Blake POV
I find her in her room, muttering under her breath as she digs through the closet, tossing clothes everywhere.
“Everything okay?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe. She spins around, her expression a mix of annoyance and confusion.
“Not really. Everything here costs a fortune. I’m looking for something normal, comfortable, but it’s all high-end designer nonsense.” She tosses a dress onto the pile, looking more frustrated by the second.
“Relax,” I say, moving closer to her. “We’ve worked out a solution, and you don’t have to leave. If you want to walk around however you want, go for it.”
She pauses, taking this in. “It’s not just that,” she sighs. “If Demitri’s already struggling with this, what’s it going to look like long-term?”
“Look, Alissia,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. “Think about it&m
AlissiaI linger, staring at the wall of monitors. Blakeâs words echo through my mind, and the weight of them settles heavy in my chest. When I saw his setup, it felt so clearâhe was watching other people live while he remained in the shadows, an observer in his own life. Iâd blurted it out without thinking, but his response hit a nerve I didnât know I had.âYour reason for not living was that living means giving up some power? Getting a job would mean giving up control. Making real friends again? That would be surrendering more power. And a relationship? Thatâs the ultimate surrender of control, even in the little moments.â He watches me, a question lurking in his gaze, one I donât want to answer.The frustration rises, prickling beneath my skin. âAnd what about you?â I ask, maybe a bit too sharply. âWhat was your reason for never really living?âHis gaze slides away, distant. âI never got the chance,â he says quietly, his voice a mixture of resignation
Alissia POVWhen we step out of the lift, I’m struck by the luxury of the penthouse, something I hadn’t fully appreciated before. The ceilings soar high above, giving the impression of a private world separated from the chaos below. Enormous floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the city like a painting. Everything gleams—rich hardwood floors, marble accents, plush furniture arranged with an effortless elegance that somehow still feels imposing. Each corner holds some piece of art or sculpted furniture, giving it a sense of timelessness and opulence.“We’re going out tonight,” Demitri’s voice pulls me from my observations, and I turn to see him watching me from the other side of the room.“Out? Like out where?” I walk over and settle onto the sofa beside him, waiting for an answer.“I have a few business connections to meet. You’ll be accompanying me.” His tone is matter-of-fact, as thoug
Alissia POVAs we start wandering through Demitri’s penthouse, I feel a thrill of curiosity mixed with anticipation. Blake follows close behind, smirking at my eagerness as we explore each room. The sheer luxury of it all is almost surreal.The first door we open reveals a private cinema room, complete with plush velvet recliners and a massive screen. The low ambient lighting and a mini bar stocked with high-end liquors add a touch of exclusivity, making it clear this isn’t an ordinary home theater.Moving on, we discover a jacuzzi room with a stunning view of the city skyline. The room’s entire wall is made of glass, and as we step inside, the glimmering lights of the city beyond feel almost close enough to touch. The air is warm and humid, with an earthy scent from the indoor plants scattered around, creating a private oasis in the middle of the penthouse.In a cozy library, shelves line the walls from floor to ceiling, filled with har
AlissaBlake’s smirk widens, dark and satisfied. “Oh, Alissia, you’re making this way too easy.” He runs his thumb slowly along my jaw, his touch a teasing contrast to the tension pulsing through my body. “You know, the more you resist, the more fun it is to break you down.”Demitri’s grip on my hair loosens just slightly, his other hand trailing along my shoulder, leaving goosebumps in its wake. “See, kisa, this is exactly why you’re in trouble.” His voice is a low, mocking murmur, slipping under my skin. “You think holding out gives you power, but all it’s doing is giving us time. And trust me, we’re very patient.”Blake’s hand slides down my throat, his fingers pressing just enough to make my breath catch. His eyes never leave mine, his gaze hold
Alissia POVFinally, the blindfold is loosened, and as my vision clears, I see Blake’s wicked grin hovering close, eyes gleaming with unmasked amusement. He leans in, his breath warm against my skin. Demitri moves one of the ear buds. “Ready to beg yet?” Blake questions.I narrow my eyes, refusing to give him that satisfaction. A defiant shake of my head is all he gets, though I can’t ignore the flush of heat surging through me, my body betraying my resolve.Demitri appears from behind, his hand slipping under my chin to tilt my head back as he leans in, voice a dark, tempting whisper. “You’re holding out well, kisa, but how much longer before that defiance crumbles?”His words wrap around me, insidious and coaxing, filling the space that silence left. It’s a twisted game they&rs
