Dear All,

as I anticipated in my earlier message, today I am posting a new chapter of "Fallen for an Angel" and we will have a very few chapters left before the end. This one, as you will see, wraps things up a lot and it will lead us toward the end of this story.

It is a rather hard and emotional chapter and I really hope you will enjoy it, so please let me know with your comments (that I always love to read!) and your votes. Your support is very precious for me and I am grateful very much for it and for the amazing energy and kindness you always give me: THANK YOU to ALL OF YOU!

Sorry for the delay in posting, but I had been very busy with travelling back home for a few days visiting my family and then with changing job. But please don't worry if I am not active for a few days: in case of taking a long break, I would surely inform you :-)

I have posted a picture of Cillian (--> handsome and very good actor Kit Harington) because he's a key character of the chapter and then a song that I think perfectly fits CH.26.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to all of you and in particular to AnuKalita as a big thank you for your amazing and sweet support and for your lovely comments: thanks my dear!

Ps. I took part to that Open Novella Contest with a Fantasy story that I will update soon, "Darkness Becomes You", so feel free to check it if you are curious about it!

And now, enjoy it!

ENNA POV – IRELAND

More days passed since Roman left and I felt growing restless more and more; my father also looked worried but of course he tried to mask it in front of me and he often tried to keep my mind away from my fears by involving me in his gardening and green-house activity. I really wasn't much of a help in that unfortunately, but I was grateful for the break it offered, not to mention when Ciara visited. I loved my sister and she had a way to restore the necessary calm and confidence I had before in me.

It wasn't that I doubted Roman, but I knew he was made of flesh and blood and I had seen him shot once already. I shivered and my eyes closed, once more experiencing that panicked state and sense of fragility, but the ringing of my phone almost startled me and in a hasty move I grabbed it, hoping to see an unknown, foreign number on it.

But it was not. Roman was not calling me as I hoped for a brief and rather naive moment.

I sighed when the number of my friend showed on the display and before answering his call, I commanded a normal and cheerful note in my voice. Worrying my friends was unnecessary and also potentially risky, for it could expose deeper issues that had better stay buried in my heart only. I was happy to hear from him, as I had missed him dearly in these days. Cillian had come back from his trip to London but said that he had to go back in a few days, as an important matter hadn't been settled as he wished to; he had promised to visit dad and at first I was afraid he would say something about my bruises, but they had almost all faded away and a bit of make-up and an excuse could explain the most evident one.

"Cillian!" I immediately greeted him, hearing my voice not sounding as joyful as I wished, but given his reply it was obvious he didn't notice it and I mentally exhaled in relief.

"Hey babe, how are you? And more importantly, how's your dad? Can I come visit you today? I want to see how the old man is doing and I miss you, Enna," he said with sincere voice and I smiled through the phone, as he was finally going back to my real Cillian. "I bet Ciara was there trying to help but probably doing more damage, right?"

"I'll tell her you said that and I shall tell dad you called him old: he won't be happy about that," I jokes and he laughed, knowing my father all too well. "I also missed you and I haven't seen you in long time. What have you being doing in these days? More research and academic articles?"

"I..." he seemed to hesitate a moment and he sighed on the other side of the phone. Once more he sounded troubled and I wondered why he didn't want to confide in me, his best and dearest friend. But I shook my head: I had my own secrets and perhaps for now he simply didn't feel like opening up. "Yeah, sorry baby, I have been busy with many things, but I'll soon be freer and you know how it's now in university: many papers, about to closing the semester and bollocks like that. Students can be a bloody pain in the ass."

Yes of course he was busy with teaching and I knew that students liked him, especially girls. I mentally giggled as I remembered when I visited him there in his office and the girls threw terrible looks at me, at first thinking I was his girlfriend. The relief on their faces when it was revealed I am man, and thus obviously not his partner, had been priceless and almost ludicrous. But Cillian was very handsome and he had that charming way of speaking that I could really imagine girls falling for him easily.

"You're busy trying to ignore the students flirting with you?"

"C'mon, I'm a professor so I'm not that bad." I couldn't help softly laughing at that.

"I have seen you, Cillian, and you are absolutely terrible with them."

"What can I do? It seems that only you and Priya resist my bloody charm. Your sister doesn't count because she's into girls," he replied with amused voice and there was truth in his words.

"Because we are very wise and because we know you very well," I joked back and he laughed. He seemed less tensed than before, but don't know, something still felt out of place. "Cillian, are you really OK? You know you can talk to me and that you can trust me: I am your best friend and I love you."

He stayed silent for a few seconds and then his voice finally came back to its usual self.

"I also love you, Enna. I know I can count on my best friend, but I'm grand, really. So, can I get my ass there soon? Will you cook something for me if I bring a good bottle of wine?"

"No need for the wine, Cil," I said and with that we both chuckled and we ended the conversation as he promised to get here in two hours.

I informed dad about the imminent visit and I thought he would be happy about it, but he actually appeared troubled by the idea. When I asked him the reason behind his gloominess, he said there was nothing in particular and questioned me whether it was wise to see a friend already. Given my face looked almost completely normal, I saw no issues in there and I had an excuse ready; he pondered my reply and then simply shook his head and muttered he sure was happy to see him. Dad was probably still troubled for what happened with Michael and I guess that seeing me moving around the house in a constant worried state, thinking about Roman every single day, every single hour, probably did not help in the matter. A bit of cheeky and good company was surely what we needed.

*****

We had supper together and I prepared my famous smoked salmon with Boxty pancakes, something that both my father and friend absolutely loved. As we sat at the table, I strongly wished Roman were there with us, enjoying an intimate and nice dinner with a good glass of wine. My dad must have caught my thoughts, because he squeezed my hand quickly as Cillian was occupied in taking a second serving; I smiled and shook my head. Once my Roman was back and everything was settled, I was going to spoil him in every possible way, every day cooking something different for him, making sure he had every possible comfort and that he was happy and feeling loved, and we would also make love every single day. In the evening, at night in our bed, because I knew we would want to get our own place together...and then at morning...whenever we felt like being in each other's arms.

Life with my Roman was surely going to be wonderful and we would never part from each other, not even a single day.

I sent a silent prayer to my love and wished with all my heart and soul for his safety, telling him in my mind how much I missed him and how much I looked forward to the day when we would be finally together, starting our life together.

