter in my mind. I pushed it down, hard, and moved to stand beside him. Together, we stared at the screen.

    Genevieve didn’t look scared. Not until he called her sweetheart. The moment that word left his mouth, I saw red. My vision blurred and my hand itched to smàsh something—preferably his face.

    He’d spoken more to her in the last few minutes than he ever had to me—or Dexter, despite the mess of injuries Dexter had inflicted.

    “Do you believe him?” Dex asked.

    I scoffed. Then paused. “I don’t know.”

    And that frightened me more than anything.

    I always knew. That was my strength—my instinct, my ability to see ten moves ahead while everyone else was still figuring out the board.

    But now?

    Now I was fumbling in the dark, reaching for a thread that kept slipping through my fingers.

    “I want a list,” I said. “Everyone who’s had access to our intel in the last three months. Names. Faces. Digital footprints. No one’s above suspicion.”

    If there’s a ‘He’, I thought, the word bitter in my mind, then Blade’s not the only one he’s turned.

    “I’ll get Echo on it,” Dexter replied, quick and solid.

    I nodded once. Grateful in a way I didn’t have words for. He never hesitated. Never questioned. Just stepped with me, right into the fire.

    But I was scared.

    Scared that this wasn’t some external thréat, but rot—spreading from the inside.

    And worse? That the people closest to me might already be infected.

    Could Dexter be one of them?

    The thought made my stomach twist with shame. How could I even think that?

    He’s been with me through everything. Loyal. Steady. Unshakeable.

    Right?

    And Echo? Sal? The others I’d handpicked myself?

    The screen pulled my attention back as I heard her name tumble from Blade’s lips.

    My sister.

    The gall. I didn’t even look at him. My eyes stayed fixed on Genevieve, who—though trying to remain composed—looked like she needed an out.

    Her doubt was seeping in. I knew her tells.

    I didn’t wait. I stormed in, cutting him off mid-sentence.

    He smirked, bloody teeth on show. “Your guard dogs are here.”

    I ignored him. My gaze locked on Genevieve—the woman I’d burn the world for.

    “I’ll kíll him,” Dexter muttered behind me, not bothering to whisper. “I’ll fúcking tear him to fúcking pieces.”

    “Calm down, Dexy,” Blade sneered. “You don’t want to prove my point, do you? Acting like a rabid mutt on command?”

    “Genevieve?” I said, my tone too clipped to hide how desperate I was to leave. “Let’s get out of here.”

    But she didn’t move. She tilted her head slightly, studying him. Reading him.

    That’s always her final tactic whenever she thinks someone’s lying—she stares, trying to read the truth from their eyes. That’s exactly what she did the night I broke up with her. She tried to study me. Tried to see through the cracks. So I made dàmn sure I didn’t give her any.

    So, I waited. Gave her a moment to do her thing. A low sigh slipped past her lips, soft but unmistakable—resignation, sharp and bitter.

    “Gen—” 

    She cut in straightaway. “Fine. Let’s go.”

    ••

    We were back home, and Genevieve’s mood hadn’t lifted an inch since we’d left the Base. She hadn’t said a word. Still brooding. That slimy bastàrd had ruinéd her spirit, and I loathéd how powerless I was to fix it.

    She trusted him. Welcomed him into the fold. And he repaid her with betrayal. Us too. Even Aurora—my sister—who’d practically treated him like family.

    It’s all blóody twisted. Messed up in ways I can’t even begin to untangle. Messed up in the way that I still don’t have a f+cking clue who “He” really is.

    F+cking hell.

    My hand was clenched so tightly around the steering wheel I hadn’t even noticed. Knuckles white, tendons straining. Neither of us moved to get out of the car, despite the stale, suffocatińg tension closing in like a noose.

    Too far in our own heads to bother. The silence thickened, clashing with the artificial chill of the air conditioning until the car felt like it might implode.

    “He said he isn’t stuck there.” Her voice cut through the quiet like a scalpel. “Even with him cuffed, even with the cameras everywhere—he looked me deàd in the eye and said he wasn’t stuck. That he’s simply biding his time to leave.”

    She turned, fixing her eyes on mine—eyes I was already watching. “What do you think it means?”

    My eyelids felt heavy as I let them fall, then opened again. The same dreaded sentence hovered on the tip of my tongue. “I don’t know.” I exhaled deeply, every inch of me weary. “I don’t know what anything means anymore.”

    “There was…” She hesitated, shaking her head slightly. “Never mind. I’m probably imagining things.”

    I was about to press—because I need every scrap of information I can get about whoever the héll “He” is—but she opened the door and slipped out before I could speak. I was on her heels, catching up, moving fast enough to block her from the front door.

    Her cool blue eyes flicked up to mine, expectant. Waiting. Maybe for an explanation.

    “What was it? The thing you think you imagined?”

    “I told you—it’s nothing.”

    “Genevieve.”

    She huffed. “It’s stúpid.”

    “Nothing you say is stúpid,” I replied firmly. “If you noticed something—especially during that conversation with Blade—it fúcking matters. So tell me.”

    “Blade is—”

    “What?” Aurora’s voice rang out behind her, sharp and irritated. “What is Blade? Go on, spit it out.”

    Genevieve turned to her, brows tightening. “Why are you taking this out on me? I’m not Blade. So don’t go venting your frustrations in my direction.”

    “Oh, should I vent them at you instead, Dominic?” Aurora’s voice was venomoús. “I bet you’re blóody thrilled right now. You got what you wanted—Blade’s guilty.”

    “I don’t understand you, Rory.”

    “What don’t you understand?!” she snapped, voice ricocheting off the walls. “Blade’s the one who bléw up the ship. He’s the traitōr. Just. Like. You. Said.” She shoved her fingers into her hair, dragging them through with a trembling hiss. “You must be fucking elated. Another name on your list. Another bódy to dispose.”

    “Aurora, don’t be stupid—”

    A new wave of fury washed over her face. “Oh,” she laughed bitterly, voice raw. “So I’m the stúpid one now? Not your girlfriend?” Her gaze swung to Genevieve. “No offence.”

    But I took offence—for both of us. I stepped forward, forcing Aurora further into the hall.

    “What the héll is wrong with you?”

    “You,” she spat.

    “Do you even realise how foólish you’re being?”

    “Oh, I’m foólish now?” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “Go ahead—tell me how foólish I am being.”

    “Listen—my whole life, I’ve poured everything I have into the Bràtva. My time. My energy. My f+cking soul. Even before I became Don.” I took a step closer. “And I didn’t stop there. Why? Because of you. Because I had a sister to look after. My responsibility.”

    I could see her crumbling, but the words just kept coming.

    “I built my company from the ground up to give you the life you have now. Your fancy cars. Your endless spending. That’s all me. I gave you everything.”

    I was right in front of her now. Breathing hard.

    “Why?” My voice cracked. “Because I love you.”

    The tears came fast now, slipping down her cheeks, but I couldn’t stop.

    “So sue me, Aurora. F+cking sue me. Because I’ll dié before I let anyone take you from me. Or destróy what I’ve built with my own two hands. So f+ck Blade. And f+ck anyone who dares to cross me. I will eńd them. Without blinking.”

    Her voice broke, desperate. “How can you not care? It’s Blade, Dominic. It’s Blade for crying out loud!” She was sobbing openly now, raw and messy. “How do you just turn your feelings off like that?!”

    My hands shook as I dragged in a breath, the memories clawing up my throat like bile. 

    “Because I watched our parents die. I watched the bulléts tear through them. I saw them bleéding out in front of me.” My voice was thunder, filled with years of buried grief. “And what were you doing? Crying. Because you were a fúcking baby, and by the time I was ten, I had to be your parent while I was still mourning mine.”

    Silence.

    Silence, then the crash.

    I watched her face break. Shatter like glass. Her shoulders folded inward as her world caved in.

    Her voice was a whisper. Fractured. “I’m sorry… for being a burden to you.” Tears spilled, unstoppable now. “But they were my parents too.”

    And with that, she ran upstairs, her footsteps echoing like gunshots before the door slammed shut.

    What did I just do?

    The silence that followed was loud.

    Too loud.

    Genevieve didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. Her presence behind me was solid, grounding—like she was holding the world still just by breathing. But my own breath came shallow and jagged, and it felt like the house had shrunk. Like the walls were too tight and pressing in.

    What have I done?

    I turned my back to the stairs, dragging both hands down my face. The roughness of my palms scraped against the stubble on my jaw. My skin was burning. My lungs tight. My heart… f+ck, my heart was pounding like it was trying to get out of my chest. I wasn’t even sure if it was anger or guilt anymore—maybe both. Maybe everything all at once.

    “She hàtes me,” I muttered, voice raw, barely there.

    “No, she doesn’t,” Genevieve said softly.

    I let out a bitter laugh. “Did you hear what I said to her?”

    “She pushed you,” she replied gently. “And you pushed back.”

    “She’s my sister, Genevieve. I should’ve never—” My throat closed up. “That’s not how you speak to someone you love.”

    “No,” she said, stepping in front of me now, her hands reaching for mine, “it’s not. But it’s also not easy being you.”

    Her fingers were soft against my skin, a contrast to the tight fists I’d been clenching all evening. She opened one of my hands, lacing her fingers through mine. “You’ve carried so much for so long, Dominic. You’re bound to crack. You’re human.”

    I stared at our joined hands. Hers—cool, smooth, calming. Mine—veined, calloused, and trembling.

    “She said she was a burden,” I whispered. “Do you know how f+cking painfùl it is to hear that from someone you’ve spent your whole life protecting?”

    Genevieve nodded, her blue eyes glossy, voice gentle. “So go and tell her she’s not.”

    “I can’t. Not right now.” I shook my head, shame curling like smoke in my gut. “I’ve already made it worse.”

    “Then let it settle. Give her space. But don’t leave it like this.” She looked at me as if trying to memorise my face. “Don’t let this tear both of you apart. Sisters are for life.”

    My chest ached.

    God, she knew me too well.

    “I’ll fix it,” I promised, more to myself than to her.

    “I know you will,” she said, brushing her thumb over my knuckles.

    A beat passed.

    Then I looked at her—really looked at her—and saw it: the exhaustion behind her eyes, the tightness in her jaw, the way she was holding herself together by threads. All of this had cost her, too.

    “Come here,” I murmured, tugging her in.

    She didn’t resist. She stepped into my arms, pressing her cheek to my chest like she needed to hear my heartbeat to believe I was still real.

    I held her tighter than I probably should’ve. Buried my face in her hair. Inhaled the scent of her shampoo—lavender and something warm I couldn’t name. It grounded me. Slowed the storm in my head, even if just for a moment.

    “I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” I whispered.

    “No worries—that is what I get for dating a mafià boss” she whispered back.

