xxi

"That definitely wasn't your first blowjob, was it?" Malio growled as he pulled me back to my feet and pushed me against the mirror.

I grinned and wiped my mouth. "Maybe," I snapped back, causing him to buck in front of me.

With eyes narrowed to slits, he studied my face. His palms were pressed to the left and right of my head on the mirror surface of the wardrobe. "Say that again!" he demanded calmly. His jealousy and the menacing tone in his voice immediately aroused me again.

I knew there was a dangerous attraction between us. It turned us on when we provoked each other.

"You weren't my first blowjob. Not my second one either.." "JOLIEN!" he warned me in a deep voice. "..and not my third one either..", I continued counting my experiences mercilessly. I saw more and more the menacing twinkle in Malio's eyes.

His hand quickly wrapped around my neck - again without exerting any pressure, but with a silent warning that he could change it at any moment.

"You'd better shut up now," he said calmly, his eyes resting on my lips, which now curled into a seductive smile.

"But you're the only one that really turned me on. The only one I feel like wanting to be the first and last I do it to." I just gushed out. I revealed my insides to him here. I served him my wishes and hopes on a silver platter.

"Damn girl" he cursed before placing his lips on mine and sealing my statement with a passionate kiss.

His hand slipped from my neck and he cupped my face in both, pulling me closer, deeper into the kiss.

I was lost he was everything I wanted.

"What are you doing to me?" he whispered against my lips. "The same thing you're doing to me," I replied, no less breathless, overwhelmed by feelings I didn't even know existed.

He pulled me into his arms, just holding me for a few seconds. I inhaled its intoxicating scent. The mixture of shower gel and his own masculine scent was even more beguiling than the perfumed smell that always surrounded him.

It suddenly occurred to me that, unlike him, I hadn't freshly showered and probably smelled anything but pleasant. "Malio!" I had no chance to free myself from his embrace, he made no move to let me go. "We should shower together, I agree with you." I heard him mumble against my hair.

He was simply incorrigible - but of course the thought of standing in a hot shower with him also drove my excitement immeasurably. The lure was so great - I almost gave in - but something stopped me.

Malio had not yet seen the extent of the injuries.

I knew it would be tactically smarter to take a look alone first, so that I could reassure him later and not be surprised by the injuries myself.

So, being careful not to make it sound like an excuse, I said, "That's very tempting and I'm sure I'll take it - just not today. I just hop in the shower and then I have to get some fresh clothes from home. I don't want to meet Silia or my father later!"

Direct hit. His initial skepticism faded and he finally nodded in understanding.

"Are you actually hungry?" he asked. I nodded because a slight wave of pain ran through my body.

The painkiller lost its effect more and more from second to second. Maybe I only had a little over an hour before I probably couldn't play the carefree sane anymore.

"But please let's pick up the things first. And I have to ask Elena if I can sleep with her." "But only from tomorrow - my father won't be back until tomorrow. That's how long I want to have you with me. Sorry that I provoked you with her.", added he added apologies. "It's okay!" I waved him off before finally disappearing into the bathroom.

Judging by the onset of pain, the injury was extensive. I shrugged off the lace bodysuit in a matter of seconds and scrutinized the large mirror that ran along the entire wall of the medium-sized white bathroom.

A dark blue discoloration clearly stood out, beginning under the breast and ending under the last rib. It would be better if I did the X-ray without Malio. He would probably freak out when he saw it.

My face, to my own amazement, looked less bad. The cut on my cheek was very fine - like a cut made with paper. It probably wouldn't even leave a scar - thank God.

My lip looked a little worse then. It was swollen and had split open on one side. The spot was now covered with scabs, but it wasn't particularly painful.

I actually managed to shower and get dressed in less than twenty minutes. Malio was now fully dressed and playing with Blue on the made bed.

"Here, put that on." Malio said and handed me a wide, black hoodie. I pulled it over my body and was glad to be able to exchange it for real underwear soon.

I watched Malio in silence as he played with Blue for a while, finally, as the throbbing in my injured side increased, I asked cautiously, 'Are you ready? You're coming with me, aren't you?" Suddenly I wasn't so sure anymore, maybe he expected me to go alone.

