LORI

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LORIPOV
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The phone buzzed in my pocket just as I stepped out of the luxurious villa. The night air was cool against my skin, a sharp contrast to the heat that pulsed in the pit of my stomach. I had just spent the last few hours playing my part-the good little accomplice, smiling sweetly at Santorini’s orders, pretending to care for him, to be on his side. But deep down, I knew better. I knew exactly what this was. A game. A dangerous game.
I glanced around, making sure no one was watching before slipping the phone from my pocket. The familiar name flashed across the screen: Santorini.
A shiver ran down my spine, but I ignored it. This was what I had to do. I had to play my part. I had to act the part. For Knight.
I answered the phone, pressing it to my ear, my voice soft but laced with feigned warmth. “Santorini…” I greeted, letting his name slip off my tongue like honey laced with poison.
“Lori,” came his deep, familiar voice. It always had the ability to make me feel as though I was the centre of his universe, just for a moment. “How are you, my darling? I trust you’ve been keeping yourself well?”
I clenched my jaw, swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth. The things he said were sweet, but they felt so false now. I wasn’t his fool anymore. Not really. I had a plan. I always had a plan.
“I’ve been well,” I said, the words slipping out as easily as any lie. “Just waiting to hear from you.”
“I’ve missed you,” he purred, his voice dropping to that dark, possessive tone that once made me feel wanted. “I’ve missed hearing your voice. You’ve been on my mind, Lori. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, fighting the urge to scoff. The act was convincing, though. He didn’t know any better. If only he knew the truth. If only he knew the emptiness in my heart.
“I’ve missed you too,” I murmured, the lie rolling off my tongue effortlessly. It wasn’t the first time I’d pretended, and it wouldn’t be the last. Perhaps that’s why I did it-because it was easier. Because it was safer. I wasn’t sure what had me playing along. Maybe it was the power. Maybe it was just to keep things under control.
“But things have been… complicated,” I added, my voice trailing off just enough to keep him hooked.
“Complicated?” His voice lowered, his concern fake but still convincing. “Tell me, love. What’s troubling you?”
I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. There was a sharp sting behind my words, but I couldn’t let it show. Not yet.
“I’ve been thinking a lot,” I said, my voice softer now. “About Knight.”
His tone shifted instantly, the sound of his name making something tighten in his chest. “Knight… what about him?”
I paused just a beat too long, my thoughts briefly spinning in circles. “I don’t know, Santorini. Ever since I left Italy, things haven’t been the same. He’s been different. Distant. Cold, even.” I forced the words out, my voice a little shaky, making it sound like I was struggling with my feelings. “I feel like he’s been pulling away from me.”
Santorini’s reaction was predictable. His voice dropped, filled with that faux comfort he had mastered so well. “Ah, Knight. Always so proud, isn’t he? So stubborn. He doesn’t see what he has until it’s slipping through his fingers. But don’t worry, Lori. You’re mine now. You don’t need to worry about Knight. I’ll make sure he knows exactly where he stands.”
I could almost hear the self-satisfied smirk on his face, and it made my stomach churn. But I held my composure, letting him think he had control.
“I don’t know, Santorini…” I let my words trail off again as if I was unsure. “He’s been so distant. I’m just not sure where I stand with him anymore.”
Santorini chuckled darkly, and I couldn’t help but feel the cold shiver that ran down my spine. “Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll make him see. I’ll make him regret everything.”
I forced myself to sound uncertain, playing the part of the vulnerable woman in need of saving. “I just… I don’t know what to do. I’m so tired of trying to figure him out. He makes everything so complicated, and I don’t know if I can keep doing this.”
Santorini’s voice was thick with sweetness. “I’ll take care of it, Lori. I’ll make sure he understands what he’s about to lose. You don’t have to worry about him anymore. He won’t stand a chance when he sees how much you belong with me.”
I struggled not to let my disgust show. It was a game to him, this constant dance of manipulation. He had no idea how much I hated the way he spoke of things-of people-as if we were all just objects to be played with. But I couldn’t let him see that yet.
“You’ll help me?” I asked, letting a hint of desperation creep into my voice. “How exactly?”
His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “You’ll have nothing to worry about. You’re mine now, Lori. All you have to do is say the word, and Knight will be out of the picture. He’ll understand exactly where you belong.”
I swallowed the knot that had formed in my throat. It was tempting. It was so tempting to believe him, to let him do the dirty work. But that wasn’t the plan. He thought he was the answer to my problems. He wasn’t.
“I don’t know…” I trailed off again, allowing the silence to stretch between us just enough to keep him hooked. “Can I really trust you? After everything that’s happened?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Santorini responded, “Of course, you can trust me, Lori. I’ve always had your back. You’ve always known that. I’ve waited for you, and I’ll continue waiting. Just say the word, and Knight will never be a problem again.”
The hook was set. I could feel it, the weight of his words, his false promises. He thought he had me. But he didn’t. Not really.
I exhaled slowly, playing the part of the confused woman. “I just… I don’t know. I’m so lost, Santorini. I don’t know where to turn. But Knight…” I paused, drawing it out. “He’s so different now. I’m not sure I even recognize him anymore. Maybe… maybe I just need to let go.”
“Exactly,” he said, his voice smooth. “That’s exactly what I’ve been telling you. Let go of Knight. He’s not worth your time. I’m here, Lori. You don’t need him. You never did.”
His words were like poison dripping into my ear. I could feel his belief in his own control, in his own power. He thought I was bending to his will. But I wasn’t. I wasn’t his. Not at all.
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” I whispered, allowing a hint of vulnerability to seep into my voice. “I just… I just need your help.”
“You’ve always had my help, Lori,” Santorini purred. “I’ll take care of everything. You won’t have to worry about Knight. You’re mine now.”
I could hear the satisfaction in his voice, the triumph. But it only made my blood run cold. He didn’t know how wrong he was.
I ended the call quickly, slipping the phone back into my pocket. My fingers trembled slightly, but I kept my composure. The conflicting emotions were like a whirlwind inside me-anger, frustration, and something else. Something darker. Something that pushed me to keep playing the game.
Santorini thought he had won. He thought he had me wrapped around his finger. But he couldn’t be further from the truth.
I didn’t care about him. Not really. I didn’t care about anything he offered. I didn’t even care about his promises. I knew exactly what this was. A game. A dangerous one, but a game all the same.
I wasn’t his. Not now, not ever. He would never have me.
And Knight?
The thought of him stirred something deep within me. Something I couldn’t quite name. But deep down, I knew one thing for sure: I wasn’t giving up on him. Not now. Not when things were just beginning.
I walked toward the balcony, letting the cool night air wash over me. The game had only just begun. And Santorini would never know who was really in control.
I would make sure of it.
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THE NEXT CHAPTER MAY CONTAIN SOME HARMFUL WORDS OR EROTIC CONTENT AND IT MUST BE STRICTLY 18+.