Novels by Joy raphael

“Why did you come?” I asked the instant I shut the door. I'd wanted to see him, sure, but I didn't expect him to show up unannounced. It was almost as though he had read my mind.Reid gave me a condescending smile, strolling casually around my room with his hands in his pockets. “Aren't you going to offer me a seat?”I folded my arms and shot him a glare. “Not until you tell me why you're here.”“Fine,” he said, collapsing into the single chair in my my apartment. “Ask whatever you want. I'll tell you everything.”I eyed him warily. “And how do I know you'll actually tell the truth?”He shrugged. “I guess you'll just have to trust me.”“Trust?” I snorted. “Reid, it's exactly like Marcus said—Windsors don't get to use that word.”He chuckled, the sound sharp and humourless. “Speaking of Marcus, let's start there. What lies has he been feeding you? Come on, spill. I'm sure he's painted quite the picture of me.”“As a matter of fact, he hasn't told me a thing about you. From the way he r

The silence between us stretched thin as I tried to process Marcus's words. It was like staring at a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces jagged and mismatched, but I could see the faint outlines of a picture emerging—and I didn't like what it showed.“The person responsible for my family's death….is the one coming after Reid?” I repeated, my voice hollow.Marcus nodded. “That's what it looks like.”“Okay…and if I'm following you, you think Reid might be…?”Marcus nodded. “I know we don't have proof, but I’ve got this gut feeling that Reid has a hidden agenda, and I'm not about to wait to find out. So, we're leaving town.”I raised an eyebrow, taken aback. “Whoa, you don't get to make that decision for me.”“Come on, Osborn, what's there to think about? Would you rather stay knowing your life’s at risk? Or leave knowing you'll be safe?”I scoffed and opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out—only a short, incredulous gasp. “What about the academy? You're really going to give up all of tha

I swallowed hard, raising my hand in surrender. “Fine. I'll go with you. But for God's sake, put the damn gun away. You know I hate guns.”The pressure against my back eased, and I exhaled a shaky breath, relief washing over me.“Sorry,” Marcus muttered, slipping the gun back into his waistband. “I just wanted you to come with me.”“Then, jeez, just ask,” I snapped, running a hand through my hair. “Instead of pulling this whole kidnap-the-kid routine.”He sighed, dragging a hand over his face. “I'm not thinking straight, Eugene. I just…I just know we have to get out of here.”“Okay, but at least tell me where we're going,” I pressed.Marcus opened his mouth, hesitating before clamping it shut. He shook his head. “You just have to trust me, okay?”I folded my arms and leaned back on my heels, scrutinizing him. If he'd said this an hour ago, I probably would've followed him without question. But after that conversation with Reid, trust wasn't coming as easily. I needed answers.“I want

The first thing I registered was the sharp scent of antiseptic, sterile and suffocating. My eyelids felt like lead, but I managed to crack them open, squinting against the harsh glare of fluorescent lights overhead. Everything was a blur—white walls, beeping machines, and the faint hum of voices. My side throbbed with a dull ache, and when I shifted slightly, a sharper pain shot through me, forcing a groan from my lips.I wasn't alone.The voices became clearer as I forced myself to focus. Marcus and Reid stood a few feet away, their sides partially turned toward me. They spoke in low tones, their voices charged with tension.“You know you're endangering her, right?” Marcus's voice was tight, each word cutting through the quiet.“I know what I'm doing, Marcus. With her in the mansion, things will be a lot easier,” Reid countered smoothly.“Yeah, easier for you.” Marcus sneered, jabbing a finger at Reid's chest. “Do you know what Klaus will do to her when he finds out?”Reid raised his

Marcus gave me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, his gaze fixed on Reid as he answered. “Saving your ass, apparently. I didn't know we had company.” I looked between him and Reid, confusion prickling at the back of my mind. “Oh, I thought you two know each other? Reid is the reason I'm still alive, if I'm being honest.” Marcus didn't respond. Not a single word to acknowledge Reid’s presence. Instead, he shifted his attention to the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. Reid, seemingly unfazed, followed his lead, both of them watching the road for any sign of the remaining bikers. “I thought you two knew each other?” I asked, this time directing my question to Reid. “We do,” Reid said with a grin that could only be described as infuriatingly smug. “But I'm guessing he doesn't fancy seeing you alone with me, given that I'm exceptionally handsome.” I rolled my eyes at his audacity. “Please. Marcus couldn't care less. He probably just wasn't expecting to see you

I sank into my seat, regret flooding my chest as the reality of my actions hit me. Reid reached over, his hands covering mine where it rested on my lap.“Hey, it's going to be okay. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you,” he said softly.I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. “This is all my fault. I should've thought it through before challenging someone like Klaus.”“No,” he said firmly. “It's not your fault. My dad can be…provoking. I'm sure whatever he did must've really pushed you to react that way and I get it.” He brushed away a tear slipping down my cheek, his thumb warm and steady, before resting his hand over mine again. “But now we've got to figure out a way forward. What I'm about to suggest might sound crazy, but it's our best option.”I turned to him, dread already curling in my stomach. I could guess what he was about to say.“No. Reid, there are about a hundred of them, and only two of us.”“It's thirty-five bikers,” he corrected. “and we're not taking all o