Serena’s POVBill calls out to me, "Serena, are you okay?"I blink, my mind foggy. For a moment, I feel completely out of it, as if I'm not really here."Serena!" Bill's voice cuts through the haze.I snap back to reality, the rhythmic sound of crashing waves and the salty tang of the ocean filling
Serena’s POVBill guides me down a narrow path through the dunes. After a short walk, we arrived at a secluded cove. A small picnic setup awaits us: a blanket spread out with a basket full of delicious-looking treats and a bottle of sparkling cider."Surprise!" Bill says, spreading his arms wide.I
Bill’s POVWe stay like that for a while, just being close. The steady rhythm of her breathing, the warmth of her body against mine, and the subtle scent of her hair help calm me down. With Serena so close, everything feels a little less crazy.After a few minutes, Serena lifts her head and looks a
Serena’s POVBill and I stand in front of my apartment, the warmth of the Malibu sun still lingering on our skin. The breeze from the ocean is in my hair, and I can still feel the soft grit of sand on my legs. I fish my keys out of my bag, the sound of metal against metal breaking the comfortable si
Serena’s POVThe makeup artist dabs a bit of highlighter on my cheekbones, making them pop under the bright lights. I sit still, trying to take it all in. Taylor’s studio is something straight out of Hollywood. There are big, professional cameras on tracks, huge lights hanging from the ceiling, and
Serena’s POV"Serena?" Taylor asks, her brows knitting together and her smile fading slightly. She leans in, her eyes searching mine with concern.My mind is a complete blank, and I just sit there, staring at her. Taylor reaches over and gently touches my arm. "Hey, it's okay," she says softly, the
Serena’s POV Taylor’s question is the one I’ve been expecting. I take a deep breath, my fingers interlacing as I prepare to respond. I shift in my seat, sitting up straighter. My hands rest in my lap, and I take a moment to collect my thoughts. “Max and I don’t really get along,” I begin, keeping
Bill’s POVMy fingers tap a steady rhythm on the polished surface of the conference table. The shareholders' meeting is just days away, and with one of my key investors considering selling his shares, my position as the CEO of RGE is at risk. This presentation has to be flawless.My mind feels cloud
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