When dinner was over, dad excused himself a moment as we had planned before, because he could not appear too healthy and eager to spend an evening in company; however, he seemed reluctant to leave us and Cillian assured him that he would leave soon anyway, given he had lectures in the morning. My father's behaviour was rather odd and the only explanation for it I could come up with was that he was still not comfortable in leaving me alone in the company of another man that wasn't Roman. But we were talking about Cillian...I let the thought go and I sat in the living room with my friend, as I had really missed him.

"Your dad seems well now and I was surprised to hear about his sickness, considering I can't remember seeing him sick even a single day in the past. He's a tough lad."

"He exerted himself, you know how stubborn he can be," I lied keeping my voice normal and inconspicuous. He smiled and nodded.

"Bloody hell yes, he can be as stubborn as you, Enna."

"Oh shut up!" I said playfully slapping his arm and his eyes stared at me in a way that I had never seen before; I averted my look away as an unusual feeling seemed to stir in me. He moved closer and I let him, for we were very close with each other and we were used to hug one another. He smiled in his typical way and I told myself that I was being silly for reading into things in the wrong way. "Are you really OK, Cillian?" I asked once more and he nodded, resting his hand on my head and slowly caressing my hair. The touch felt different somehow, more intimate than usual, but I didn't pull away immediately.

"Yes, Enna. Stop nagging about, you are worse than Priya sometimes and that's not a compliment," he joked winking at me and I shook my head.

"We are your friends and it's normal to worry about each other." I went to talk more, but he interrupted me.

"Are you OK, Enna? You looked tired before and you looked worried about something. Is it because of your dad?" I quickly searched in his eyes and realised he must have really seen something before. I had to be more careful when around people, especially around my dear friends.

"I am just a bit tired because there has been a lot to do and next week I will have to go back to that mad house where I work," I said with artificial light tone and he nodded, understanding what I meant. I spoke on the phone with Sarah and she told me that things had escalated to a further level of craziness in the salon and that they all missed me, but she insisted that I took the time I needed with my father. I felt bad for my lies, but there was anything else I could do.

"What happened to your face?" Cillian suddenly asked as his fingers lingered on the bruise and healing cut on my lips and then, I automatically pulled back, feeling unexpectedly uncomfortable, something that had never happened before with my friend. "Enna, are you OK? Why do you pull back?"

"Nothing special happened: I tried to help my father when he was sick in the greenhouse, but obviously I am not very handy with such things." I commanded my face to look relaxed and the smile to appear authentic and I settled back closer to him, still leaving some space between us because his touch of before felt too intimate.

Cillian fell silent, as I had avoided to reply his other question, and kept looking at me in a way he had never done before. Then he shook his head and his face showed he was thinking of something not easy to talk about. I could only guess the topic and thus I prepared myself for it. Sooner or later I knew it had to be discussed with my friends.

"Have you heard about what happened recently?" He asked cautiously and my heart began to race faster at the question, knowing he meant Michael. It had been on the news and my dad and I watched TV in the past days wanting to see how the local media covered it. However, I forced calm into myself and faked ignorance as I shook my head.

"No, we haven't really watched much TV since I am here," I replied letting the tone of my voice make him deduce the reason for that: my father's health.

"I thought so," he said quietly and then he ran a hand in his dark curls. "Well, that bastard that was stalking you, that bloody Michael Sullivan that was so obsessed with you and that had dared to hit you time ago, well that fucking bastard is dead. It was on the news because he had fucked up big time and he committed suicide. He was found stealing money from very wealthy and powerful clients and he was using a lot of drugs...no wonder he was so crazy and dangerous, and no wonder he died in such way..." I swallowed down and the shock that showed on my face was not false or simulated. It was real and it was mostly due to the fact that everything went as Roman had predicted and planned. Why was I even surprised by that? My Roman knew what he was doing and he did everything in order to leave me out of this situation. "I am sorry I told you this now, but...I'm so happy that bastard blew his brain off." I gasped at that, bringing a hand on my mouth, as I had imagined how Roman had killed him. "Sorry, Enna...I shouldn't have said that. But you cannot be sorry for that bastard, right?"

I only shook my head and avoided to talk for a long moment, making sure to cover my real feelings, remembering what Roman had suggested me to say in such situation, telling me what people would actually expect normally to hear. In that moment I deeply wished to have my love there beside me, but it was not possible and I had to stop behaving like a spoilt child.

"I am not sorry for him, Cillian. He was...he was a bad person under many aspects and the more I think about him, the more I question myself and my judgement. He scared me with his obsessions, it's true..." I paused a moment and shifted my eyes to the fireplace, looking at the flames dancing in there, just like the flames that had destroyed that house where Michael had held me prisoner and where he had almost...Thanks to Roman it didn't happen and he had really saved me. I shook my head and my eyes moved back to Cillian, setting on an expression that it was hard for me to fake. "But dying in such terrible way? He really...committed suicide?"

It was hard and difficult to craft pity for that man, considered what he had in mind to do with me, considered how violently he had hit me, but Roman had been right: this was the natural reaction people would expect from a person like me. Also, only my Roman had to know about that dark side in my heart that had been awaken by him, and that helped me in feeling nothing in the moment Roman killed Michael. I still felt nothing at the thought of it and I knew that I would still stand beside my love in the moment. My friend's answer brought me back from my thoughts.

"Yeah, he did. At least that's what they reported from what the Garda found out, given almost nothing was left. But they said that he left a suicide note in his apartment and Enna, he was in too deep troubles and I guess he had a lucid moment where he realised that there was no going back from what he did." I only nodded and he rested his arm on my shoulders. In truth, Michael never had a lucid moment in which he realized the bad things he did to me and that he intended to do; I think that moment only came for a few seconds when he comprehended he was about to die. "I did not mean to trouble you with this, so let's change topic, alright?"

"Yes," I solely said and once more I let my eyes wander to the fireplace, feeling the warmth of the flames caressing the skin of my face. Cillian sighed out loud and I looked at him with a questioning expression, for he had also touched my chin with his other hand.

"Enna, there is something I should tell you and it's something I should have told you long time ago, but don't know why I never did." His tone of voice somehow alerted me and I fought the urge to move away. It would only hurt his feelings and look suspicious, so I tried to stay there calm and wait for him to say more, but he didn't.

"What is it, Cil? Are you alright?" I silently swallowed down as uneasiness gripped my bones the moment he pulled me closer to him, too close to his face.

