As I walked into the room, my mind was racing with the weight of the information Pachi had shared. I had to tell Nathan everything and make him understand that danger was lurking closer than he realized. But when I tried to speak, the words seemed to fall flat. Nathan, leaning casually against the wall, didn’t seem alarmed. His calmness in the face of everything was both infuriating and disarming.
“Nathan, I’m serious,” I said, trying to emphasize the urgency. “You’re in danger. Your family, Don Chappo, the Stones, everyone’s playing their hand, and it’s all pointing at you.”
He walked over to me slowly, his eyes studying me, but not with concern. There was something deeper and more intimate. Before I could say another word, his hands gently moved to the buttons of my shirt, unfas
Nathanâs hand was warm on my back as we weaved through the dancing crowd. The music pulsed around us, lights flashing, but our mission held a weight all its own. He wanted to see Steve with his own eyes, confirm the shadows of suspicion lingering around us.âStay close,â he whispered, his voice smooth but sharp, as though he were already preparing for whatever game Steve might be playing. We cut through the crowd toward the central floor, weaving between dancers and bodies swaying in time to the heavy bass. Then, suddenly, there they were, right in front of us like the universe had orchestrated some twisted meeting.Carlos and Lisa.Lisaâs smile was unmistakable, that smug look she wore whenever she thought she held the upper hand. Carlos turned, and his face flashed with surprise, then satisfaction. They had seen us, just as weâd stumbled upon them. And they werenât going anywhere.âWell, look whoâs slumming it on the dance floor,â Lisa sneered, her voice slicing through the heavy mu
Nathan and I stepped out of the club, the chilly night air a welcome relief from the thick tension weâd left behind. He pulled out his phone, dialling swiftly. His expression was all business as he waited for the line to connect.âDon Chappo,â Nathan said when he finally answered, his voice low but firm. âI need to knowâĶis everything still under wraps? No one should know about our business.âA pause stretched on the line as Don Chappoâs gruff voice finally cut through. âItâs tight, Nathan. Not a word outside of our circle. Whatâs going on?âNathanâs grip tightened around the phone as he cast a quick glance over his shoulder, scanning the street. âWe were at the club. Ran into someâĶunexpected faces. Theyâre circling, Don, and someone just hinted they might know more than they should.âThe Donâs voice shifted, taking on a sharp edge. âWho are we talking about?ââSteve and Carlos,â Nathan replied, his gaze darkening. âAnd Steve insinuated he knew something. But youâre certain, no leaks?â
The hotel room did not look as accommodating as it used to be because of Nathanâs mood. It felt heavy as I stepped inside. He stood by the window, his back to me, gazing into the night as if it held answers he couldnât find. I knew the weight he was carrying, but seeing him this quiet, so distant and removed, was unsettling.I took a step closer, hesitating. âNathan,â I murmured softly, âcome to bed. You need rest.âHe didnât respond, his body tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. I waited, sensing his need for space, but as the minutes passed, my worry grew. Finally, I took a breath and broke the silence. âTalk to me,â I urged, stepping beside him. âPlease.âHe exhaled, a long, weary sigh, and when he finally looked at me, his face was lined with frustration, shadows etched deeply in his eyes. âI justâĶ wish I didnât have so much on my plate,â he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. âSometimes, I wonder if itâs worth it. If all of this is worth the price.âI placed
In the quiet stillness of the night, I stirred awake to the warmth of Nathanâs body pressed close to mine. The sheets were tangled around us, but his arms held me close, a gentle yet unyielding hold. His touch traced slow, lazy circles on my back, and even in the dim light, I could feel the intensity of his gaze as he looked at me, his fingers brushing along my bare shoulder.I smiled, meeting his eyes, still hazy with sleep and a tenderness that felt both new and familiar. In this soft, unguarded moment, there was nothing but the space we shared, nothing but us and the hours still wrapped in night. As if reading my thoughts, he reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and murmured, âI could get used to waking up like this.âI let my fingers wander along his jaw, feeling the quiet strength beneath his skin. âThen letâs make sure you get to.âHis gaze deepened, the playfulness fading as he considered the weight of those words. âIf only it were that easy,â he whispered, his ha
I looked over at Nathan, my thoughts already racing with the plan. âI think we need to see the Stones again, especially Kyle,â I said, my tone laced with certainty. âThis whole situation, it has an inside job written all over it. And I think you feel it too.âNathan leaned back, his gaze narrowing as he processed what Iâd said. âIâve been thinking the same thing,â he admitted, his voice low but intense. âThe Stones might not be the root of this mess, but theyâre involved enough to know who is.ââAnd Kyle,â I added, a touch of bitterness creeping into my voice. âHeâs sloppy and eager for power; if anyoneâs liable to make mistakes or leave a trail, itâs him.âNathan nodded, clearly agreeing. âKyleâs a loose cannon, too ambitious for his own good. But heâs protective of the Stones' interests. If we push in the right way, he might reveal something he doesnât intend to.âI couldnât help but smirk at that. âExactly. If he thinks weâre onto him, or that thereâs a crack in our defences, he mi
