Alissia POV
When I walk through the door, Jenni’s waiting for me, arms crossed and eyes full of curiosity.
“You’re alive,” she teases with a slight laugh, her eyebrows raising.
I groan, tired of the same reaction every time I return from one of these insane meetings. “Yes, and I’ve got all fingers and toes still attached,” I reply, wiggling my fingers at her for effect.
“Are you sure they’re real and not just randoms playing pretend to get your attention?” she asks, a more serious note in her voice this time.
I hadn’t considered that, but something about the way these men carry themselves, the chilling confidence, tells me they aren’t pretending. “I’m sure they’re not playing pretend. There’s no way they’re faking that.”
She nods slowly, eyeing me cautiously. “I was reading your work,” she says, pointing to my laptop screen.
My stomach drops, and I wince. “About that,” I say, walking over to close the file on the lapt
Alissia POVAs I stand back and take in the full picture in the mirror, I barely recognize myself. I look like someone else—someone bolder, darker.What am I getting myself into?“Woah,” Jenni’s voice snaps me back to reality. She stares at me, eyes wide. “Goddamn, Alissia, he’s dressing you up like the main meal. I’m just putting it out there.”I groan and roll my eyes at her comment.“You think I’m joking? Guarantee he’s planning to eat you, not dinner,” she smirks, clearly enjoying herself.“I don’t even know if we’re having food,” I mutter, still unsure of what tonight even entails. The dress doesn’t exactly scream ‘Don lesson.’ Maybe it’s a formal event? Or is this part of
Demitri POVI should’ve chosen the dress. Axel warned me not to get too involved, but the one they picked? It’s damn close to what I would have selected. Maybe I should’ve told them no slit, make sure it covers her shoulders—something a bit less revealing. But here we are, and she’s sitting there with the dress hugging her curves, the slit revealing just enough of her legs to make it impossible to concentrate.I try to focus on tonight’s business, but the way she’s seated, both her legs are showing in a way that has my attention splitting in two. Axel catches my eye in the rearview mirror, giving me a knowing smirk, as if he can sense the internal battle I’m facing.There are a few reasons for tonight. First, I want her to feel what it’s like for the characte
Alissia POVThe meal went… well? I’m not entirely sure. Twice, Demitri’s hand gripped my dress, covering my exposed thigh as if the sight of my skin was too much for him to bear. The second time, he held it so tightly, his fist clenched in the fabric like it physically hurt him to let me be exposed.Why does he care so much? If he didn’t want my leg on display, maybe he should’ve chosen a different dress? Now, it’s just the two of us left at the table, and he turns toward me, his sharp eyes catching mine.“Each day my work changes,” he begins, his voice steady but intense. “There may be days where you cannot join me, and days where you can be with me all day. I have a question, Alissia. What is your limit?”I blink. Limits again? Every man I’ve met so far asks me about limits. “I have no limits,” I say, the words leaving my mouth without hesit
Alissia POV“Thank you for the dress,” I say, looking up at him as we move, “but why?”He spins me around until my back is pressed against his chest, his breath warm on the back of my neck. “You want to portray the female character, right?” His voice is smooth, controlled. I nod, waiting for more. “How do you know how the female character feels? You don’t. The gift of the dress was meant to give you that same feeling—help you experience what your character would.”So this was all part of the research? His explanation makes sense in theory, but something still feels off. His eyes flick across the room, like he’s having a silent conversation with someone.I can’t shake the feeling that this dance isn’t just for me—it’s part of something larger, something calculated. He turns me and pulls my body closer to his, our movements fluid, but there’s a tension beneath it. His hand slides down my back, keeping me tight against him.Then his gaze shifts again. This time, I catch the moment he giv
Alissia POVHis lips hover near my ear, his next words a warning wrapped in temptation. “I can’t break my rules, Alissia.”The way he says my name—it’s a promise and a threat, all at once. It’s like he’s reminding me of the invisible line between us, the one he can’t cross, the one I shouldn’t want him to cross. But God, right now, I do. I want to feel him, to test the boundaries he’s so desperate to keep intact.I tilt my head slightly, letting my lips brush dangerously close to his jaw as I speak. “And what if I want you to break them?” I breathe, the words slipping out before I can stop myself.His grip tightens, and I can feel the tension radiating off him, a mix of restraint and desire. His fingers press harder into my back, pulling me even closer, so close that I can feel the heat of his body, the strength in the way he holds me. His breath is ragged, like he’s battling something within himself, trying not to give in to whatever this is between us.“I can’t,” he growls quietly,