"I am grand, Enna." He smiled at me and he went to rest his forehead on mine, but I pulled back. "Don't pull away from me, Enna."

"You are acting strange now, Cillian. What is it?"

"I am not acting stranger than usual, babe," he replied and this time that word, "babe", held a different note that I had never noticed before. The feelings wrapping that word were completely new but very clear and I shook my head, but he kept me in his arms. "Enna, you really haven't noticed that I love you? And by loving you, I mean being in love with you," he said trying to rest his lips on mine, but my hands shot out and pushed him away probably too abruptly, given the way his eyes looked at me in striking surprise. What had he just said? This could not be possible. "Enna, what's the matter?"

"What is the matter? Cillian, we are friends and you are my best friend since...since forever and in case you haven't noticed, I am not a girl, but a man: how can you say that?" My voice was a mere whisper, as his words had felt like a painful blow in my stomach, for they made me fear that our precious friendship was going to crumble and I didn't want that to happen.

"I don't care what you are, baby: you are the most beautiful for me and no girl could ever compete with you."

"Cillian, you like girls and we are friends," I stubbornly insisted because I could not believe at what he told me. It was not possible. "You always had countless girls and I know you like them."

"Yes Enna, I do like girls and that cannot be denied, but with you I don't care: you are so beautiful and so bloody sexy, babe. I love you and desire you so much that you have no idea. I would make you happy, Enna, and it would be perfect between us," he said with more intensity, trying to pull me back in his arms yet again, but I shot on my feet. "Enna babe please, don't be afraid of me and try to think about it." He also went to stand on his feet. "What do you say?"

"What do I say about what?" I asked completely shocked, almost not recognizing the person in front of me.

"Will you give us a chance?"

For a moment I could not breathe or think of anything. There was one man only in my life and one man only I loved more than anything and anyone else: my Roman.

"Cillian," I began to speak with collected and forced calm voice. "Cillian, you are my best friend and I love you in that way, but I cannot give you what you ask me for...I'm sorry but I cannot. I don't love you in that way and you are my dearest friend and I don't want to lose you, it would break my heart," I almost pleaded and he took advantage of that moment of weakness, as his arms went around me and his lips touched mine. I froze and went to pull back, but he didn't let me. I felt trapped and panic overcame me in a way that left me breathless and completely prey of my fears; I struggled with all I had in me and harshly pushed him away. "What are you doing?" I demanded with hard and altered voice and awareness of his wrong doing fell down on him.

"Forgive me, I should have not tried to kiss you in such way," he said with honest voice and his eyes expressed the remorse for his actions. "Forgive me, Enna. I...there is no excuse and I know it. The only thing I can say is that I truly love you and that I hope you will change your mind about this."

"No Cillian, I cannot change my mind." It pained me the fact I couldn't tell him that my heart, soul and body already belonged to Roman. "I don't love you in that way and I never will. I am sorry, but lying to you and giving you false hopes would be wrong and cruel. Please Cillian, try to understand me," I said with sincerely hurt voice, but something flashed in his eyes and I recognized that quick anger that often exploded in him.

"Is it because of that man you met over a month ago or whenever the hell it was? Is it because of him?"

"Cillian," I tried to say, wanting to calm him down before his voice would alert my father. The last thing I wanted was a confrontation between them two.

"No, you must tell me it's not because of that bloody stranger...where is he now? He used you for a couple of nights and that's it, isn't it?"

"Cillian, it is none of your business and what I do in my life concerns only me. Now, please calm down before dad hears us and comes here." That somehow managed to check his rising temper.

"Enna, I am serious: tell me you are not wasting your time over a one-night stand and wait, you met him again, right?"

"Cillian, I will repeat it once more only: whatever I do in my private life concerns me only." I pressed my lips together and prepared to lie about Roman and I, as it was not wise to reveal our relationship now. "No, I have not met that man again and anyway, this is not your business." Once more it pained to lie in such blatant way and I hated it; yet I reminded myself that it was necessary at the moment and that I was not betraying Roman or our love. My voice softened as I continued, while my hand rested on his cheek, wanting to make him see reason. "Cillian, you must understand that you are one of my dearest friends and that I don't want to lose you, but I'm really sorry: I cannot give you the love you seek from me. Please try to understand my feelings."

He closed his eyes and leaned in my touch, taking a deep breath. His face relaxed from that bursting sudden anger and annoyance, and his hand stopped on mine.

"Enna forgive me for having behaved like an idiot now, but I have loved you for long time already," his voice was broken and it hurt to hear my friend like that. However, there was nothing in my power to make him feel better, for I really could not reciprocate his feelings. I loved Roman only and even without Roman, I had never felt that sort of love for Cillian; he was like an older brother for me but no more than that.

"Why you never told me before?" I asked.

"I don't know...I was afraid and I thought I was probably confused or God only knows. But I still believe that we belong to each other, babe," he said once more and I shook my head.

No.

Roman and I belonged to each other because we were soul mates.

"I am sorry, Cillian, but I do not believe that," I replied with sad and soft voice. It was hard to hurt his feelings by rejecting him, but it would have been wrong and dishonest of me to give him false hopes. "I am sorry I never realized it before, but for me you are and you always will be my best friend."

He sighed out loud and nodded, letting go of my hand and taking a step back.

"I should go now," he said suddenly and I worried about him: was it safe for him to drive in such state of mind?

"Cillian, are you..?" He interrupted me immediately.

"I am grand, Enna. I can drive just fine, so don't worry about it, OK?" I nodded and attempted a weak smile, but it failed miserably. He sure was hurting, but in a way, so was I. I didn't want to lose him, but I had a terrible feeling now crawling up my bones and slowly wrapping around my heart: I was suddenly deeply scared, yet I could not explain it with rationality. I wanted to stop him, but I had not the right to do so and I was aware of it. "Don't worry about me, alright? You look tired and you should go to bed. I will come to visit you and your dad again, to make sure he's completely fine." Cillian took a step toward me and rested his hand on the side of my face. "I love you, Enna, and I believe that one day you will understand i."

I said nothing to that, for I already replied him.

I belonged to Roman only as he entirely belonged to me, and there was nothing on this world that would ever change that.