    We stood there for a long time. No movement. No words. Just the sound of one fractured soul and other soothing soul trying to breathe again.

    Eventually, she pulled back slightly, looking up at me. “You should rest. Tomorrow might be worse.”

    “Is that even possible?”

    She didn’t laugh. Just gave me a look that said you know it is.

    I nodded, releasing a breath. “Alright. I will drive you home, then check on Aurora later.”

    “You sure?”

    “No,” I admitted. “But I’ll do it anyway.”

    She lingered for a moment, then pressed a kiss to my jaw—a quiet, wordless I’m here—before heading upstairs.

    And I stood there in the hallway, staring at the stairs.

    Listening.

    Waiting.

    Wishing I could take back every word that broke her—Rory.

    But knowing I couldn’t.

    Not tonight. 

    TBC📖✍️

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • The Tormentor – Episode 57&58

    The Tormentor – Episode 57&58

     

     

    THE TORMENTOR  

    The Tormentor – Episode 57&58

     ( Blêed•For•Me, Ixora )

    Book 1 in the Mindf+ck Trilogy

    by Naomi Cindy B.

    _________________________

    All rights reserved.

    No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

    Copyright © 2025 

    _________________________

    “Dirty. Little. Liar”

    The intense deepness of his voice came back from wherever he has been keeping it, and his nose flared at each pronunciation.

    “A cinema-worthy show, wasn’t it?’ he spoke again, leaning on the table.

    Capri was the first to move away from the door, coming angrily for him with fisted palm which he planned to throw at his face, but he already calmed down before he arrived.

    “You do not get to leave us behind! We’re a team! You suffered that hell behind bars and we watched you passed through the fire, you don’t get to act alone!” He said angrily.

    “You actually fooled us too? I’m f+çking speechless for the first time ever in my life” Konstantin uttered.

    “What’s the point? What’s the damn point of your fake amnesia, bastard?” Ashton moved from the door.

    “I needed to get cozy with her, I needed to plant myself deeply. I needed to give her something to remember for life. If I had told y’all, the awkwardness would be inevitable, and Konstant is an impatient bastard who’d ruin everything with his anger issues” Warren replied with an eye roll.

    “Won’t deny that” Konstantin replied, taking his seat on a table.

    “And now the planting is done? Do the briefing” Ashton said, calming down.

    “Mrs. Ortega is after her life, she sent men to off her in Capetown” Warren replied, turning on the projector in that room.

    “It’s normal for her to be after her, they cooperated to carry out the operation after all” Capri said.

    “What do you mean?” Konstantin asked.

    “Mrs. Ortega…that whore killed her husband to get his wealth, and at the same time, Evelyn wanted to punish me for turning her down, so they framed me for it, killing two birds with a stone. I was jailed, but then I was suddenly found innocent, and that means someone else killed the husband, not me. They could have reopened the case and continued investigating, but Mrs. Ortega obviously has someone she’s bribing in the police force to keep it closed” Warren explained.

    “But then…she’s not completely safe, cos pet girl surely knows about it too since she’s part of their team. Apart from her and her hiding daughter, pet girl is the only one who knows she’s the one who killed her husband,  so she’s trying to keep all loose ends sealed by killing her” Ashton added.

    “Yeah” Capri replied.

    “I initially planned to leave Mrs. Ortega till we’ll find her daughter, but that plan is cancelled. I’m killing her, and I’m giving little liar her perfect punishment. I’m getting the two out of my way so I’ll have the darn time to focus on Evelyn” Warren said, projecting again.

    “But…Little liar and Mrs. Ortega are not the only ones who needs to be dealt with right now… there’s another one” he continued, clicking a name on the projector.

    Hawke.

    “Hawke tortured me like an animal in jail, he injected me with too many shots and chemicals, especially the one that took my sight for three days. He might be the great Hawke, but he didn’t work alone, he has a supplier and a supporter.” Warren explained again.

    “Who’s his supplier?” Anfisa asked, coming in.

    “Crescent Hospital, the same hospital I worked in for one year before jail…the hospital supplied the chemicals under Elder Creed’s name, but it’s not Elder Creed, someone used his name” Warren explained, moving his body away from the table and dropping the projector remote.

    “Who?” Konstantin jumped down too.

    “Tomorrow at 8… don’t be too shocked” Warren smirked.

    The guys exchanged looks, and when Anfisa’s eyes met with Capri, he walked out of the room.

    —

    [Rafael’s Mansion]

    “We need to get to the hospital right fuckin now! The accident affected your legs this much? You can’t even walk properly!” Stonia said alarmingly.

    She’s in Rafael’s living room with Rafael himself, Ixora and Nadine.

    “I’m fine, I’ll be fine before tomorrow morning” Ixora replied, tugging at Warren’s shirt that she’s wearing as his scent seeped into her head.

    “I’m gonna call the doctor for home treatment, you can’t keep it up like this” Rafael took his phone, but Ixora quickly stood to take it from him.

    “I’m really really fine, dad. My legs will come back before daybreak, and I’ll just use my body lotion for my body scratches” she said.

    “That won’t work for me” Stonia replied, stubbornly calling the doctor.

    Nadine already knows what’s going on with Ixora, so she just kept quiet till the female doctor arrived.

    Ixora’s body scratches were attended to, and so much attention was showered on her leg, but still…the gap didn’t disappear.

    The female doctor looked Ixora in the eye, seeming to have finally gotten a hang of what’s going on.

    Ixora looked away, slightly biting her lip in embarrassment and hoping the doctor won’t say it out.

    “Can we talk alone?” She asked.

    With reluctance, the parents and Nadine left the room.

    “How intense was the s+x?” The doctor finally asked.

    Ixora’s cheeks heated.

    “I’m not asking to embarrass you, but it’s surprising, I think you’ve got cervical tear” the doctor said.

    “What!” Ixora’s eyes widened.

    “No… don’t freak out, it’s not serious. If it’s very serious, you won’t be able to walk at all for days. You should stay away from intense s+x for now, at least till it’d tighten back. I’ll write you some drugs” The doctor smiled.

    “Thank you” Ixora sighed in relief.

    “So…is he your boyfriend?” The doctor asked interestedly, and Ixora couldn’t even talk.

    “You don’t have to answer, just use the drugs accordingly” the doctor smiled again, sending the drug list to her phone.

    She finally left, and Ixora felt depressed immediately.

    He’s not her boyfriend, he just lost his memory and he hates her.

    It’s wrong. 

    She shouldn’t be doing this, but she can’t possibly stop her heart from beating around him or stop her body from responding to his touches.

    He even understands her body more than she does, and it’s… insane.

    The parents and Nadine came back in shortly.

    Stonia insisted on taking her home, and Rafael didn’t even argue to avoid further complications.

    “The burnt fuelling station already called for a meeting, we’re gonna have to rebuild it I hope you know, so get your cash ready… we’ll split the payment” she said glaringly as she got in the car with Ixora and Nadine.

    Ixora was waving at Rafael, and the man blew her kisses as Stonia drove out.

    —

    [Stonia’s Mansion]

    Serena was nowhere to be found when Ixora arrived home with her mother.

    Nadine came with them.

    “Do you want tea? Is it custard? Or oatmeal…I can make you stew too if you want…” Stonia asked, stroking her hair as she sat in bed.

    “I’m not hungry” Ixora replied.

    “What do you mean you’re not hungry? You almost got into an accident” Stonia replied.

    “I’m honestly not hungry, mum. I just wanna sleep and rest” Ixora replied.

    “Really? Fine” Stonia kissed her hair before facing Nadine.

    “I’ll take care of her, don’t worry” Nadine said.

    “I trust you, and how are your parents? It’s been a while.” Stonia stood.

    “They come home yearly, but since last year…they haven’t visited, so I’m expecting them this year” Nadine replied.

    “When they arrive, you should invite them to dinner here.” Stonia smiled.

    “Of course, I’ll do that” Nadine smiled.

    Stonia blew kisses at Ixora, then she left the room.

    As the door clicked behind her, Nadine rushed to Ixora.

    “You had s+x with Warren? What! He’s not with his memories and —”

    “It’s wrong, I know… Can you just pretend like you don’t see me for some days? I swear I can’t stop myself around him, and I feel like I’d still do sillier things” Ixora replied.

    “Oh my…and you even got cervical tear? How hard did he f+ck you?” Nadine said.

    Ixora lay in bed.

    “I saw stars, I swear” she muttered.

    “Of course” Nadine chuckled. “Give me the drug list, I’ll call the pharmacy and a nurse will deliver them tomorrow morning” she said.

    Ixora handed her the list, and while Nadine called the pharmacy, Ixora went to her inbox and surprisingly met a message from W.

    W: My d+ck won’t stop stretching, that MF is still starving. I’ll jerk off till daybreak in remembrance of how madly i pounded your brains at the alter. Sleep tight, moth… you need it.

    She texted back with clenching belly.

    Ixora: Goodnight (❤️🔥)

    —

    [Crescent Hospital]

    “Welcome back, miss Serena” the pot-bellied doctor grinned as Serena entered his office.

    “I wasn’t expecting to still meet you” Serena replied, wiping her face.

    “Is everything ok? You look like you cried” the doctor observed, then he looked behind.

    “And your friend… Kelsey? Where is she?” He asked.

    “She went missing since yesterday, we’re still searching” Serena replied.

    “Oops”

    “Yeah, how’s my work going?” Serena asked.

    The man led her into the VVIP lab where the face building is ongoing, and when he opened the glass, Serena gasped.

    It’s almost done, just the nose.

    “Oh..m..gee” she gasped.

    “Now I need more funds, and it’ll be done before weekend” the man said, and Serena dropped the bag on her shoulder, unzipping it to reveal bundles of cash which made the doctor laugh.

    “Yunno this is why I like you, Serena. You’re serious, and I’m guessing you got this from your aunt Stonia?”

    “It’s my parents money, they weren’t poor before they died, so they left me trust fund, and I’m not asking aunt Stonia for money, I only need her love which she’s finding hard to give, so if it’s only possible by getting Ixora’s face, then so be it” Serena replied diabolically.

    “Good, but we won’t be carrying out the surgery here, I have a branch in China for this purpose… we’ll have to fly out when this face completes” the doctor said.

    “Even better, I only have to wait for the right time” Serena smiled.

    —

    [Ford Salon]

    Romeo didn’t open his door till midnight, and Bethel made sure to wait without sleeping.

    Immediately the door opened, she rushed in, but then Romeo is in the bathroom, peeing.

    She sat on his bed, taking his phone and scrolling through it since she knows his password.

    IXORA.

    When she saw she’s his wallpaper, she sighed.

    “I wish I can rip out his heart” she muttered, but then she saw his new messages and clicked.

    Her face squeezed when she saw the one he received last.

    • Wanna know who your mother is really is? Come to Penny Dork tomorrow…8pm.

