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CHAPTER 153
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2025-02-10 22:21:47
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Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 154
The low hum of the drones grew louder, their menacing shapes cutting through the smoky night sky. Maya’s heart raced as she craned her neck to look out the window, her pistol still clenched in her trembling hands.“They’ve sent more,” she whispered, her voice edged with fear.Zane’s voice crackled through the radio. “Camilla, take the lead vehicle off the main road. We need to split up and confuse their tracking systems.”“Got it,” Camilla replied, yanking the wheel hard to the left. The SUV veered off the dirt road, bumping violently over uneven terrain as they entered the dense forest.---A Desperate ChaseBranches clawed at the sides of the vehicle, the headlights casting eerie shadows through the trees. Camilla gripped the wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she maneuvered through the rough terrain.“Are we even going the right way?” Maya asked, her voice shaky as she braced herself against the seat.“Anywhere away from those drones is the right way,” Camilla muttered.Alex lean
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 1
Maya stood in the middle of her big bedroom, taking in the warm familiarity of it. The walls were painted soft cream, the tall windows letting in the late afternoon sunlight, dancing across her old bookshelves and childhood trinkets. A nostalgic smile tugged on her lips. It felt good to be back after years of studying overseas in Asia. She was unpacking her belongings in silence, the quiet hum of the estate seeming to settle her nerves. She wore a great, loose, oversized shirt that fell to mid-thigh and a pair of simple cotton underwear—her favorite outfit for comfort.She had politely declined, though, when the maids offered to assist her, because this was going to be her space, and she wanted to settle into it on her own terms. Her father, Charles, was downstairs somewhere, precisely in his study, buried as always in his work.The ringtone of her phone cut through the silence, and she looked at the screen to see Reese's name flashing and a grin spread across her face. Reese had been
Last Updated : 2024-11-15Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 2
Zane leaned against the kitchen counter for a moment after Maya’s hurried departure, his silver eyes following the path she’d taken. Her oversized shirt had done little to hide the curves of her body, and he couldn’t shake the memory of her wide, startled eyes and flushed cheeks. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he reached for a glass of water.He glanced at his watch, reminding himself of the purpose of his visit. Time was ticking, and distractions—even charming ones—weren’t part of the plan. Refocusing his thoughts, he downed the water, set the glass in the sink, and strode back toward Charles’ office.Inside, Charles was just hanging up a call. The older man, ever the picture of control and precision, gestured for Zane to take a seat across from him.“Apologies for the interruption,” Charles said, adjusting his glasses. “Where were we?”“Discussing the terms of the acquisition,” Zane replied smoothly, sitting down. His posture was relaxed, his tailored suit flawless, but his min
Last Updated : 2024-11-15Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 3
Maya leaned back into the plush headboard of her bed, with a soft blanket laid over her legs as the soothing voice of her audiobook narrator filled the room. She closed her eyes and let the richness of the storytelling take her away. The afternoon sun was warm as it came through the big bay windows, casting golden lighting across the spacious room. It felt good to be home, surrounded by familiar walls that held so many memories.It was suddenly broken by the sound of her door bursting open and sending her into a fright."Maya! Emergency!" Reese chattered, almost tripping over her feet as she barreled into the room.Maya opened her eyes and pulled out her earbuds, watching in confusion and amusement as Reese dumped her oversized bag onto a chair and immediately veered off toward her walk-in closet."You have to stop calling everything an emergency," Maya said, sitting up and stretching. "What is it this time? Did a tabloid make up some story about you again?""Worse!" Reese declared th
Last Updated : 2024-11-15Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 4
By the time Maya and Reese stumbled into Maya's room, the sky outside was a soft dusky pink. The air was heavy with the scent of new clothes and leather shoes. Reese let her bags fall dramatically to the floor before throwing herself onto Maya's bed with a loud groan."We're done," Reese announced, stretching her arms wide like she'd run a marathon. "I have never worked so hard in my life."Maya snorted, kicking off her shoes. "You call shopping work?""Yes, when it's gala shopping, it's an Olympic sport," Reese shot back, narrowing her eyes in mock menace. "It takes stamina, patience, and the courage to swipe a card over and over."Maya smirked and started to dig through the mountain of bags they'd brought in. "If it's a sport, you deserve a gold medal. I have never seen anyone fight so hard for the last pair in their size.""Hey, that woman was eyeing them! What choice did I have?" Reese replied, sitting up. "You really ought to thank me for not dragging you into a full-on duel."Th
Last Updated : 2024-11-15Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 5