EXTERNAL POV – LONDON (UK) TWO DAYS LATER

With reptilian patience she waited in the opulent and sumptuous penthouse Danila had reserved for her in one of the most exclusive and luxurious hotels in London. Yes, her soon to be dead husband was very rich and never denied her any comfort or caprice, but he lacked the innate class of Danila and, above all, he didn't adore her in the same way Danila did. Her soon to be new husband was becoming richer and more influential and, once she would take the lead of Boris's business, no limits were going to be posed to her richness and power. They would reach such level and influence that nobody would dare to touch them. The mere thought gave her a jolt of pure pleasure and she saw her face smiling like a poisonous mermaid on the tall wall-size window. She would become the Queen of Kiev and nobody would dare to deny her anything.

Her blond, long hair smoothly swayed like silk on her back and another venomous smile appeared on her perfect blood-red lips as she admired her figure on the reflection in the glass. She had selected her dress carefully, because Cillian Flannery had to completely fall into her trap like a hopeless fly would inevitably get trapped into the lethal net of a spider. At first she had considered eliminating him, but after the hit-man disappeared surely killed by Roman with the Stars, another alternative began to amuse her.

She could still use Cillian and she could still prove to him and to herself that he couldn't resist her, no matter how hard he tried. She had an ace up her sleeve and that had the face of an albino-blond and insipid girl with dreamy blue eyes and features that did not render her that beautiful and feminine. She couldn't believe she had been rejected over that. Yes, she was pretty, but something seemed out of place on that face and there was sharpness in those facial features that rendered that girl not very attractive.

She sauntered to the bar corner in the living room and prepared two flutes of champagne, for she had long realised how alcohol could easily inebriate and manipulate the mind and emotions of a weak man. Not to mention sex and the illusion of power over a woman. She let out a dangerous, quiet laugh and tasted a little of chilled champagne, savouring its flavour. She had let her blond hair free because it was clear Cillian liked it and always felt like touching it, probably thinking of that other girl. He also seemed to like red on her and she didn't miss the longing look he had given her the last time they met.

Therefore the dress chosen for the meeting with him was purely red, of a light and soft silky material that wrapped around her figure sensually; it was a beautiful and dangerously provoking criss-cross halter keyhole red, long dress, elegantly showing the round curves of her breasts and her porcelain-like skin in the back that was solely covered by two Swarovski-made very thin straps, jointing with the fabric of the dress lowly cut on the lower back. It was long and with a split front that could reveal her perfect legs when she walked or crossed her legs seductively while sitting. Simple little diamond earrings, a matching thin bracelet, high heels and Dior "Poison" on her skin completed the entire beautiful, deadly perfection of her figure, as if to enhance the message of wealth and power. He had to be lured in every possible way.

She was ready to strike and use him as he deserved to be exploited. Then, after the game was over, she would dispose of him as she preferred. Roman had been in Ireland and he had taken care of the hit-man, once more marking how hard it was to get rid of him. But perhaps, something could be found about him while he was in Ireland. Perhaps he had come in touch with some people and an opening or a weakness could be discovered and then leveraged. It could lead to nothing, but it was worth a try. Cillian Flannery was well connected and came from a wealthy family, something that should never be underestimated; if he didn't want to cooperate, well...she would simply use that girl to make him.

How much she enjoyed playing with people and in particular with men; how much she enjoyed to use her beauty, influence and perfect manipulative art on them.

If only Roman would be like this, if only he also would be easy to control. But he was completely different and it was almost impossible to find a weak spot in that very handsome man. Killing such a man was a complete waste, considered his brutal efficiency and the deep respect and intimidation he stirred in people, but no other options could be risked; he was too strong and too dangerous to be kept alive. Also, he wasn't someone that could be used or manipulated according to her wishes.

Ah...a real waste indeed.

At first she had hoped to use him instead of Ruslan, for a man like Roman would surely prove to be an incredible lover, but she wasn't stupid to reveal her cards by openly seducing him. She understood that he was completely loyal to her husband and that he would never regard her in any way a man sees a woman; there also was something else about that incredible handsome and dangerously looking man that made her realize he was not going to follow her game: he never seemed really interested into women in the way men around her husband were and she often witnessed how those little whores tried to attract his attention in order to become his favourites somehow.

He seemed to not approve of that business and he never really got himself involved, proving that Roman with the Stars wasn't an easy and simple man. He had some sort of principles and that rendered everything harder. He was nothing like Ruslan, who had been very easy to use given his hatred for the man and his greedy ambitions; but Roman was not even like Boris.

In these last two years she came to understand that Roman with the Stars was a rather unique man. A real pity indeed to waste such fascinating and efficient man. But he had to die and that was the end of the matter.

She drove that thought away from her head as you would remove the withered petal of a flower, and she moved to the door as her guest was announced by a knock on it. She smiled like a poisonous snake and let the split of the dress slightly open to reveal her legs as she opened the door, knowing how to play her cards all too well. Luring him into further promises of wealth and richness was the way she ensnared him to fly back to London after a couple days only and, when they spoke on the phone, she hadn't missed that rather tense nuance on the voice, the dejected hidden note that a man like him would try to hide when his pride had been scarred by a rejection. She could not be sure of it, but her intuition never failed her when it came to men.

"Cillian, what a pleasure to see you again so soon," she said with pretending soft and seductive way, letting him step into the penthouse.

He was rather handsome and that was one of the reasons she sure did not mind trying to seduce him; he had elegance and class, and surely knew how to rightly treat a woman in a chivalrous way. It made her job all too easy and she had to refrain from smiling triumphal as his eyes shamelessly devoured her entire figure, slightly resting a moment longer on the front of her dress. She was looking forward to playing with him.

"Olena, to what I owe the pleasure and honour of such astounding beauty?" He composed himself after having admired her curves and her very provoking body through that rather sinful dress and regarded her with a mixture of caution and admiration. She was beautiful indeed, but she was a woman that wasn't smart to get involved with. He had to remind this to himself, as he felt the rejection still painfully throbbing in his heart and mind.

"I am simply very bored and, before discussing of rather important matters related to our business that will surely grant you even more wealth, I thought we could enjoy a glass of champagne and perhaps, I could enjoy myself."

So very typical of her, Cillian thought to himself.

"Why you actually called me here? You know that I would like to be not so strictly involved," he explained, without being able to stop stealing glances at her. What difference would it make if he slept with her? Hadn't he done it with many other women trying to repress his feelings for Enna? She stepped closer to him and her alluring perfume confused his senses, along with the sensual touch of her hand in his hair.