    “What’s this?” She muttered.

    Romeo came out of the bathroom, and she quickly minimized and wiped recents before dropping the phone.

    “Why are you in?” Romeo asked, his face hard.

    “I’m not here to disturb, your food is in the kitchen, and you have five minutes to go get it or I’ll eat it as bonus” she rolled eyes and left the room.

    Romeo left the room too, going to the kitchen and taking his food.

    He settled on the kitchen table to eat, but he couldn’t concentrate.

    The message and Ixora’s face haunted him throughout.

    —

    [Next Morning, SH Hideaway]

    “So you’re telling me I’m the only one feeling the energy shift between Cap and Fisa?” Konstantin said broodingly.

    He’s seated on the couch, shirtless and smoking that early morning.

    “I noticed too, wifey” Ashton replied, coming out of the kitchen with a plate of fruits which he set on the table.

    “I told you to stop this wifey shit!” Konstantin threw his slip-on, and Ashton dodged, so it hit Warren’s head instead.

    Warren is just coming downstairs whrh he received the hit.

    He picked the slip-on and flung it back to Konstantin, hitting his right eye.

    “Ugh!! You thick bastard!!” Konstantin groaned, but Warren just sat, staring at his phone…

    Ixora’s message from last night…

    Little Liar: Goodnight❤️🔥

    “What the f+ck does a fire heart in bracket mean?” He asked cluelessly.

    “Seriously? I can’t with you” Anfisa shook her head, just coming downstairs.

    “Are you explaining or not?” Warren smirked, and she gave him the same smirk.

    “Burning emotions, intense desires, lust…I want you” Capri explained, descending the stairs too.

    He’s shirtless and also bare in the lower body, almost n+ked except for his boxers.

    “Wear something, shit!” Anfisa threw the marijuana kettle at him, and he caught it, returning it to the table before ignoring her.

    “Meanwhile, I can’t wait for what’s to come tonight” Konstantin said, smokes swirling out of his mouth.

    Warren’s eyes are still on the phone, the fire heart emoji.

    “Intense desires? Bold” he muttered, texting her to meet at the cinema tonight.

    One final outing before he’d blow her off.

    “I’m gonna go see Bronx this morning” Ashton said.

    —

    [Hello Hospital]

    Monty’s hands are in her pockets as she walked in, and though Tina is behind her, she feigned ignorance, pretending to not see her.

    They came in different cars actually.

    “Monty” Tina finally called her, but she didn’t stop.

    “Monty” Tina blocked her.

    “What?” Monty folded her arms.

    “I’m sorry for being a bî+ch last night and always, don’t give me this continuous silent treatment, it’s killin” Tina said.

    “Are you sure you wanna go in there with me?” Monty softly replied.

    “Of course” Tina smiled, holding her arm and entering Bronx’s ward with her.

    Bronx is in bed, whole body bandaged except his face, and he’s barely conscious, but the moment he saw them, his eyes opened fully.

    “What the hell! Didn’t I warn you to stay away from me, Monty?” He struggled to sit up.

    “You’re suffering like this cos of me so the least I can do is stay with you and—

    “I don’t need your presence!! Get the hell out!!” Bronx pushed away his monitor and drip stand aggressively.

    Tina shifted back, but Monty still went close.

    Bronx kicked her in the tummy, and she fell to the ground.

    “You stinky feet!” Tina almost went for him, but Monty held her back.

    “If you dare tell the secret to anyone, I’ll skin you alive. And if you’re still thinking the cult is something light, then you better be prepared…you both will die” Bronx said.

    A minute later, Ashton came in with Capri, and Bronx got down from the bed.

    “The f+ck do you think you’re going?” Ashton held him back.

    “None of your damn business!” Bronx pushed back, and Ashton pressed him to the bed.

    “Let go of me!! Let go!!” He yelled.

    “Who did this to your body, say a f+ckin name!” Ashton demanded, and Bronx laughed scornfully.

    “Do you care? You never cared. If you did, you wouldn’t leave me in Tennessee to come join your friends here in Cali! You wouldn’t leave me to father’s mercy for years! And now you’re acting like a big brother? May you rot in the bottomless pit of hell” Bronx spat, and Ashton’s hands tightened on his clothes.

    Monty swallowed the bile in her throat, wishing she could talk.

    —

    [Creed’s Family House]

    Elder Creed’s knees have bandages on them, wrapped to keep his wound dry.

    He should still be in the hospital, but he insisted on coming back home since he can’t stand the hospital smell.

    He’s on his wheelchair, sitting alone in his inferno chamber with a table of documents in front of him.

    He has finished working on them, so he’s currently staring into space, reminiscing about the past.

                      —24 Yrs Ago—

    Elder Creed stood in a thin hallway in his family hospital, going back and forth with cold fear on his chest.

    His wife is currently getting operated on.

    She was in labor for three hours straight, so Elder Creed signed the CS form for operation.

    He’s not alone in the hallway though… He’s with a woman who’s his wife’s twin sister.

    The woman looks even more tensed than Elder Creed himself as she’s almost peeing on herself with anxiety.

    “I swear if anything happens to my twin sister, I’ll kill you, and I’ll kill that baby, so you better pray for my sister to survive!” She talked.

    Elder Creed continued pacing, ignoring her.

    “You’re aware that she’s not strong enough to birth a baby, you’ve been told before you got married to her!” She shouted again.

    “I wanted abortion the moment I detected the pregnancy, but she was adamant about keeping our baby!” Elder Creed finally talked.

    “You’re the man, you should have forced her into the abortion ward!” She yelled back.

    And at that same moment, the doctor in charge came out of the theater, lowering his nose mask with a sad look on his tired face.

    “How’s it?” Elder Creed and the woman asked impatiently.

    “It’s a handsome baby boy” the doctor managed to smile.

    “My wife, what about my wife?” Elder Creed fearfully asked.

    “I’m sorry, sir” the doctor said.

    “No…no…” Elder held the doctor.

    “No!!!!!! Doreen can’t be gone! She can’t be!!!”

    “My twin sister is gone? It’s not over” The woman said as tears rolled out of her wide eyes.

    She got a gun out of her belt holder, and the doctor tried hard to protect Elder Creed, but the woman already shot four times, and all four bullets hit Elder Creed’s knees.

                     —Present Time—

    Lydia entered the Inferno chamber, taking the documents away from Elder Creed’s table.

    “Matron?” He asked.

    “She has been frequenting the church these days” Lydia replied.

    “Go to the church and check” Elder Creed said.

    “Do you…not trust her?” Lydia asked.

    “Now that I think about it…I haven’t been giving her any attention at all.” Elder Creed replied, and Lydia bowed.

    “Also… I’ve taken care of the press and the cops… Young Lord’s killing at the shop is under the rug…the girl is a Dominican, no family record so it was easy. There’ll be no charges against him” she reported.

    Elder Creed’s next words were interrupted by the ringing of Lydia’s phone.

    She went to the door to pick, and her eyes widened as she rushed back to the elder.

    “Unknown masked women bursted the homeless foundation five minutes ago, and ten kids are gone” she said.

    “What!” 

    —

    [Clover’s Place, 5PM]

    Clover has been in bed since daybreak, unable to get up.

    The tobacco pipe Matron slapped him with affected his teeth, and he had to go to the hospital for checkup, but it’s still not getting better.

    He managed to get away from bed this evening and was sweating with pale lips as he walked to his living room and turned on the TV.

    As expected, news of the foundation burst is already on TV, so he sat on the couch, groaning as his phone buzzed.

    He brought out the phone and saw it’s a message from Boss… Matron.

    • Shipping is tonight, the merchants are in town.

    Clover groaned out, his gum hurting like shit.

    Shipping is supposed to happen next week, what’s with the sudden rush?

    He groaned out again, shutting his eyes back.

    He’s unaware of when he slept off on that couch.

    —

    [8PM, Era Cinema]

    Ixora came out of Warren’s car at the valet parking lot, and she began looking around for a sign of him.

    He had texted her to meet here tonight, and thankfully, she can walk properly now. Her legs are fine.

    She looked down at herself, checking out her outfit again.

    Her bum shorts hugged her hips and outlined her waist since she’s wearing armless crop top, there’s a jacket on top though.

    Satisfied that she looks good, she proceeded inside to get their popcorn and tickets since he’s not yet here.

    While walking, she received a text…

    W: I’ll be there in thirty, something came up.

    She quickly replied..

    Ixora: No qualms, the movie starts in thirty, can’t wait to see you.

    She pocketed the phone, and when she moved forward to take their popcorns, her @ss was spanked suddenly from behind, and she gasped.

    —

    [Penny Dork]

    It’s some minutes past 7, and the dork is silent except from the sound of a car that’s just coming on the waterside.

    There’s a waiting ship on the water, and immediately the car stopped on the deck, three foreign merchants came out of the ship.

    Matron came out of the car, dressed in a black chiffon gown and shawl to cover her head.

    Another car drove in, but it’s a bus this time, driven by the top stripper and four other strippers.

    The bus trunk was opened, and the ten bounded kids were thrown out to the ground, together with Kelsey who’s crying loudly.

    She’s roped completely, so she can’t even move.

    “Why the hell is there an adult? We don’t do business like that, Lula. You know” one of the merchants said, dragging Kelsey up.

    “I just thought there’d be a change of rules this time” Matron replied.

    “There’s never gon be a change, we deal with kids, not adults” the merchant said, bringing Kelsey to the edge of the dork.

    “No… please” her eyes widened, but she screamed out when the man pushed her, and she fell with a splash into the sea.

    “For the ten kids, I’m taking ten million dollars each” Matron said.

    “That wasn’t our agreement” the fattest merchant said.

    “Well I brought an adult but you threw her in the sea, I should at least charge you for the energy I wasted to bring her” Matron replied.

    “5M dollars per kid, as usual” the head merchant said with a voice of finality.

    “Are you paying with gold? Cash?” Matron asked impatiently, checking the time.

    Why is Clover not here yet?

    The men began taking out bags of cash from the ship, and as they landed at Matron’s feet, she smiled greedily.

    Another billion achieved.

    The ten bags landed at her feet before they began bundling the kids into the ship, but they’ve only taken one of them when a sudden roar of gunshots came from a black water tank beside the sea.

    Two of the merchants dropped into the sea with shot foreheads, and Matron quickly drew her Glock, turning to that angle swiftly.

    Her strippers stayed behind her, pulling out their guns too, even the remaining merchants.

    A shootout of guns began, and bullets flew around like snacks, gunfire filling the dork atmosphere as the bullets landed on the metallic ground with crispy sounds.

    The strippers covered Matron, and she stayed in the middle when her gun ran out of bullets.

    By now, her merchants are already gone, all of them got shot and are dead in the sea, chilling with Kelsey.