LucasIn the quiet aftermath of telling her about my past, a weight still lingers in my chest. It’s like speaking the truth out loud made it even more real, dredging up old wounds I’d prefer to keep buried. But her presence, her warmth against me as I carry her toward the bathroom, brings a strange kind of comfort too. It’s twisted, really—how much I want her here and how much that want terrifies me.Setting her down gently, I move to the tub, filling it with warm water and adding a faintly scented oil I found in one of Demitri’s cabinets. Well hers now, as this is her room. She watches me, her eyes soft, and the sight of her looking so tired yet trusting does something to me I can’t explain. I step out of my own clothes and reach out, helping her into the bath and settling in behind her, wrapping her up against my chest. She relaxes, leaning into me, and for a moment, the fear eases.But as I let the silence stretch, my mind
Lucas POVBlake looks over at me from across the room, noticing my intense focus. He raises an eyebrow. “Going over the details of a new hit?” He walks over and leans in reading the screen.“Yeah. The guy’s paranoid as hell, but he’s got weak spots,” I reply, still scanning the screen. “Tomorrow, I’ll go by the place, do some on-the-ground recon. If it all goes to plan, I’ll be in and out before they know what happened.”He nods, his gaze drifting momentarily. “Be careful. With Volkov, things rarely go according to plan.”“Always am,” I say, though my mind flashes back to Alissia for a second. This job has no mercy for hesitation, for divided focus, and with her, things are becoming complicated.Blake glances at me, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You know, I could help with the tech side—security feeds, camera interference, the works. If this guy’s
AlissiaI slowly come to as a gentle nudge stirs me from sleep, and I blink my eyes open to find Demitri’s face hovering above me. His eyes are warm but intent, and he leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.“You’ve got two hours to get ready,” he murmurs, his voice low and smooth.“Two hours?” I sit up, groggy and surprised. “That’s way more than I need,” I laugh, brushing my hair back. “I can be ready in half an hour.”Demitri’s mouth quirks up slightly, but his expression remains determined. “It would be enough time if you were getting ready on your own. But tonight, I have a team to help,” he says, voice firm but teasing. “Now, go on, shower, and throw something on for now. Meet me back out here when you’re done.” He kisses me again and walks out, leaving me both curious and a bit wary of what’s to come.I shuffle out of bed, stretch
Blake POVThe backyard is alive with laughter and music, a celebration buzzing with life. Today is Zaneâs third birthday, and heâs tearing across the lawn, his little legs pumping as he darts between the tables. Not far behind him is Elijah, toddling as fast as he can to keep up with his older brother, his green eyes wide with excitement. I watch them both, my chest tightening with pride and love I never thought Iâd feel.Demitriâs over by the grill, chatting with Axel while flipping burgers, and Lucas is putting up the last of the decorations that Alissia decided we âneededâ at the last minute. As for Alissia, sheâs cradling Keziah in her arms, bottle-feeding her while keeping a close eye on our two sons as they play. The whole scene is something I never dreamed would be mineâkids, family, this sense of belonging that goes deeper than I can put into words.Alissia made sure it was as close to a regular kids party as possible, no overly priced locations, just something simple at home
Demitri POVAs I pace quietly through the kitchen, Keziah nestled soundly in my arms, her tiny breaths soft against my chest, I feel the weight of it allâthe life weâve built, the family weâve created. Axel leans against the door, arms crossed, his expression one of quiet amusement, a glint in his eye that tells me heâs up to something.âWhat, Axel?â I murmur, keeping my voice low to avoid disturbing Keziah.âNothing,â he replies, though the smirk says otherwise. I narrow my eyes at him, and he finally chuckles, unable to hold back. âYou know sheâs three months old now, right?â he says, raising an eyebrow.I frown, not quite following. I grab my coffee, nodding for him to follow me as I head out of the kitchen. âAnd?â I prompt, confused by his insinuation.He shrugs, his grin widening. âI was just thinkingâĶ after Zane was born, you three were so caught up in the whole baby frenzy that you kindaâĶ forgot a key point about Alissia. Next thing we know, Alissiaâs pregnant again, and then w
Alissia POVI donât know how long Iâve been out when a sharp, intense pain jolts me awake. I gasp, clutching my stomach, my heart racing as I try to make sense of whatâs happening. The pain is undeniable, and as it fades, I feel Demitriâs hand on my shoulder, concern etched into his face.âWhatâs wrong?â he asks, eyes wide, and I can feel the tension ripple through the car as Blake and Lucas turn, alarmed.âI thinkâĶâ I pause, sucking in a shaky breath. âI think Iâm in labor.âDemitri stares at me, as if hoping he misheard. âThis better be a joke, Alissia,â he says, his voice a mixture of worry and frustration. âWeâre still an hour away.âI manage a laugh, but it quickly turns into a scream as another contraction hits, the pain searing through me. âOh god, it hurts!â I gasp, squeezing his hand with all my strength.âOkay, okay, donât panic,â Blake says from in front of me, though his voice sounds anything but calm. âLucas, find somethingâanythingâuseful. Blankets, towelsâĶ anything. I'l