"You seem very upset and being upset is never the right mood to have while talking about business. Why don't you enjoy a glass with me?" He pondered the question and then nodded, and she secretly smiled in pure triumph as she led him to the lavish living room of the penthouse; she didn't miss the way his eyes followed her steps as she went for the champagne and the moment their glasses tilted together, she knew he was in her hands.

The champagne barely touched her lips while he had drunk two glasses already and she had to simply let her hand wonder on his rather muscular thigh to capture him more.

He leaned into her and soon his hand was in her hair, while his lips were on her neck. Another glass of champagne followed and then another. He didn't have to be drunk, but very loosed by the feeling of having alcohol in his body. But she had her own personal victory as she had witnessed his eyes devouring her hungrily when completely sober, as she had felt his real physical desire for her; she knew that he could not resist her if she wished so. Now it was time to enjoy herself and use him as she needed.

"So tell me Cillian, wouldn't you like to become richer than you already are?"

"Who wouldn't wish for that?" Good question, but she knew a man with tattooed stars on his knees that would never give in to corruption and that was why she had never risked playing with him. "Maybe we can talk about this later, what do you say?"

"Hmm, maybe I will simply tell you what I need from you and how you will be rewarded and then, after we enjoy ourselves, we can discuss the details." Yes, after she had used him as she planned, she would enjoy playing with his heart and making him feel like the miserable man he was.

"I don't want to get into bloody deep troubles," he said as he moved his hand between her legs and she let him. Pleasure and excitement would cloud his judgement. "What do you need from me?" His touch was actually rather arousing and she knew it was going to be enjoyable to play with him; he was so different from Ruslan and different from Danila. His lips caressed her shoulder and his hand slipped under the dress.

"A dangerous man was in Ireland and I know he's back to Kiev now. You have some good connections, close to some important people. This man actually killed a hit-man that was sent to dispose of him, as he represents a real threat to this; he's ruthless and very efficient. I need a weak spot to use. Ask the people there if they have some information about him, if they can get someone to whisper some useful information."

"Why don't you do it yourself? He works for your husband right? So I am sure you'll find plenty of weak spots if you search around." She slightly pulled back and pierced his pleasure and champagne clouded eyes with her firm, clear ones. "What?" he asked as she assessed him silently for a moment.

"You do not understand: this man is the right hand of my husband and nobody would easily sell him out because he is feared. He is very capable and we have no weak spots to leverage, but perhaps, other people less involved and less coward-like would be able to get rid of him. This man is called Roman and he is very hard to kill, but he must die. Do you understand me, now?"

"Yes I understand and what happens to me if I help you in this?"

"Why don't we discuss this later?" She smiled seductively as she lured him entirely in her trap, so she rose on her feet and his eyes travelled her entire figure with evident and palpable desire.

"I suppose we can discuss it later," he agreed, getting on his feet and resting his hands on her sensual hips.

As they lay completely naked in bed, after she had her own personal satisfaction and entertainment, having to admit that he had indeed proved to be an interesting and very intense lover, she decided that it was time to strike him. Another lover could be easily found whenever she wished for it and now, it was time to get down to business. Olena had heard the indecisiveness in his voice as he promised to help her in gathering more information about Roman and she knew sooner or later he was going to pull back once more. Only, this time she would not allow it. So she stretched naked on his chest and with her manicured long, red nails began to stroke his hair, tangling one leg with his.

"I have a picture of Roman, so you can take a good look at it and you can tell me whether you perhaps met him in Ireland," she said with calm voice studying his expression, not missing how his body imperceptibly stiffened.

"Olena, this is going to be a pain in the ass, isn't it? I think I heard two men talking about this man you mentioned, now that I think about it, and the last thing I want is to get involved with someone like him." She smiled at him in a way that made his blood freeze. He shouldn't have drunk the champagne and get physically involved with her.

"Yes, Roman is very dangerous and very efficient, he's very loyal and with him around, it will not be easy to get rid of my husband." Olena had calculated that she could tell him part of her plan for the simple reason that once Cillian had played his useful role, she was going to personally kill him. His eyes twitched showing evident uneasiness. "Are you scared, Cillian? You will not be directly involved. You just need to ask questions to the right people and maybe nothing will be found, we don't know yet."

"And what if I refuse?"

Oh...she long waited for this question and hearing it, almost gave her more pleasure that the sex they had before.

Her lips parted in a skin-crawling, cold laugh and she moved away from him, rising from the bed and walking naked to a drawer in the bedroom, from where she took an envelope that was tossed to his face as she slowly strolled back to bed.

"But you have no other choice, if you value the life of this girl that you seem to love so much but that apparently does not reciprocate your feelings," Olena mused with venomous voice, looking more and more like a lethally beautiful mermaid, enjoying the look of pure horror plastering his face as the content of the envelope was dumped into his hands, showing a couple of very precious pictures.

"How did you...? You ..." She pressed a finger on his lips as she leaned closer, her blond hair caressing his skin.

"Careful with your words, Cillian. If you antagonize me or if you decide to not cooperate, I will have her die in a very painful and terrible way." She neared more and her lips stroked his for a brief moment. "It does not concern you how I found this out. The only thing that concerns you is that you will do as I say."

Cillian Flannery swallowed down feeling his throat dry and feeling like his heart had stopped beating: what had he done? Enna...that woman had pictures of Enna taken in Dublin. How did it happen? Had it been that hit-man? His blood turned into ice and his heart physically ached as his eyes glanced at those pictures once more. He had involved and endangered the only person he has ever loved and this woman here held him now in her vicious hands. He had to find something out about this Roman and then find a way to make sure they would not go after Enna.

Was that even possible for him?

"Please let me think a moment how to deal with it," he said with wavering voice and she simply curved her red lips in a wicked expression.

"Now, this is much better, Cillian. How about another glass of champagne and something to eat?" That lethal and beautiful woman mused, tilting her head to the side with a victorious and malice smile. He could only nod, knowing he had no other choice.

He couldn't believe he had endangered Enna in such way, the only person he has ever sincerely loved; maybe some time could be bought and hence questions had to be asked. He had heard of this Roman with the Stars and the stories told to him weren't pleasant; Cillian Flannery had honestly hoped to not cross path with that man, for he had been described as ruthless, cold-blooded, eerily efficient in killing with his bare hands, violent and merciless; in a few words, Roman had been described also as a soulless, blood-thirsty demon. And he had to investigate and ask around about such man? Cillian Flannery shook his head a moment and silently sighed.

