Ava awoke to the soft rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. She turned to see Jackson already awake, his eyes focused on the laptop in his lap. The tension from the previous night had not yet dissipated, and both were eager to see the full impact of their efforts."Morning," Jackson said, glancing up as Ava stirred. "Looks like the media is starting to pick up on the story."Ava sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning. Any major updates?"Jackson tapped a few keys and turned the screen towards her. News headlines flashed across the screen, some of them already featuring stories about Evans’s questionable activities. The coverage was beginning to shift, with investigative reports and interviews bringing Evans’s unethical practices into the spotlight."It looks like our plan is working," Jackson said, his tone a mix of relief and satisfaction. "But we need to stay vigilant. Evans won’t take this lying down."Ava nodded, her anxiety slightly
The following morning arrived with a renewed sense of urgency. Ava and Jackson had hardly slept, their minds racing with strategies and possible scenarios. They were both eager to see how the media would continue to cover the fallout from Evans’s press conference and whether their efforts would make a lasting impact.Jackson was up early, already reviewing the latest news updates on his laptop. Ava, still groggy, joined him at the kitchen table, where the smell of fresh coffee provided a comforting backdrop to their tense conversation.“Any new developments?” Ava asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.Jackson looked up, his expression serious. “The media coverage is escalating. Evans’s team is scrambling to manage the damage control. There’s a lot of speculation about his future with the company.”Ava poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down next to him. “That’s good news, but we can’t let our guard down. He’s bound to try something drastic to shift the narrative.”Just then, Jac
Ava Jensen's head felt like a herd of stampeding elephants had paraded through it. Groaning, she cracked open one gummy eyelid, instantly regretting letting in the blazing shaft of morning sunlight.What the hell happened last night?Her mouth was drier than the Sahara Desert, and something hard was digging into her hip. She slowly shifted, wincing at the jackhammer pounding against her skull.That's when she realized she was totally naked. And someone's heavy arm was wrapped around her waist.Ava's eyes shot open despite the searing pain. Next to her in the rumpled bed was a large, muscular form buried under the sheets. A very male, very naked form.Oh my god. What did I do?Panic gripped her as flashes of tequila shots and grinding bodies on a dance floor rampaged through her throbbing head. She had to get out of here. Like, right now.Gingerly rolling away from the sleeping stranger, Ava grabbed at the sheets to cover herself and slid out of the bed. The plush cream carpet embraced
Strong hands clamped around Ava's upper arms, steadying her against the muscular torso she'd collided into. Her senses were instantly assaulted by the intoxicating aroma of crisp, masculine cologne mingling with warm, suntanned skin.She found herself staring up into a chiseled face framed by tousled golden-brown locks. The man's jawline could have been hewn from granite, his full lips twisted in a bemused smirk."You must be the new missus," he rumbled in a voice like velvet scotch. "Though neither Jackson nor I were expecting such an...ahem, informal greeting so early in the morning."Ava jolted backward, nearly tripping over her ridiculous stripper heels in her haste to escape the handsome stranger's viselike grasp."I-I'm so sorry, I was just leaving and—"That's when she noticed the expensive-looking suit and tie the man wore. And the gleaming silver streaks in his tousled hair. Definitely not an overnight guest.Ava's gaze flicked over his broad shoulder, where the sprawling gro
Jackson's mouth devoured Ava's with overwhelming possession. His large hands cupped her face, tilting her head to deepen their searing kiss. She could taste the sweet cinnamon of his tongue as it invaded her, stoking her body into feverish surrender.This wasn't some sloppy, drunken make-out at a dive bar. No, Jackson Reynolds kissed like a man who'd been starving for decades - ravenous for her, claiming her utterly as his own. The demanding flex of his sculpted lips and the prickle of his day-old stubble set every one of Ava's nerves alight.She knew this was so wrong - that she should be shoving him off with every ounce of strength. Calling for security, running as far from his ravenous clutches as possible. But instead, her fingers tangled into that thick, glossy hair as a helpless whimper escaped her lips.How could she possibly resist the earth-scorching passion of a billionaire alpha like Jackson? A man who had the world and everything in it at his feet, yet craved her specifica
Ava stood in stunned silence as the door swung shut behind Jackson and his staffer. Her fingers clutched the plush lapels of the robe he'd hastily wrapped around her, still bearing his imprint of scorching body heat.One minute, he'd been poised to undress and ravage her like a pagan savage staking claim. The next, every alpha instinct had pivoted toward defending his realm against some mysterious threat from this Harrison Drew person.She shivered, feeling whiplash from the tornado of lust and confusion currently upending her world. Part of her was deeply rattled at how easily Jackson could discard their intense intimacy to deal with mere business matters. But then, this was the same man who'd blatantly objectified and groped her minutes earlier, all while promising dark "punishments" with casual menace.Ava sank onto the edge of the towering bed, burying her face in her hands as unwanted tears pricked her eyes. Everything was spiraling so rapidly, shifting between harsh cruelty and
