Love breaks all Chains E-Book

Maria Kessler

• Herausgeber: epubli
• Kategorie: Krimi
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 113

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Love breaks all Chains When Jan meets the mysterious Lisa in a Kreuzberg snack bar, a passionate love flares up between them. But her past is darker than he realizes - a toxic ex-boyfriend, stalking and a murder case that brings Lisa into the focus of the police. While Jan risks everything to prove her innocence, Lisa is threatened in prison by brutal opponents and a corrupt guard. But her love remains her strongest weapon. A gripping thriller about love, trust and the fight against the darkness of the past.

Leseprobe

Title:Love breaks all Chains

Author: Maria Kessler

Biography:

Maria Kessler was born in Berlin in 1984 and

now lives in a small town in southern Germany. After training as a graphic designer and various jobs in the media industry, she

decided to pursue her passion for writing. In her stories, she often combines emotional depth with gripping suspense and tells of characters who are battling their own demons.

When she is not writing, you can find her in nature, hiking or in cozy cafés with a cup of coffee.

Chapter 1: The Fast Food Restaurant

The "hunger shack" in Berlin-Kreuzberg stank of French fry grease, onions and burnt curry sauce. It was a place where life pulsed bluntly and harshly. Jan Berger sat on one of the

crazy plastic chairs, his hands clutching a bottle of beer while he waited for the currywurst he had ordered. His oil-smeared

hands betrayed his job as a mechanic, his disheveled hair showed that he didn't give a damn about etiquette.

The door opened and Jan raised his head. A

young woman entered, her long brown hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders. Her gaze was sharp, her green eyes scanning the

room as if she was assessing each person. Her tight jeans accentuated long legs and her leather jacket gave her a dangerous aura. Jan audibly sucked in air. "Holy shit," he murmured quietly. "What a bombshell." Lisa Meier pushed herself to the counter, ignored the lascivious looks of the men around her and ordered dryly: “French fries.

Quick, I’m in a hurry.” HerHer voice was like velvet, but with a hard undertone that made it clear that she wouldn't be fooled. Jan couldn't resist. He stood up, grabbed his beer and strolled to the bar. "Well, you look like you could handle a currywurst with a real man."

Lisa slowly turned to him, her eyes looking

him up and down. "And you look like you could use a bath and a change of job. But hey, everyone has their problems."

Jan laughed, a rough, throaty sound. "Touché. But I'm a damn good mechanic. And you're a damn beautiful woman. That fits, doesn't it?" Lisa twisted her mouth into a sarcastic smile.

"If you feel the need to chat up women in diner bars, you're either desperate or stupid. Which option is it?"

"A bit of both," Jan replied with a grin. "But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And with you, the risk is worth it." The waitress placed Lisa’s fries in front of

herbut she didn't move. Instead, Jan gathered her again, this time with a hint of curiosity. "You have a big mouth. But what comes after that? Or are you the type of person who gives up after two sentences?"

Jan leaned forward a little, his voice getting quieter. "If I show you this now, we'll have nothing to look forward to, right?" Lisa snorted, but a slight twinkle in her eyes revealed that she was amused. "Keep dreaming, wrench."

"Jan. My name is Jan."

“Lisa,” she replied curtly, picked up her fries and turned to leave.

"Lisa," he repeated quietly, watching her push the door open. At the same moment he saw a

man waiting outside, tall, broad, and with a face twisted with anger. The guy grabbed Lisa by the arm, and although she resisted, he pulled her slightly to the side.

Jan was on his feet immediately. He stepped outside, the beer still in his hand. "Hey, man! Let the woman go or I'll give you free surgery."

The man turned around, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Stay out of this, buddy. This is none of your business."

"Yes, it does," said Jan, demonstratively standing with his legs apart. "Because I have a problem with assholes who harass women." Lisa seized the moment, ripped her arm free

and took a step back. "Fuck off, Sven. It's over. Stop following me." Sven snorted contemptuously. "I'm saying that, not you, doll. Don't forget that."