He put the cat rod with the giant blue owl on the bed, got up and said, "Of course - are you okay? Are you in pain or something?" I shook my head and took the hand he was holding out to me.

"What is it?" I asked him as we walked down the marble stairs and I noticed that he kept glancing at me.

"Is it just me having such a hard time fighting the urge to kiss you all the time?" he asked with a grin and before we even reached the last step, I turned to him and also gave in to the impulse to put my lips on his to lay.

I knew exactly what he meant. Because I was constantly fighting the urge to kiss him. Let alone all the other things I wanted to do to him - and the things he could do to me drove me even crazier.

We stumbled down the last flight of stairs tightly entwined and he grinned into the kiss as we nearly stumbled and fell to the ground. Which probably wouldn't have been the best for my ribs.

But we made it to the opposite wall, kissing and laughing, where he pressed himself against my body.

Immediately the fire between us was rekindled, which never really seemed to go out.

"Damn, I want you again." I said, grinning. "Jolien!" I loved it when he said my name so admonishingly - always just before he lost control of himself. It was so exciting to trigger these feelings in him.

His hands wandered under the sweater, just laying on my breasts when a throat cleared behind us. "Harry, let's. Just keep walking," I heard Malio murmur, reluctantly pulling away from my lips. He licked them, then explored my glowing skin.

I groaned, laid my head against the wall and unabashedly let Malio kiss my neck.

Another clearing of my throat.

I peered through the half-open eyes and almost sank into the ground when I wasn't met by lovely dark eyes, but by cold, blue ones, like Malio's.

"Malio, Malio!" I tapped his shoulder, unable to think straight. "Malio, your father!" He immediately stopped kissing my neck and slowly turned around.

I didn't fail to notice that he stood protectively in front of me, almost as if he wanted to block my view of this frightening man.

"Can you explain that to me?" His father's cold voice echoed through the empty foyer. "What are you doing here?" Malio asked in surprise.

For a while there was an oppressive silence in the room and I was sure that the two were just having a gaze duel when Malio finally lowered his gaze, a triumphant cold laughter flitted across his father's face.

,, What is this? Didn't I tell you I don't want your bitches..." "She's not a bitch." Malio interrupted his father, his shoulders tensing menacingly.

Malio lifted his chin and suddenly I remembered his promise - he wouldn't turn against his father because of me, would he?

I grabbed his hand, which made him relax a bit.

"So she's the reason for this unacceptable behavior." I cautiously looked past Malio.

"What do you mean?" he asked, clearly confused. "I taught you a damn thing." Malio's father, Mr. Dakarias, said calmly.

,, A damn thing. Leave no witnesses! And what are you doing? You're about to leave three!" A loud bang lit up the foyer as Dakarias-san threw the briefcase he was holding across the room.

"I had to cut short my business trip to fix your mistake and then I come home and see you making out with some random nondescript bitch right before my eyes?"

It took me more than half a minute to understand what he was saying.

Witnesses eliminated? Did he have the men... No, I tried to calm myself, although I already knew that I wasn't wrong. Malio's father had killed the men. all three of you.

"Jolien, her name is Jolien!" Malio replied angrily. "I don't care what your temporary slut's name is. You're only going to fuck her in every possible position for a week anyway and then if she gets too boring for you, you shoot her mind my words. Don't bother learning your bitches' names. It'll save you time, Malio. You're like me. Fundamentally evil - we have no feelings. We don't love. Never."

With these words, he walked past us, straight towards the elevator.

I felt Malio's body tremble and he was breathing heavily, as if his father had hit him with every word.

"Malio, it's okay," I said quietly and in a surprisingly firm voice. My hands were shaking no less than his body was. "It's not. How dare he talk to you like that?" I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind and laid my head against his back. "It's okay," I whispered, over and over against the fabric of his sweater.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, his breathing slowed and he placed his trembling hands on mine.

"I'm serious, I have feelings for you," Malio said softly, almost as if he was trying to dispel his own doubts about his father's statement with this statement. "I know," I answered while I gently kissed his neck.

There was hope in my words, to give him the necessary faith in himself and that his father's bitter prophecy would not change anything.

