Adam's POVWatching Richard trying to kiss Elizabeth made my skin crawl. I didn't want him anywhere near her. She was mine alone.I remained calm, holding the tray of food so as not to give away my feelings.Their eyes met mine and I walked forward, ignoring Elizabeth's silent pleading. “Hey,” my voice flowed as Richard’s eyes met mine.“I take it you came to see if I'm dead,” he replied, his face changing into a wicked smile.“That’s the doctor's job,” I answered and he caught the joke. He smiled and returned his gaze to Elizabeth.She tried to escape, moving back, but he held her face still with his fingers.“Where were we?” He asked. His voice taunting me.In every sense, I shouldn't feel different about it. But him being close to her made my temper rise. I hated the way he touched her. What was this feeling?My heart ached, but I remained still. Now wasn't the time to act.“Urgh…” Elizabeth groaned.“Do you see it, brother? My wife avoids my touch,” Richard said, not taking his
Elizabeth’s POVThe Coffee ShopLily sat at our usual table, fingers locked around a coffee cup, staring into it as if the answers to the universe swirled inside.A smile pushed its way onto my face, masking the unease clawing at my insides. My steps quickened toward her.“Lily,” I called, catching her attention and opening my arms for a hug.She flinched, rejecting me with a wave of her hand.Something was wrong. She had never acted like this before.My hands dropped and I frowned. “Lily, What's wrong?”She continued looking into her cup, not giving a response.“Are you going to talk?” I asked again, my fingers curled against the edge of the chair as I sat across from her. “Say something, will you?”She let out a sharp breath and lifted her gaze with a neutral look.“Why don’t you tell me?” She blurted.“Huh?” The words left my mouth before I could control them.“Lily, I didn't come all the way to answer riddles and guess your mind. I hate guessing games,” I confessed.She scoffed, s
Elizabeth’s POVShe pressed the stop button and smiled.“Lily, what are you doing?” I asked, my voice trembling.“Making sure I have deposits,” she answered.“This is insane,” I voiced and stood up to leave.“I wouldn't do that if I was you,” Lily warned, waving the phone. My eyes followed her movements, aiming for the right time to grab the phone.I sat waiting as she continued.“You help me into the house and get me to Adam, and then I'll think about deleting this,” Lily said.“You're supposed to be my friend,” I whispered, feeling betrayed.She shrugged, acting like I was an alien. “Are you going to do it or not?”The phone graced closer to my face, and I quickly reached for it. She moved it away in time.“You'll get your chance,” she mocked. “So? The time's ticking.”The seconds ran, and her fingers aimed at her screen.“Fine, I'll do it,” I answered.“Good girl,” she said, smiling.“Remember, I get close to Adam, and you stick with Richard.”“But…” I argued.“No, buts,” she cauti
Richard's POVA sharp beep cut through the silence.I exhaled slowly, blinking at my phone as it vibrated on the nightstand. An unknown number.My gut tightened.I reached for it, swiping the screen open, and a single audio file appeared. No message. No sender name. Just the recording.I hesitated for a second before pressing play.The moment the voices filled the room, my grip on the phone tightened.“Adam Mich killed my parents. I was eighteen and had just paid them a visit in a long time. Then it happened. My dad got a call, and it wasn't looking nice. Then he hid me in the closet, and somehow, I must have pressed a button and got out through the back door…”I knew that voice. That sounded exactly like…Elizabeth.“I heard the gunshots, Lily.”“I'm so sorry,” another voice followed.“The police couldn't do anything. By the time I found Lance, as my dad had said, The house was in flames. They found my dad's body, but my mom's…”“Hey,” the other lady spoke.“I'm fine. I'm just a littl