Jan took a step closer. "She dumped you, so go home and cry your eyes out. Before I make sure that you can only eat soup." Sven hesitated, gave Lisa one last look and

finally hissed: “It’s not over yet.” Then he disappeared into the night. Jan turned to Lisa. “Are you okay?” "Yes," she replied shortly. "Thank you."

"No problem. But you owe me a currywurst now. Hero food, you understand?" Lisa grinned reluctantly. "Keep dreaming,

wrench." Then she left, but this time she turned back at the door and gave him a look that lit a fire in him that he couldn't put out so quickly.

Jan leaned against the bar, a big grin on his face. "That woman is killing me," he muttered and took the last sip of his beer.

Chapter 2: The Stalker

Jan strolled back to the “hunger stall” the next evening. It had become his after-work ritual, even though he secretly hoped to see Lisa again. Something about this woman had

grabbed him – her strength, her sharp tongue and those damn green eyes that completely threw a man like him off track. He lit a

cigarette and let his gaze wander across the street when he saw her. Lisa stood in front of the snack bar, her hands buried deep in the pockets of her leather

jacket. Her posture was tense, her shoulders slightly hunched. In front of her stood a man, tall, beefy, with a face that glowed with so

much anger that it quickly looked comical. It was Sven, and Jan only needed one look to know that the guy was a walking problem. “I said leave me alone!” Lisa’s voice was loud, clear, but she was shaking slightly. “And I said you belong to me, damn it!” Sven grabbed her arm and pulled her a little closer to him. “Stopto put on a show. Come with me, we'll talk in peace."

"Quiet?" Lisa laughed bitterly. "You have no idea what quiet is. Let me go, Sven, before I kick your balls up to your neck!"

Jan felt his pulse quicken. He hated such scenes, this mixture of power-mongering and subtle violence that was just waiting to explode. He flicked his cigarette onto the

floor, walked resolutely towards the two of them and shouted: "Well, what do we have here?" "A guy who's too stupid to understand a clear answer?"

Sven turned around, let go of Lisa's arm and looked at Jan coldly. "Go away, man. This is none of your business."

"Yes, it is possible," Jan said calmly, but stopped less than two meters away from the two of them. "If someone puts on a show on

the sidewalk, it's automatically public. Besides, piss off or I'll help you." “Oh, I would like to see that,” growled Sven and took a step towards Jan. “You think that

because you are a little bit"You want to play hero, that you can get away with it? I'll shut your mouth, buddy."

Jan raised his hands in what appeared to be a

gesture of peace, but his expression remained cold. "Just try. But I'll tell you right now, I'm not as nice as them. There's no second warning from me."

Lisa seized the moment, took a step back and said sharply: "Stop it, Sven. Now. You're only making yourself look more ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" Sven turned to her, his voice thick with anger. "It's ridiculous that you

think I'll just let you go." You think you can run off with some asshole like that and everything will be fine?"

"Run away?" Lisa laughed dryly. "Sven, I just want my damn life back." Without you. You just don't get it, do you?"

Sven clenched his fists and Jan realized that

things were about to escalate. He stepped between the two of them so that Lisa was behind him. "That's enough now," he said

quietly, his voice so dangerously calm that Sven paused for a moment. "Just go.Or do you want the cops to show up here? Trust me, they'll be here before you can find an excuse."

Sven stared at Jan, his chest heaving. Finally, he took a step back. "This isn't over yet," he hissed, giving Lisa one last, deadly look. Then he turned around and disappeared into the darkness.

Jan waited until Sven was out of sight before turning to Lisa. "Are you okay?"

"Sure," she murmured, but her voice sounded broken. She trembled slightly and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Come on, sit down," Jan said and led her to a bench a few meters down the street. They sat down reluctantly and he got two beers from a

vending machine next to the snack bar. He handed her one and lay down next to her. “And who is the asshole?” he finally asked.