    The fact that the shooters have a clearer view of the dork gave them the upper hand, and soon, the strippers began hitting the ground too, their blood flowing into the sea as the drumming gunshots never stopped coming.

    Matron’s chest was murky with fear as she continued staying in the middle.

    What’s going on?

    This has never happened before.

    This is her 20th year in this business, nothing like this has ever occurred.

    Her chest nearly crashed when the last stripper fell beside her, so she quickly picked up her gun.

    She turned around to resume shooting at the shooters angle, but what she saw shocked her.

    Four guys.

    Four deaths.

    Four sins’

    Coming for her like the agents of her death, their eyes already chewing her alive as they advanced.

    They’re led by the one she knows too well, the boy she raised like her own son.

    Warren.

    Her shock only multiplied, but she kept holding that gun, her watery hand clutched around it.

    “Yo, you were right…War. I wasn’t expecting this shocker” Konstantin said, the cutlass in his hand shinning with the moonlight and his cigar smokes blowing with the chill sea wind.

    “Is this what they call bloody betrayal?” Ashton said, sticking out his red tongue.

    “I’mma finna write an history of this scene at this rate, you’re smart” Capri nodded, pointing his magazine at Matron with an amusing smile.

    Matron clutched the gun tighter, her insides shivering with flu as her eyes refused to leave Konstantin’s cutlass.

    Warren stayed silent, and that scared her more as their eyes met—Warren’s jaws grinded.

    It all started when he smelled  tobacco on her.

    The 24th birthday he spent at the family house, he investigated her throughout that day.

    When she was in the BB bathroom, he entered her room and connected his phone with hers, so he was able to receive every call she received and trace her roots.

    “You supplied chemicals and injections to Hawke in jail, same products I was nearly killed with. You’re the leader of a child trafficking ring? I’ve known about the existence of it since years ago but I never made a move to investigate cos I was uninterested. But now it turned out to be you? You influenced Elder Creed to let me rot in jail? Why? So you could have his wealth? You colluded with Mrs. Ortega too!!!” Warren growled.

    “Yes!!! I never liked you!! The fake love I gave you? It was to buy your trust! I have no emotions for anyone but my son Romeo!! I hate the sight of you especially when I was breastfeeding you!!! You don’t even know how disgusting you are, do you? You were born with incomplete brain cells and just 15 percent sanity so you’re literally a madman roaming the streets! And about the wealth? Yes I want it! I do!!! Why else would I sit with a lunatic like you!! I colluded with Hawke to ruin you forever, and the plan was to destroy all your senses till you become a fuckin imbecile, but he was only able to tamper with your sense of taste and your shaking sanity!! I wanted to make you a walking dead!!” Matron combusted dementedly, her veins popping madly on her neck and eyes.

    Warren’s veins are playing too, on his forearms and bloody eyes as anger razed him to ashes.

    He looked beside him, and Konstantin angrily threw the cutlass at him which he caught.

    Not on the handle, but on the blade.

    He caught the cutlass blade, and it hurt his palm deeply, but he turned it around to hold the handle.

    Matron quickly pulled her gun trigger, firing him on the arm, but that was all she could do.

    Warren swung the abnormally sharp cutlass to her legs, cutting them off like they’re sticks.

    The legs fell away from her body, and her half-body fell on the dork ground as her blood pumped and stained Warren’s face like fleet.

    “Nyahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!” Her teeth-gnashing yell was traumatic as it shook the dork to the depth of the sea.

    “Mum!!!” Romeo ran out of his hiding place.

    “Mum!!!” Bethel ran out of her hiding place too.

    Mercilessly, Warren brought the cutlass down to Matron’s chest, and Bethel fainted on her run.

    “Mother!!!!!” Romeo howled.

    TBC.

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • Insatiable Cravings – Episode 114

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 114

     

     

    INSATIABLE CRAVINGS

    Insatiable Cravings – Episode 114

    Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game} 

    TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.

    Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.

    By: Chukwuma Rejoice 

    ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

    ~ Genevieve ~

    Blade knows something, and he won’t say a word.

    The thought’s been playing on a loop in my mind for the past two minutes, a mantra of dread that refuses to stop.

    Silence swallowed the room whole—heavy, suffocating, thick as poison in the air. It hung between us, oppressive and overbearing. I felt a whirlwind of emotion inside me—doubt, betrayal, but also a persistent thread of belief.

    Because Blade wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

    …Right?

    While I was spiralling, Dominic held my gaze. His amber eyes locked on mine, silent but blisteringly loud with I told you so.

    “I still don’t believe Blade would do something like that,” I said quietly, though the whisper of doubt curled itself tightly around my ribs. “He just… he can’t.”

    “We’ll see, won’t we.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “I mean,” he said, his slipped making that calm, deliberate sound against the floor as he closed the distance between us, “tomorrow, I head down to the Base—and I make him talk.”

    Dread bloomed in my chest, fast and sickly. Dread for Blade. I shouldn’t feel it—not when he might be the traitor. But I did. The wàr inside me between trust and suspicion was ferocious, and neither side was giving an inch.

    “How exactly are you going to get him to talk?”

    A stúpid question, really. I knew better. But it slipped out anyway.

    Dominic’s lips twitched—barely. “Whichever way he responds to, darling.”

    A chill snaked down my spine. Goosebumps ghosted across my skin, prickling like static. It wasn’t just what he said—it was how he said it.

    Like a vow.

    And it did nothing to soothe the panic rising like a tide inside me. If anything, it made it worse.

    ★★★★

    The following morning, he was gone.

    I woke to silence. The kind that echoes, that gnaws. The spot beside me was cold, the warmth of his body now just a memory pressed into the sheets.

    It hit harder than I’d expected. He didn’t even say goodbye.

    A coffee sat on the table—long since gone cold—and next to it, a note, scribbled in that unmistakably impatient scrawl of his.

    He won’t speak unless I’m there. Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.

    But I did worry. Of course I did.

    ••

    The Base wasn’t built for comfort, but the people inside it had always made it feel like home. At least, that used to be true. Today, though? Today, it felt like a stranger’s skin—tight and wrong and unfamiliar.

    The air was sharp, the atmosphere brittle, and the fluorescents overhead buzzed like something out of a horror film. Paranoia buzzed in every corner. Even the silence had teeth.

    Everyone looked tense. No idle chatter. No quiet jokes. Not even from Sal, who always had something sarcastic to say.

    I didn’t speak either.

    My boots echoed as I walked, sharp taps against the concrete, every step too loud. A red light blinked above—a camera. Watching. Always watching.

    And then I saw him—Dexter.

    “He’s in there?” I asked quietly as I approached.

    He jumped slightly, startled, then nodded, his expression heavy. Something twisted in my gut—anxiety or grief or both. Because if Blade really had betrayed us…

    “He told me not to help,” Dex murmured. “Said I should stay back.”

    I gave a faint smile. “Well, he didn’t say anything about me, did he?”

    I pushed the door open.

    Blade sat chained to the chair, locked in place like some rabid dog. His lip was cracked, a deep bruise flowering beneath one eye. But the arrogant smirk on his face remained stubbornly intact.

    Dominic stood over him, hands braced on the table, shoulders taut with silent aggression. He looked like a thunderstorm waiting to break—powerful, inevitable.

    “You’ve been quiet,” Dominic said, voice low and sharp as a scalpel. “Why?”

    Blade smirked wider. “Maybe I just don’t feel like talking. Ever thought of that?”

    Dominic’s face didn’t move—but the air did. It turned frigid in an instant. I stood by the wall, heart hammmering, every nerve on edge.

    “I’m not in the mood for games,” Dominic said. “You know something—and you will tell me. One way or another.”

    Blade leaned forward, the metal of his chains scraping against the chair. “And if I don’t?”

    Dominic’s voice was ice. “Then I’ll make you.”

    It wasn’t a thréat. It wasn’t even crúel. It was just true. Cold and clean as a búllet.

    For the first time, something flickered in Blade’s eyes. Brief. Almost imperceptible.

    But I saw it.

    Did Dominic?

    There was a pause—long and tense.

    Then, Blade muttered, “He said you’re weak. Said the Bratva shouldn’t be led by someone like you. They’re coming.”

    Dominic tilted his head, deàdly calm. “Who’s he?”

    Blade’s jaw locked tight.

    “Who?”

    “Doesn’t matter,” Blade spat. “It’s already begun.”

    That’s when Dominic struck. The púnch was swift, brútal, efficient. It crackéd across Blade’s face, jerking the chair back even against the chains.

    I flinched. But I didn’t stop him. I knew better.

    Dominic stood over him, chest rising and falling with barely restrained fúry. “You’re going to tell me everything,” he said, voice pure steel. “Or I’ll find out without your help. And when I do… you’ll wish you’d spoken.”

    Blade’s bloodiéd grin returned. But it was hollow now. Strained. Desperate. “You’re already too late.”

    TBC📖✍️

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • The Tormentor – Episode 49&50

    The Tormentor – Episode 49&50

     

     

    THE TORMENTOR  

    The Tormentor – Episode 49&50

     ( Blêed•For•Me, Ixora )

    Book 1 in the Mindf+ck Trilogy

    by Naomi Cindy B.

    _________________________

    All rights reserved.

    No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

    Copyright © 2025 

    _________________________

    Ashton and Capri’s eyes met, exchanging looks that says they now understand the density of this situation.

    Even Konstantin’s eyes couldn’t stop widening, and though Warren’s chokehold on his neck is deadly, he didn’t tear his eyes away from him.

    “You lost it, totally” he muttered in realization.

    “Evelyn framed me? She testified? I went to jail? I do not f+ckin care. When that old Warren comes back, he’d continue the chase you guys so badly want, but me? I want nothing but her, even if it means stealing her away from her parents and taking her to as far as Dubai” Warren replied, letting go of Konstantin.

    Konstantin let out a choked exhale and as Warren left them, rushing down the park.

    “I can’t stand this side of him, I can never!!!” He yelled impatiently.

    “I’m gonna kill her if it’s the only way to get him back to his darn senses”

    “That’s not an option” Ashton replied.

    “Of course it is! We all know how he was about her three years ago before things happened” Konstantin faced them, his jaws gripping.

         —3Yrs Ago(After Confession)—

    “Evie!!” Nadine and Ixora rushed after Evelyn, but just when they were about to exit, Ixora looked back.

    Her bright eyes met with Warren’s, and he smiled at her.

    She quickly faced front, rushing out of the hospital.

    The smile on Warren’s face was still intact when he turned around to leave, but then he met his friends standing there, all with knowing smirks on their faces.

    “What are y’all motherf+ckers doing here?” He said as he walked to them.

    “You rejected the Evelyn girl too bluntly, I’m guessing she won’t sleep for days” Capri muttered.

    “That’s a given, but what was the stare between you and the blonde one? What’s her name again?” Ashton said with a lip bite.

