Nathan’s expression remained calm, though I could see the steely resolve behind his eyes. “I’m expanding our empire, Steve,” he said plainly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “That means seizing opportunities when they come, even if it involves the Stones.”Steve’s brows knitted in frustration. “The Stones? So, Kyle was here, wasn’t he? And you think a deal with them will expand the ‘empire’?” His voice was filled with sarcasm as he took a step closer to Nathan, his voice low but filled with accusation. “You’re just making deals left and right, aren’t you? Or are you just trying to one-up the rest of us?”Nathan held up a hand, cutting him off before he could continue. “Kyle and I have an understanding,” he said, his voice cold and measured. “I’m buying shares in Stones Corporation. We both benefit. This isn’t a game, Steve, it’s called business. It’s about making sure this company, our company, stays ahead.”Steve shook his head, scoffing. “Is it? Or is it about you? Look aroun
As Steve stormed out, the door closed behind him with an audible thud, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake. Nathan turned to me, his eyes narrowed, his face still tense from the confrontation.He took a breath before saying, “Next time, don’t interfere when Steve and I are talking.”His words stung, a wave of disbelief rising in me. I had only tried to help, to keep things from escalating. I could not believe what Nathan just told me. I felt offended but kept my cool as I looked at him, unsure whether to hold back or push back.“Cut me out too, then, Nathan,” I replied, my voice low but charged. “I thought we were in this together, that you wanted me by your side. But lately, it feels like every time I try to help, you shut me down.”Nathan’s gaze softened, but he kept
As I turned to leave, sensing the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold between Nathan and Katrina, her voice stopped me in my tracks. “Wait!” she exclaimed, her tone shifting from urgent to contemplative. “On second thought, you should stay. I want you here.”I hesitated, glancing at Nathan, who looked equally surprised. “Katrina, are you sure about this?” he asked, scepticism evident in his voice. “This is personal.”“Yes, I know,” she replied, her gaze shifting between us. “But if we’re going to figure this out, I want you both involved. Nathan, what are you thinking? What deal is on the table?”Nathan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly torn. “I’m not ready to discuss specifics yet. There are a lot o
The club was something else. I don’t know how Nathan does it, but it looked more vibrant than it was. The music was everything anyone would wish for. The crowd surely enjoyed it and the club's mood would certainly want you to put every worry away and buy in.Nathan and I danced, laughter spilling from our lips, and the weight of the world felt lighter for a while.As we moved together, I was acutely aware of how Nathan’s presence brought joy to the evening. He twirled me around, his laughter ringing in my ears, and I found myself swept away by the music, forgetting, even if just for a moment, the complications that awaited us in the outside world.But then, just as the music shifted to a more sensual tune, I caught sight of Steve making his way through the throng of bodies. My heart raced, not enti
As we stepped into the chilly night air outside the club, the warmth and laughter from the dance floor evaporated in an instant. Carlos and his men appeared out of nowhere, their intense expressions signalling immediate danger. In that split second, the carefree night transformed into chaos as they advanced toward us, their determination radiating a chilling threat. Fear gripped me as the gravity of the situation settled in, leaving Nathan and me no choice but to brace ourselves for whatever was about to unfold."Nathan!" I exclaimed, instinctively grabbing his arm as the confrontation escalated. The sheer number of Carlos's men made my heart race, and I instinctively knew that we were about to be engulfed in a violent storm."Hold still and relax," Nathan said, his voice low and steady, though I could see the tension etched in his features. He stepped in front
“Nathan, we need to get out of here!” I urged, feeling the adrenaline drain away, replaced by a dizzying wave of weakness. The fight was still raging around us, but I could see the concern etched on Nathan’s face, the urgency of our situation pressing down on us.“No, I won’t leave you!” he insisted, his voice fierce yet panicked. “You’re hurt!”I shook my head, trying to focus. “Just… just hold on. We need to get to safety. We can’t stay here.” I could feel the world tilting around me, my vision blurring as the realization of the gunshot's consequences began to settle in.But Nathan didn’t move. He was still transfixed, his eyes locked on Carlos, who had backed away, uncertainty flickering across his face. “You want to play with fire, Carlos?” Nathan said, his voice low and threatening. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”Before I could protest, Nathan turned fully toward me, his expression shifting from anger to desperation. “We need to get you help. Now!”I felt his grip tig
