Bill’s POVI walk around my home office, watching the shadows flickering from the lamp. The earpiece warms my ear as I wait for James to speak."James, you there?" I ask. Static crackles on the other end."Yes, Bill. We're all set," James replies. We've been planning this for days, going over every
Bill’s POVMy eyes are fixed on the laptop screen, watching the live feed from James's body cam. I smirk, knowing Max has nowhere to run. It’s like watching the final move of a chess game, a perfect checkmate.Max shifts in his chair. His body leans away from the paper with the mafia logo."I-I don'
Serena’s POVEver since Eden’s so-called "review" of my jewelry went viral, the shop has been a ghost town.Not just slow… It’s empty.The usual soft hum of conversation, the gentle clinking of display cases opening and closing are all gone.Sunlight filters through the front windows, casting long s
Serena’s POV"Let me get this straight," Calvin says, furrowing his eyebrows. "This TikTok creator posted a bad review on your jewelry and that's why people stop coming to your shop?"I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Not just a bad review. He called my jewelry trash."Calvin frowns sympathe
Serena’s POVStevie is out of breath when she reaches the shop. Her usually neat hair is tousled, and there’s a light sheen of sweat on her forehead. She bursts through the door, causing the bell to jingle frantically. Her eyes are wide with urgency as she clutches her phone tightly in one hand."I
Serena’s POVStevie and I close up the shop in the mall, pulling down the security gate. At five months pregnant, I move more slowly, often resting a hand on my growing belly.Stevie insists on walking me home. We step into the cool evening air and make our way to my apartment.As we reach my buildi
Serena's POVI pace around the living room, trying to calm my nerves as I wait for Bill to arrive. When the doorbell finally rings, I take a deep breath and open the door to find Bill standing there with a bag of groceries, including a ready-made dinner from a gourmet deli. I can see containers of
Serena's POV"Serena, please say something," Bill pleads as he's carrying me.I look up at him, and finally, everything sinks in. I break down crying, unable to hold it back any longer."I'm just so scared, Bill," I sob. "I almost lost our baby.”Bill tightens his grip around me. "You're fine, Seren
Stevie’s POVI can still hear the alarm ringing in my ears.Even though it shut off over an hour ago, the shrill sound is stuck in my head, looping like a nightmare I can’t shake.I sit on the couch, gripping a cup of tea I’m not drinking, staring at the front door like I’m expecting someone to try
Calvin’s POVJames is already talking before I even sit down.“We have a problem.”He’s pacing, phone in one hand, a half-empty water bottle in the other. His energy is sharp, clipped—like he’s been waiting too long to say this out loud. The tension in the room is thick, the air stale with coffee an
Calvin’s POVI know this is it.The last move. The final play.We’re past negotiations. Past legal threats, PR spin, and strategic positioning. This isn’t about business anymore. It’s about survival.Sterling thinks he’s inevitable. He thinks no matter how many hits he takes, he’ll always find a way
Bill’s POVSterling has always been untouchable. At least, that’s what he wants everyone to think. The kind of guy who operates in the shadows, moving money, making calls, shifting power in ways that never leave a direct trail back to him.But I know better.Everyone has a weak spot. And Sterling’s?
Serena’s POVSterling thinks he can rewrite history.He thinks he can sit in front of cameras, twist the truth, and control the story like he always has. Like he’s owed the power to decide how things play out.He’s wrong.I refuse to let him turn this into his victory lap.The second Calvin calls to
Calvin’s POVJames looks wired.Not in the jittery, too-much-coffee way. More like the I-haven’t-slept-in-two-days-and-my-body-runs-on-adrenaline way. His hair is a mess, there are dark circles under his eyes, and an untouched energy drink sits next to his laptop, condensation pooling on the table.
Bill’s POVI don’t wait for permission.I don’t tell Serena. I don’t tell Calvin.I don’t tell anyone.I just do what needs to be done.The address I was given leads me to a quiet bar in West Hollywood, one of those places that looks closed even when it’s open. It’s wedged between a high-end sushi r
Calvin’s POVJames looks like he’s running on nothing but caffeine and pure spite.His fingers move fast over the keyboard, eyes glued to the screen like the answers are going to reveal themselves if he stares hard enough. The glow from the laptop makes his face look even more drawn than usual. His
Serena’s POVThe second I hear the footsteps, I know we’re not alone.Stevie and I don’t move right away. We sit frozen, barely breathing, listening. Another sound—closer this time. Someone is here.Then, just as quickly as it started, it stops.A voice crackles over the radio clipped to the securit