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 POVI got out of the cab at the side of the street. Lily's house was just ten steps away. I paid the driver and walked down to her house.I should leave.My entire being wasn't against it. I wasn't supposed to be here.Maybe Lily had changed her mind. But...she had never gone that far before. I wanted to talk to her. If someone Was threatening her, I could help her out.She had no idea what being in the Mich’s life would be like. I noticed the porch light flicker and I raised my hand to knock. Only it was open.Before I could push it open, Lily appeared looking pale and tense.“Are you okay?” I asked, staring at her brown eyes. She pulled me inside and checked the area before slamming and bolting the door shut.“What's going on?” I asked but she remained quiet.“Lily!” I called.“Shh,” she said, placing a finger on her lip. “Don't say anything. Follow me.”My spirit didn't want to, but I listened to her. She had been acting differently lately. First was the blackmail at th
Elizabeth's POVHe hit the floor hard, groaning. Blood dripped from his temple, soaking into his torn shirt. His fingers twitched against the cold ground. My pulse pounded as his eyes fluttered open, first unfocused, then sharp, locking onto mine.“Adam,” I called softly.Lance grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked it backward.“Ugh,” I groaned.Pain shot through my scalp. I gasped, my body jerking forward, but the chains held me back.Adam remained still, slowly coming to his senses and then he realized what was happening. His entire body tensed like a predator about to strike. His dark eyes, heavy with blood and fury, locked onto Lance.“Let...Her...Go.” He said slowly. The anger was strong in his voice.Lance chuckled. “What’s wrong, Sly bastard?” He yanked my hair harder. “Didn’t think I’d get my hands dirty?”Adam spat blood onto the floor. “You talk too much.”Lance smirked but didn’t let go. My scalp burned, but I refused to cry out. “You've been quite hard to get,” Lance res
Elizabeth’s POVI moved, pushing Richard off balance and the gun fired, brushing past Adam's shoulder and piercing into the wall.Adam fell to the floor. The stench of blood clung to the air. Adam swayed beside me, his shirt soaked in red. His breaths came in sharp, uneven rasps. He was barely standing.Across from us, Richard smirked, gun aimed straight at Adam’s skull. His expensive suit was slightly wrinkled, but looked untouched and composed, l, asiife had already won.“You were never meant to lead,” Richard hissed, his finger tightening on the trigger.Adam chuckled darkly, spitting blood onto the floor. “You still haven't gotten over the fact Dad picked me over you.”“Shut up!” Richard yelled.“It hurts, right?” Adam asked, taunting his brother.“The truth. You're always going to be the second best,” Adam said and coughed out blood.I watched Adam crawl. He was as stubborn as ever. He wouldn't beg and I knew if Adam didn't leave soon, Richard would kill him.Richard kicked him a
Adam’s POVI groaned, slowly opening my eyes. It felt like I had a ton of bricks had crushed my body.My muscles ached as I moved. The sun had turned orange and I slowly sat in my seat.I turned my face to the other side and saw Elizabeth.There was dried blood on her forehead and she remained still, not breathing. I shook in fear, moving my body towards her.No. No. No.“Elizabeth.” My voice came out hoarse. I reached out, shaking her shoulder, my hands trembling. “Elizabeth, wake up.”She didn’t move.My stomach twisted. Panic clawed at my throat. I shook her harder. “Damn it, Elizabeth, open your eyes!”Then she coughed.Relief crashed over me so fast I almost collapsed.Her lashes fluttered, and she groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. Then, she turned her gaze to me, wincing as she sat up.“You almost sent us straight to the underworld,” she muttered, giving me a pointed look.I exhaled sharply, raking a hand through my hair. “I know. I’m sorry.”Her eyes locked onto mine, s
Adam’s POVI laid on the bed, and a towel flew on my face.“Go shower,” Elizabeth ordered again, tilting her head toward the bathroom door.I smirked. “You just want to get me naked, don’t you?”She rolled her eyes. “I want you clean so you don’t die of an infection, idiot.”I chuckled, but when she didn’t budge, I sighed, dragging my exhausted body off the chair.My hands moved to the zip on my trousers and I pulled it slowly, not taking my eyes off hers. It fell to my legs and I walked forward.Elizabeth’s eyes moved over me, and she coughed and quickly looked away."Enjoying the view, sweetheart?" I teased.“Shut up the fuck up and go,” she hissed.I smirked, grabbed the towel and walked into the bathroom.I turned on the warm shower and regretted it. The hot water stung like hell against my wounds.I bit my lower lip, unable to understand why Elizabeth or any woman would want to bathe in this type of boiling larva.How did she not get burned?My mind wandered to the earlier hours.