    “Ixora” Capri said.

    “Isn’t it obvious? She’s Kelsey’s replacement, but he’s probably waiting for her to clock 18 before he’d make any move on her. He can’t possibly start shoving the monster between his legs into her yet, she’d break” Konstantin bluntly said.

    “Says someone who f+çked a seventeen years old girl last night” Warren smirked.

    “She was fleshier and older than her age, but this Ixora? She’s skinny. You’re already a chronic drug addict, fuckin her at her young age means welcome to the morgue for her” Konstantin replied.

    “I’m not after her to ‘just’ f+ck her, so get your delusions into the gutter where you belong” Warren rolled eyes, and Konstantin leaned closer.

    “I know you have fantasies about her, you love blood play a lot and you’re probably planning to try it out on her. You have ‘s+x in an abandoned church kink’, and I’m sure you’re running mad with wild imaginations” he whispered.

    “Go burn in abyss” Warren whispered back, and Konstantin grinned.

    “Resident Warren, emergency at ward 9!” A doctor called, and Warren rushed out of the hall.

    The three guys stood in alignment, watching him leave.

    “He’s obsessed with her, it’s obvious in his eyes” Konstantin muttered.

    “You can always read him like a book, I’m jealous” Ashton muttered.

    “It’s because we’re almost the same, he and i” Konstantin shrugged.

    “If she’ll make him breakup with Kelsey, then I’m signing” Capri said.

    “He’s still holding on to Kelsey only because the moment he leaves her, he’d go after Ixora, and that can’t happen yet. Two years from now, she’d be in college, and by then, he’d be free to have her” Ashton said.

    “Talking about college, ILC exam date us out, it’s in three days” Capri said, and they all checked their phones.

                   —Present Time—

    “Three days after that day, we took admission exams and passed, but that same girl he was obsessed with colluded with her friend to frame him and testify. He was f+ckin arrested and was tried in court!! He didn’t cry, but the moment she came in to testify, he f+ckin cried! She didn’t even look at him! She testified regardless, he was sent to jail where Hawke nearly killed him!” Konstantin shouted.

    Capri’s jaws tightened.

    “Now his memories of jail disappeared and he’s back to obsessing over her again? I say if killing her is gonna make him hate me for life, then I don’t mind, but him and her? What a joke” Konstantin smirked, leaving the park.

    Ashton followed, and Capri gritted his jaws again before following him.

    —

    Running away from your problems would only intensify them and add depth to their existence.

    Ixora learnt that over and over again, many damn times, and that’s why she stopped running.

    Whoever the men in black are, they’re here for a purpose, and till the purpose is fulfilled, they’re not gonna get off her tail.

    She’s not conversant with this place cos right now she’s in a green forest which she has no idea how she arrived in.

    All she knows is that she ran away from the park, crossed the road and ran a bit more before getting to this green forest.

    She was inhaling and exhaling hard as she faced her chasers, and the men stopped too, surrounding her

    There are six of them.

    Sweat cascaded down her temples, to her cheeks, and she rolled her palms into fists, setting them in place.

    Two of them came for her, and she instinctively moved from her spot, going heads on for them too.

    Thankfully, she’s wearing sweatpants and hoodie, so it was easy to lift her legs from the ground and attempt kicking one of them in the face.

    But she moved wrong, cos her ankle was grabbed, so she threw her punch, but the punch was grabbed too, and she was thrown off.

    She landed on the ground with a loud grunt as she rolled on her back, but the moment she realized they’re coming again, she stood to her feet, scooping sand from the ground and pouring on their faces.

    That gave her a upper hand as she was able to do a handstand, landing uppercuts on their chins with her sneakers.

    The two of them staggered, and she proceeded to hooking them in the side of their bellies.

    The two fell to the ground with loud groans, but another two came for her immediately.

    She lunged forward, holding a large stone from the ground this time.

    One of the two punched her in the face, and she fell down the shrub, rolling in the grass with a whimper.

    But she made sure she held the stone very tight as he came for her again, ready to bat her throat.

    Ixora pulled the stunt under his feet, and he slipped, falling in front of her.

    She sat on him and brought the stone down to his head, crashing it down on it mercilessly.

    Her eyes are already murderous, as she brought the stone down to his head for the second time, over and over.

    High screams pilfered out of his lungs, rising up the forest and resonating between the rising trees.

    The other five men stood behind her, watching the horror show as she continued smashing the head of that particular one with the stone till his facial flesh mashed, his blood filling her hands and face.

    She didn’t stop.

    They were about to go for her from behind when someone else appeared, stopping that.

    “Warren?” One of them said in recognition, thanks to the moon in the sky.

    “I don’t appreciate when cankerworms come in contact with what I’m obsessed with” Warren replied, taking the bald head of one of them.

    He dragged it to a tree and barged it inside, soundly.

    The man stood motionless for a second before falling down flat, to his death.

    The remaining four were foolish enough to come for him, but he was too prepared.

    He retaliated their punches with heavier punches, and by the time he rounded them three punches each, they were already staggering with blood drooling from their mouths.

    No one knew when he pulled out the scalpel, running past the four of them and giving them stabs.

    One on the side of the neck, one in the gut, one in the chest.

    The three fell, their bodies landing on each other, one after the other.

    Warren caught the fourth one who’s already swaying weakly, and he pulled him to his knees, making him face the sky 

    “Who sent you?” He demanded, his bloody scalpel still intact in his hand.

    “If you’re waiting for me to talk, then you’ll be waiting for long, cos my life has been payed for, and I’ll never say the name of my master” he said with bloodied teeth.

    “Is that real? Then go join your peers” Warren sneered, cutting his neck with the scalpel and dropping his bleeding lifeless body on top of the dead ones on the ground.

    In the other side, Ixora stood from the one she’s pounding with stone, and by now, his flesh is already mixed with the sand.

    Her bloody hands are shaking as she faced Warren, the moon turned brighter as the dark clouds sojourned away from it’s surface.

    She began walking slowly to him, the plants dying under her sneakers as she marched them till she got to him and pointed her hands forward.

    “I…I killed again” she muttered.

    “You did before?” He replied with rumpled brows, and she nodded.

    “It was a lady called Anastasia, and i disposed her body in a green river in Cali with the help of you and the guys” she explained.

    “You told me I had a dark side to me, that I crave for blood just like you… it’s true, cos I enjoyed killing this one too, just like I enjoyed killing Anastasia” she explained.

    “I think I’m running mad, Warren.” She shook her head, and he shifted her hair away from her neck.

    Ixora bent aside a bit, tilting it and exposing the fresh spot to him.

    Warren leaned down and kissed the porcelain skin.

    Then…he attached his teeth and bit so hard, causing her to grip his arms with her bloody hands.

    “Ah!” She shut her eyes.

    The hickey deepened till it turned dark brown, and that was when he detached his teeth from her skin, satisfied with the result.

    He licked the mark with his tongue to soothe it.

    “No, don’t” she quickly said.

    “You want the pain?” His eyes darkened like she’s the most ungodly thing he has ever seen.

    And she indeed is. Dirty, filthy, sinful, but this only need, his only want.

    “Your pain, so far it comes from you” she replied in all depravity, and he painstakingly raised his hand to her neck, pressing his thumb on the dark brown hickey.

    Ixora winced, biting her lip.

    “Let’s run mad together, then” he muttered, and she nodded, then she hugged him.

    She has no idea how long or how short this side of him is gonna be, but she should at least do things she wouldn’t do with him in his right senses.

    Things like hugging him tight like this.

    Warren brought his hands to her head, pressing it to her chest and allowing her to bask in his scent while he inhaled hers from her hair.

    Ixora nearly began crying, but she fought it.

    It’s greedy to want to do things with the same guy she ruined his life and sent to jail, but she has always been this bî+ch, hasn’t she?

    Her mother’s daughter, the shameless greedy Ixora who doesn’t want his memories to ever come back.

    She hugged him tighter, shutting her eyes and shoving her face into his manly chest.

    —

    [Hotel Suite]

    “Why the hell are they not back yet? Did I make a mistake by trusting that bastard with her?” Stonia muttered, pacing the suite with her phone to her ear.

    She has been dialling Ixora, but she hasn’t been picking for like two minutes now.

    She dropped the call when she didn’t pick again, and she was about to dial the cops when the doorbell sounded.

    “Finally” she breathed out, rushing there to open up.

    Immediately she did, three guys stepped in, and her countenance changed as her survival instinct kicked in.

    They’re Warren’s fellow madmen.

    She turned around, raising her leg flexibly and slamming it on Ashton’s face.

    Ashton stood still like he wasn’t the one who just got his, then Stonia made a move to climb his body and strangle him, but Ashton shook her off, knocking her to the ground by hitting her back on the wall.

    She fell, and her body swept the tiled ground as she rolled down the room.

    “You’re a black belt holder of taekwondo, but mind where you try to use your skills, I could have killed you” Ashton smirked.

    She stood to her feet with a bleeding mouth corner which she wiped with her palm.

    “Is this a ploy? Your leader took my daughter, and now the three of you are here to kill me? How were y’all even able to enter?” She said.

    “There’s no door in every existing continent that’s impossible to open for us” Capri replied firmly.

    Konstantin went close, and Stonia stepped back, but he kept going.

    “I’ll kill your daughter and make you eat her flesh if she doesn’t stay away from War. Their cursed relationship ends here in Capetown. By the time they get back to Cali, any further body gumming means your daughter is tired of living, and I’ll kill her” he threatened.

    “Now that your so-called friend is behaving slightly like a normal human, you’re unhappy about it?” Stonia said.

    Konstantin scoffed, pushing away the vase on the table with his leg.

    The vase crash made Stonia freeze.

    “Normal human? With, or without his memory, he has no humanity, the only missing thing is his blazing hate for your stupid daughter which we’re trying to get back. The moment that hate comes back with his jail memory and the rest, your daughter will finally cry the blood he promised her. You better be prepared, that name antichrist isn’t for label, we really are beyond what you think” he said, his demeanor ruthless.

    Stonia still wasn’t moving when Konstantin led the way out of the room and the other two followed.

    She held her slamming chest, going down against the walls.

    “Oh gawd!”

    —

    [California, Drive-in cinema]

    Nadine didn’t expect Anfisa to be the cool type, but she’s enjoying her company.

    They’re together in her sports car, and their rainbow popcorn is between them which they’re munching as they saw the playing movie (Sidelined: The QB and I)

    “Your rainbow popcorn recommendation is indeed better than the plain” Anfisa talked, and she faced her.

    “It has been my favorite pastime snack since young” she smiled.

    “What other favorites do you have?” Anfisa asked.

    “Xoxo, she’s my main favorite person” she replied.

    “That girl…I badly wanna like her, but anyone the boys hate, I automatically hate too” Anfisa said, and Nadine dropped her popcorn.