Nathan came around, and I did not know whether to tell him what his brother did or let Steve and Lisa find their own part. The fear of Carlos still grips me even as I lay on the bed of the hospital.“I learned that Steve came by,” Nathan said."Oh, yes,” I replied as I tried to come back from my thoughts. “He came by and met Lisa here too,” I stated.Nathan's face changed, there was a flicker of concern or would I say uncertainty. He looked at me with a certain means of disapproval, like? Why are you allowing people who are against us to come near you? “ Are you sure you should be entertaining Lisa's visit?” He asked.I looked at him and smiled. He clearly could not understand why I would be smiling at something he thought was a great concern. “At least I did not invite them,” I said.‘Hmm, you have a point,” he said.“Well, I should not be worried about their visit but it seems that your brother was hitting on Lisa,” I finally told him, though it was not my intention to do so.His fa
Carlos stepped in with two of his men. I was shocked to see him. He smiled that devilish smile, showing that he was in control and he loved it.“What are you doing here?” I asked, not knowing exactly what else to say.Carlos leaned against the wall with a smug, infuriating calmness, his eyes fixed on me as if he were sizing up his next move. His posture and that self-satisfied smirk on his face gave away just how little he feared Nathan, or anyone else, for that matter.“Come back to me,” he said casually as if the violent confrontation at the club and his threats against Nathan were mere details in his grand scheme. “You know Nathan’s no match for me. I’m the one who’s grown, who knows how to handle the real world.”My stomach twisted in disgust, and I took a steadying breath, choosing my words carefully. “I have nothing to say to you, Carlos. Not now, not ever.” I looked pointedly at Lisa, who stood silent by his side. “You already have someone willing to play your games. Leave me o
I was silent for a moment, letting her words sink in. I had always known Katrina had a tough exterior, but hearing the raw emotion in her voice made me realize how much she had been holding in. She wasn’t just fighting for herself or Nathan or even the business. She was fighting for her place in a world that had never given her the respect she deserved.But this wasn’t the way.“I get it, Katrina,” I said softly, my voice gentle. “But this isn’t the answer. You’re hurting Nathan, and you’re hurting yourself. Don’t let Alex control you like this. Please, just think about it. Think about what you’re really doing here. Is this really what you want?”Katrina’s face twitched, and for a brief moment, I thought she might break down. But instead, she took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked toward the window. She didn’t say anything for a long while, and the silence between us felt heavy, almost suffocating.Finally, she spoke, her voice much quieter than before. “You’re right
I sat on the couch, the envelope from Katrina trembling slightly in my hands. I had known this moment was coming, the threats, the subtle innuendos, and Alex’s sudden reappearance in our lives, but seeing the court papers made it all too real. The words on the document were cold and clinical, and yet they felt like daggers piercing through my chest.Nathan walked into the room, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, his face betraying the weariness of a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He took one look at my expression, and his eyes immediately darted to the envelope in my hands. Without a word, he crossed the room, sat down beside me, and gently took the papers from my hands.His jaw tightened as he scanned the document. His face, usually so composed, contorted in a mix of frustration and pain. “She’s actually doing it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He placed the papers on the coffee table and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clas
The morning had arrived with a sense of urgency, and the office felt colder than usual. Nathan and I had just arrived, and the moment we stepped inside, I felt the weight of what was to come. There was a tension in the air that was hard to ignore, everyone seemed to sense that something big was on the horizon.I made my way straight to Rose’s desk, my heels clicking against the polished floor with each step. Rose looked up as I approached, her eyes sharp and focused, as if she had been expecting me.“Mel,” she greeted me, her voice calm but with an undertone of alertness. She was always on top of things, and I knew that she’d have something important to share.“Rose, I need to know everything. Have you heard anything about Steve and Jesse’s meetings with Alex?” I asked, my tone low but urgent. I couldn’t afford to waste time. Every second counted.Rose nodded, glancing around the office before leaning in slightly, lowering her voice as she spoke. “I overheard them, Mel. Steve and Jess
Even as Nathan drove, I could see the tension on his face. It was one of the rare moments I have seen him in this expression. His usually calm and controlled demeanour had cracked, revealing a side of him I hadn’t seen before, a rare glimpse of uncertainty.His hands, typically steady on the wheel, were tight now, his fingers gripping it almost as if it were the only thing holding him together. The silence between us was thick with unspoken thoughts, and I could feel my pulse quicken as I tried to process the situation. Something was off. Something more than just Alex’s arrival, something deeper was gnawing at Nathan’s nerves.Just as the silence became too much to bear, his phone rang. I watched as his eyes flicked down to the screen before he answered with a single word, his voice unexpectedly clipped.“Chappo.”I leaned back in my seat, instinctively quieting myself as I realized the weight of the conversation that was about to take place. Don Chappo was no stranger to Nathan’s bus