Richard’s POVThe amber liquid sloshed over the rim as I smashed the glass onto my desk, whisky burning down my throat. I clenched my jaw so tightly that it hurt, and I held onto the crystal tumbler with my fingers until I thought it might break in my hand.The mansion was too quiet, strangely quiet. There were no distant voices, no laughter, and no heavy boots reverberated down the corridor. The walls seemed to be choking beneath the weight of what had transpired, and the air seemed heavy.Some of my men were dead.Elizabeth was gone and Adam was still alive.Everything had gone to hell.I exhaled through my nose, nostrils flaring as the fire in my chest burned hotter. I had been so fucking close. So close to breaking her, bending her to my will, owning her completely. And now? Now she was out there, probably in Adam’s arms.That traitorous son of a bitch!The thought made my grip tighten around the glass until the edges dug into my skin.I had spent years building my empire, elimina
Adam’s POVAs soon as Corinth made a run for it, the chase ensued.The guards immediately shouted orders, their heavy boots echoing on the marble floor as they pursued her. Corinth moved swiftly, weaving through the crowd with a sense of urgency that gave precision to her every action. Her arms pumped, and her legs propelled her forward as she ran down the hallway, holding on tightly to the stolen gun.I followed her at a measured pace. She was driven by survival instincts, but panic often leads to mistakes. She would eventually slip up, and I intended to be there when it happened.At the end of the corridor, Corinth took a sharp turn into another hallway. A guard lunged at her, barely grazing her sleeve, but she spun around, driving her elbow into his ribs. He grunted in pain and stumbled back, crashing into a glass cabinet that shattered, sending pieces of glass everywhere.Another guard was on her quickly, reaching for her arm, but she ducked, swinging the gun to connect with his j
Corinth’s POVThe kitchen was filled with the aroma of fresh herbs and cooked meat, but it didn't give me the satisfaction I needed. I felt out of place.I stood at the shiny counter, my hands steady despite the cold surface.The head chef worked quickly and skillfully, preparing Elizabeth's dinner with pride in his work. He had no clue about my intentions.The moment had arrived. I reminded myself, "Don't mess up. Just do it and get out. It won't kill her. She'll be okay."I kept these thoughts in my head.I glanced at the spice rack. There was a small vial hidden between jars of basil and oregano, easy to miss. I had placed it there earlier to blend with the spices. My fingers brushed over it as I pretended to care about the plates.My heart was racing. There was no turning back.If I hesitated, my boss would punish me harshly. He never forgave mistakes. Failing was not an option for me.The chef turned to grab some rosemary. That was my chance.I carefully added a few drops of the
Adam’s POVThe room felt incredibly small, almost as if it were closing in on me. I could hardly breathe. My heart was pounding loudly, like war drums, as I stormed out, each step driven by the burning anger inside me.Corinth!!!That name was stuck in my thoughts, gripping my anger tightly. She had a simple task: deliver my message. Just one task, and she didn't do it.Maybe she even ignored it on purpose.I moved quickly through the hallway, my hands clenched in fists. I needed to find out what happened right away. Kevin had come out of his coma. That should have been the first thing I was told. Instead, I was kept in the dark. Someone was trying to keep me uninformed, someone wanted me off balance. And Corinth was at the heart of it all.As I got to the stairs, ready to go down, I noticed something move from the corner of my eye."Adam."I stopped and turned to where the voice came from. I saw Maximus standing there.He stepped in front of me, his face serious, his eyes sharp. He w
Adam's POVI hadn’t slept. I was tired, my eyes burned, and yet morning came, but my head wouldn’t sleep. Mirroring a shivering voice, slithering through the thoughts of the mind, wherever I closed my eyes, the very next moment, shadows got keen at the border of my moment, my sight. I didn’t know what was real anymore.Elizabeth curled up next to me, her breathing steady but shallow.Carefully I pushed her hair from her face, letting my fingers linger on her cheek. She appeared serene, but I knew it was an illusion. She was still plagued with nightmares. I had gotten up more than once to her shaking in her sleep and mumbled words that made no sense.That thought turned my blood to ice.Elizabeth turned a little and buried her face in my chest. I held her a bit tighter and then slipped out of bed gently. She didn’t stir.I dressed quickly. My body was worn out but my mind was as sharp as it had ever been. Today was the day I would get the answers I needed.By the time I entered the sec