Richard’s POVI glared at Lance, my eyes boring into him, daring him to say something stupid. He didn’t. Smart choice.With a snap of my fingers, my bodyguards moved instantly. One opened the car door while another shielded me, scanning the surroundings like good little soldiers. I slid into the backseat smoothly, the familiar scent of leather and my cologne wrapping around me.I left the door open.Lance stood there like a lost dog, his hands buried in his pockets, hesitating.I exhaled sharply. “Get in and stop looking like an idiot.”He blinked, then climbed inside, shutting the door behind him.The car remained still, the streetlights outside flickering against the tinted windows, casting shadows over Lance’s tense face. I didn’t look at him.I sighed, controlling my temper and removed my phone from my coat pocket and tossed it on his lap."Why are you giving me this?" He asked.I looked at him and shook my head. "The recording. I need to know who sent it."Lance glanced at the un
General POVLily groaned, waking up and sat up in her bed, running the sleep from her eyes. She checked her phone, sighing as she read the time. It was 7:02 AM.“Too damn early,” Lily hissed and fell back in bed.She had spent half the night tossing happily, thinking about Elizabeth. “Oh, Lizzy. I want to see how far you can go,” she said laughing.She sighed and climbed out of bed stretching like a car and headed for the kitchen. She grabbed a pan, ready to fry some eggs, when the doorbell rang.“Huh? Who the hell is that?” Her mind sang and the doorbell rang again.Ding-dong.Lily walked to the door, angry that her breakfast was going to be delayed.She wasn't expecting anyone. Especially not this early. Not ever.Her mind raced. “Maybe, it's Elizabeth.”A wicked smirk appeared on her face and she halted.“So, the princess had finally cracked, huh? Probably here to beg for my help,” Lily said, smiling.She loved it when people begged for her help. It made her feel powerful.She ran
Richard's POV:“I got the tape,” I said and she turned pale.Her mouth opened and I smiled.“But… I…” she stammered.I leaned closer and introduced myself. “I’m Richard. Adam's older brother.”She didn't move.Was this the lady who wanted to make a deal with Elizabeth? She wasn't as tough as I expected. She probably did it out of jealousy.“Y…you're Richard?” Shs asked and I nodded.“The Richard Mich,” she repeated.“You seem to have a hearing problem,” I answered.“Oh my God,” she said. “I'm so sorry. That shouldn't have ever gotten to y…”I interrupted, tired of her blabbering. “I appreciate that you did. Which is why I want to make you an offer?”“Are you ready for it?” I asked.Her eyes became teary and she looked funny as she struggled to keep the tears from flowing.“I…I'm sorry,” she whispered. “Please don't hurt me.”“Oh, don't worry. I won't. If you do what I want,” I answered.She started pleading. “I swear I'll do anything.”“Funnyz you sounded much bolder on the tape,” I s
Adam's POVMy phone buzzed. Another call from a contact in the cartel. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to ease my tiredness.There was always something urgent. Always someone wanting a piece of something they couldn’t afford.I wasn’t in the mood to deal with any fights and money issues tonight. Not after today's bloody fight and everything that had already been spilled. But that’s how it worked. You deal with the devil, you don’t get to turn your back when he calls.“Yeah?” I answered coldly, my eyes scanning the paperwork on the desk. I didn’t even care what he was saying. I already knew the answer. More products. More deals. I’d send my guys to handle it.That’s when the knock came.I frowned, my eyes snapping to the door. My men knew better. No one should be bothering me right now.But they did.One of my guys came in, holding a plain brown package. No return address. Just a stamp.I raised an eyebrow, asking a silent question. The man hesitated.“You gonna open it, boss?” he
Elizabeth's POVHis presence was like a storm, quiet but heavy with tension. He set his eyes upon mine, and his eyebrows were drawn together.He stepped closer. “What happened?”I tried to regulate my breathing.“Nothing,” I lied.His gaze turned dark, and he stepped forward. “Don't lie to me.”I swallowed hard.He took another step. He spoke, his voice dropped, almost soft but not soft. “Who was here?”I hesitated, even though I did know not to assume Adam wouldn't eventually find out.And, I whispered, “Lance.”His entire body became stiff.He stayed silent and then, his voice turned low. “Lance was here.”I nodded.Something shifted his expression. It scared me.Without another word, he grabbed his cell and called. “Double the security. Now.”His eyes didn’t leave mine. “I will kill the man myself if he ever gets close to you again.”“I…” My voice stopped short. "He went out before you arrived."His stare darkened. “And?”I swallowed hard.“He wanted me to accompany him.”The secon