    “Xoxo is not a bad person, I swear. I was on vacation when the whole stuff happened three years ago, and I only arrived on the say of the court trial when she was testifying. If I was here before the court, I’d have stopped her” she said.

    Anfisa sighed.

    “Xoxo fears court the most since her mother got stepped down from the vice-presidential office, so I dunno how she agreed to enter court and testify, it’s odd” Nadine said.

    “And do you happen to like Konstant?” Anfisa asked.

    “No! He just likes taunting me and making me say swear words, nothing more. Why would I like someone that…dark” Nadine muttered, and Anfisa smiled, stroking her hair.

    “Good, cos my brother isn’t someone you can like. He has a gorgeous face, but his heart is black, and also…our family isn’t a family to get involved with. The Barinovs in Russia? People run away from us” she said.

    “Why?” Nadine asked interestedly.

    Anfisa didn’t answer, she resumed eating her popcorn and focused back on the movie.

    Nadine did the same.

    —

    [Underground Clubhouse]

    “So… Romeo went missing when he was young, he hates Warren the most in this world, he loves porridge made by your mum, he has fear of heights” Clover said.

    Bethel nodded, drinking from her lemonade cup, then she snapped her fingers.

    “And also, he’s straight! He’s not gay! He’s obsessed with Ixora, so if you’re this interested in him cos you’re gay, then trash it, he’d never look at you” She added.

    Clover smiled, standing up as he’s already getting called to come play.

    “I know, enjoy yourself” he winked, wearing a hat and jacket before climbing up the stage.

    He began controlling the disc jockey, sliding arrays of pop songs into the speakers.

    More and more naked ladies poured into the clubhouse, filling the dancefloor.

    None of them wore any piece of clothe at all, so different puxxies and @rses are in display.

    Soon, they began getting f+çked by men on stage too, and the m0ans filtering out of them mixed with the pouring music.

    Bethel sat, turning her back on the stage.

    “Why did I even come here” she muttered, calling Uber to take her home.

    Meanwhile, on the stage, one of the bouncers climbed up and whispered something in Clover’s ear.

    “One of the kids attempted to run away”

    “What!” His eyes widened.

    “But he was caught, and boss is visiting soon to check him out. Her visit is in two days” the bouncer said.

    Clover lost his appetite immediately.

    —

    [Ford Salon]

    Romeo had his bath after he did the last barbing for the night, and he decided to stroll.

    He checked the time as he stepped out. 9:00

    It’s been 45 minutes since Bethel left the house, so he’s expecting her back in fifteen minutes.

    He was chewing gum while scrolling through his phone as he stepped into the alley street.

    It’s been awhile since it rained, so the dry ground worked to his advantage.

    Ixora is still his home and lock screen wallpaper, and as he zoomed on the pictures in his gallery, he’s smiling.

    He brought her face to his lips and kissed her through the screen, but then… Chicago’s message popped up.

    Chicago: One and a half month left before I’d be able to see you again, Rom-Rom.

    Romeo replied this time.

    Romeo: By the time you come out of jail, if you come close to me or my family, I’ll send you back!

    Chicago: (laughing emojis)

    He switched off the phone and continued his stroll peacefully, gently chewing the gum in his mouth.

    From one of the alley dark corners, Tina stood, yearningly watching him like a sick lover girl.

    She smiled before she knew it…

    “Has it gotten to this level? Ew!” Monty’s voice said behind her, and she gasped, turning around to see her standing there with crossed arms.

    Monty backed the wall, a leg raised up to rest on the concrete and her short hair dyed green.

    “You followed me?” Tina went closer.

    “My best friend is becoming a fool for a guy who’d never see her, of course I’d follow in case you land in a ditch” Monty sassily replied.

    “Don’t judge me! You still haven’t told me what’s going on between you and Bronx and why I found you naked in front of the gate that night, so ew to you too!” Tina glared, walking past her, down the alley.

    Monty brushed her hair back, rushing after her.

    “Tina!!”

    —

    [Two Days Later, Nadine’s Place]

    The loud honk of a noir Cadillac made Nadine stand up from her breakfast table where she’s eating omelette.

    She rushed to the door, flinging it open and meeting the person she expected to meet.

    Ixora!

    “Baby!!” Ixora widened her arms.

    “You’re back!!!” She screamed out, flying to her arms and jumping on her like a kid before pouring kisses on her face.

    Ixora laughed as each kiss plastered, and Nadine kept the kisses coming till almost forever.

    “I missed you madly, so much!” She gushed.

    “I miss you too!!” Ixora gushed back, and now it’s her turn to decorate Nadine’s face with the wet kisses.

    “You have to gist me in school ok? And tell me you bought souvenir for me!” Nadine pouted.

    “I did” Ixora giggled.

    “Our first class is by ten, we should hurry” Nadine said, and Ixora dropped her.

    “Anything that happens in school, don’t be too surprised, just know that I’d explain later” she pointedly said.

    “I’m not gonna get an heart attack, am I?” Nadine asked curiously.

    “No” Ixora smiled, going in with her.

    —

    [ILC, 9:30]

    It’s another ice hockey meet tonight as it’s another month end, so the posters are already around the school, and the unending gists about is already ongoing in groups.

    Among the cars that drove into the school park that morning, there’s a Audi, and inside the it, Lydia sat.

    She’s here to keep an eye on Warren, following Elder Creed’s orders.

    She went to Capetown too, though she stayed hidden, but she caught the gist of his memory loss, which is why she’s keeping an eye on him for now.

    Rafael’s car too is just driving into the park, and he’s holding flowers to welcome Ixora with since he can’t go to Stonia’s Mansion to meet her.

    Stonia herself is here too, scared by Konstantin’s threats.

    She has warned Ixora before they left Capetown, but she has a feeling she wouldn’t listen, reason why she’s here to secretly watch her.

    A limousine drove in, and the guys came out of it—just three of them.

    Girls began gushing over them like their usuals, and students had to stop since the air looks tenser than tense.

    Warren drove into the campus in a different car, and at the same time, Ixora and Nadine drove in too.

    They came out at once, and the tension in the school got raised to power millions immediately.

    “Wait…your neck” Nadine noticed the dark brown mark on Ixora’s neck, but before she could point it out, Ixora already walked away from her.

    She made her way to a certain lane, and Warren entered that same lane in the park.

    They began walking towards each other, their steps slow.

    The other three guys stopped, and their jaws went tight.

    Romeo who’s just entering the campus with Bethel had to stop.

    Monty and Tina too, even Bronx.

    Serena and Kelsey are at the back of the crowd.

    The only unseen person is Clover.

    The two finally arrived at each other’s paths, and Ixora looked up, her eyes meeting with his eery ones.

    She tilted her head to the side, revealing the mark, again.

    With an intense force, Warren shoved her to his body, and she closed her eyes as he placed his lips on the spot, kissing it deep.

    She wrapped her arms around him, and the mouths of every watching students dropped open.

    Romeo’s messenger bag fell from him, and Warren switched from kissing the mark to sucking it wildly, in public.

    “To the Ice Hockey Meet tonight, no bra, no underwear. If you wear any, I’ll tear it off and shove it down your throat. Come naked underneath” he whispered, his breaths fanning her ear, and she opened her eyes, but the moment he began sucking the mark again, she closed them back.

    Rafael’s flowers fell from him, and Stonia staggered on her heels.

    Lydia dialled Elder Creed on video call, showing him everything.

    Nadine’s eyes are the widest.

    Konstantin drew out his handgun, aiming straight for Ixora.

    He pulled the trigger.

    —

    [Underground Clubhouse]

    Clover is present with some of the bouncers, and a large number of the black market members who’re females—the strippers.

    They’re waiting for the boss since the visit is surprisingly scheduled for this morning.

    “Why the hell is boss not here yet? I’m a student! I have classes!” Clover complained.

    “You’re the closest to her, just call her” one of the strippers replied with a scowl.

    “I’m closer to her doesn’t mean i get to call her anytime. She makes the calls timetable and I can’t till she tells me to ” Clover glared.

    “Is anyone not gonna talk about Anastasia who has been missing for a month?” Another stripper said.

    “Another one of our ladies was burnt with a cabin two months ago too, but boss actually doesn’t care about our lives, she only wants her works done, and that’s why I always say…take care of yourselves. If you die, you die for nothing” another lady said.

    “Is it true that boss is involved in Warren’s jail case?” Another lady asked, and Clover scoffed.

    “Involved? She’s more than involved”

    The sound of heels infiltrated the place, and they all went silent as Clover stood with all the bouncers.

    They faced the door, and the heels sounds kept coming, indicating the descension of stairs.

    The smell of tobacco penetrated as the boss stepped in, wearing a two-piece black suite and a black hat with a tobacco pipe on her lips.

    The ladies stood too, and she removed the tobacco pipe, blowing out smokes which clouded her face for a while before dissipating.

    She slightly shifted her hat,, revealing her face.

    It’s the one and only MATRON.

    “The kid?” She dryly said, and Clover opened a gate on the adjacent side of the wall, revealing a room containing several helpless, street kids.

    He picked out one of them—the one who tried to run away.

    He threw him down in front of Matron.

    She squatted in front of him, lifting his chin with a finger.

    The boy shivered in obvious fear, and she grinned.

    “I’ve been in this child tràfficking business for years, and no child has ever tried to run away from my cage. You broke that record, and you deserve a reward” she said.

    The boy trembled harder like a winter leaf, and she smiled wider, facing Clover.

    “Take him to the bathroom, bath him with diluted açîd and make him feel every second of the sequential pain till he melts completely like plastic” she ordered.

    “Yes boss” Clover replied, taking the crying boy away.

    Matron faced the rest of the members, her smile still fresh.

    “Shall we start the meeting?” 

    TBC 

    Next Episode 

    Previous Episode 

  • The Tormentor – Episode 49&50

    The Tormentor – Episode 49&50

     

     

    THE TORMENTOR  

    The Tormentor – Episode 49&50

     ( Blêed•For•Me, Ixora )

    Book 1 in the Mindf+ck Trilogy

    by Naomi Cindy B.

    _________________________

    All rights reserved.

    No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

    Copyright © 2025 

    _________________________

    Ashton and Capri’s eyes met, exchanging looks that says they now understand the density of this situation.

    Even Konstantin’s eyes couldn’t stop widening, and though Warren’s chokehold on his neck is deadly, he didn’t tear his eyes away from him.

    “You lost it, totally” he muttered in realization.

    “Evelyn framed me? She testified? I went to jail? I do not f+ckin care. When that old Warren comes back, he’d continue the chase you guys so badly want, but me? I want nothing but her, even if it means stealing her away from her parents and taking her to as far as Dubai” Warren replied, letting go of Konstantin.