"What the hell are you doing here, Jackson?" Ava demanded, hastily ending the call with Matty and whirling to face her looming husband.His eyes flashed, jaw tightening. "We have an urgent situation. Harrison is waiting for us downstairs."Ava crossed her arms. "I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me what's happening!"Jackson raked a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. "Suffice it to say, new information has come to light that affects both of us. We need to get our stories aligned before this meeting.""What kind of information?" Ava pressed. The look on his face made her stomach clench."The kind that could blow up my company and our little arrangement here," he bit out. "Harrison doesn't make unannounced visits unless it's serious."Ava's mind raced with possibilities as she followed Jackson out of the bedroom. His lawyer had dirt on their drunken wedding night...or her trashy background...or both. Panic rose in her throat.As they entered the opulent study, Harriso
Ava steeled herself as she entered the opulent bedroom suite that had become her gilded cage. She rifled through the racks of designer dresses and shoes, each worth more than she used to make in a month slinging hash."Wear something wifely," she muttered under her breath, echoing Jackson's directive. Did he expect her to play dress-up like some living doll?Her hand landed on a slinky red number with a plunging neckline. Ava's lips curved. If she had to put on a show, why not give the arrogant bastard an eyeful he wouldn't soon forget?She slipped into the dress, the silk caressing her curves like a lover's hands. A swipe of lipstick, a tousle of her mane, and she was armored for battle.Ava sauntered into the dining room, head high. Jackson was seated at the head of the long table, a king presiding over his domain. His eyes widened fractionally as he took in her appearance, a muscle ticking in his jaw."Wifely enough for you?" Ava purred as she slid into the chair beside him. She cr
The following morning arrived with a renewed sense of urgency. Ava and Jackson had hardly slept, their minds racing with strategies and possible scenarios. They were both eager to see how the media would continue to cover the fallout from Evans’s press conference and whether their efforts would make a lasting impact.Jackson was up early, already reviewing the latest news updates on his laptop. Ava, still groggy, joined him at the kitchen table, where the smell of fresh coffee provided a comforting backdrop to their tense conversation.“Any new developments?” Ava asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.Jackson looked up, his expression serious. “The media coverage is escalating. Evans’s team is scrambling to manage the damage control. There’s a lot of speculation about his future with the company.”Ava poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down next to him. “That’s good news, but we can’t let our guard down. He’s bound to try something drastic to shift the narrative.”Just then, Jac
Ava awoke to the soft rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. She turned to see Jackson already awake, his eyes focused on the laptop in his lap. The tension from the previous night had not yet dissipated, and both were eager to see the full impact of their efforts."Morning," Jackson said, glancing up as Ava stirred. "Looks like the media is starting to pick up on the story."Ava sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning. Any major updates?"Jackson tapped a few keys and turned the screen towards her. News headlines flashed across the screen, some of them already featuring stories about Evans’s questionable activities. The coverage was beginning to shift, with investigative reports and interviews bringing Evans’s unethical practices into the spotlight."It looks like our plan is working," Jackson said, his tone a mix of relief and satisfaction. "But we need to stay vigilant. Evans won’t take this lying down."Ava nodded, her anxiety slightly
Ava woke up with a start, her heart racing. The shadows of the night were still clinging to the room, and the uneasy silence was only broken by the distant hum of the security system. Jackson was beside her, asleep but tense, his face set in lines of worry even in rest.The events of the previous day were still fresh in Ava’s mind—the confrontation with Marcus and the startling revelations about Evans’s plans. As she slipped out of bed and padded softly to the kitchen, she tried to calm her racing thoughts. The fight was far from over, and they needed a solid plan to counter Evans's next moves.Claire had been working tirelessly to gather more evidence, but Ava knew they needed to act swiftly. If they didn’t get ahead of Evans, the public’s perception could be swayed beyond repair.By the time Jackson joined her in the kitchen, Ava had already brewed a pot of coffee. She looked up as he entered, his eyes bleary but determined.“Morning,” he said, his voice rough with sleep.Ava offere