He was taller than she had remembered, his perfectly tailored tuxedo hugging his broad shoulders. The sharp angles of his face accentuated by the soft light of the chandelier, and that dammed sexy scar gleaming. His silver eyes swept over her in a slow, deliberate once-over, lingering on her lips, chest and hips as though committing it to memory.The pulse quickened as she realized she wasn't the only one taking stock. His gaze met hers again, and there seemed to be some kind of charged electricity crackling in the air between them. For a moment, the noise of the gala faded to nothing, the room shrinking until it was just the two of them."I didn't expect to see you here," Zane said, his baritone voice sending shivers down her spine.Before Maya could utter a word, one man stepped forward, his presence sudden and invasive. He barely glanced in her direction before turning to Zane. "Mr. Moretti," he began to say, voice slicker than oil and haughty. "I've been trying to catch you all ev
Last Updated : 2024-11-15Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 6
Maya woke to sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. The events of last night rushed back, bringing a flush to her cheeks. She was alone in the massive bed, wrapped in silk sheets that probably cost more than her monthly rent.A soft knock at the door made her jump. "Room service," a voice called out."Just a moment!" Maya scrambled to find something to wear, spotting a plush robe laid out at the foot of the bed. She wrapped it around herself just as the door opened.But instead of hotel staff, Zane strode in, already impeccably dressed in a fresh suit. He carried a tray laden with breakfast and coffee, setting it on the nearby table with practiced ease."I thought you'd left," she said, unable to mask her relief.His lips quirked up. "Without saying goodbye? I'm not that kind of man, Maya." He poured her a cup of coffee, adding cream just as she liked it – though she couldn't remember telling him her preference."I
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 7
Maya sat in her car in the Davis Enterprises parking garage, her hands gripping the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. The events from the conference room kept replaying in her mind like a bad movie she couldn't shut off. Her phone lay silent on the passenger seat – she'd turned off all notifications after that last cryptic message.A tap on her window made her jump. Reese stood there, concern etched on her face. Maya had texted her an hour ago, barely coherent through her tears."Get out," Reese said through the glass. "You're in no state to drive."The moment Maya stepped out, Reese pulled her into a tight hug. That simple gesture of comfort broke something in Maya, and she found herself crying again."I screwed up," she whispered. "I screwed up so badly.""Come on," Reese said, taking her car keys. "We need wine and ice cream for this conversation."Twenty minutes later, they sat on Reese's couch, Maya clutching a glass of red wine while Reese dug into a pint of chocol
Last Updated : 2024-11-25
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Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 154
The low hum of the drones grew louder, their menacing shapes cutting through the smoky night sky. Maya’s heart raced as she craned her neck to look out the window, her pistol still clenched in her trembling hands.“They’ve sent more,” she whispered, her voice edged with fear.Zane’s voice crackled through the radio. “Camilla, take the lead vehicle off the main road. We need to split up and confuse their tracking systems.”“Got it,” Camilla replied, yanking the wheel hard to the left. The SUV veered off the dirt road, bumping violently over uneven terrain as they entered the dense forest.---A Desperate ChaseBranches clawed at the sides of the vehicle, the headlights casting eerie shadows through the trees. Camilla gripped the wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she maneuvered through the rough terrain.“Are we even going the right way?” Maya asked, her voice shaky as she braced herself against the seat.“Anywhere away from those drones is the right way,” Camilla muttered.Alex lean
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 153
The room buzzed with tension as the group absorbed the weight of the kill order on Maya. Her green eyes stayed fixed on the laptop screen, the stark red letters screaming out her danger.“They won’t stop,” Maya whispered, her voice trembling. “They’ll come at me until I’m gone.”Zane stepped forward, placing a protective hand on her shoulder. His silver eyes were sharp, cold, and filled with determination. “They’ll have to go through me first.”“Then we need to prepare,” Lena said, her voice crisp as she began to pace. “They’ll send their best, and they’ll come fast. We can’t afford to be caught off guard.”“Why target Maya now?” Reese asked, her brow furrowed. “They’ve been after Zane this whole time. Why shift focus?”“They’ve realized she’s the key to breaking me,” Zane said, his tone low and lethal. “They think if they take her out, they’ll destabilize everything.”---A Tense Debate“We can’t stay here,” Alex said, his voice firm. “This cabin is compromised. We need to move her s
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 152
The aftermath of the drone assault was eerily quiet, the hum of rotors replaced by the crackle of fires and the faint groans of Syndicate operatives pinned beneath debris. Smoke hung in the air, a ghostly veil that blurred the chaotic battlefield.Maya leaned against Zane, her legs trembling as adrenaline drained from her body. She clutched the transmitter, her knuckles white, her green eyes wide with disbelief at what they had just accomplished.“We did it,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.Zane’s silver eyes scanned the clearing, his grip on her tightening. “For now.”---RegroupingReese emerged from the treeline, her rifle slung over her shoulder and her face smudged with dirt. “Well, that was a fun little war,” she quipped, though her tone was edged with exhaustion.“You call that fun?” Alex muttered, limping slightly as he joined her.Victor sauntered over, wiping soot from his jacket with exaggerated disdain. “I’d say we handled it rather well. Minimal casualties, maxim
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 151