Alissia POVI rest my hand on my stomach, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves flutter beneath my fingertips. My book was published three months after we moved into our new homeâsix months ago now. And here I am, cutting things close to the wire, but there was no way I was going to miss this event, not for anything.Suddenly, I feel strong hands grip my shoulders, gently but firmly pushing me down into a chair. I look up to see Demitri standing over me, a smirk on his face. I glare at him, but he only shrugs and lets out a soft chuckle, clearly unfazed. The room around us is buzzing with energy, filled with authors at their tables displaying all sorts of extravagant setupsâbanners, exclusive bookmarks, even themed merchandise like mini handcuffs andâĶ sex toys. Meanwhile, at my table, thereâs just me and these three men. I have books and such and as well, but it's these three who are the main attraction. It wasnât supposed to be this way, but none of them would even consider stay
Alissia POVThe marble floors beneath my feet are pristine, veined with dark streaks that run through the stone like rivers. In the center, an elaborate medallion design is inlaid, drawing the eye and adding a touch of artistry to the already lavish setting. Along the walls are portraits in gilded frames, each one depicting figures from history or perhaps ancestors Iâll never know. The sconces beside each painting cast a soft, ambient light, illuminating the dark wood paneling that lines the walls and lends an air of timeless elegance.I stand there, awestruck, and feel Demitriâs hand rest lightly on the small of my back, guiding me further inside. âWelcome home,â he murmurs, his voice gentle, yet filled with a pride thatâs unmistakable.Turning to face him, I still canât quite process what Iâm seeing. âThisâĶ all of thisâĶ itâs ours?â I whisper, my voice barely more than a breath.âYes,â Blake chimes in with a grin. âA real home for all of us, and a place where our family can grow.âLu
Alissia POVThis week has been all about immersing myself in my book. The second draft is finally done, and Iâve been piecing together the perspectives of Demitri, Blake, and Lucas, capturing their unique thoughts and emotions. Theyâve been surprisingly helpful, giving me these rare glimpses into their minds during moments I wouldnât otherwise understand. But even though the draft is complete, releasing it isnât quite on the horizon yet. Thereâs one major thing in my life that needs my attention first.Jenni nudges me, breaking my train of thought, and I glance down at the pregnancy test on the bed. âYou know you actually have to look at it to see the results, right?â she teases, her chuckle light but encouraging.I groan, my stomach knotting with anxiety. âThis wasnât in the plan, Jenni! We were supposed to stick to the plan!â My voice is almost a whine, frustration spilling over.âPlanning isnât always necessary, you know,â she laughs, not the least bit fazed. âBut if youâre gonna d
DemitriA week has passed since that date with Alissia, and every night since, Iâve tried to create small, ordinary moments with her. Even if itâs something as simple as sitting quietly with a book for ten minutes, I find myself drawn to carving out these snippets of normalcy for herâand, strangely, for myself too. Itâs a shift that hasnât gone unnoticed.Lucas and Blake have been watching me with a mix of curiosity and confusion, clearly wondering whatâs prompted these small changes. Theyâre not ones to pry, but the unspoken questions in their eyes are obvious. Today, however, some things are going to change, and I need them to be a part of it. Iâve made up my mind, and thereâs no turning back.When our car finally stops, we step out and make our way into the restaurant. The air is thick with the scent of expensive wine and seasoned wood, the atmosphere humming with quiet conversations and the soft clink of glass. Lucas and Blake follow behind, exchanging wary glances as I lead them
Alissia POVI sit on Lucasâs lap, my fingers hovering over the keyboard, absorbing his words, the intensity of his memories, and the raw honesty that drips from every line heâs just written. Thereâs something liberating about letting the story be real, about capturing not just the actions but the emotions beneath themâthe twisted, obsessive need that drove him to act out, to lash back.âGo on,â he murmurs, his voice low and encouraging as he wraps his arm around my waist, anchoring me there. âKeep that line. Let it shape the chapter. Show how I felt, how my control slipped with every message that went unanswered.âHis words sink into me, and I type out a few more lines, allowing myself to step inside his mind, to feel the frustration, the dark hunger that simmered beneath his surface. Lucas watches as I write, his eyes on the screen, reading every word as it takes form. I can feel the intensity in his gaze, like heâs reliving the moment, pulling me deeper into his world.After a while
Alissia POVAfter getting dressed, I step out and spot Lucas in the kitchen, focused and completely at ease, stirring something on the stove. The smell of spices fills the air, warm and inviting.âWhat are you doing?â I ask, hopping up onto the kitchen island to sit and watch him work, swinging my legs slightly.He glances over his shoulder, a small grin forming on his lips. âWell, I figured going out would just mean dealing with people and noise. So I thought weâd spend the night here insteadâjust us,â he says, his voice low and easy, as he turns back to his task. âUnless youâd rather go out?âI shake my head, smiling. âNo, this is perfect.â I mean it, too. I donât need anything extravagant. Being here, just the two of us, feels exactly right. He catches my gaze for a moment, a soft smile crossing his face before he goes back to cooking.He stirs a pot, then glances at me, curiosity lighting his eyes. âHowâs the story coming along?âI groan, rolling my eyes, which makes him chuckle.