What was he afraid of? He had to do it in order to avoid getting Enna involved in this, even though he already was and even though he had no idea how to deal with this mess.

Time.

He had to buy some time and try to gain some useful information to use. He had to calm down and buy some time.

"When did he go to Ireland? Where did he precisely go?" He enquired, carefully observing her as she went to grab a black silky bathrobe to cover her nudity.

"We cannot say precisely, but between a month and a month and half ago. He surely was in Dublin, searching for someone we took care of. Here, this is his picture: take a good look at this incredible man." Olena handed him the picture and it was clear from her voice that she was sincere in calling him "incredible", but there was bitterness in her voice. That Roman probably was complete unaffected by her dazzling charm and fatal beauty; he proved to be very wise and smart, if that were right. For sure, smarter than him.

"Where is he from?"

"He is Ukrainian, although we know almost nothing about his past. But we sure know he is back in Kiev." Her voice hardened a moment at those last words and she added no more.

He glanced at the picture and went to put it down, thinking about how to get the hell out of this bloody mess, but then, something clicked in his brain and he observed the picture once more. His eyes stared at it and sudden fear strangled his heart. Did she say that this man had been in Dublin probably a month and half ago or so? His brain geared up and a connection that should have not been done formed in his mind: it couldn't be, right?

No, it must have been a mere coincidence.

A chill went down his spine as that fear grew in his guts the more he considered that option: he had spoken with Priya about what happened that night of more than a month ago when Enna went out with his sister and his friend, about this dangerous-looking foreigner with probably a Russian accent that helped Enna when Michael tried to hit him. Cillian had understood that that foreigner was the man that had captured Enna's heart and he knew they had slept together; he had not denied it. So, out of jealousy and worry, he talked more with Priya and she tried to describe that man.

He looked at the picture once more. No, it must have been a mere coincidence, because it was impossible for a person like Enna to fall in love with such monster, with such blood-lusting demon. No, the man in the picture and the one that helped Enna in the club were two different persons. It had to be like this. Cillian wanted to believe it, even though, he wasn't entirely sure and that fear kept tormenting his heart.

Olena carefully observed him staring at the picture with a strange expression on his face, carelessly displaying emotions: had he met Roman with the Stars already? By the way he assessed the picture it appeared so, but maybe no and the reason was another. Maybe she was reading too deeply into something that held no importance. He was scared before and, even if appearing like a common coward, he was somehow correct to be scared. She let her eyes study him more: maybe, she was reading it right.

"Do you know him?" She asked with false light voice, pretending to not pay attention to him as she brushed her long, blond hair. Yet, all of her senses were alerted, especially her instinct; she heard the hesitation in his voice when he replied, even if he made a good job in trying to hide it.

"No, I don't know him, but I have heard enough about this man and his eyes sure confirm those stories."

She assessed him through the reflection of the grand mirror standing on top of the baroque drawer and she wondered if there was something else hidden in those words. That last comment felt somehow personal and she speculated on that, trying to understand why his tone of voice sounded so hard and why his eyes looked so wary. Had they met and he was lying to her? She considered that and decided that the reason was different.

Now it was a matter of discovering that reason.

A quick, heartless smile appeared on her full lips for a brief moment and then it was gone.

ENNA POV – IRELAND, A FEW DAYS LATER

I still couldn't believe what Cillian told me the day he came to visit me and before leaving my dad's house, he received a call and said he had to anticipate his flight to London. What was going on in his life? Was he really in love with me as he declared? I could not bring myself to believe his words because we have been friends since we were children and he had never said anything like that, or hinted he might have feelings for me. It didn't change much anyway, for my heart belonged to one man only and I didn't know how to properly explain it to Cillian. Roman only existed for me in terms of love and passion and I would love him only through my entire life.

I said nothing of this to my dad or sister, because I still thought my friend had confused his friendship with love, but then...he had tried to kiss me in an almost forceful way and that completely shocked me. Dear me, he didn't succeed in that and the thought frightened me after what happened with Michael. However, I couldn't bring myself to talk about it with my family, even though I had to, because it was a mere matter of time before dad guessed something was not right in me. He had already pointed out that since the other day I looked gloomy and he had asked me whether Cillian had done or said something that upset me. I just needed some time to digest what happened and then I would talk with my father, because it was unfair to hide it from him. I also had to talk with my sister, because I had a feeling that something between Cillian and I irremediably broke.

Ciara and I sat in the living room in front of the fireplace, while dad was outside taking care of the orchard. It was a very cold afternoon, but he wouldn't listen to us and said that a bit of snow was nothing for him. Without doubts he was right, for our father had been sent to dangerous military missions around the world and for sure he had faced long, blood-freezing nights.

She had stopped by yesterday and we had quite an entertaining time in cooking all together in dad's kitchen, a joyful moment that sure helped me in press many thoughts aside; she had come up with the most bizarre recipe at first, but we somehow persuaded her to settle for something more traditional and something that our father would definitely eat. We then spent the night talking like we used to when we were small kids and we stayed up watching a movie together, as she had taken a couple of days off from work.

"So you really met Roman that night we went out all together and when Michael appeared in that club?" She asked once more, as she liked to hear such stories being repeated over and over. My sister had quite a habit of romanticise such events. "Priya didn't say a word and neither my friend! I can't believe that!" Her albino hair floated around her head as she shook it and I simply smiled.

"I felt something Ciara and after having spent the night with Roman it was clear that he wasn't exactly a normal tourist. I preferred to keep everything for myself. Priya didn't suspect of anything strange and your friend must have soon forgotten about it."

"But Enna, Roman is such a romantic, dark hero...I really like him. I mean, he scares me a bit, but please don't think badly of me," she rushed out anxiously looking at me. "I didn't mean it in a bad way, it's just that well..."

"I completely understand you, because Roman is not a common man, little flea," I said and she slapped my arm.

"Don't call me like that!" She giggled and then flopped back to the couch, staring at the ceiling. "You know you can trust me, Enna. I am loud and very enthusiastic sometimes, yes, but I won't say a word about this. What he did for you is...is something that I'll never forget. Have you watched the news in these days?"

