ELISE’S POVThe clock ticked ominously toward 5:30 PM, each second echoing in my mind like a countdown to a pivotal moment. My mom’s words had been replaying in my head all day, her advice pressing down on me like a heavy blanket.Tonight was the night I would set my plans into motion, and it felt almost miraculous that I was ovulating at this crucial time.Lauren had slithered back to the hellhole she came from, but I knew it was only a matter of time before she resurfaced—possibly with someone to take my place. I needed to act quickly to secure my position in the house.Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the bathroom, allowing the warm water to wash over me, melting away my anxiety. The steam curled around me, and I contemplated the high stakes of my situation.Joe had confirmed that Miguel would be home by 7 PM, and as the minutes slipped away, I focused on my preparations.I took my time in the bath, carefully styling my hair, applying just the right amount of makeup, and finish
KIERA’S POVI stood frozen, watching Gabriel’s car disappear into the night. My heart raced—not from fear, but disbelief. He actually left!Yes, I know I said I’d call Damien and I pretended to, but that was just an act to humble him. I never thought he would actually leave me alone on this desolate road, the chill biting at my skin like winter’s breath.I had outdone myself this time. I dug my nails into my palm, hoping the pain would squeeze my frustration out. What was I thinking? How did it come to this?Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone. Well, I guess it’s time to actually call Damien.I dialed, my hands trembling slightly as the emptiness around me pressed in, dark and empty like a void.Each ring of the phone echoed my rising anxiety, stretching the silence into a taut string.“Hello?” Damien’s voice cut through.“Damien, I need you,” I said, striving to keep my voice steady, but I could hear the tremor betraying me.“What’s happened? You sound—” he paused, concern cr
GABRIEL’S POVI slammed the brakes, tires screeching as I skidded to a halt on the side of the road. My heart pounded against my ribs like a trapped bird. What the hell was I thinking? I thumped the steering wheel in frustration.“Shit!” I growled, the sound reverberating in the confined space, amplifying my cooking anger.Kiera with Damien! The thought consumed me like a python consuming it's prey. I had left her there, convinced that she could handle herself. How foolish I was. But now? It felt like a death sentence hanging over her head.I picked up my phone, fingers hovering over her name. Call her, just check if she’s okay. But I couldn’t do it. The last thing I wanted was to hear her voice saying she was fine with Damien, that everything was okay.Why did I leave? I hit the dashboard in frustration, the plastic vibrating under my palm. I should have stayed back to ensure her safety before I left. What if something terrible happened to her? The weight of that thought crashed over
GABRIEL’S POVI drove off almost immediately, my knuckles turning white against the steering wheel, hoping I’d spot Damien’s car in the distance. But the road was clear as day, stretching out before me like an endless void.Where the hell are you, Damien?I opened my map app, scrolling quickly as I searched for the nearest hospital. St. Anthony’s was the closest—about five minutes away.I increased my speed, my heart hammering eagerly in my chest, each beat a painful reminder of the ticking clock. As I pulled into the parking lot of St. Anthony’s, a wave of dread washed over me.I rushed inside, the sterile smell of antiseptic hitting so hard. I approached the receptionist, desperation clawing at my voice.“Hi, was any lady brought in here by a man a few minutes ago?”The receptionist looked up from her screen, her expression neutral and unyielding, “No, sir, we haven’t had any new patients for over an hour.”“Are you sure?” My eyes widened in disbelief.“You can check the next hospi
MIGUEL’S POVA loud banging jolted me awake, pulling me from the depths of sleep. As I attempted to open my eyes, a haze blurred my vision, a heavy fog that seemed to cling to me.I groaned, pushing myself up from the bed, the sheets clinging to my skin like a second layer.I lifted my hands to massage my temples, tilting my head from side to side, cracking it with the support of my hand.I heard the sound of water running and I figured Elise was in there.“Hmmm… Elise,” I growled softly.Stumbling to my closet, I grabbed a wrinkled shirt and a pair of pants, throwing them on haphazardly. I took a moment to compose myself, smoothing down the fabric as I approached the door.“Boss, there’s something you should know,” Joe said, immediately the door swung open.I cleared my throat, eager to know why the heck he was knocking on my door this early on a Saturday morning.“It better be good Joe,” I warned, my eyes still heavy.“I think I know why the Russians pulled out,” he said, his tone s
GABRIEL'S POVThe night dragged on in the hospital, each hour stretching like taffy as we paced the sterile waiting room like restless ghosts. The acrid smell of antiseptic filled the air, a constant reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. Kiera was stable, the nurse had assured us, but that word barely eased the knot in my stomach. Stable felt like a cruel joke after everything she had suffered.Damien and I refused to leave, even though we weren’t allowed access to Kiera’s ward. I needed to be here when she awoke, to let her know that I hadn’t abandoned her. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Damien had the upper hand. He was there when she needed someone, while I was wallowing in my self-ego and jealousy.The fluorescent lights hummed above us, casting a harsh glare that felt almost mocking. I leaned against the wall, my mind racing. What the hell was I doing here? I should have been out there, hunting down the bastards who hurt her. Instead, I was stuck in this waiting room,
KIERA’S POVMy heart rumbled in my chest as I watched Gabriel walking towards the exit. At the same time, Damien settled beside me, his arms wrapping around me. Unconsciously, my eyes darted toward the threshold and I saw Gabriel standing there, his countenance cold as ice. He could get a heart attack for all I care!Anger and sadness tangled together in my mind, a storm brewing that I couldn’t escape, as I watched him ball his fist and walk away.What was his beef anyway? Didn’t he make it clear once more that we were never gonna cross the contract lines? Why was he acting like he had swallowed a box of nails?My eyes fluttered shut as I calmed myself in Damien’s embrace. The last thing I remembered before waking up in this room was the blinding glare of headlights, three sets of them rushing toward me, then a punch that knocked the world out from under me. It all felt like a nightmare I couldn’t wake from.“Hey,” Damien’s voice broke through my whirlwind of thoughts, his brow furrow
DAMIEN'S POVEverything that had happened felt like a whirlwind, and I was still trying to catch my breath. I wasn’t lying when I said that I don’t know what I’d do if I lost Kiera. I’d be more than devastated. Kiera had taken up almost every cell in my body, and all I wanted was for her to be safe and sound.As I drove home, a hint of rage still lingered in my chest like a pot threatening to boil over.I was mad at Gabriel for the role he played in this but I couldn’t lash out on him. Gabriel, even though he went too far this time. Leaving Kiera on that godforsaken lonely road was a wrong move and if he were one of our men, he’d probably be knocking at the gates of hell right now. His ego had almost cost Kiera her life, and that would be something I could never forgive.I pulled into the driveway, barely registering the surroundings. I stormed into the house, needing a shower to wash away the grime of the horrific events and to grab some things for Kiera. I didn’t even bother checkin