Adam's POVI first noticed it in the little things — pauses, misplaced objects, an extra beat spent staring into space. Elizabeth had always been sharp, from her calculated endeavors to her scalpel-sharp mind. But recently, there was something different.She would reach for her food but then stop, narrowing her eyes as though she were aware that something just wasn’t right. Then she’d shake her head and make herself eat, though her appetite was sporadic. On some nights, she would eat an entire meal in minutes. On other nights, she hardly ate at all.And then came the confusion.She would forget things, the little things at first. Where she had left her phone. If she had answered a message〕. Then it escalated. Whole conversations fell from her mind. She repeated the same questions, even within minutes of one another.Initially, I told myself it was just stress. Pregnancy was complicated on the body, and Elizabeth had enough on her plate. However, I was not someone who disregarded my gu
Elizabeth's POVThe first time it happened, I wrote it off as nothing but exhaustion. I had screamed my fucking head off at that disappearing figure in the mirror.I caught a glimpse of a mirror today while fitting in brushing my hair before bed. I took the lamp off, and then turned back, and I swear my reflection didn’t follow.I blinked.There was nothing peculiar in the glass. Just me. My slightly uncombed hair, my weary gaze, my finger caught in mid-action.I exhaled and wrangled myself into laughter.Pregnancy fatigue. That’s all it was.But later that night, I was roused by whispers.My pulse quickened as I opened my eyes to stare at the darkness. It was faint, like a voice on the wind, low enough in pitch that the words couldn’t be made out.I turned my head slightly.Adam was lying next to me, his breathing slow and steady, deep in sleep.I held still, listening.The murmurs appeared to come in from one end of the room, close to the window. But when I changed, they went away.
Corinth's POVAfter a long pause, Adam finally sighed. He glanced over at Nico and Raphael and gave a small nod.“Take her to the infirmary.”Without another word, Raphael put a steadying hand on my back and guided me out.*******We had just stepped inside when the cool, sterile smell of disinfectant seeped into my nose. The room was silent, the air-conditioner purring softly.I sat down on the patient’s bed and Raphael stood by the door, arms crossed.But then, Nico stepped forward.His fingers curled and uncurled at his sides. He looked so serious doing it.Then he turned to Raphael.“I got it from here.”Raphael didn’t budge at first. He narrowed his eyes slightly.I could almost hear the silent judgment in his eyes.But after the longest moment, Raphael released a slow breath.He shook his head, muttered some words under his breath and turned and left.The door clicked closed behind him.And then, there was silence.I looked at Nico, who suddenly looked nervous.He cleared his th
Corinth's POVThe maids cast anxious looks at one another. After a few seconds of doubt one of them opened the door.The girl who had shut the door retreated slowly, her fingers shaking.Raphael didn’t wait. He put his arm around my waist for support and walked me toward the exit. My legs shook, but I willed myself to keep standing.As soon as we crossed the threshold, I felt a chill go down my spine when something in the back of the room moved quickly.A shadow lunged toward us.Before I had time to react, Raphael spun around, his reflexes a split second fast.He avoided the hit at the last moment, his hand lashed out and caught the wrist of the girl who dared try to shove us.He yanked her forward with a slightly calculated, completely nonchalant sort of movement, disrupting her center of gravity. She took a shocked, short shout, hands waving as she nearly fell downstairs.The other maids sucked in their breaths, their faces locked with terror.She teetered and almost caught herself
Corinth’s POVThe voices outside the restroom cubicle became louder.“She’s in here.”I scrunched my hand over my mouth, my heartbeat pounding against my ribs. I leaned my back against the cold wall, listening to the footsteps approach.“Corinth,” called one of the maids, sharply, and taunting. “Come out now or we’re coming in.”I dug my fingers into my own skin, struggling to keep my breathing even. If I said nothing, maybe they’d go away. Maybe they’d get bored.But I wasn’t that lucky.Kicking the cubicle door, one of them made a loud bang. I jumped.“You deaf, whore?” another one hissed. “Open the damn door.”I hesitated. And if I took too long, they’d barge in. They had no boundaries.“Last warning.”I squeezed my eyes shut one moment, released a breath, then felt for the lock. As soon as I slid it open, the door flew inward, almost smacking me in the face. Before I even had a chance to react, a fist grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled me forward.A shrill scream tore out of