"Yes, I watched it," I replied, sighing out loud. "In the TV they talked about suicide possibly due to financial and legal problems."

Roman indeed had planned everything flawlessly and nothing led to me or to my family. I have no idea how he managed to craft everything out in a few hours, but he had told me he was skilled with computers. Apparently my love was very skilled with that and he could be a sort of hacker if he wanted, all considered. But Michael was really trying to steal money from some extremely wealthy clients and Roman simply made it more obvious. It also came out that Michael made use of cocaine and that he was prescribed with some rather strong pills to cure depression or so.

"I never thought that a man like Roman could exist," my sister murmured and I nodded. "He loves you so much and he calls you his angel...I wish I'd find a girl that would call me the same."

"I know what you mean and yes, he's very special and I love him in the same way," I agreed with her on that. "However, my dear little sister, a girl would never be able to call you angel. If anything, she'll call you little devil."

She stuck her pierced tongue out to me and then laughed out loud, checking her nails to see whether the nail polish was still perfect.

"As if you could call yourself a real angel," she said with a mischievous tone. "You made love with him right the first night you two met and I'm sure my annoying present of flavoured condoms came quite at hand that night."

"Oh shut up, Ciara!" I also sat comfortable on the couch and my eyes wandered to the fire lively dancing in the fireplace. I would have loved to be with Roman right then and make love in front of it. "I miss him," I admitted to her and she scooped closer to me. "I really miss him, Ciara and you know what else?"

"What?"

"I'm happy you and dad met him and know who he really is," I said, meaning every word with all my heart. I was happy indeed and Roman also shared my same feelings about that, and obviously he hadn't wanted to hide from them. I was very grateful for that.

"I'm happy, too. When will he be back?" She asked carefully.

"I don't know," I murmured back. "I really don't know..."

"Don't worry about him, Enna. He definitely is an exceptional man and he made a promise to you, plus, you two are soul mates." She smiled at me sweetly and combed my hair with her very slender fingers. "When he is back, you have to promise to organize a family dinner with him here at dad's place: we will cook something special."

I also was extremely grateful for having such wonderful sister and incredible father.

"Yes, let us organize a family dinner when he will be back."

We silently smiled at each other and she kept combing my hair with her fingers, wanting to reassure me and also letting me know in her own way that she was right there beside me. She went to say something, but the door bell rang and we shared a perplexed look.

"Are you waiting for someone?" She asked, getting up and going to walk to the entrance.

"No and you?"

"Oh it's Cillian!" She exclaimed with cheerful voice, clapping her hands and my heart constricted at that, for I still was not entirely ready to face him after what happened. Nonetheless I got on my feet and followed my sister that had already opened the door, throwing her skinny arms around his neck. "I am so happy to see you!"

"Heya Ciara, always the loud and skinny doll I see," he joked with an apparently normal tone of voice, but as soon as our eyes met, I did not miss the way his face tensed for a quick moment, while his eyes looked somehow guilty and angry at the same time.

What had happened to him?

"Cillian, how are you?" I inquired honestly worried, as the look on his face made me feel uneasy.

"I am grand, Enna, only a bit tired for all of this travelling around," he replied with slightly strained voice, forcing himself to sound like his usual self.

"We baked a cake this morning, Cillian, so get your handsome butt in the kitchen with me and help me in making coffee. Enna, why don't you call dad?" My sister enthusiastically said and I only smiled, not taking a step toward my friend. She looked at me quiet confused, not understanding why I behaved so oddly and quietly in front of my best friend, but she said nothing. I knew questions would follow later. "C'mon!" She said and Cillian went to follow her, but then remembered his jacket and bag.

"Let me first undress, Ciara," he teased her and I softly smiled at that, for then feeling that inexplicable fear once more wrap around my heart.

"Let me help you," I proposed and with that I took the bag he was carrying in my hands and then his jacket. "Go to the kitchen with her, I'll hang this and then I will tell dad you are here. He will be happy to see you."

"Thank you, Enna," he replied and for a moment he stood there simply looking at me. "If then it's OK, could we talk a moment? I might need your help with something." I nodded, because I couldn't refuse it. He probably wanted to discuss what had happened the other day and judging by the expression in his eyes, he felt bad about that.

So perhaps my fears were useless and only a product of my recent constant status of anxiety and uneasiness.

I walked to the coat rack that was collocated in another room, and when I went to place the bag on the small chest at its feet, I was so nervous for the sudden visit and so worried about the look on Cillian's face that my fingers trembled and clumsy let it fall on the ground, scattering many papers and a couple of books on the floor.

I shook my head reprimanding my clumsiness and my lack of control over my emotions; I had to pull myself together and act normally, so I went to collect the papers and smiled as I eyed some drafts of articles and a hand-written note with a phone number, probably slipped in his bag by some student. Then my hand picked a book up and something fell out from its pages, something that looked like a picture.

Today really was not a good day for me, I decided as my fingers grabbed the picture in order to put it back in the book, but when I turned it, my blood and heart completely froze.

It was a picture of Roman.

I stared at it for a few seconds in complete shock, my fingers trembling even more than before, my heart now frantically beating faster and faster, almost echoing in my ears and head.

A picture of Roman was in his book: why Cillian had a picture of my Roman? I turned it around once more and swallowed down as I realised something was written in there; however, before I could read it, my friend walked in the room asking me something about the coffee.

"Ciara wants to know if you prefer coffee or tea, En..." he halted as he saw me kneeling on the floor with Roman's picture in my hand and our eyes crossed: what I witnessed on his face completely sucked the life out of me and made my heart ache in a way I could not describe. But my mind took me immediately to my love and in an instant I composed my expression and forced a smile on my lips.

"I am so sorry, Cil," I said with a voice that appeared calm and light only because of my incredible effort and because something was now screaming in my mind that Roman might be in danger if I acted in an obvious way. "Today I am terribly clumsy and the bag slipped from my hands and I made such a mess of your papers, I'm really sorry." I gave him back the book after having slipped the picture inside its pages and my friend observed me a moment longer, so I went to pick more papers up. "Here." I handed him more documents and I smiled more, forcing my expression in a neutral, curious nuance. "Was that a colleague of yours?" I had to hear his answer and understand why Cillian had a picture of Roman in his book. "He looks rather handsome," I frivolously commented as I flipped my tress behind my shoulder.