Elizabeth's POVA distant beep roused me from the dark. My limbs felt heavy, like being underwater. My eyelids quivered, refusing the opening capacity, their lashes stuck together. My head pounded loudly, and I groaned.What the hell happened to me?My nose caught a weird scent.Was that medicine?I opened my eyes, groaning as the bright ceiling lights burned my eyes.White walls. Machines. Drips from the IV stuck onto the wrist.A hospital.Panic flared through me quickly. My heart pounded, causing one of the machines to sound its alarm. My hands were around the sheets, holding them tightly. I was alive. That meant Adam...No. Not Adam. Richard, that devil!Flashes of the last thing I could remember slammed into me like a truck. Richard's sneer, Adam screaming my name.I swallowed, my mouth tasting like sandpaper.A nurse walked in wearing a light blue scrub, looking surprised as she saw me. Her expression turned into a smile and she hurried towards me. "Well, you're awake. We were a
Adam's POVI wanted to tear him to shreds.Bloody bastard!“You came,” he said, his lips forming a wicked smirk.“You must have missed me,” he continued.I stepped forward, opening the glass door and walked in.“It's been barely a day and you're already here,” he mocked. “Seems you need my help.”“Where are they?” I asked, not interested in his bullshit.“Who?” He asked, smiling. “You have to be specific, brother.”He was mocking me.“Don’t fucking play games with me, Richard! Where are they?” I asked, pissed as hell.“I am in the mood for a game. Shall we play hide and seek?” He asked, still smiling.My voice turned hoarse and deeper. “I'm not in the mood.”“But I am,” he answered cheerfully.“What do you want?” I asked.“To leave here,” he answered, immediately.“Not a chance,” I blurted.“Now answer me. Where the hell did you put them? Kevin's family.”“Oh, them?” He asked.He was sounding more like a psychopath every single day.“Where did you keep Diana and her daughter?” I asked
Adam's POVThe heart monitor started beeping again, and I exhaled.She coughed, her eyes still closed, and I fell to my knees. “Thank you,” I breathed.“She's stable,” I heard the doctor say. He checked her pulse and turned to me. “I'll have to watch her to avoid such things happening again.”I didn't answer, only nodding slightly while I kept my eyes on her.I should have never let her out of my sight. She was suffering because of me. This was never going to happen again.Looking at her fragile form made me want to kill Richard, but I couldn't.I stood up, and the door opened. Yumi walked in, and Christine entered a few seconds later. She had a bandage on her forehead and looked guilty. Her eyes resting on Elizabeth.“What do you want?” I asked, facing Christine.“I'm so sorry,” Christine said, her voice trembling.“That's not what I asked,” I replied. My eyes stayed glued to her. I stepped forward.Yumi stood between us, blocking my path. “I didn't help you so you could kill my cous
Adam's POV“You're foolish,” Richard cursed. “She shot her.”“Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you, right now!” I yelled.My finger twitched at the trigger and I waited.“You can't do it,” Richard sneered. “You don't have it in you.”“I don't?” I asked. “Don’t push your luck brother.”“I’m not afraid of you, brother,” Richard said, laughing.“You should be,” I spat. I wanted to send him to hell, but he was right. My hands wouldn't pull the trigger no matter how much I tried.His eyes darted to Elizabeth and back at me. “I'm taking her with me,” he announced.“In your dreams, Richard,” I growled.He moved and my gun followed. “Don’t tempt me.”“Give her to me,” Richard yelled.He was only getting her when I died. “You touch her, you're dead.”“Watch me,” he said and moved forward.“Richard, don't!” I warned, hesitating.He didn't listen and began running towards me.“Richard, don't,” Lily begged, her voice breaking.I pulled the trigger, and he fell to the floor. He screame