    Konstantin let out a choked exhale and as Warren left them, rushing down the park.

    “I can’t stand this side of him, I can never!!!” He yelled impatiently.

    “I’m gonna kill her if it’s the only way to get him back to his darn senses”

    “That’s not an option” Ashton replied.

    “Of course it is! We all know how he was about her three years ago before things happened” Konstantin faced them, his jaws gripping.

         —3Yrs Ago(After Confession)—

    “Evie!!” Nadine and Ixora rushed after Evelyn, but just when they were about to exit, Ixora looked back.

    Her bright eyes met with Warren’s, and he smiled at her.

    She quickly faced front, rushing out of the hospital.

    The smile on Warren’s face was still intact when he turned around to leave, but then he met his friends standing there, all with knowing smirks on their faces.

    “What are y’all motherf+ckers doing here?” He said as he walked to them.

    “You rejected the Evelyn girl too bluntly, I’m guessing she won’t sleep for days” Capri muttered.

    “That’s a given, but what was the stare between you and the blonde one? What’s her name again?” Ashton said with a lip bite.

    “Ixora” Capri said.

    “Isn’t it obvious? She’s Kelsey’s replacement, but he’s probably waiting for her to clock 18 before he’d make any move on her. He can’t possibly start shoving the monster between his legs into her yet, she’d break” Konstantin bluntly said.

    “Says someone who f+çked a seventeen years old girl last night” Warren smirked.

    “She was fleshier and older than her age, but this Ixora? She’s skinny. You’re already a chronic drug addict, fuckin her at her young age means welcome to the morgue for her” Konstantin replied.

    “I’m not after her to ‘just’ f+ck her, so get your delusions into the gutter where you belong” Warren rolled eyes, and Konstantin leaned closer.

    “I know you have fantasies about her, you love blood play a lot and you’re probably planning to try it out on her. You have ‘s+x in an abandoned church kink’, and I’m sure you’re running mad with wild imaginations” he whispered.

    “Go burn in abyss” Warren whispered back, and Konstantin grinned.

    “Resident Warren, emergency at ward 9!” A doctor called, and Warren rushed out of the hall.

    The three guys stood in alignment, watching him leave.

    “He’s obsessed with her, it’s obvious in his eyes” Konstantin muttered.

    “You can always read him like a book, I’m jealous” Ashton muttered.

    “It’s because we’re almost the same, he and i” Konstantin shrugged.

    “If she’ll make him breakup with Kelsey, then I’m signing” Capri said.

    “He’s still holding on to Kelsey only because the moment he leaves her, he’d go after Ixora, and that can’t happen yet. Two years from now, she’d be in college, and by then, he’d be free to have her” Ashton said.

    “Talking about college, ILC exam date us out, it’s in three days” Capri said, and they all checked their phones.

                   —Present Time—

    “Three days after that day, we took admission exams and passed, but that same girl he was obsessed with colluded with her friend to frame him and testify. He was f+ckin arrested and was tried in court!! He didn’t cry, but the moment she came in to testify, he f+ckin cried! She didn’t even look at him! She testified regardless, he was sent to jail where Hawke nearly killed him!” Konstantin shouted.

    Capri’s jaws tightened.

    “Now his memories of jail disappeared and he’s back to obsessing over her again? I say if killing her is gonna make him hate me for life, then I don’t mind, but him and her? What a joke” Konstantin smirked, leaving the park.

    Ashton followed, and Capri gritted his jaws again before following him.

    —

    Running away from your problems would only intensify them and add depth to their existence.

    Ixora learnt that over and over again, many damn times, and that’s why she stopped running.

    Whoever the men in black are, they’re here for a purpose, and till the purpose is fulfilled, they’re not gonna get off her tail.

    She’s not conversant with this place cos right now she’s in a green forest which she has no idea how she arrived in.

    All she knows is that she ran away from the park, crossed the road and ran a bit more before getting to this green forest.

    She was inhaling and exhaling hard as she faced her chasers, and the men stopped too, surrounding her

    There are six of them.

    Sweat cascaded down her temples, to her cheeks, and she rolled her palms into fists, setting them in place.

    Two of them came for her, and she instinctively moved from her spot, going heads on for them too.

    Thankfully, she’s wearing sweatpants and hoodie, so it was easy to lift her legs from the ground and attempt kicking one of them in the face.

    But she moved wrong, cos her ankle was grabbed, so she threw her punch, but the punch was grabbed too, and she was thrown off.

    She landed on the ground with a loud grunt as she rolled on her back, but the moment she realized they’re coming again, she stood to her feet, scooping sand from the ground and pouring on their faces.

    That gave her a upper hand as she was able to do a handstand, landing uppercuts on their chins with her sneakers.

    The two of them staggered, and she proceeded to hooking them in the side of their bellies.

    The two fell to the ground with loud groans, but another two came for her immediately.

    She lunged forward, holding a large stone from the ground this time.

    One of the two punched her in the face, and she fell down the shrub, rolling in the grass with a whimper.

    But she made sure she held the stone very tight as he came for her again, ready to bat her throat.

    Ixora pulled the stunt under his feet, and he slipped, falling in front of her.

    She sat on him and brought the stone down to his head, crashing it down on it mercilessly.

    Her eyes are already murderous, as she brought the stone down to his head for the second time, over and over.

    High screams pilfered out of his lungs, rising up the forest and resonating between the rising trees.

    The other five men stood behind her, watching the horror show as she continued smashing the head of that particular one with the stone till his facial flesh mashed, his blood filling her hands and face.

    She didn’t stop.

    They were about to go for her from behind when someone else appeared, stopping that.

    “Warren?” One of them said in recognition, thanks to the moon in the sky.

    “I don’t appreciate when cankerworms come in contact with what I’m obsessed with” Warren replied, taking the bald head of one of them.

    He dragged it to a tree and barged it inside, soundly.

    The man stood motionless for a second before falling down flat, to his death.

    The remaining four were foolish enough to come for him, but he was too prepared.

    He retaliated their punches with heavier punches, and by the time he rounded them three punches each, they were already staggering with blood drooling from their mouths.

    No one knew when he pulled out the scalpel, running past the four of them and giving them stabs.

    One on the side of the neck, one in the gut, one in the chest.

    The three fell, their bodies landing on each other, one after the other.

    Warren caught the fourth one who’s already swaying weakly, and he pulled him to his knees, making him face the sky 

    “Who sent you?” He demanded, his bloody scalpel still intact in his hand.

    “If you’re waiting for me to talk, then you’ll be waiting for long, cos my life has been payed for, and I’ll never say the name of my master” he said with bloodied teeth.

    “Is that real? Then go join your peers” Warren sneered, cutting his neck with the scalpel and dropping his bleeding lifeless body on top of the dead ones on the ground.

    In the other side, Ixora stood from the one she’s pounding with stone, and by now, his flesh is already mixed with the sand.

    Her bloody hands are shaking as she faced Warren, the moon turned brighter as the dark clouds sojourned away from it’s surface.

    She began walking slowly to him, the plants dying under her sneakers as she marched them till she got to him and pointed her hands forward.

    “I…I killed again” she muttered.

    “You did before?” He replied with rumpled brows, and she nodded.

    “It was a lady called Anastasia, and i disposed her body in a green river in Cali with the help of you and the guys” she explained.

    “You told me I had a dark side to me, that I crave for blood just like you… it’s true, cos I enjoyed killing this one too, just like I enjoyed killing Anastasia” she explained.

    “I think I’m running mad, Warren.” She shook her head, and he shifted her hair away from her neck.

    Ixora bent aside a bit, tilting it and exposing the fresh spot to him.

    Warren leaned down and kissed the porcelain skin.

    Then…he attached his teeth and bit so hard, causing her to grip his arms with her bloody hands.

    “Ah!” She shut her eyes.

    The hickey deepened till it turned dark brown, and that was when he detached his teeth from her skin, satisfied with the result.

    He licked the mark with his tongue to soothe it.

    “No, don’t” she quickly said.

    “You want the pain?” His eyes darkened like she’s the most ungodly thing he has ever seen.

    And she indeed is. Dirty, filthy, sinful, but this only need, his only want.

    “Your pain, so far it comes from you” she replied in all depravity, and he painstakingly raised his hand to her neck, pressing his thumb on the dark brown hickey.

    Ixora winced, biting her lip.

    “Let’s run mad together, then” he muttered, and she nodded, then she hugged him.

    She has no idea how long or how short this side of him is gonna be, but she should at least do things she wouldn’t do with him in his right senses.

    Things like hugging him tight like this.

    Warren brought his hands to her head, pressing it to her chest and allowing her to bask in his scent while he inhaled hers from her hair.

    Ixora nearly began crying, but she fought it.

    It’s greedy to want to do things with the same guy she ruined his life and sent to jail, but she has always been this bî+ch, hasn’t she?

    Her mother’s daughter, the shameless greedy Ixora who doesn’t want his memories to ever come back.

    She hugged him tighter, shutting her eyes and shoving her face into his manly chest.

    —

    [Hotel Suite]

    “Why the hell are they not back yet? Did I make a mistake by trusting that bastard with her?” Stonia muttered, pacing the suite with her phone to her ear.

    She has been dialling Ixora, but she hasn’t been picking for like two minutes now.

    She dropped the call when she didn’t pick again, and she was about to dial the cops when the doorbell sounded.

    “Finally” she breathed out, rushing there to open up.

    Immediately she did, three guys stepped in, and her countenance changed as her survival instinct kicked in.

    They’re Warren’s fellow madmen.

    She turned around, raising her leg flexibly and slamming it on Ashton’s face.

    Ashton stood still like he wasn’t the one who just got his, then Stonia made a move to climb his body and strangle him, but Ashton shook her off, knocking her to the ground by hitting her back on the wall.

    She fell, and her body swept the tiled ground as she rolled down the room.

    “You’re a black belt holder of taekwondo, but mind where you try to use your skills, I could have killed you” Ashton smirked.

    She stood to her feet with a bleeding mouth corner which she wiped with her palm.

    “Is this a ploy? Your leader took my daughter, and now the three of you are here to kill me? How were y’all even able to enter?” She said.

    “There’s no door in every existing continent that’s impossible to open for us” Capri replied firmly.

    Konstantin went close, and Stonia stepped back, but he kept going.

    “I’ll kill your daughter and make you eat her flesh if she doesn’t stay away from War. Their cursed relationship ends here in Capetown. By the time they get back to Cali, any further body gumming means your daughter is tired of living, and I’ll kill her” he threatened.

    “Now that your so-called friend is behaving slightly like a normal human, you’re unhappy about it?” Stonia said.

    Konstantin scoffed, pushing away the vase on the table with his leg.

    The vase crash made Stonia freeze.

