DANIEL'S POV The city lights blurred past as I pressed the phone to my ear again, calling another man. “Report!”"It’s bad, boss. We’re losing everything. The fire’s already spread to the storage area. There’s no saving it.""How the hell did this happen?!" I demanded."We think someone planted explosives near the back entrance," the man explained, his voice tight with fear. "There was a loud bang before the flames spread. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing."“Useless fools,” I snarled, my knuckles whitening as I gripped the armrest. “Get the fire department there NOW! And make sure the police don’t stick their noses into this!”Another call came in before I could hang up. With a growl, I switched lines.“Boss,” a third voice panted, panic evident. “The fire’s spreading to the docks. We think it’s deliberate.”I slammed my fist against the car door. “Deliberate?!” My voice was venomous, sharp enough to cut through steel. “Who’s doing this? Who dares—”“We’re not sure
THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE TRIP ISABELLA'S POV Nicholas sat beside me at the sleek conference table. Across from us sat Mr. Arlington, his sharp eyes darting between Nicholas and me."You're asking me to take a risk that could ruin me completely," Mr. Arlington began. “If Daniel traces this back to me—”“He won’t,” I interjected “This isn’t just about revenge, Mr. Arlington. It’s about justice. You’ve seen what Daniel is capable of, haven’t you? You’ve experienced it firsthand.”Arlington leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. "Justice doesn't rebuild empires, Isabella. Power does. And Daniel still has too much of it."“That’s exactly why we’re here,” Nicholas said, his voice cutting through the tension “You want your family’s empire back? This is how you level the playing field. He thinks he’s untouchable. We’re going to remind him he’s not.”Mr. Arlington’s eyes narrowed “And if I say no? What happens then?”I leaned forward, meeting his gaze directly. “Then you keep playing it
NICHOLAS POV The house was quiet, the only sound coming from the faint hum of the heater. Isabella had fallen asleep the moment we returned, her exhaustion from the trip evident in the way she sank into the bed without so much as a word. I’d stayed with her for a while, watching her chest rise and fall in the rhythmic lull of sleep. It was calming—her presence always was. But now, calm was the last thing I felt.I stepped into my study and dialed Mr. Arlington. The plan had worked perfectly—or so I thought. I needed to hear the details from him, every last one, before I could allow myself to relax.The line clicked, and Arlington's gruff voice came through."Montgomery. Calling to celebrate your victory, I assume?""Hardly," I replied, pacing the room. "I want to know everything. Spare no detail."Arlington chuckled, the kind of sound that could either reassure you or put you on edge. "Fine, fine. Everything went off without a hitch. The warehouses were wiped clean. The shipments? Go
ISABELLA'S POV I woke to the sound of running water. For a moment, I lay still, blinking at the soft glow of the bedside lamp, wondering if I’d imagined it. But then there was a noise—soft, frantic, and oddly repetitive.Frowning, I sat up. The bathroom door was open, a sliver of light spilling into the bedroom. Something didn’t feel right.I headed quietly toward the door, the sound growing louder with each step. The harsh scent of soap hit me first, sharp and medicinal, stinging my nose.And then I saw him.Nicholas stood hunched over the sink, his hands working furiously under the stream of water. My breath caught as I realized what he was doing—he was scrubbing not dirt, but his own skin. His hands were raw, red streaks swirling with soap suds in the basin. The water running turned pink as blood seeped from where his skin had broken.“Nicholas,” I whispered, horror prickling through me.He didn’t stop. His movements were mechanical, almost frantic, as if he was trying to erase so
ISABELLA'S POV I leaned closer, my heart aching for him, but I didn’t interrupt. He needed this. He needed to let it out.“He hated physical contact,” Nicholas said, his voice quieter now “He thought it was weak. If I so much as reached for his hand, he’d pull away like I was disgusting. He’d say things like, ‘Don’t cling to me. You’re not a child.’”His voice wavered, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “But it wasn’t just that. He said... people were filthy. He hated the idea of me being around anyone. He’d say things like, ‘You don’t know where their hands have been,’ or ‘They’ll ruin you with their germs and disease”I bit my lip, struggling to keep my emotions in check as he continued.“When I was ten, he started locking me in the house. Not just for discipline, but to keep me away from the world. He called it ‘preservation.’” Nicholas’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Preservation. Like I was some fragile object he needed to keep clean, untouched. Anytime I tried to step outsi
ISABELLA'S POV The weight of the night still lingered between us. Nicholas rested his forehead against my shoulder, his breath slow and steady, but his grip on my waist was firm, like he was afraid to let go. For a man so composed, so unshakable in the eyes of the world, he carried so much beneath the surface.“Nicholas,” I murmured softly, my other hand brushing against his hair. “You should take a shower. It’ll help you feel better.”His eyes, stormy and unyielding, looked up to mine, and a small, tired smirk tugged at his lips. “Is that your way of telling me I look terrible?”“No,” I replied quickly, trying not to smile. “You don’t. You just look… like you need it. Trust me, it’ll help.”He stared at me like he was debating something. Then, he mumbled, his hold on my waist tightening a bit “Only if you shower with me.”The request hit me like a physical force, and I froze. “What?”“You heard me,” he said, placing a kiss on my neck. “If I’m going to shower, you’re coming with me.”
