The Shocking Realization

*Bella*

The next morning, I stirred awake, a strange heaviness keeping me from moving. It took a moment to realize I was wrapped tightly in a pair of powerful, muscular arms. My heart skipped a beat as the events of last night came rushing back, painting my cheeks with a deep blush of embarrassment.

Oh, God. I couldn’t believe it. How could I have been so desperate, practically begging Ryder Knight to take me in his bed? And the worst part? He had granted my wish, just like he always did—fulfilling every little thing I ever asked of him.

But this wasn’t like before. This wasn’t some innocent request he could shrug off. The thought of what had happened—and how I had behaved—sent a wave of mortification crashing over me.

How was I supposed to feel about him now? How could I face him? Most of all, what was he thinking about me? Did he see me as just another desperate girl throwing herself at him, like so many others had?

The idea alone was unbearable, making me want to disappear. If only the earth could open up and swallow me whole, I would gladly let it.

Our families were friends, and I couldn’t stop wondering—what would they say if they found out about us? They literally saw us as brother and sister. Ryder had always cared for me like a little sister and nothing more.

But now? What the hell happens now?

Even though we weren’t actually related, the thought still made me cringe. My parents would absolutely lose it if they ever found out I’d lost my virginity to Ryder Knight. They were super conservative, all about traditional values, going to church every week, and drilling Catholic rules into me.

Sex before marriage? Totally forbidden. They warned me about it nonstop before I came here.

And now? Well, I’d gone and broken all their rules in one night. Shit. I couldn’t even count how many sins I’d racked up altogether. 

With my heart sinking in fear, I slowly lifted his arm from around my waist and carefully slid out of the bed. As I stood, a sharp hiss escaped my lips from the ache between my legs. God, he was a beast in bed, leaving me sore and torn apart in ways I never imagined.

I glanced back at him, his perfectly sculpted, naked body sprawled across the bed as he slept soundly, completely unaware of the storm he’d unleashed in my heart. He looked so carefree, so at peace, while I felt a chaotic mix of emotions brewing inside me.

Quickly, I gathered my scattered clothes from the floor, dressing swiftly and quietly, determined not to wake him. My cheeks burned with embarrassment and guilt as I slipped out of his apartment, my mind racing with thoughts I wasn’t ready to face.

___

*Ryder*

I reached out instinctively to hold my sunshine again, only to find my arms empty. My hand searched the other side of the bed, but it was cold and vacant. Slowly, I opened my groggy eyes and confirmed what my heart already suspected—she wasn’t there.

Concern and confusion swirled inside me as I noticed how eerily silent the house was. I got out of bed, checking the bathroom, the other rooms, even the kitchen. But she wasn’t anywhere. 

She had left... just like that... without a word, after... after our passionate night.

I sank down onto the sofa, leaning forward with my elbows resting on my knees, my hands clasped tightly as I stared into the distance, lost in thought. Did she regret her first time with me? Had I hurt her by crossing that forbidden line?

Fuck. I had crossed the boundary I never should. The weight of it hit me like a freight train. But what was done was done. The ship had sailed, and there was no turning back now.

Straightening my back, I came to the undeniable realization that things could never go back to the way they were. Not after last night.

Suddenly, my phone began ringing, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. I groaned, picking it up to check the caller ID. It was my right-hand man, Noah.

"Boss, the arms consignment has arrived, and the dealer wants you to come and inspect it," he informed me as soon as I answered.

"Tell Alex to handle it and deal with the details. I'm busy," I replied, rubbing my forehead in frustration.

"But, boss—" he started to argue.

"Do as I say," I barked, cutting him off before ending the call.

This was the other side of me. Outside of managing the Knights Enterprises, I was the mafia boss—the head of the underworld. People feared my name, and no one dared to cross paths with me. I always got what I wanted, no matter the cost.

And now, I wanted my baby girl. She didn’t know it yet, but there was no escape from Ryder Knight.