Page 20 of Consumed by Darkness

For a moment, I read in his eyes more than just sympathy for me. There was so much hurt in there, and I couldn’t figure out why. Was it for my state?

"Milaya, your parents were pawns in the mafia, relegated to the lower rungs. That's why they suffered so much," he explained, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his words sending shivers down my spine.

"But I'm not a pawn in this game. I control it." My hands trembled as I withdrew them from his shoulders, and he clasped them in his own. "Nothing will happen to me if I distance myself. I might lose some money, but I'm not dependent on the mafia."

"What if you end up resenting me?" I voiced my paranoia, my eyes reflecting the vulnerability I felt. Gently, he planted a kiss on my forehead, a gesture both reassuring and tender.

"I could never resent you. How can someone resent their life force?" His words, accompanied by the warmth of the kiss made the grip on my heart ease.

Reservation still lingered as I sought confirmation, "Are you absolutely sure?"

With a conviction that resonated in his gaze, he asserted, "More certain than I've ever been in my life."

Money had never been my priority, and I wanted him to understand. "Money means nothing to me, Adrik. I don't care if we can't indulge in extravagant vacations or getting expensive gifts." His chuckled, a blend of amusement and affection, it weirdly added a lightness to the conversation. I tilted my head, curious about his reaction.

"My love, you don't have to worry about that. I run multiple businesses; my wealth isn't solely tied to the mafia." He said, planting the seeds of hope in my chest.

He leaned in, his face close to mine, inviting an unspoken agreement. "Do we have a deal?" he asked, the intensity in his eyes was intoxicating. Before I could give my promise, another concern surfaced.

"No more secrets?" I needed assurance, searching his eyes for sincerity. He nodded against my face, the tendrils of his hair lightly tickling my skin. "No more secrets." A sense of relief washed over me as I agreed, "Then you've got yourself a deal.”

He hoisted me up, spinning me around until laughter bubbled out uncontrollably. "Stop, you're making me dizzy," I managed to say amid snorts, prompting him to set me down gently.

He guided me to sit, letting me collect myself after the whirlwind motion. A memory from the previous night sparked a fit of laughter in me.

"Adrik, I've got another question," I said through giggles.

"Shoot," he responded, ready for whatever I had in mind. "How about we ditch that word forever?" I suggested. His lips curled up in a half-smile, and he nodded in agreement.

I broached the subject of the tattoo from the night before. "Last night," I began, stumbling a bit as I tried to find the right words. Fighting a blush, I continued, "The tattoo..." His face lit up with a beaming smile, as if it were a run-of-the-mill piece of art. "You like it?" he asked.

I nodded, deciding to keep any reservations to myself. It was endearing that he found such joy in the tattoo. "Who tattooed it?" I questioned, injecting a casual tone to mask any hint of jealousy.

"Don't worry, Luna, I did it. No one gets to look or touch me there but you," he stated, his words carrying warmth. He seemed to enjoy my jealousy over him, it was adorable.

The fact that he tattooed himself explained the slight messiness to it. Don’t get me wrong, it was very nice, just not the neatest. I personally thought that it added to its charm. In that moment, I melted, loving the tangible claim I had over his skin. He truly belonged to me, and the rawness of the fact excited me beyond words.

Chapter 13

LUNA

?On a stormy day, the wind's force matched the early snowfall. This is my kind of weather. Adrik, against my desire for a simple walk, insisted on driving me to the bakery. I craved the snowy stroll, feeling the chill on my skin, embracing the winter vibes. But he worried, fearing I'd catch a cold.

It had been a week since we committed to mending our relationship. It was surprisingly good. He imposed no pressure on me to ditch the town I've grown fond of. We were just living day by day, not burdened by thoughts of what comes next. A welcomed break from the stress of the past months.

I had been staying in his cabin for the past week, and I loved it. I was much fonder of it than our city apartment, it felt like a home. Peanut was obsessed with it as well, he would round the place, tail held high, purring twenty four seven. Maybe it was the cozy warmth of the fireplace or the sun streaming through the windows. Whatever it was, peanut was enamored with it.

I couldn’t wait to head back, and luckily the bakery wasn't crowded today; the harsh weather kept people away. I had expected it and told Christy to take the day off. As I sat by the window, topping my hot chocolate with marshmallows, the view was serene, the mountains quietly accumulating snow.

Despite the apparent calm that's settled into my life, there was a dark tug at my heart – Simon. There was no word from him since the incident. I've tried calling, texting, even approaching him in person, but he evaded me. He hadn’t returned to the bakerysince that cursed date. Guilt weighed on me; if I hadn't strung him along, this mess wouldn't be haunting me.

He was someone I genuinely cared about, a damn good friend. And he's kept his silence about what unfolded. I appreciated that more than words can express. Christy's sensed the unease, and when she asked, I simply told her the date went south.

The door's bells jingled, announcing an entrance. Glancing over, I spotted a woman sauntering into the bakery. I approached the counter, clutching my mug. She sported ski gear, wrapped up in a massive scarf that concealed a huge portion of her face and a pair of sunglasses. Odd – the snow outside wasn't enough for any skiing. Maybe she came from a town where winter hit harder.

"What can I get you?" I asked, warm smile in place.

"Listen up," she mumbled, her voice swallowed by the scarf covering her mouth. She advanced until her gut met the cold granite of the counter. With a swift move, she pulled a gun from her bag, laying it on the counter.

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