Onyx is a city ruled by the Ophidian Cartel . But to 19 year old Adalie Riva , Onyx is the land of opportunity as she leaves home to become a sultry jazz performer . Adalie is quickly enraptured with the vibrant city from its music , it's food and...
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Luca
As I watch Michael walking Adalie down the stairs , I say nothing, the words knotting in my throat. Still the air in front of me is filled with Adalie's scent. Still I cannot shake the irrepressible desire to race after her. To hold her, if just for an instant. To send her away. Compel her never to return. Revulsion courses through my chest, tasting bitter on my tongue. I am the selfish monster my brother hoped I would become.
Madeleine steps between her friends just as I reach the room , her expression subdued. Unapologetic. "Shall we continue?" Madeleine demands. "Because I wish to take to your mind of problem ," she retorts, her Créole accent flirtatious
She pouts when she notices Lines of irritation gather across my brow .
" Maybe you need new security Luca," a woman's voice chimes in from the back of the chamber.
The words remain lodged in my throat, though I know I should answer But I cannot. I cannot think beyond the echo of Adalie's question.
Why does this hurt me so much ?
The revulsion in me dissolves into grief. It was that same courage of conviction that gave Adalie the strength to walk away. To choose a life apart from this world of this dark city
Kassamir like the silent vipor he is appears behind me and hands me the telephone
Something was horribly wrong. Luca had known it the instant kassamir had come to him and handed him the phone
"Luca " i say
" I Have your Bodyguard and the Girl " Niko says and the line goes dead
All Luca could think was reaching Adalie . .
Luca walked to the solid oak double doors leading onto the terrace, puzzled to find them locked from the inside. Tension banding in his arms, he unlatched the doors to step onto the balcony . . . and was met with air that iced the marrow in his bones. No one was there. Not a single soul lingered beneath the violet sky, taking in the night air.
He knew where they were , he knew what Niko was gonna do
His teeth clenched and his jaw rippling, Luca glided toward the empty railing
" Everyone Out ! " Kassamir shouted
Without a glance back, he returned to the double doors, stopping at the threshold, his mind in a calculated turmoil.
. "We have a mole ," I said quietly, aware that anyone-or anything-could be listening. Kassamir sable eyes flashed black, his features sharpening,
"How can you be certain ?"
"I know who she is but no time . " Luca gripped him by the shoulders, willing his expression calm. "You're the only one I can trust. He has Michael too . If we don't help them , they're gonna die." His insides twisted at the thought, the words burning in his throat. "I cannot allow that to happen. You've spent years in the shadows fighting for me vanisher. Tonight, it's your time to come out of it "