I knew I shouldn't be urging Malio, but my pain was growing, and even the thought of being in a house where the master of the house had such an obvious dislike for you didn't make the prospect any more pleasant, even for another second to spend here.

"Malio, we really should start slowly. I can go alone if you're more comfortable?" I tried to sound sympathetic. "No. It's okay. I'll drive you!" . I had never seen Malio like this before. Sure, he had become emotional with me once or twice, but this time it was different.

He seemed totally upset and unsettled by his father's words.

Finally he turned around and I tried to read a reaction on his face. But nothing. It was expressionless - as so often, he allowed no interpretation.

I grabbed his hand, not knowing what I really wanted to say. "Don't!" he said before my hand reached his. "Come on, I'll drive you home," Malio finally replied, making sure that there was always enough distance between us when we were in the Unlike his father who took the stairs to the garage.

I felt that the argument with his father had changed something. He seemed distant.

Although I noticed it and felt it clearly, I didn't dare say a single word about it.

We sat in silence in his Lamborghini, another image that seemed all too familiar to me. We've sat here too many times and not spoken a word to each other. And I hated it. Every time again.

"Malio, everything okay?" I asked after a while when I couldn't listen to the complaints from the radio any longer.

The song that came out of the little device made my heart race because it fit the current situation so well.

Acting like Im heartless, I do it all the time.

He nodded silently.

That don't mean I'm scarless, that don't mean I'm fine.

"Malio, talk to me, please!"

But youll see, when someone else makes you this way.

Nothing.

Oh, I drain your life til theres nothing left but your blood shot eyes

Oh, I take my time til I show you how I feel inside.

Was there any point in trying at all? Trying to get through to him somehow.

Sighing, he turned off the radio, silencing Bishop Briggs.

"I'm scared of hurting you," he finally said as he pulled the car onto our street, which as expected was quiet ahead of us.

It was 11:23 a.m. Most of the people on this street went about their regular lives. worked. Or attended the schools or universities in an exemplary manner - everyone on this street was just bursting with ambition - everyone except me maybe.

"You would never hurt me!" I said confidently. And to my own amazement, I believed those words myself. I was even sure that he would never intentionally hurt me.

I patiently waited for him to park the car right in our driveway before pulling his face towards me.

"Stop thinking about your father's words. You are not like him. Malio, you are much more. You're the man." I bit my tongue just in time.

I almost uttered the fact that he was the man I fell in love with.

His hands gently cupped my face. "You are the light in my darkness, Jolien. The spark that won't let me give up," he said softly.

At that moment it was just him and me. The car, the street and the houses seemed to have vanished into thin air and all that was left was the two of us. malio and me

I returned his kiss, parting my lips willingly to allow his tongue entry. Enjoyed every second we indulged in each other.

"We should go in," I said out of breath as his lips parted from mine and I had to swallow the protest to remind myself why we were actually here.

He nodded. "Although I wouldn't mind a number in the backseat." His eyes twinkled treacherously and I chuckled, sending an ache through my side.

The effect of the painkiller had left me completely. The light pangs that I could ignore minutes ago swelled into an unbearable lashing and I gasped loudly.

Malio's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at my pained face. "Since when do you have pain?" I heard him ask worriedly, but I dismissed it with a wave of my hand. "It's okay." A lie I didn't even buy myself.

The pain hit me so unexpectedly that I immediately started panting in and out. Like a pregnant woman about to give birth.

"Are you sure it works?" Malio asked while holding out a plastic tube. "What's that?" "Painkillers - you can take them normally this time." When I started to take the plastic container from his hand, he added impatiently: "I can see that you are in pain."

"Mh", I looked undecidedly at his hand, which was still holding out the plastic tube with the painkillers.

I hated painkillers - only took them when I really had to. "I have to write to Elena first. That's more important than some pain!"

I pulled my cell phone from the tray between the seats and that simple, barely twisting motion hurt so much that I groaned loudly. Tears welled up in my eyes and the phone slipped from my hand.

I sighed and took the pills from Malio's hand, which he was still impatiently holding in front of my nose. "It's okay!" He said happily and also handed me a small plastic bottle of water before opening the driver's door.