The sound of whirring drone blades sliced through the air, growing louder as they descended into view. From the cabin, Maya peered out the window, her breath catching as the sleek, black machines hovered ominously above the treetops.“Armed drones?” Reese said sharply, taking cover behind a tree. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”“They’re not kidding,” Camilla called from inside, her voice tight with urgency. “And these aren’t just surveillance drones. They’re equipped with heat-seeking rounds.”Zane gritted his teeth, his silver eyes scanning the clearing. “Then we need to take them out before they lock on to us.”---A New PlanLena darted over to Zane, her expression grim but focused. “We can’t hold the cabin if those drones start firing. We need to split up—draw their fire and disable them.”“She’s right,” Alex agreed, wiping blood from a small cut on his forehead. “If we stay clustered, we’re sitting ducks.”Zane hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze flicking toward the cabin where
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 150
The rumble of approaching vehicles grew louder, reverberating through the forest like a storm on the horizon. Inside the cabin, the team scrambled into action, their exhaustion temporarily forgotten in the face of the imminent threat.Zane stood by the window, his silver eyes scanning the tree line. He turned back to the group, his voice calm but commanding. “They’re closing in fast. We don’t have much time to set up.”“We’re not going to make this easy for them,” Lena said, slinging her weapon over her shoulder. “Reese, Alex, take the west side. I’ll cover the east with Victor.”“And what about me?” Luca asked casually, leaning against the wall with a smirk.“You stay out of my way,” Zane said coldly.---A Dangerous SetupCamilla worked furiously at her laptop, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she set up a new firewall to block the Syndicate’s drone signals.“This will buy us some time,” she muttered, sweat beading on her brow.“Time for what?” Maya asked, standing beside h
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 149
The group stood frozen as Luca Moretti stepped into the clearing, his sly smile widening at the sight of Zane. His tailored suit was immaculate despite the chaos around them, his dark hair swept back in his signature effortless style.“Well, this is cozy,” Luca said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as his silver eyes—a mirror of Zane’s—swept over the group. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”Zane stepped forward, his posture rigid with barely contained fury. “What are you doing here, Luca?”Luca spread his arms, feigning innocence. “What, no warm welcome? I came all this way to see my dear brother and this is how you greet me?”“Cut the crap,” Lena snapped, her weapon raised. “Why are you here?”---A Dangerous OfferLuca smirked, lowering his arms as he turned his attention to Lena. “Ah, Lena. Always the loyal soldier. I’m not here to fight, if that’s what you’re worried about.”Zane’s jaw tightened. “Then what do you want?”“I’m here to help,” Luca said simply.The si
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 148
The cold night air bit at Maya’s skin as she clung to Zane, her body still trembling from exhaustion. The forest felt eerily quiet after the chaos at the safe house, but the tension among the group was palpable.Zane handed Maya carefully to Reese, who helped her sit on a nearby rock. “Stay with her,” Zane said, his voice low and tight. “She needs rest.”“What about you?” Maya asked, her green eyes filled with worry.Zane’s silver eyes softened as he crouched beside her. “I need to figure out our next move. I promise, I won’t go far.”Maya nodded reluctantly, her hand lingering on his arm before he stood and walked toward Camilla.---The Bigger ThreatCamilla’s face was illuminated by the faint glow of the tablet as Zane approached. She didn’t look up, her focus entirely on the data she’d extracted.“What are we dealing with?” Zane asked, his voice cutting through the tension.Camilla turned the screen toward him, her expression grim. “This isn’t just about you or Maya. This is globa
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 147
The deafening countdown echoed through the room: “Sixty seconds to detonation.” Maya’s trembling fingers flew over the console’s controls, sweat dripping down her brow as she desperately tried to locate the failsafe Donovan mentioned. Zane stood protectively behind her, his weapon raised and his silver eyes scanning the room for any signs of another attack. “Hurry, Maya,” Camilla urged, her voice tight with panic. “We’re cutting it too close.” “I’m trying!” Maya snapped, her voice breaking under the pressure. Donovan smirked from his position on the floor, bound but still smug. “Tick tock, Mrs. Moretti. You’re running out of time.” “Shut up,” Zane growled, his gaze snapping to Donovan. ---Fighting the ClockAs the countdown hit “Forty seconds,” Lena and Alex held their positions by the entrance, fending off the remaining Syndicate operatives trying to breach the safe house. “They’re not letting up!” Alex shouted, firing a shot that sent an operative crumpling to the floor. “T
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 146
The room froze as Donovan’s cold voice cut through the chaos. Maya stood rigid, the feel of the gun barrel pressed against her back sending chills down her spine. Zane’s silver eyes darkened with fury as he leveled his weapon at Donovan. “Let her go,” Zane said, his voice low and deadly. Donovan chuckled, his grip on the gun unwavering. “Always so protective, Zane. But this time, you don’t get to play the hero. Step back, or she’s done.” Maya’s hands trembled as she clutched the transmitter. She couldn’t let Donovan win—not now. ---A Calculated Risk“Zane,” Maya said softly, her green eyes locking onto his. “Don’t worry about me.” “Maya,” Zane started, his voice tight, but she cut him off. “We don’t have time for this,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her. “We can’t let him stop us.” Donovan laughed, his tone mocking. “Touching. Truly. But this isn’t a negotiation.” “Neither is this,” Maya said suddenly, slamming her elbow into Donovan’s ribs. --