AlissiaWhen I get back, it’s nearly midnight, and the apartment is silent. Jenni must be asleep, which means I can move around quietly, avoiding the questions I’m not in the mood to answer. I need to get changed—Blake is expecting me soon, and I have no idea what to wear for a stalking lesson.Is there even a dress code for stalking someone? I have no idea, and I feel flushed, not sure if it’s the lingering summer heat or the thrill of everything that’s happened tonight.Sighing, I settle on a pair of leggings, a t-shirt, and trainers. Something easy to move in, in case… well, in case I have to move fast. Tying my hair up in a loose ponytail, I grab a small crossbody bag and toss a few essentials inside. Gloves? Cap? He didn’t give me instructions, which makes me wonder—was that deliberate? Was it some kind of test to see if I can figure things out on my own?I glance at the clock. It’s a half-hour walk to the meeting spot. In the middle of the night. Perfect. I’m already running on
Alissia POVI take a seat across from him as he pulls out a sleek black laptop from his bag, setting it on the table. The way his fingers move, quick and precise, has me intrigued. He plugs in a few other pieces of tech—some device I can’t quite identify, maybe a small portable router, and then a USB drive. His focus sharpens as he types with speed, the quiet clicking of the keyboard blending with the low hum of the café.“Here we go,” he mutters under his breath, his eyes darting between screens.I lean forward, trying to get a glimpse of what he’s doing. His screen fills with lines of code, rapidly scrolling as he works. I don’t pretend to understand most of it, but I catch bits and pieces—IP addresses, security bypasses, encrypted files. His fingers fly over the keyboard with purpose, and before long, he smirks, tilting the laptop slightly so I can see.“There. Now we have access to his work computer.” He grins like it’s the easiest thing in the world, and maybe for him, it is.My
Alissia POV“Do you not hide your face?” I ask, feeling confused.Blake turns to me with a wink. “When you can get into their system and shut down their cameras and security, why would you?”He’s already done that? I stare at him, wondering just how deep his skills run. “You’ve done that?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.“Already sorted it. The cameras went down about two hours ago,” he says with a quick glance at his phone. “Everything is set. Come on,” he pushes open the door to a large building, and I follow him inside, my steps quieter now as the thrill—and fear—of what we’re doing hits me.He leads me through the corridors until we stop at a door, one that looks eerily familiar from the pictures we’d seen earlier.“Whose office is this?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.“The boss’s office,” he answers, smirking as he steps inside, his eyes scanning the room like a predator looking for its prey. Within moments, he finds what he’s looking for—a small, hidden camera perched in th
Alissia POVWe stare at the masterpiece in front of us, both marveling at its presentation. When we finally cut into the crispy shell, the savory aroma that wafts out is heavenly. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors—the smoky salami, the tender meatballs, the melted cheese, and the rich, buttery pastry crust. We eat slowly, savoring each bite, occasionally exchanging looks of awe.“This is… amazing,” Jenni sighs, eyes closed in bliss.“Demitri was right about this place,” I say, thoroughly enjoying the meal. After a moment, I take a deep breath, and Jenni notices the thoughtful look on my face.“So,” she says, arching an eyebrow, “you look like there’s something else you want to share.”A small smile tugs at my lips. “I told them I love them,” I say, watching her eyes light up.“Wait, really? All three of them?”I nod, feeling
Alissia POVAs I step into the room, all three of them turn to face me, eyes sharp and expectant.“Where do you think you’re going?” Demitri’s voice is calm but curious.“To grab something to eat,” I say, unable to hold back a grin. “Jenni and I are going to have some food, maybe a few drinks, just to relax.”Demitri raises an eyebrow. “Go to La Dolce.” Demitri looks at me.“We will, so is that a yes?” I ask.“Fine. Just promise me you’re not getting wasted.” Demitri laughs.I hold up my pinky finger, giving him my most innocent smile. “Pinky promise. I’ll keep it classy.”He nods, though his gaze is still assessing. “Alright. Axel will drive you both there and pick you up. You don’t leave that restaurant, understood? If you need anything, call.”“I won’t leave. I promise,” I ass
Alissia POVJenni relaxes a bit more, then looks over at my laptop. “So, how’s the story coming along?” she asks, a hint of curiosity brightening her eyes. “Did you get much done today?”I glance at the screen and let out a small laugh. “It’s coming along, I think. A lot of it is inspired by what’s happened recently—though I’m definitely taking some liberties.” I tap the keys absentmindedly, thinking of the fictional twists I’ve added, but there’s a thread of reality that I know she can pick up on.“Is it still about that reckless author who dives into the criminal world to experience it for her book?” she teases. “Trying to understand those three mysterious men?”I chuckle. “Absolutely. She just keeps digging herself in deeper and deeper. It’s more complicated now, though. She’s starting to realize that it’s not just her career on