    “Normal human? With, or without his memory, he has no humanity, the only missing thing is his blazing hate for your stupid daughter which we’re trying to get back. The moment that hate comes back with his jail memory and the rest, your daughter will finally cry the blood he promised her. You better be prepared, that name antichrist isn’t for label, we really are beyond what you think” he said, his demeanor ruthless.

    Stonia still wasn’t moving when Konstantin led the way out of the room and the other two followed.

    She held her slamming chest, going down against the walls.

    “Oh gawd!”

    —

    [California, Drive-in cinema]

    Nadine didn’t expect Anfisa to be the cool type, but she’s enjoying her company.

    They’re together in her sports car, and their rainbow popcorn is between them which they’re munching as they saw the playing movie (Sidelined: The QB and I)

    “Your rainbow popcorn recommendation is indeed better than the plain” Anfisa talked, and she faced her.

    “It has been my favorite pastime snack since young” she smiled.

    “What other favorites do you have?” Anfisa asked.

    “Xoxo, she’s my main favorite person” she replied.

    “That girl…I badly wanna like her, but anyone the boys hate, I automatically hate too” Anfisa said, and Nadine dropped her popcorn.

    “Xoxo is not a bad person, I swear. I was on vacation when the whole stuff happened three years ago, and I only arrived on the say of the court trial when she was testifying. If I was here before the court, I’d have stopped her” she said.

    Anfisa sighed.

    “Xoxo fears court the most since her mother got stepped down from the vice-presidential office, so I dunno how she agreed to enter court and testify, it’s odd” Nadine said.

    “And do you happen to like Konstant?” Anfisa asked.

    “No! He just likes taunting me and making me say swear words, nothing more. Why would I like someone that…dark” Nadine muttered, and Anfisa smiled, stroking her hair.

    “Good, cos my brother isn’t someone you can like. He has a gorgeous face, but his heart is black, and also…our family isn’t a family to get involved with. The Barinovs in Russia? People run away from us” she said.

    “Why?” Nadine asked interestedly.

    Anfisa didn’t answer, she resumed eating her popcorn and focused back on the movie.

    Nadine did the same.

    —

    [Underground Clubhouse]

    “So… Romeo went missing when he was young, he hates Warren the most in this world, he loves porridge made by your mum, he has fear of heights” Clover said.

    Bethel nodded, drinking from her lemonade cup, then she snapped her fingers.

    “And also, he’s straight! He’s not gay! He’s obsessed with Ixora, so if you’re this interested in him cos you’re gay, then trash it, he’d never look at you” She added.

    Clover smiled, standing up as he’s already getting called to come play.

    “I know, enjoy yourself” he winked, wearing a hat and jacket before climbing up the stage.

    He began controlling the disc jockey, sliding arrays of pop songs into the speakers.

    More and more naked ladies poured into the clubhouse, filling the dancefloor.

    None of them wore any piece of clothe at all, so different puxxies and @rses are in display.

    Soon, they began getting f+çked by men on stage too, and the m0ans filtering out of them mixed with the pouring music.

    Bethel sat, turning her back on the stage.

    “Why did I even come here” she muttered, calling Uber to take her home.

    Meanwhile, on the stage, one of the bouncers climbed up and whispered something in Clover’s ear.

    “One of the kids attempted to run away”

    “What!” His eyes widened.

    “But he was caught, and boss is visiting soon to check him out. Her visit is in two days” the bouncer said.

    Clover lost his appetite immediately.

    —

    [Ford Salon]

    Romeo had his bath after he did the last barbing for the night, and he decided to stroll.

    He checked the time as he stepped out. 9:00

    It’s been 45 minutes since Bethel left the house, so he’s expecting her back in fifteen minutes.

    He was chewing gum while scrolling through his phone as he stepped into the alley street.

    It’s been awhile since it rained, so the dry ground worked to his advantage.

    Ixora is still his home and lock screen wallpaper, and as he zoomed on the pictures in his gallery, he’s smiling.

    He brought her face to his lips and kissed her through the screen, but then… Chicago’s message popped up.

    Chicago: One and a half month left before I’d be able to see you again, Rom-Rom.

    Romeo replied this time.

    Romeo: By the time you come out of jail, if you come close to me or my family, I’ll send you back!

    Chicago: (laughing emojis)

    He switched off the phone and continued his stroll peacefully, gently chewing the gum in his mouth.

    From one of the alley dark corners, Tina stood, yearningly watching him like a sick lover girl.

    She smiled before she knew it…

    “Has it gotten to this level? Ew!” Monty’s voice said behind her, and she gasped, turning around to see her standing there with crossed arms.

    Monty backed the wall, a leg raised up to rest on the concrete and her short hair dyed green.

    “You followed me?” Tina went closer.

    “My best friend is becoming a fool for a guy who’d never see her, of course I’d follow in case you land in a ditch” Monty sassily replied.

    “Don’t judge me! You still haven’t told me what’s going on between you and Bronx and why I found you naked in front of the gate that night, so ew to you too!” Tina glared, walking past her, down the alley.

    Monty brushed her hair back, rushing after her.

    “Tina!!”

    —

    [Two Days Later, Nadine’s Place]

    The loud honk of a noir Cadillac made Nadine stand up from her breakfast table where she’s eating omelette.

    She rushed to the door, flinging it open and meeting the person she expected to meet.

    Ixora!

    “Baby!!” Ixora widened her arms.

    “You’re back!!!” She screamed out, flying to her arms and jumping on her like a kid before pouring kisses on her face.

    Ixora laughed as each kiss plastered, and Nadine kept the kisses coming till almost forever.

    “I missed you madly, so much!” She gushed.

    “I miss you too!!” Ixora gushed back, and now it’s her turn to decorate Nadine’s face with the wet kisses.

    “You have to gist me in school ok? And tell me you bought souvenir for me!” Nadine pouted.

    “I did” Ixora giggled.

    “Our first class is by ten, we should hurry” Nadine said, and Ixora dropped her.

    “Anything that happens in school, don’t be too surprised, just know that I’d explain later” she pointedly said.

    “I’m not gonna get an heart attack, am I?” Nadine asked curiously.

    “No” Ixora smiled, going in with her.

    —

    [ILC, 9:30]

    It’s another ice hockey meet tonight as it’s another month end, so the posters are already around the school, and the unending gists about is already ongoing in groups.

    Among the cars that drove into the school park that morning, there’s a Audi, and inside the it, Lydia sat.

    She’s here to keep an eye on Warren, following Elder Creed’s orders.

    She went to Capetown too, though she stayed hidden, but she caught the gist of his memory loss, which is why she’s keeping an eye on him for now.

    Rafael’s car too is just driving into the park, and he’s holding flowers to welcome Ixora with since he can’t go to Stonia’s Mansion to meet her.

    Stonia herself is here too, scared by Konstantin’s threats.

    She has warned Ixora before they left Capetown, but she has a feeling she wouldn’t listen, reason why she’s here to secretly watch her.

    A limousine drove in, and the guys came out of it—just three of them.

    Girls began gushing over them like their usuals, and students had to stop since the air looks tenser than tense.

    Warren drove into the campus in a different car, and at the same time, Ixora and Nadine drove in too.

    They came out at once, and the tension in the school got raised to power millions immediately.

    “Wait…your neck” Nadine noticed the dark brown mark on Ixora’s neck, but before she could point it out, Ixora already walked away from her.

    She made her way to a certain lane, and Warren entered that same lane in the park.

    They began walking towards each other, their steps slow.

    The other three guys stopped, and their jaws went tight.

    Romeo who’s just entering the campus with Bethel had to stop.

    Monty and Tina too, even Bronx.

    Serena and Kelsey are at the back of the crowd.

    The only unseen person is Clover.

    The two finally arrived at each other’s paths, and Ixora looked up, her eyes meeting with his eery ones.

    She tilted her head to the side, revealing the mark, again.

    With an intense force, Warren shoved her to his body, and she closed her eyes as he placed his lips on the spot, kissing it deep.

    She wrapped her arms around him, and the mouths of every watching students dropped open.

    Romeo’s messenger bag fell from him, and Warren switched from kissing the mark to sucking it wildly, in public.

    “To the Ice Hockey Meet tonight, no bra, no underwear. If you wear any, I’ll tear it off and shove it down your throat. Come naked underneath” he whispered, his breaths fanning her ear, and she opened her eyes, but the moment he began sucking the mark again, she closed them back.

    Rafael’s flowers fell from him, and Stonia staggered on her heels.

    Lydia dialled Elder Creed on video call, showing him everything.

    Nadine’s eyes are the widest.

    Konstantin drew out his handgun, aiming straight for Ixora.

    He pulled the trigger.

    —

    [Underground Clubhouse]

    Clover is present with some of the bouncers, and a large number of the black market members who’re females—the strippers.

    They’re waiting for the boss since the visit is surprisingly scheduled for this morning.

    “Why the hell is boss not here yet? I’m a student! I have classes!” Clover complained.

    “You’re the closest to her, just call her” one of the strippers replied with a scowl.

    “I’m closer to her doesn’t mean i get to call her anytime. She makes the calls timetable and I can’t till she tells me to ” Clover glared.

    “Is anyone not gonna talk about Anastasia who has been missing for a month?” Another stripper said.

    “Another one of our ladies was burnt with a cabin two months ago too, but boss actually doesn’t care about our lives, she only wants her works done, and that’s why I always say…take care of yourselves. If you die, you die for nothing” another lady said.

    “Is it true that boss is involved in Warren’s jail case?” Another lady asked, and Clover scoffed.

    “Involved? She’s more than involved”

    The sound of heels infiltrated the place, and they all went silent as Clover stood with all the bouncers.

    They faced the door, and the heels sounds kept coming, indicating the descension of stairs.

    The smell of tobacco penetrated as the boss stepped in, wearing a two-piece black suite and a black hat with a tobacco pipe on her lips.

    The ladies stood too, and she removed the tobacco pipe, blowing out smokes which clouded her face for a while before dissipating.

    She slightly shifted her hat,, revealing her face.

    It’s the one and only MATRON.

    “The kid?” She dryly said, and Clover opened a gate on the adjacent side of the wall, revealing a room containing several helpless, street kids.

    He picked out one of them—the one who tried to run away.

    He threw him down in front of Matron.

    She squatted in front of him, lifting his chin with a finger.

    The boy shivered in obvious fear, and she grinned.

    “I’ve been in this child tràfficking business for years, and no child has ever tried to run away from my cage. You broke that record, and you deserve a reward” she said.

    The boy trembled harder like a winter leaf, and she smiled wider, facing Clover.

    “Take him to the bathroom, bath him with diluted açîd and make him feel every second of the sequential pain till he melts completely like plastic” she ordered.

    “Yes boss” Clover replied, taking the crying boy away.

    Matron faced the rest of the members, her smile still fresh.

    “Shall we start the meeting?” 

    TBC 

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