Bill’s POVThe car hums beneath us as Sarah and I head toward the Étoile de Collin launch. My suit is sharp, perfectly tailored — black with a hint of sheen in the fabric, a nod to the event’s high-end nature. I’ve kept the tie sleek, silver, and simple, knowing this isn’t the kind of night for bol
Serena’s POVThe lights from the chandeliers above twinkle as I make my way through the sea of elegant masks and glittering gowns. The masquerade theme is in full effect, and everything about this night is perfect. This is the grand launch of Étoile de Collin, a moment I’ve dreamed of for so long.
Bill’s POVThe room swarms with people congratulating Serena after her speech, but I can’t focus on any of it. My eyes are locked on her as she moves through the crowd, trying to stay out of my reach. I weave between the guests, barely acknowledging the ones who greet me. I need to talk to her — no
Serena’s POVBill saved my life?The thought is so surreal it feels like a lie. Yet here he is, standing in front of me, saying those words. Everything about this moment feels wrong. I should hate him, despise him for everything he’s done, for leaving me when I needed him the most. How could he be t
Bill’s POVI pace back and forth in my living room, the weight of everything hanging heavy over my head. The frustration building inside me feels like it's about to explode, and no matter how many times I circle the room, it doesn't ease the tension. Sarah sits on the couch, watching me, her eyes fo
Serena’s POV The morning sun streams through the large front windows of the shop on Rodeo Drive, casting long rays of light onto the pristine, empty display cases. I’m kneeling on the floor, carefully unpacking delicate pieces of jewelry that will soon fill this space. My hands are steady, but my
Serena’s POVThe sun is setting over Rodeo Drive, casting a soft, golden light across the high-end storefronts. Matt walks beside me, his presence relaxed, and I can’t help but enjoy the change of pace. The energy of Rodeo is different from the intensity of last night. It’s easy to get lost in the
Serena’s POVAdam leads me down a side street, and it doesn’t take long before the crowds on Rodeo Drive thin out. The alley is empty, dark, and unsettlingly quiet. My instincts scream for me to turn back, but before I can say anything, Adam rounds on me, his face twisted with anger.“What the hell
Bill’s POVThe second day of the trial feels heavier than the first. I sit at the stand, every eye in the courtroom on me. Kevin sits across the room, leaning back in his chair, his face as blank as ever. But I’ve known him long enough to spot the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers tap rh
Serena’s POVEvan Carter steps up to the stand, his posture rigid but his face set with a kind of quiet determination. He’s nervous — I can see it in the way his hands grip the edges of the chair, his knuckles white — but he doesn’t hesitate when the prosecutor starts her questioning.“Mr. Carter,”
Serena’s POVThe courtroom feels like it’s holding its breath. Kevin sits across the room, calm and collected, as if he isn’t facing the weight of his crimes being read aloud. Arson. Money laundering. Drug trafficking. Arms dealing. Conspiracy. Each charge is like a hammer falling, but Kevin doesn’t
Bill’s POVThe flashing red and blue lights from the police cars paint everything in sharp. Kevin’s hunched figure disappears into the back of a cruiser, his hands cuffed tightly behind his back. But even as he’s being taken away, he still manages to twist the knife with his parting words.“This isn
Serena’s POVKevin strides toward me, his expression dark and twisted. I don’t move. I plant my feet, keeping my stance steady, just like Bill taught me. My heart races, but my mind is sharp, clear. I’m not afraid — not anymore.He lunges, fast and aggressive, the blade in his hand aiming straight f
Serena’s POVKevin raises the knife, and my breath catches. For a split second, time seems to slow, the glint of the blade catching the faint light like a silent threat. Before I can react, Bill charges in from the side, slamming into Kevin with the full force of his body. They hit the ground hard,
Serena’s POVKevin steps toward me. His twisted grin grows wider with each deliberate step. He thinks he has this in the bag. He thinks I’m scared, that I’ll back down the second he closes the gap. He doesn’t realize he’s underestimating me.My feet stay planted firmly on the ground, my hands steady
Bill’s POVKevin and his men approach slowly, scanning every corner. They’re trying to catch even the smallest hint of movement. They’re wary but not afraid, at least not yet. Kevin’s confidence radiates off him like a bad cologne, seeping into the minds of the men with him. Serena is crouched besi
Serena’s POVBill, Matt, James, and I go over every detail of the plan again and again. I sit at the table, watching as they discuss the best routes in and out of the location, debating whether we’ll have enough cover.It’s late, and all of us are tired. But I shake it off. There’s no time for being