Lisa took a long sip of beer before answering. "My ex. Sven Krüger. We were together for three years. Did shitstarted and ended even worse."

“And now he’s stalking you?” "For months," she admitted, pulling her knees up to her chest. "He calls all the time, stands

at my door, follows me on the street. I reported him, but the police say they can't do anything unless he hurts me directly." Jan gritted his teeth. "Typical. They always wait until it's too late."

"Yes," Lisa said quietly, looking at the street. "And now I don't know what to do anymore. That guy is driving me crazy, Jan. He just won't stop."

Jan put a hand on her shoulder and let it rest there for a moment. "You're not alone, Lisa. If that guy shows up again, let me know. I'll take care of it."

They looked at him, their eyes sparkling with suppressed tears. "Why are you doing this? You hardly know me."

"Because you don't deserve it," he said simply. "And because I'm sure you're worth a lot. The guy willregret that he treated you that way."

A faint smile crossed her face. "Thank you, Jan."

He took a sip of beer and grinned. "You're

welcome. But if I'm honest, I'd really like you to buy me a currywurst sometime." Lisa laughed quietly, and for a moment the world seemed a little brighter again.

Chapter 3: The First Night

It was late when Jan and Lisa arrived at his small apartment. The rain had started and their hair was sticking to their faces as they climbed the narrow stairs to his door. Jan

unlocked the door and held it open for Lisa. "Nothing special, but it's enough for me," he said with a slight grin.

Lisa entered and took a quick look around the room. The apartment was small but cozy. An old couch, a television, a tiny kitchenette and a bed in the corner, only half-heartedly

separated by a curtain. It smelled of motor oil and beer, but also somehow of him - of a man who didn't care much about appearances, but simply lived.

“Do you want something to drink? Beer, water, or do you have something exotic in mind?” asked Jan as he threw his wet jacket on a hook.

“A beer would be good,” Lisa replied and fell onto the couch. They pulled theirLeather jacket off, her wet blouse stuck to her skin,

and Jan had to pull herself together not to stare. He handed her a bottle, took one for himself and stood next to her. "You can stay here if you want," he said quietly. "I don't know if that asshole Sven knows where you live, but I don't want you to be alone."

Lisa took a deep sip and nodded slowly.

"Thanks, Jan. You're... different, you know that? Most guys would have pissed off long ago if they'd heard of Sven."

Jan shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe I'm just too stupid to be afraid. Or maybe I just have a weakness for strong women who aren't afraid to tell guys like me what they think."

She laughed quietly, and for a moment the tension disappeared from her face. Then she leaned back, looked at the ceiling and sighed.

"Three years with Sven. Three damn years. It started well, you know? He was charming, made me laugh. But at some point he changed. Controlled,forced, violent."

Jan remained silent and let her talk. He sensed that she was going to lose this. "He always let me know that I was his," she continued, her voice low and bitter. "He

wanted to know where I was, who I was talking to. If I was gone too long, he would reproach me, yell at me. And then…" They paused, their hands gripping the beer bottle so tightly that their knuckles were white.

"At some point he struck."

Jan felt his jaw muscles tense. "Did he hurt you?"

Lisa nodded slowly. "Not often. But it was

enough. I knew I had to leave. I packed my things and moved to another city. But he found me. And now... now I'm here."

"And he won't leave you alone anymore," Jan said quietly, his eyes dark. "But that's changing. Guys like that only understand one language, and I can speak it."

Lisa looked at him, and for a moment there was something like trust in her eyes. She put the beer bottle on the table and leaned closer to him. "Thank you," she whispered. Jan hesitated, sensing the tension between them. Then he put a hand on her cheek, gently pulling her closer. Their lips met and

the kiss was gentle at first, then more urgent. Lisa wrapped her arms around him, pulled him towards her, and in that moment there was nothing else but the two of them.