Adam’s POV“Adam!” Elizabeth’s voice cut through with fear.I barely had time to react before Richard’s gun fired.The shot rang out, but I felt nothing. There was no pain or impact.Because Richard had missed. He looked at me surprised and my eyes trailed down to Christine beneath his leg.He followed my gaze spotting her. She had pushed him at the last second.She rose, breathing hard.Elizabeth wasted no time. The second Richard stumbled, she twisted out of his hold, breaking free.I moved quickly, throwing my fist in his face. He groaned and stumbled back and I hit him again.The gun fell off his hand and blood dripped from his nostrils.“You fucking...” Richard curses, but my fist hit him hard again. He fell to the floor, holding his bleeding nose.I attacked, but he recovered dodging my punch and kicking me.I growled, and lunged at him, hitting his ribs.The blood slurped from his mouth and he growled. “I have had enough of you.”His feet met my ribs, knocking me out of his sid
Elizabeth’s POVI hissed, pulling at the ropes holding my wrists. Richard and Lily were at the door arguing about whatever they cared about.bI pulled the rope again, hurting my wrist and I gave up with a groan.“Don't bother sweetheart, it won't work,” Richard said, looking at me.He was right. I had been pulling the rope for hours and my wrists was already bruised.“Let’s go,” Richard finally said, adjusting his suit jacket. “She’s not going anywhere.”Lily smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Good. I’d hate to chase after her again.”She walked out, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, and Richard followed, before the door shut.Screw it. If only someone could...my eyes trailed and focused on Christine.She was on the floor picking each piece of glass and acting like I wasn't in the room.“Ow,” she groaned, holding up the finger that had been cut by the glass.Her eyes met mine and there was complete silence.She returned to picking the glass and I exhaled slowly
Adam’s POV“We have to go back to the monastery,” Maximus yelled.I nodded and we began retreating, covering each other's movement with gunshots at the enemy.Keeping my head low, as my back hit the cold pillars of the monastery, I checked to locate the enemy's position.My men moved in calculated bursts, dodging between broken columns, returning fire with trained precision. But it wasn’t enough. We were pinned down, boxed in like rats.I saw it in their faces, the realization. We were outnumbered. The Yakuza had us trapped, pressing in from all sides.They had the upper hand. I couldn't risk my men dying. I had to think of something.Nico slid beside me, tossing a loaded gun into my hand. "Here, catch!" he shouted over the chaos.I grabbed it on instinct, barely turning my head before a bullet pierced his leg."Aaah!" He screamed falling to the floor. I quickly got down and pulled him away from the firing bullets."Are you going to be okay?" I asked, worried.He nodded, and quickly t
Adam’s POVI was there before he hit the ground, catching his weight as his knees buckled.His fingers clawed at my jacket, breathing ragged. “Adam…”“Stay with me,” I pleaded.His blood pooled beneath him, and men returned. The sniper shooter was dead. They had handled it.Kevin’s grip tightened on my shirt. His eyes darkened. Unfocused.“Listen. I...” He coughed, blood spilling past his lips. “Christine…I...”“Don’t talk. We’ll get you out,” I said.He shook his head violently. His nails dug into my arm. “You don’t…understand.”“Please, listen to me,” he said, panting.“It was my fault. Everything. I'm sorry Adam,” he said, in a teary voice.I shook my head. “No, it's not.”“It is,” he replied. “I had been working with Lance for a while. Ever since I suspected Elizabeth wasn't here just for the money. I connected with lance through some old connections.”I listened, watching the blood pour from his mouth as he struggled to get the words out. “Christine and I were lovers. I help her