ISABELLA'S POV Before I could catch my breath, Nicholas lifted me effortlessly, pinning me against the cool tiles of the bathroom wall. His strength was staggering. My legs wrapped around his shoulders instinctively, and I gasped as his gaze dropped to where I ached for him most. "Now it’s my turn," he said. "I want to hear you scream my name."He didn’t wait for a response. His mouth descended, and I cried out as his tongue parted me, his lips and teeth working in perfect harmony to unravel me. The sensations were overwhelming, his pace relentless. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as my body arched against him."Nicholas!" I moaned, the sound echoing off the walls. His name was the only word I could manage, the only thought that existed. His tongue thrust into me, his groans vibrating against my skin. He was everywhere, consuming me entirely. The pressure built and built until it was unbearable. My release crashed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me trembling i
DANIEL'S POV A sharp knock at the door pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. My head snapped up, eyes narrowing at the intrusion.“Come in,” I barked.The door creaked open, and one of my men stepped in, his face pale and drawn. He hesitated at the threshold, his gaze darting around the room like he was afraid of what he might find.“Well?” I snapped, motioning for him to speak.He took a cautious step forward, clearing his throat. “Sir, I managed to get away before the third warehouse was hit. I—I couldn’t stop it. Whoever they are, they knew exactly where to strike.”I straightened in my chair, my eyes narrowing. “And?”“I overheard Chase talking to someone on the phone,” he said. “It turned out he was an informant working for them. They weren’t just after the goods—they wanted to send a message. They knew your operations. Down to the smallest detail" My jaw tightened, my mind racing. Inside information? That was the only explanation to how everything happened so smoothly. The hi
The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I stretched lazily in bed, savoring the warmth of the covers and the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Somewhere down the hallway, faint bursts of laughter echoed—a sound that filled my heart in ways I could never fully explain.“Mommy!” a sweet, high-pitched voice broke through the tranquility.I turned just in time to see a small blur of auburn curls barreling toward me. My daughter, Chloe, climbed onto the bed with a delighted giggle, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. “Mommy, Daddy’s being silly again!”Hot on her heels was her twin brother, Caleb. He shared her curls but had Nicholas’s sharp, gray eyes—the kind that seemed to see through everything. He scrambled up beside her, his grin so wide it threatened to split his face. “Mommy, Daddy said we could have pancakes with chocolate chips today!”My heart swelled as I pulled them both into my arms
ISABELLA'S POV"Now!"Nicholas' voice rang out cutting through the tension like a lifeline. Before I could process what was happening, his arms were around me, pulling me into the safety of his embrace.The gun Daniel was holding clattered to the floor as Nicholas's men, who had been pretending to work for Daniel, lunged forward. Their movements were swift like they’d been waiting for this exact moment. They tackled Daniel to the ground, pinning him there as he roared in frustration, his curses echoing through the room.Victor, always the snake, was quicker to react. His sharp eyes darted to the pile of documents he’d gathered, and in one smooth motion, he scooped them up and tried to flee from the scene until uniformed officers emerged from the shadows, guns drawn, their commanding voices booming.“Hands in the air! Drop the documents and get on the ground!”Victor froze mid-step, his face contorted with fury as he realized there was no escape. His gaze darted around, desperate for an
ISABELLA'S POV The rough hands dragged me forward, my shoes scraping against the jagged rocks. My heart thundered in my chest as I caught sight of the open expanse before me—a cliff, rocky and treacherous, with nothing but empty air beyond its edge. The chilling sound of the wind howling against the cliffs made me shudder.Then I saw him.Nicholas.He was standing at the other end of the cliff. Relief crashed into me like a wave, and tears immediately welled in my eyes."Nicholas!” I cried, my voice breaking as I tried to rush toward him but the cold barrel of a gun pressed against my temple stopped me in my tracks."Ah, ah, ah," Daniel's voice came. "Not so fast, Isabella."My breath hitched. Nicholas yelled from the other side of the cliff.“Isabella, stay where you are! Don’t move!”I froze, looking to him for reassurance.But then I took in our surroundings. There was no one else here—no police, no backup, just Nicholas on one side and Daniel, Victor, two of Daniel’s men, and me
NICHOLAS POV "Explain to me what the fuck you mean by you didn’t come back with my wife?!” My voice thundered loudly. I stared down the group of bodyguards standing in my office, their heads bowed in shame. “Your only job was to protect her. To make sure she was safe. And now you’re standing here—without her!”"Where the fuck is my wife?!" I roared, fury blinding every bit of reasoning.The lead guard flinched but managed to stammer, “Sir, we—there was a commotion. We tried to—”“Tried?” I slammed my fist onto the desk, making it shudder under the force. “You tried? Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? Who you were supposed to protect?!” My mind was spiraling into chaos, painting horrifying images of what could be happening to Isabella. Was she hurt? Was she terrified? My stomach churned at the thought of her crying out for me, needing me, and I wasn’t there.I pointed at one of my men, my finger trembling with rage. “Lock them up,” I barked “I don’t care how you do it. Ho