As Nathan and I settled into the car, the hum of the engine barely audible over the quiet tension that hung between us, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced at the screen. Ali. My stomach tightened as I answered.“What is it now, Ali?” I asked sharply, not bothering to hide my annoyance.His voice was unsteady, almost hesitant. “I just thought you should know... Alex Sommer is in town. He’s been asking questions. Serious questions.”I couldn’t help the scoff that escaped me. “We already know, Ali. You’re not exactly delivering groundbreaking news here.”There was a pause on the other end, and I could hear him exhale deeply. “Look, I know I screwed up earlier, but this is serious. You need to meet with me. There’s more to this than you realize.”Before I could respond, he hung up, leaving me staring at the phone in frustration. I turned to Nathan, who was sitting next to me with his arms crossed, watching me closely. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp eyes told me he had bee
The car glided through the quiet city streets, the hum of the engine filling the silence between us. I stole a glance at Nathan, his jaw set tight, his fingers gripping the steering wheel with an intensity that told me he was deep in thought.I have rarely seen him this way. He was more concerned with his thoughts than with the beautiful lady sitting next to him. I know his brain is running through every option but I also know this must be about what Rose had told him.“Nathan,” I began cautiously, breaking the silence. “What did Rose say?”His eyes stayed on the road, his lips pressed into a thin line as though he were debating whether to tell me. Finally, he sighed, his grip on the wheel loosening slightly.“She came to warn me,” he said, his voice measured. “Alex Sommer is in town.”The name hung in the air like an uninvited ghost, chilling the space between us. I frowned, searching my memory. “Alex Sommer... your friend from years ago? The one you’ve mentioned a few times?”“Frien
The hotel was bustling, a hive of luxury and importance, but all I cared about was the man waiting for me inside. When I knocked on the door, Nathan himself opened it. His shirt sleeves rolled up, and his tie slightly loosened, evidence of a long day.“You’re here,” he said, his voice warm but laced with the weariness of his meetings. He stepped aside, motioning for me to enter.As I walked in, the faint scent of his cologne filled the air, grounding me after the chaos of my day. The suite was immaculate, a blend of modern design and subtle luxury. A small conference table at the corner of the room held scattered files and a half-empty glass of what looked like scotch. He must have just wrapped up his meeting.“I thought I would have met you at the lounge,” I said.“Nope, finished the meeting my dear,” Nathan replied.“Sit down,” he said, gesturing to the plush armchair near the window. “You look like you’ve had a long day yourself.”I didn’t sit. Instead, I folded my arms and got str
As I stepped out of the café, the late afternoon sun momentarily blinded me. I adjusted my eyes and moved to the sidewalk, but I froze when I saw Carlos leaning against a sleek black SUV with his men flanking him. His presence was as commanding as ever, and though his face held a faint smile, his eyes carried a weight that set me on edge.“Mel,” he said, straightening up and taking a cautious step forward. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. But since you’re here, I guess fate gave me an opportunity I didn’t have before.”I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “What do you want, Carlos?” My tone was sharp, with no room for pleasantries.He sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly. “I wanted to apologize,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft. “For everything that happened. I never got the chance to say it properly. I know I hurt you, Mel.”I stared at him, waiting for the rest of his speech. Carlos wasn’t the kind of man to show vulnerability unless he wanted something.“And?” I
The moment Katrina walked out of the café, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, but that reprieve didn’t last long. No sooner had I taken a sip of my coffee than I spotted Steven striding into the café, his eyes locked onto me with unsettling intensity.“Mel,” he called out as he approached my table. His voice carried a mix of sarcasm and disdain, enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.I sighed, setting my cup down. “Steven, what are you doing here?”“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, sliding into the chair across from me without waiting for an invitation. His gaze flickered toward the door where Katrina had exited moments earlier. “Funny seeing you here with Katrina.”I tensed, immediately on edge. “Were you following me?”Steven gave me a silly smile, leaning back in his chair with a casualness that belied his intrusive behaviour. “Call it what you want. I like to keep an eye on things, especially when it co