I carelessly picked up a few things. Sweaters, jeans, socks and underwear found their way into my small travel bag, which Malio held up without a word. "Don't forget the uniform," he said as I was about to zip up. "Oh right. Thanks!"

A pair of white blouses, two skirts and two blazers from the closet also ended up in the bag - as did a pair of boots.

"How long do you want to stay away?" Malio asked after I hurried out of the bathroom and shampoo, shower gel and a hairbrush also disappeared into the depths of the bag. "As long as necessary." ,, Understand!"

Elena had answered me at exactly that moment by Malio putting the travel bag in the trunk.

"And what does she say?" he asked curiously. "She says it's okay," I replied. "Well, I'll drive you to our doctor now."

When he saw my look, he grinned: "We don't have to go into the house for that - don't worry. Besides, we still have time until the academy is over and I'll drop you off at Elena's." "I can do it myself. I can just see a normal doctor." "And what do you want to tell him? How did this happen?"

I shrugged my shoulders. ,, Accident. I fell down the stairs." Malio burst out laughing.

"Get in the car, Jolien. Any good doctor would immediately see that these injuries are not from a fall." I refrained from further arguments and sat grumpily in the passenger seat.

There was still one question that I was dying to ask, but somehow I didn't dare to ask him. "Just ask!" "What?" I snapped, startled. And again I had the feeling Malio would be able to read my mind.

"The question that's been buzzing around in your head the whole time. Just ask me." "Mh - I don't want to offend you or your family, but why does your father say he can't love when he has a wife?" Malio nodded and turned into a small winding alley.

"I can tell you that, Jolien. Marriage was not made for love. It's an alliance. The descendants of the West Country's two largest clans." "Oh.. That's kind of sad." "Sometimes power is more important than love. My mother knew that when she got involved with my father. She's not leading a bad life if she does what he wants!"

"It's like imprisonment," I said sadly. "That may be so. But imprisonment is better than death - because that's what would happen if she left him." I looked at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?" He nodded first and then studied a large street sign.

"What is it?" I asked confused as a worried frown crossed his forehead.

"We're here - no, stay in the car, Jolien!" he added when I was already putting my hand on the handle.

Malio opened the glove compartment and pulled out a silver pistol. I stared at the gun in surprise.

In fact, I was so naïve that I thought he only owned one. The black one he had thrown into the raging sea.

In hindsight, and considering his family history, the thought struck me as pretty stupid.

"What is it?" I asked again and he pointed to a black car that was parked at the other end of the seedy alley. "These are La Cruels," he said promisingly. "And?" I asked, not knowing the name.

"Let's put it this way, we've got some little troubles with you." The tone of his voice suggested that some little troubles were clearly synonymous with big troubles.

"That meant what?" I asked cautiously. "Either I blow their heads off." "Or?" I hoped the alternative was better. "We'll wait until they're gone. I guess they're collecting the money from the surrounding shopkeepers. It shouldn't take long."

He hesitated. "Malio?" He let the engine rev up again. "We're not waiting here, it's too dangerous for them to discover us." I nodded and leaned my head back.

"Are the pills working?" he asked worriedly while backing the car. "Yes."

And it was true, the stabbing pain that had plagued me a moment ago was almost completely gone - whatever the pills were, I should always get them from Malio when I was in pain.

"Fuck." I heard him curse softly. I looked at him questioningly and then followed his gaze.

Behind the car was a group of four young, tall men in black suits.

Two of them carried baseball bats - while the man in the middle, hiding his eyes behind sunglasses, drew a gun.

"Malio, are those?" "La Cruels. Right." He sighed and turned to me again: "No matter what happens, don't get out of the car under any circumstances, do you understand?"

My throat tightened with fear from his serious expression.

"Did you understand me?" He asked again, but a lot sharper. "Malio .." "Damn, Jolien - did you understand me? Say it finally!", he hissed angrily and pulled me by my hand a bit over the seat, bringing not only our bodies but also our faces closer together. ,, Do you understand me?", the coldness in his voice made me shudder. "Yes, I understood you."

He kissed my forehead gently and opened the door. Realizing what he was about to do, I grabbed his arm. "No, you can't go out there" "Don't turn around no matter what you hear."

I nodded and tears welled up in my eyes as he closed the door behind him.