Alissia POVAfter a long soak in the bath, I slip into something comfortable, letting the warmth linger as I step into the main room. Demitri and Axel are seated, heads close together, clearly engrossed in some business matter. I grab my laptop, determined to finally make progress on my story. Writing has been an uphill climb lately, but with a deep breath, I settle in, knowing I can’t put it off any longer.About ten minutes in, I feel restless, my fingers drumming against the keyboard. I close the laptop, needing a small break. “Coffee?” I offer, needing one myself, Demitri’s eyes lift, a soft smile forming.“Sure,” he replies, nodding. I move to the kitchen, pulling out the cups and setting up the coffeemaker. A moment later, strong arms slide around my waist, pulling me back against a familiar chest. My body instantly relaxes, a smile tugging at my lips as Demitri’s hand traces a slow path up the inside of my top, hi
Blake POVOdell leans back in his cell, putting on an exaggerated pout. “Aw, come on, Lucas. I was really looking forward to having a new toy in here. You can’t just dangle the possibility and take it away. Can’t you work a little magic and get the cutie locked up anyway?”Lucas chuckles, shaking his head. “Who knows, Odell. If he slips up again, he just might end up right where you want him.” With that, he ends the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket.Jake is staring at Lucas with a sickened expression, the reality of what just happened settling heavily on his face. Lucas smirks, a glint of dark amusement in his eyes. “All the best underground men have connections, Jake. Consider this a guarantee—if you go back on the deal, you’ll find yourself kept nice and warm every night by Odell. And he’ll be waiting.”Jake swallows, his face pale as he nods, finally underst
Blake POVI’ve been at this for well over an hour, digging through every piece of information on Jake with Lucas by my side. We’ve uncovered bits and pieces, small incriminating details here and there, but nothing substantial enough to send him running from Jenni for good. Every promising lead fizzles out, and frustration gnaws at me. Without the option to kill him—since Jenni would inevitably blame Alissia for any “mysterious disappearance”—we’re left with blackmail or some other way to scare him off.Lucas mutters under his breath, frustration clearly getting to him as well. Then, out of nowhere, he chuckles, the sound low and amused. I look up from my screen, curious.“You found something?” I ask, hopeful.“No, but I’d bet anything that, based on how long they’ve been quiet, she’s probably got Demitri under her thumb,” he smirks, eyes glinting with amusement.I g
Alissia POVWith a playful smirk, I slip off his lap, stepping back to let his anticipation build, and turn to the wall where the riding crop hangs. I take my time reaching for it, letting him see exactly what’s coming next, his eyes narrowing as I turn back to him with the crop in hand."Alissia," he growls. I smile, the leather handle feels warm and familiar in my grip, and I run it slowly up his thigh, watching the way his muscles tense with each inch it travels. He’s trying to hide his reaction, but the light in his eyes betrays him.I stroke the crop up his chest, tracing a path along his abs, letting it dance over his collarbone, teasing him as he breathes a little faster. Without warning, I flick my wrist, letting the crop tap his shoulder lightly. He stiffens, but there’s a spark in his gaze, his lips pressing into a tight line as he suppresses the smirk I know is fighting to surface.I climb back onto his lap, feeling the heat r
Alissia POVTurning to my closet, I run my fingers over the rows of carefully chosen outfits, my eyes settling on a pair of towering black heels. I slip them on, the extra height adding a confidence that makes me grin. I glance across the shelves lined with lingerie, eyeing the sets, each more daring than the last.If I’m going to break him tonight, I’ll need to make it worth his while. A lap dance, perhaps? Slowly stripping, just to watch him squirm in that perfect combination of lust and restraint? The thought makes me smirk, and I reach for a set of black lace that leaves little to the imagination, with thin straps and delicate material that hugs in all the right places.I study myself in the mirror for a second. The reflection staring back at me is both fierce and playful, fully aware of the power she holds tonight. I give my hair a slight tousle, running a finger along my lower lip as I consider my next move. Then, slipping on a
Alissia POVI make my way down the hall and slip into the hidden room that Demitri calls his “sanctuary,” but I’ve taken to calling it what it truly is—his personal dungeon. Dark, luxurious walls lined with velvet and leather greet me, along with the faint scent of musk and rich wood. It’s a place where he’s always been in control, where every inch of it has been arranged to cater to his dominance. But today, I want to turn that on its head. I know when he's in this room, Axel knows not to try contact him. It's where he hides from things even if he's not using it.I let my fingers trail over the variety of implements he’s neatly arranged on a sideboard. There’s an artistry to how he’s laid them out, like they’re his favorite tools. The leather cuffs, the ropes, the paddle, each placed with deliberate care. I pick up one of the silk scarves, running the soft material between my fingers as a small grin plays on