Novels by Nessa

Rachel POVMark dragged me out of the room, running urgently as the alarm rang in our ears.I tried to keep up as much as I could. I could hear frantic sounds all around us-footsteps, shouting, doors slamming.Mark pulled out the radio, keeping the volume low as he pushed me into a corner to hide.Static crackled. Then voices:"Top floor clear.""Check the storage units and vents.""She couldn't have gotten far."Mark pulled me forward again. "We need to move fast. They'll check down here soon."I nodded frantically.Then-gunshots. A scream that made me shiver."What was that?" I whispered, trying to keep pace."Ignore it," Mark said. "Just keep moving."We kept running. Down another hallway. Around another corner.Then we stopped.A guard stood there. Jane was with him, speaking urgently into a radio.The guard saw us and raised his weapon."There!" he shouted, speaking to the radio. "She in the-"Mark's gun came up to silence him at onceBut Jane was faster.She raised her gun and s

Rachel POVI couldn't stop crying, tears streaming down my face.Mark tried to pull me to my feet, his face a mix of urgency and sadness."Rachel, we have to move," Mark said. "Right now. We can't be here for too long.""My brother tried to hurt me," I sniffled. "No-he did hurt me. Marcus-""I know, but we need to move. Please. He's going to see the empty room any time soon, and when he does, this entire building will be looking for us." His voice was firm, but his eyes softened. "We need to contact the boss and get out."I stared at him, my eyes blurry, confused and lost. "What if I don't want to go to Damien?""What?!" Mark's eyes widened."If I go, Damien will know Marcus is my brother and he'll hurt him. Or kill him. I don't want him hurt. I can-I can go and meet Marcus now and talk to him. Maybe it's all a misunderstanding. Maybe Marcus will hold me and apologize and stop this-""Rachel," Mark said softly, crouching in front of me. "I don't know your brother. But I do know he's t

Rachel POV"Do you have a better idea?" Mark asked.I didn't.I looked at the vent again. It was so small and dark. The opening barely big enough for a person to fit through.But it was our only option. And I was not ready to come face-to-face with the Raven. "Okay," I whispered. "Okay, let's do it."Mark grabbed the chair I'd been tied to and positioned it under the vent. "You first. I'll boost you up."Every part of my body screamed in protest as I climbed onto the chair. Mark steadied me, his hands firm on my waist."On three," he said. "One. Two. Three."He lifted.I grabbed the edge of the vent opening, my arms shaking. Pain radiated through my shoulders, my ribs, everywhere Jane had hurt me.But I pulled myself up anyway, entering into the tight space, holding back a cough from the dust and dirt."Keep going," Mark urged from below. "Don't stop."I crawled forward on my elbows and knees, ignoring the aches from my bruises.Behind me, I heard Mark pull himself up into the vent.

Leo POVI sat on top of my new bed in the new home Papa took me to yesterday.A doctor was checking my body, and another animal doctor was also caring for Scout on the bed while I just sat and let them work.I kept sniffing to hide my tears from the nice doctor."We're almost done, Master Leo," he said with a gentle smile, trying to make me feel better.I didn't answer him. I just stared as Scout came to my side, whimpering on my lap.The room was way too small compared to my old one. I was sharing it with Matteo and Thalia, and I liked them, but I missed my big room and big home.Now we were living in this small house with Matteo, Miss Clara, and the doctors in the middle of the forest.The door of the room opened and Matteo peeked in."Hey, you done?" he called, coming to sit by my bed, ignoring the doctor.I nodded, my voice gone."Where's Papa?" I asked."They left since last night, but you were asleep. I'm sure they'll find your mom," he assured me.I frowned, itching at my banda

Rachel POVI didn't know how long it lasted.Minutes? Hours?Time stopped meaning anything.Jane still circled me slowly, the pliers in her hand catching the dim light. My body was already covered in cuts, bruises, burns from where she'd-The door suddenly banged open.One of Jane's men stood there, face tense, breathing hard."Ma'am-we have a situation. You need to come now."Jane's head snapped toward him, irritation flashing across her face. "I'm busy.""Security breach," he said urgently. "Multiple vehicles approaching the west perimeter. Armed."Jane froze. "How many?""At least six that we can see. Black SUVs. Military grade."Her eyes widened. "Montrel.""We think so. They're still two miles out but moving fast."Jane cursed, dropping the pliers onto the table with a clatter. "How did he find us this quickly?""Unknown, ma'am. But if we don't mobilize now-""I know." She was already moving toward the door. "Lock this room. Post two guards outside. I'll deal with them after we h

Content Warning: This chapter contains references to violence, torture, and kidnapping. Reader discretion advised.Rachel POVPain shot through my head, sharp and blinding. My ears were ringing so loudly it intensified the headache pounding behind my eyes.I groaned in pain.And then everything came rushing back.The library. The men. Leo falling. Being dragged away.My eyes shot open.I was in a dark, small room. Tied to a chair in the middle of it.I inhaled sharply, fear shooting through me like ice.I was kidnapped.And Leo-Leo fell down the slope. I was about to cry at the thought of him being hurt when-"Mrs. Montrel."I turned sharply, seeing Mark in the far corner of the room, also tied to a chair. But he looked so beaten up with bruises and blood covering him.I gasped."What happened to-""No time," Mark interrupted, his voice hoarse. "I'll find a way to get you out. The boss will probably know something is wrong by now, so you don't need to worry."I was about to say more w