Ava stared at the darkened sky from the window of the secure house, her thoughts tangled in worry and determination. The threats against Eddy had added a new layer of urgency to their mission. They couldn’t afford to falter, not with their family and their future on the line.Jackson joined her, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of emotions swirling within her. “We’ll get through this, Ava,” he said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.She turned to face him, her eyes reflecting the fatigue and resolve that had become their constant companions. “I know. But I can’t help but worry about what Evans might do next.”Jackson nodded, his expression serious. “We need to stay one step ahead of him. We have to focus on gathering more evidence and making sure that everything we’ve uncovered is used effectively.”They spent the next few hours reviewing their strategy and preparing for the press release. Claire had arranged for a high-profile press conference to address
The early morning sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains of the secure house, casting soft rays across the room. Ava stirred from her sleep, feeling Jackson’s warm presence beside her. They had spent a restless night, both haunted by the events of the past few days. Jackson had fallen into an uneasy sleep, his arm draped protectively around her.As Ava carefully extricated herself from Jackson’s embrace, she moved quietly to the kitchen. She needed a moment of solitude to gather her thoughts before diving back into their high-stakes investigation. She brewed a pot of coffee, the rich aroma filling the kitchen and providing a comforting normalcy amidst the chaos.Her mind was racing. The knowledge that Richard Evans had a surveillance operation targeting them was both alarming and motivating. They were no longer just dealing with a corporate rival; they were up against a powerful and ruthless individual who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.A few minutes later, Jackson
The morning sun had just started to cast its golden hues over the horizon when Ava and Jackson sat at their kitchen table, surrounded by a myriad of documents, photos, and notes. The previous day’s meeting with David Collins had left them with more questions than answers, but it had also provided crucial leads. They knew the time had come to delve deeper into the enigmatic world of Richard Evans and his shadowy network.Jackson poured two cups of coffee, placing one in front of Ava. He had been unusually quiet, his brow furrowed in concentration. Ava looked up from the documents scattered before her, noticing the intensity in his gaze.“Jackson, are you okay?” Ava asked, her voice filled with concern.Jackson took a sip of his coffee before answering. “I’m just trying to make sense of everything. David’s information points to a larger operation, but it’s still unclear what their endgame is.”Ava nodded, understanding his frustration. “We need to find out more about Richard Evans and h
The morning sun peeked through the curtains of the secure house, casting a soft light over the room. Ava and Jackson were already up, their minds focused on the next steps in their investigation. The tension of the previous night still hung in the air, but they were determined to press on.Jackson paced the room while Ava sat at the dining table, poring over the decrypted emails and documents. The connection between the covert operation and their recent troubles was becoming clearer, but there were still many unanswered questions.“Any new insights?” Jackson asked, his voice breaking the silence.Ava looked up from her laptop, her eyes tired but resolute. “I’m starting to piece together the links between the people at the warehouse and some high-profile corporate figures. It looks like there’s a large-scale operation involving multiple parties.”Jackson frowned. “This is bigger than we thought. If these people are as connected as they seem, we need to be extremely careful.”Ava nodded
The night was thick with tension as Ava and Jackson ventured into the darkness, their minds racing with the urgency of their situation. The eerie silence was occasionally broken by the distant hum of city traffic and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Marcus’s unexpected appearance had left them on edge, and they were acutely aware that their every move might be monitored.Jackson drove through the dimly lit streets, his jaw clenched in determination. Ava sat beside him, her thoughts a whirlpool of fear and resolve. The documents they had obtained from the law firm were spread out on the passenger seat, and she occasionally glanced at them, trying to piece together the puzzle they had inadvertently stumbled into.“I can’t shake the feeling that we’re missing something important,” Ava said, her voice low and anxious. “The documents mention several names and companies, but they’re all interconnected in a way that doesn’t make sense.”Jackson’s grip tightened on the steering
The sleek, glass doors of the law firm closed behind Ava and Jackson with a soft whoosh, sealing them in a world of high-stakes legal battles and hidden agendas. The office was pristine and intimidating, filled with the polished veneer of corporate power.Jackson's expression was steely as he led Ava through the corridors, his mind racing with thoughts of Marcus and the new threats they faced. Ava walked beside him, her heart pounding with anxiety but also determination. The latest message on her phone, coupled with Marcus’s escape, had pushed them into overdrive. They needed answers, and they needed them fast.The junior partner, Daniel, met them in the lobby with a welcoming but guarded smile. “I’ve spoken with my superiors,” he said, ushering them into a conference room. “They’re willing to discuss your concerns, but I must warn you, this is highly unusual.”As they settled into their seats, Jackson leaned forward, his voice low and measured. “We’re trying to uncover a link between