(Stefano's POV)
I didn't hear the exact words. I didn't need to. I saw Sierra crumpling inside, even as she stood straight. I saw Marko stand protectively. I saw Stefano stepping close. I saw Angel gripping Sierra's arm like she wanted to rip Luciana's face off. It felt like my chest had cracked open. I didn't even remember walking down the stairs. I was just suddenly there, in front of Luciana, grabbing her wrist hard enough she squealed.
"S-Stefano—"
"Whatever you're doing," I growled, voice shaking, "stop."
Her eyes widened. "I was just— I'm trying to help—"
"Don't lie to me."
I leaned in, my voice low, deadly.
"If you ever touch her again—if you ever speak her name again—I won't be responsible for what I do."
She trembled.
"I thought you hated her," she whispered.
I released her wrist slowly. My voice was raw by then.
"what I feel is none of ur business." And that was the terrifying truth. But then I looked over to Sierra— how she clutched her notebook, how her eyes glistened, how she bit her lip like she was holding in all her pain—
—and whatever I felt…
…it was growing too fast to stop.
(Sierra's POV)
The house was quiet. Too quiet.
I tried slipping past Stefano's room without noticing, without remembering the look in his eyes earlier, without remembering how close his voice had come to breaking because of me— But the moment I walked by— His door opened.
"Sierra."
My breath caught. He stepped out slowly, shadows brushing over him. His hair was mussed, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"Why did you ignore me all day?"
"I didn't—"
"You did." His voice was low. Frustrated. Hurt.
I took a step back. "I just… had a lot on my mind."
"Look at me."
I didn't look. Then he again said
"Look at me kitten."
I frowned why he is calling me kitten?
"What did u just said?"
"Kitten. Ki-tt-en"
"Don't call me that." I said without looking at his eyes.
"Then look at me." He said.
I did. And regretted it instantly. There was something in his eyes tonight. Something dangerous. Something hungry. Something broken. He stepped closer. So close, I could feel his warmth on my skin. His hand rose-hesitant-and touched my chin with the utmost gentleness. Too gently.
"Don't let anyone make you small," he whispered. "Not even me." My heart quaked. Before I knew it, his thumb brushed the curve of my jaw… lower… grazing my chin…
And then- He leaned in. Slow. Quiet. Torturously close. His breath touched my cheek. His lips hovered near my skin. My heartbeat went wild.
"S-Stefano." I whispered. He stopped. Barely. His forehead pressed against mine, as if fighting himself with all his might.
But his lips moved— and
-and pressed softly to my chin. My breath hitched. But he didn't stopped. He leaned in and kissed the side of my lower lip. Kiss as light as a feather. My breath shattered. I feel wet inside my panty already. He pulled back instantly, eyes wide, shaken. Like he didn't believe he'd actually done it.
"I… didn't mean— I shouldn't have—" He stepped back.
"Stefano, what're u doing? I don't understand. I really don't. You're confusing me."
Then his voice cracked. "Good night."
"No, u can't just do what u wants to do and then go away like nothing happened. U are confusing me." I said cz I can't stand this acts anymore. Sometime he insults me, sometime he come closer. Sometime he kiss me on the jaw or my chin. And sometime he walks away. He never explain me anything.
He closed his door before I could say a word. And I stood there in the hallway… …touching the place he kissed…wondering how one forbidden touch could feel like drowning and breathing at the same time.
In the Shadows –
( Third person's POV)
A man watched the Blackwood mansion from across the street, hidden in the dark behind a cluster of trees. His breath fogged in the cold. His eyes did not blink. He watched the window
where Sierra's light turned on. He watched as she touched her chin, flustered and confused.
A slow smile curled on his lips. "So you are still as soft as before," he muttered.
"Still breakable. Still mine."
He leaned against the tree, his voice a whisper of possession. "No matter who you live with… no matter who touches you… no matter who you try to love… you'll always be mine."
"When I'll return no one can hurt u, touch u, break u. I've to go now...."
He turned away into the darkness.
"But I'll come for you soon… Bella. Cz"
"YOU…..... ARE... MINE"
(To be continued.....)