"Yes, a colleague of mine," he replied tensed and then continued as I kept nonchalantly smiling at him, while my heart was sinking lower and lower, fracturing is many, many pieces: why was he lying to me? Why? "He is contributing on a new book I will soon publish and my publisher needed his photo for that." I nodded slightly helping in placing all the papers back and trying with all the will I had to appear normal and actually happy to see him.

Why Cillian had a picture of Roman and why was he lying to me in such deliberate and horrible way?

"Shall we go for that coffee and the cake I baked with Ciara this morning? It's one of your favourites," I spoke as I went to walk out of the room, but he placed a hand on my shoulder and I had to control everything in me in order to avoid overacting and pulling away in way that would reveal my real state of mind.

"Is everything OK, Enna?"

"Yes," I lied as I searched into his eyes. "C'mon, Ciara is waiting for us and I have to call dad."

He only nodded and then let go of my shoulder, going to walk out of the room beside me. I had no idea how I managed to conceal my emotions and control my reactions, but all I wanted to do was to scream and demand him why he had a picture of Roman in his book. However, he had lied to me and that meant I could not trust my friend any longer.

What had happened to Cillian in the past days? Why was he carrying a picture of my love? I felt like crying, so I pressed my lips together and silently swallowed down what was about to overwhelm me.

Then a thought pierced my mind and heart: if he had a picture of Roman could mean that my love was alive and well. Yes, alive and well, but without doubt in great danger. But after a moment I almost froze on the spot as another thought painfully slashed through my mind: what if I was the one in danger and that could actually be used against Roman? This could not be, because I would rather die than being used to hurt my love.

Sudden cold wrapped around my entire body and I had no idea how I managed to stay calm during his visit. I observed the person that was supposed to be my dearest friend and I could not believe he was involved in that dangerous world.

What had happened to my friend?

What was going to happen to Roman and I?

EXTERNAL POV:

Cillian Flanner drove back home and could not forget the expression on his beloved Enna's face when he was looking at the picture of that man, of Roman with the Stars. He knew that man and that was unmistakable, there were no doubts about it. It was quick and in a matter of two seconds Enna had recovered from the evident shock and smiled back at him in his usual sweet, beautiful way, but that momentary and devastating surprised expression on his gorgeous face could not be forgotten easily.

So it had not been a mere coincidence and that bloody foreigner Enna had slept with was this bastard with tattooed stars on his knees. He couldn't believe it and he couldn't believe Enna had actually agreed on sleeping with such vicious and dangerous man: what was he thinking about? Had that bloody bastard forced himself on Enna? No. That had not been the case, for his friend had been clear that he had wanted to have sex with him. This was not possible and real, he thought to himself, and his hand quickly passed over his forehead.

The only person he had ever loved could have not fallen in love with such violent and dangerous man, the right hand of a mafia boss stationed in Kiev.

It was not possible, damn it.

This could not be possible and he had to do something; he had to get rid of that Roman and save Enna from his dirty hands. Of course, he couldn't leave Enna in the hands and grip of such violent, blood-thirsty piece of shit. Cillian had to do something and he had to do it fast.

His eyes fell on his mobile phone and in an instant, he had dialled her number. Two days ago he still wasn't sure and determined in helping that woman in finding out a weak spot, even if he had to in order to protect Enna. But now, he knew he had to do it and the determination felt like burning in his veins.

Now, everything had changed.

"It's me," he simply said on the phone.

"Yes, I recognized your number. What is it?" Always careful and calculating she was.

"I will help you in finding a weak spot about that bastard," he only uttered between his teeth and his other hand gripped the steering wheel as if wanting to ferociously grip that man's neck and twist it broken. She paused on the other side of the line and then softly chuckled.

"That is very good, even if you had no real choice. Do you have something in your hands that you called me with such impetus?" She mused playfully and he knew he was playing a deadly chess match, but he had to risk it. Cillian Flannery would rather die than expose and endanger Enna, but he had to gamble something in order to get rid of that bastard.

"Yes, I might have something. But I will call you when I have more in my hands," he replied, needing some more time to craft everything in order to offer the right opening.

"Very well," she said and then switched the conversion off.

While his anger burned within his blood and jealousy clouded his judgement, a lethal queen with blond hair and red nails sharpened her poisonous fangs after having ended the conversation on the phone, her lips curving in a disturbing smile reflecting her sure to be victory and triumph. She had guessed well about Cillian Flannery and she had played her card perfectly: it was clear that the resentment she heard in his voice before was purely personal and she had no doubts that in a way or another, Roman with the Stars had met the girl Cillian seemed to love so deeply and desperately. Why else calling him "bastard" with such bitter and angered voice?

She brushed her long hair and softly, coldly laughed. Now she could make her move and finally trap the Stars in her hands, so she took back the phone and dialled Ruslan's number.

"I have what we need," she quickly said in Ukrainian and the man on the side of the phone quietly swore.

"Are you kidding me?"

"No," she replied harshly. "Do you know anybody that speaks English and that can be trusted to be sent on a very important errand to Dublin?"

He paused a moment, reflecting on the question and the possible implications, and then answered feeling his lips curving in a sadistic smirk: if that damn son of a bitch with stars was about to be taken down, well, he was going to be the one wielding the final strike and enjoy the view of it. Even better if he had the chance to make him suffer.

"I will go," he resolutely stated and she smiled.

"Very well," she mused and then explained him the details quickly, knowing Ruslan was going to enjoy this and knowing that girl with long, albino-blond hair and dreamy blue eyes had numbered, dreadful days ahead of her.

Yes, this game was going to be very entertaining and exciting, and victory was only a few moves away.

Author's chit-chat:

Don't you think that the title perfectly fits and explains the core essence of this chapter?

What are your feelings, emotions, thoughts and reactions at what you had just read? About the last part and Cillian's decision?

What do you think will happen next? Did you expect the events to take such a bad turn for Enna? Roman will have to face quite the hard, personal challenge.

We sure are facing rather emotional last chapters. I will try to post very soon, maybe next weekend, but I cannot promise it because I know that the coming week will be rather hectic for me. But I'll surely try my best to not disappoint you :-)

Once more, THANK YOU for your amazing and lovely support! I will be looking forward to reading your comments and reactions about this chapter.

Stay tuned, as I am working on a new chapter for "Loving You is Forbidden".

Lots of Love, Magic and Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-