As I grabbed my bag and headed toward the car, Nathan looked at me with surprise. He raised an eyebrow as if to question my decision, but the glint of approval in his eyes made it clear he wasnât about to object.âYouâre skipping class?â he asked, a slight smile curling at his lips as I slid into the car beside him.I met his gaze and nodded confidently. âIf thereâs an emergency meeting, I want to be there with you. Whateverâs going on, Iâm not letting you face it alone.âHis smile widened and softened, and he reached for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. He gently squeezed my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. âThank you,â he whispered, the warmth in his voice adding a touch of reassurance to the tense anticipation filling the car. I was glad I was with him.We didnât need many words. In the silence that followed, I felt his appreciation, and he knew I wasnât backing down. We were facing whatever awaited us together.âGo ahead and message your lecturer,â he said, h
As we walked through the different hallways leading to the lift, I could sense the tension in the building. Though no one spoke to us, it was as if they knew what the board members were up to. Nathan was calm as usual, but I could see that his steps and pace had increased, and I was playing catch up.We got to the conference room and Nathan pushed open the door, catching Uncle Jesse mid-sentence, his voice booming throughout the room, âThen, letâs proceed with the votes - -âBut before he could finish, Roseâs voice cut through, firm and sharp, âIâm afraid you canât call for a vote, Jesse. Nathan is here now.âA hush fell over the boardroom as all eyes snapped to us. Nathanâs gaze was steely as he scanned the room, settling finally on Jesse, who appeared surprised but didnât back down. Jesseâs mouth twisted into a sly smile, his tone smooth as he replied, âWeâve been waiting for you, Nathan. The board has already decided we canât delay the vote any longer.âNathanâs jaw tightened. âWai
The members of the board were expecting to hear from Nathan but he stood calm and reserved, looking at each one of them straight into the eyes. Some of them could not return his gaze and acted like they were busy or going through documents.Leaning close, I whispered softly, âNathan, this board... itâs informal, remember? They only have shares of about 35% collectively, and none of them hold more than 5% on their own. You have a solid 55%, so technically, they canât vote you out.â Nathanâs jaw tightened, but he listened, his eyes not leaving Katrina as she shifted uneasily in her seat across the room.âAnd thereâs more,â I added in a lowered tone. âKatrina has already filed for divorce, so technically, sheâs no longer part of the board. She canât vote, no matter how determined she looks.âA slow, amused smile crept onto his face, barely noticeable but there, shining in his eyes. Nathan straightened and looked directly into my eyes for a brief moment, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing
Everything had settled into place like the final pieces of a grand puzzle. What once felt like an insurmountable storm had passed, leaving behind a new world, one where Nathan remained the undisputed king, but this time, with order and stability.I had been called back to school, a sign that my life was finally returning to normal, or at least something close to it. The weight of uncertainty that had once loomed over me had lifted, replaced by a newfound sense of freedom and direction. Katrina had received 30% of all the clubs and hotels I owned as per the agreement, securing her future and allowing her to walk away from the chaos without regrets.Nathan, ever the strategist, had made swift work of tying up loose ends. With Don Chappoâs assistance, he had not only removed every trace of the gang that had threatened our lives but had also found a way to put Carlos to good use. Carlos had been given a fresh startâan actual career, a legitimate oneâworking under Nathan and Don Chappoâs g
The boardroom was thick with tension. Every eye was on Nathan, Alex Sommer, Steve, and Uncle Jesse as the battle for control of Cain Corporation reached its climax.Alex Sommer, ever the smooth talker, stood up, adjusting his perfectly tailored suit with an air of confidence. He glanced around the room and smirked, his voice dripping with condescension."None of this matters," he declared, his eyes locking on Nathan. "You can throw all the accusations you want, but it's not enough to stop the change of leadership. The majority of the shares are in my control now. That is all that matters."Blake, Nathanâs sharp and calculating lawyer, was quick to respond. He stood with an easy grace, his expression unreadable."Tell me, Alex," Blake began, "is fraud, not enough grounds to stop another fraud?"Alex narrowed his eyes, shifting his weight slightly."What are you implying?"Blakeâs gaze swept the room, ensuring that every board member was listening before he continued."The very people w
The tension in the boardroom was suffocating. The air was thick with silent power plays, unspoken accusations, and the weight of the decision that would determine the fate of Cain Corporation. Nathan sat at the head of the table, his posture calm but commanding, his piercing eyes scanning the room. He wasnât here to beg, he was here to remind them exactly who he was.My only fear was that I hoped he knew the game he was playing. A lot of things donât favour him at the moment, but I think he can appeal to the Board members so that they can stand by him. A lot of them worshipped him, yet this was a tough call.Uncle Jesse cleared his throat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished mahogany table. He clasped his hands together in a gesture of authority before addressing the board members."Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice smooth and practised, "we have gathered here today for an important matter, one that affects the very future of this company." He took a moment t