ISABELLA'S POV The grand ballroom buzzed with polite conversation, the soft clinking of glasses, and the occasional hum of excitement as bidders raised their paddles. The silent auction had brought together an array of high-profile attendees, from CEOs to philanthropists, each trying to outshine the other with their charitable contributions. I, on the other hand, didn't care much.Life has been good—better than I had ever expected after Daniel was no longer a part of it. My law firm was now soaring to unimaginable heights. Cases came pouring in and with every victory on my part, my reputation as the greatest lawyer only grew stronger.It felt surreal sometimes, standing here in my designer gown, exchanging pleasantries with people who once doubted me, envied me, or outright hated me. Yet here I was, proving them all wrong.I glanced at my phone, briefly wondering what Nicholas was up to. The thought brought a small smile to my lips. He’d encouraged me to attend this event, insistin
ISABELLA'S POV The moment I stepped into Starlight Haven, I was struck by how different it felt. The familiar lobby, usually bustling with quiet elegance, was now glowing with a soft, romantic light. Flowers—white lilies and lavender roses—and pictures of me, lined the path ahead, their fragrance mingling with the faint scent of candles. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes followed the illuminated trail leading toward the rooftop.I took a deep breath, gripping my clutch tightly as I ascended the staircase. Each step seemed to echo in the quiet, heightening the anticipation swirling in my chest. When I reached the top, I paused.The rooftop garden has been transformed into something out of a dream. Strings of twinkling lights crisscross above, casting a magical glow over the space. An orchestra was nestled in one corner, their instruments gleaming as they played a soft, familiar melody. The music seemed to wrap around me, pulling me forward.And then I saw him.Nicholas stood at the
DANIEL'S POV The guard’s voice grated against my ears as he approached my cell. “West, you’ve got a visitor.”A visitor? My heart skipped, but not from joy. Who could it be?Christabella’s face flashed in my mind and I beamed at the thought. Maybe she couldn’t resist the pull that bonded us together. Maybe, just maybe, she had come crawling back, realizing she still needed me. After all, she's head over heels for me.I rose to my feet, ignoring the ache in my bruised ribs, and followed the guard out of the cell block. My steps quickened as the thought of Christabella visiting me filled my mind.But as I stepped into the visitor's room and caught sight of the man waiting on the other side of the thick glass, my blood ran cold.Victor.That smug bastard sat there, his posture relaxed, his hands folded neatly on the table as if he owned the place. Rage bubbled up inside me.“You son of a bitch!” I roared, slamming my fists against the partition between us. The sound reverberated through
ISABELLA'S POV I opened the door to find Christabella standing there, her expression a mix of nervousness and hope. She looked different—less polished, less poised. Her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, and she clutched a small wicker basket in her hands like it was her lifeline. “Hi,” she said softly, offering a nervous smile.I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. “What are you doing here, Christabella? What do you want?”She hesitated, shifting on her feet before holding the basket out to me. “I, uh... I brought this for you.”I glanced at the basket and back at her, my brow arching skeptically. “A basket of what?”Her chuckle was uneasy “Dark chocolate with raspberry. I remember it was your favorite when we were kids, so I thought...you know, it’d be a nice gift.”I couldn’t help the incredulous laugh that escaped me. “So you just came here to hand me some chocolate? What are we, five?”Her smile faltered, and her gaze dropped to the ground. She bit her lip, her grip tighten
ISABELLA'S POV Six Months LaterSunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, painting soft golden patterns across the room. The sound of birds chirping outside drifted in with the warm morning breeze. I blinked against the brightness, slowly stretching beneath the covers.It's been half a year since I woke up from surgery, since I felt Nicholas’s hand on mine and heard him whispered my name like I was his entire world. Since I realized that, despite everything, I was still alive.And not just alive. Thriving.I pushed the blankets off and stepped toward the window, my movements no longer hesitant or weak. The first few weeks after the transplant had been grueling. My body had fought against exhaustion, against pain, against the overwhelming weight of recovering.But Nicholas had been there for all of it. Every doctor’s appointment. Every sleepless night. Every moment of doubt when I thought I wouldn’t make it.Now, my reflection in the glass wasn't of a fragile woman barely holding