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Some monsters get off on your reaction to pain more than the fact that they’re inflicting it, so never put yourself in a position where you’re someone’s source of entertainment.
I’m Mia Sokolov. The daughter of Kyle Hunter and Rai Sokolov.
A wide grin lifts his lips, looking even more terrifying when he’s covered in all the blood.
“Mouse is a more accurate description. You love going unnoticed and leaving crumbs of havoc, no?”
There’s something intriguing about her murderous expression. Something I want to freeze into a stone. Maybe transform her into one of my statues and stare at her spiky expression for eternity.
I’ve always been like my dad. Silent but deadly. Appears sophisticated but could kill you with a smile.
“He has antisocial tendencies that he tames enough to make him appear charming instead of threatening.”
Mia Sokolov is a beautiful goddess without putting in any effort. She barely wears any makeup or tries to doll up like most girls. She also adopts a troublemaking personality that’s designed to put a damper on her physical superiority. I’ve barely seen her
I might have looked at some sign language videos—ASL, not BSL since there are significant differences.
Mia’s eyes twinkle as her lips pull in a genuine, happy smile. It’s the wildest look I’ve ever seen on her face.
A hugger. A blasphemous, absolutely distasteful habit with no practical meaning whatsoever. It’s not needed for sex and, when used, can lead to an awkward angle.
“Five out of five,” he whispers in words that have no business being so destabilizing. “As expected of my little muse.”
“Surprised I speak ASL?” He grins. “I figured it’d be better than scribbling on your phone whenever you’re about to burst with curses. Now, I understand all the curses, not just the fuck-you ones.”
“Which is why your lordship is such a good sport,” I say with a straight face, despite internally cringing at how he calls himself that.
She used to be in love with me—like everyone who’s had the honor to meet me.
What? I’m a no-strings-attached type of man who likes the adventure of new holes. It’s not my fault they think of baby names after I fuck them into oblivion.
Despite having a determined, no-bullshit personality, I’m terrified of death. For me, death is the look in the monster’s eyes when he silenced me forever.
Due to my charming personality, mouthwatering looks, and genius skills, I happen to attract a lot of attention.
For a fraction of a second, I think I see some semblance of emotion, but it’s fleeting and soon disappears as if it was never there.
Forget being able to sculpt after she’s gone. That’s impossible now. My muse only manifests itself whenever Mia is around
You reach a climax because, as you previously stated, I’m difficult. What you didn’t say is that you can only feel alive when there’s a certain level of provocation or defiance. You’re so empty inside that you need chaos to feel alive. You’re so emotionally stunted that anarchy has become the soul of all your relationships. So if you’re in the mood, go ahead and force me, Landon.
didn’t realize how much I missed her until I listened to the recording of her voice on a loop. And I didn’t know I was capable of missing someone.
First, I’m not worth it. Now, she’s fucking ashamed of me.
“I don’t like it when others harm my family.”
“Happy Birthday, little muse. Remember, a future where you don’t belong to me doesn’t exist.”
“I’ll take that as you said yes to my offer. As for the Mia issue, I’ll leave that to her. Just know that I won’t take lightly to any censorship or attempts to keep me away from her. You can torture me if you fancy. I’ll also leave my door open in case you want to kidnap me and exact revenge for past travesties, so let me know your plan. Or don’t. I’m open to surprises.”
I’ve become categorically obsessed with Mia Sokolov. My mind has filtered the whole world out and all I see is her defiant face. In every corner. On every statue. Every-fucking-where.
“Mia is the only one I’m willing to spend my precious time with.”
“I’m trying not to use my understanding of emotions in a destructive manner. At least, not with the people who matter.”
“Is that why you stopped speaking?” Landon asks in an eerily calm tone. I nod. “My family thinks it’s because of the trauma and I let them believe that.”
“No one steals from you and gets to breathe, little muse. I’ll make sure you regain your voice even if it’s the last thing I do.”
The awe, the wonder, and the complete enchantment that was there when I used her little fingers to doodle on some paper. Of course, that was my creation, but Glyn took that paper and went running to Mum, screaming, “Look what Lan teached me!”
“Of all the people who could’ve warranted your deranged attention, why did it have to be her?” Because she makes me see sides of me I didn’t know existed before.
I’m a Sokolov and we don’t offer excuses.
The muse I didn’t know I needed until she stood in front of me in the darkness like a perfect imitation of a statue.
It’s one of the few genuine laughs I’ve ever had, and it’s only because she’s by my side.
My beast roars to life as if it was never dormant. This is what Mia has that no one else does. She’s not prey to my beast, she’s its match. The yin to his yang. The crazy to his insanity.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hunter and Mrs. Sokolov. My name is Landon King and I’m Mia’s boyfriend. May I come in?”
“Nothing is too long if I can find Mia on the other side.”
but my brother has always been a red line that couldn’t be crossed by anyone—our parents included.
Everything is always okay whenever she’s in my sight. Not even my demons could interfere with this sense of peace. She’s managed to tame them by merely existing. And I’ll make sure to bring her demons to their knees before they hurt her, even if it’s the last thing I do.
“I love you,” I sign before I can even think about it.
“Because I don’t like to label what I feel for you as love. This”—he points between us—“is much more potent and twisted than mere love. If loving someone means letting them go and wishing them happiness with someone else, then I don’t subscribe to that definition. But if love means protecting and wanting to take care of you till my dying day, then I love you more than anyone has ever loved another human being.”
“Listen to me carefully, Mia. My whole life, I’ve been a desolate, empty entity of anarchy and violence. My black soul couldn’t survive without inflicting some form of chaos or producing a decadent burst of creativity, but even that has dwindled and started to drift from the center of my being. Without art, I’m nothing but a serial killer in the making. Ever since you came along, not only have you pushed my creativity to heights I never imagined would be possible, but you also filled up the emptiness with your stubborn submissiveness and stupid flowers with names. While I can’t possibly be
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“And I love you, Mia. Forever.”
“Thank you for letting me into your world.” “Thank you for being my world.” “Thank you for helping me get my voice back.” “Thank you for letting me hear it.”
“You’re the reason this masterpiece exists.” I lower myself to one knee and pull out the ring that I had custom-made from a rare jewel that matches her eye color. “You’re not only my muse, but also the sole reason I create anymore. You don’t complete me, you fill me up with your hope, determination, and constant nagging. But I digress. Only slightly, though.” I let my charming smile show through. “I used to believe I didn’t have a soul, but it turns out, I just needed you to fill it up. Now that I found you, I can’t and won’t live without you. Mia Sokolov, would you marry