As we stepped into the office, a hushed tension blanketed the room. It was as if everyone had already caught wind of the chaos unfolding behind closed doors. Employees who normally went about their business were suddenly stealing glances at us, some filled with curiosity, others with thinly veiled concern.Nathan walked beside me, his expression unreadable, his steps measured and confident. I, on the other hand, could feel the weight of every stare pressing into my back. This wasnât just another board meeting. This was a battle. A battle for control, for power, for survival.Blake was the first to greet us, standing just outside the boardroom with an air of quiet authority. He gave us a tight-lipped smile, his eyes scanning Nathanâs face for any signs of hesitation.âTheyâre waiting for you,â he said in a low voice. âUncle Jesse, Steve, AlexâĶ theyâre all inside. Theyâve wasted no time.âNathan let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. âOf course they havenât.âBlakeâs expression hard
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of Nathanâs penthouse, casting long golden streaks across the room. I stirred beneath the silk sheets, the warmth of last nightâs intimacy still lingering on my skin. For the first time in what felt like forever, I had slept soundly, wrapped in Nathanâs arms. But as I opened my eyes, the weight of reality crashed back onto my shoulders.Nathan was already up, standing by the window with his phone pressed to his ear. His posture was tense, his back rigid as he listened intently to whoever was on the other end of the line. I could only catch snippets of the conversation.ââĶYes. Make sure itâs all filed before the meetingâĶ No, I donât care what Alex Sommer thinks heâs planning,â He paused, exhaling sharply before adding, âJust do it.âI sat up slowly, watching him as he ended the call and turned around. His piercing eyes met mine, but they werenât filled with the warmth I had seen last night. Instead, they were sharp and calculating. H
As the warm water cascaded over my body, I let out a deep sigh, letting the steam wrap around me like a comforting embrace. The tension of the past days had been suffocating, and for the first time in a while, I allowed myself to relax.I ran my hands through my hair, washing out the last traces of soap, my eyes closed as I let the water cleanse not just my body, but my mind as well. When I finally opened them, my breath hitched.Nathan stood before me.He was completely bare, his chiselled form illuminated by the dim, misty light of the bathroom. Droplets of water clung to his skin, accentuating every curve of his muscles. His deep blue eyes held mine, dark with something I couldnât quite name, something raw, something undeniable.For a moment, neither of us moved. The sound of the water filled the space between us, the steam creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. My heart pounded in my chest, my skin prickling with awareness.Then, he stepped forward.His fingers trailed up my arm,
As we stepped into Nathanâs penthouse, the tension from the boardroom still lingered in the air. Nathanâs jaw was set, his mind clearly working through everything that had just happened. I had barely settled onto the couch when the doorbell rang.Nathan didnât even need to guess who it was. He strode to the door, exhaled deeply, and pulled it open.Katrina stood there, her sharp gaze moving between the two of us before she stepped inside as if she owned the place. She was still dressed in the same impeccable blazer from the board meeting, her posture poised, but there was a flicker of unease in her expression.Nathan shut the door and turned to face her. âAlright, Katrina. Letâs cut to it. What deal did she offer you?âKatrina tilted her head slightly, then smirked. âYou seem impatient.ââI donât have time for your games,â Nathan replied, crossing his arms. âTell me.âKatrinaâs gaze flickered toward me as if debating whether to say it out loud. But then she shrugged and leaned against
As Nathan and I stepped into the conference room, an unmistakable tension filled the air. Every board member was present, their eyes shifting between one another, some avoiding Nathanâs piercing gaze, others openly hostile. But what caught me off guard the most was the sight of Katrina seated confidently among them. She was dressed in a sleek black blazer, her expression unreadable, but there was something steely in her gaze as she met Nathanâs eyes.Nathanâs posture stiffened. He scanned the room, his piercing eyes locking onto each individual before settling on Katrina for a moment. Then, in a voice dripping with restrained fury, he asked, âWhat is going on here? Who gave the authority to call a board meeting in the middle of the night?âA slow, deliberate chuckle broke the silence.It was Uncle Jesse. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished mahogany table, and clasped his hands together as if he had all the time in the world. His smug expression made my stomach twist
The revelation that Steve, Uncle Jesse, and Alex Sommer had called for an emergency board meeting sent a chill through me. This wasnât just a power move, it was a calculated strike, and if Nathan didnât act fast, he could lose everything.We grabbed our things but instead of moving towards the door, we stood there looking at each other. I wondered how we got here, to the point where we are almost losing everything we hold dear. Our love, my school, and Nathanâs empire seemed to be crashing down with n solution.I turned to him, my voice firm despite the panic bubbling inside me. âNathan, if theyâve called a board meeting without you, itâs not a good omen. You know what this means.âNathan clenched his jaw, running a hand through his dark hair as he exhaled heavily. âI know,â he said, his voice laced with frustration. âBut what do you want me to do? Sit here and watch everything I built get handed over to Alex Sommer on a platter of gold?â His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, a sto