**Third person** Wednesday evening, Adam headed to his bedroom with his travel bag in hand and Karen trailing behind. “How was Chicago?” Karen asked as soon as they stepped in. “Fine,” Adam hummed tiredly, slumping into the bed. She studied his face for a moment before speaking. “You don't seem too pleased, did the deal go well?” “It was fine, I'm just tired.” His voice held a tint of irritation as he placed the bag on the floor without even glancing at the woman beside him. Sighing, Karen plopped down beside him on the mattress. “Dad said that Italy was a dead end,” she announced. “Oh, tell me about it,” he thought, his eyes rolling in frustration. “I wonder where Ashley could have hidden all that money,” Karen added. “Wow, I wonder too,” he finally said in a monotonous tone, taking off his shoes and then his socks. “You don't seem too surprised?” Karen pointed out, searching Adam's face. Of course, Adam knew firsthand that Italy was a dead end; he'd gone t
**Third person**“Maybe you should tell Miss Thorne how you feel about her,” Calvin suggested, causing Lucas to glare at him. “And how do I feel about her?” Lucas raised a brow.“Considering you booked a weekend getaway for both of you and then lied that it was your mother,” Calvin paused before he continued, “it means that you love and care about her.”Lucas folded his arms around his chest and defended himself. “It's not that deep... I just wanted her to take a break from work.” “But why tell her that it's your mother?” Calvin asked, a playful glint in his eyes. “You know, she might appreciate your thoughtfulness if she knows that this was all your doing,” he suggested.“Then she might not come,” Lucas sighed, his hands falling back to his sides. "I don't want her to think that I have ulterior motives.”Calvin's brows raised, and he smirked. “But don't you?” he teased.Lucas furrowed his eyebrows and squinted his eyes, feigning anger. “You should leave,” he scolded playfully, and
**Valerie** It was already evening when we arrived in Paris. I called in sick to work today. I wasn't entirely lying though, especially after last night at the bar. The villa was more beautiful than I'd imagined. It had a big garden, a pool, a waterfall, sculptures... Name it. “Do you like it?” Lucas asked, standing behind me. My lips curled into a smile. “I love it.” “I'm glad it's to your taste.” He grinned. “I'll show you to your room then,” he offered, leading the way. Stepping into the well-furnished interior, I let my eyes roam, taking in the lights, the walls, and the floor. They were all impeccable. We were standing in front of a door now. Lucas opened it and gestured for me to go in, while a man brought in my bag. “You should freshen up," he suggested. "There's a local bar not far from here; we could have dinner there.” “Sounds nice,” I nodded, settling into the large mattress. “Great, I also have a lot planned out for tomorrow…” He paused. “I mean, my mom has a lot
**Lucas**The night was a blur of laughter, drinks, and more...After the dance floor, I couldn't wait to get home. I couldn't wait to hold Valerie in bed. I couldn't wait to kiss her and hear her moan my name while I fucked her hard.She gets me aroused in ways I can't explain. After walking her to the exit, I hurried back to take a leak.As soon as I was done, I stepped out, and that's when I saw them - A couple stood by a nearby wall, their bodies pressed together. The woman's face was obscured by the man's, but I could see the way he held her, his hands gripping her neck with a force that sent a chill down my spine.***Twenty years ago***From my room, I could hear the sounds. Banging sounds… Sounds of the wall being hit... or the door perhaps.I dropped the G.I. Joe that I was playing with and headed to the living room where my parents were playing, I guess.My heart pounded in my chest when I saw my mother pinned against the wall, tears streaming down her face as my father kiss
**Valerie**The weekend with Lucas was a blur of confusion and uncertainty. I had no idea what was going on in his mind. Why he beat that man and why he seemed like he regretted it after. A thousand different possibilities flooded my mind. Did the girl look like his ex? Does he know the guy perhaps? Maybe they had unsettled issues from the past?Then my mind drifted back to when we'd just come back from the station. The look in his eyes was cold and distant. It was almost like he was in pain.I don't know what I was expecting. I didn't want to push it, but I didn't think he was going to be so quiet either. It was just hope. I was hoping he'd at least explain a bit of what happened to me.Instead, he had murmured "goodnight" in the coldest way possible. And since we landed in New York and he had someone take me home, I haven't heard from him. I picked up my phone and dialed his number, my fingers hovering over the call button, but I decided against it again. Maybe this was for the b
**Third person** Adam pulled his dick out, remnant of his cum dripping. He shoved it into his pants and zipped up, his eyes shifting to his wife. “Karen, I'm sorry,” he murmured, his voice lacking the remorse of a man who'd just been caught fucking his wife's friend in his office. Karen didn't say a word and instead, her gaze shifted to Layla who was now fully covered, her face beaming with an innocent expression like she hadn't been bent over that desk just a few minutes ago. “It's not what you think,” Layla began, even when she had literally been caught in the act. “I just…” Before she could complete her statement, a sharp slap echoed through the office as Karen's palm connected with her cheek, the force of it enough to make her head snap back. And without giving Layla a chance to react, two more equally forceful slaps followed, leaving a stinging mark on her cheek. “You're a fucking whore,” Karen spat, her voice filled with contempt. “I should have known.” Layla clutched her
**Third person**Once Layla got home, she allowed her tears to flow freely while she took off her clothes. The confrontation with Karen had pushed her to her breaking point. How naive of her to think that things would be different with Adam if they had sex.Slumping on the bed, she allowed her mind to reel with the events of the day.Just then, her phone rang. It was the handwriting analyst.“Good day, ma'am. The result is ready; you could come over and…”Layla's eyes sparkled, and she wiped her tears off immediately. “Just tell me the results,” she sniffed, cutting him off.”“The handwritings are a hundred percent match,” he revealed.Layla’s jaw dropped. She stood up and paced to the door. “That's not possible,” she countered. “There's no way it's a hundred percent match.”“I don't know why you think so, but I'm certain that both samples were written by the same person,” he stated calmly. “Mr. Simon, you're renowned for your expertise. Please don't make me begin to second-guess you
**Valerie**It was lunch break already. My meeting with Layla last night kept on replaying in my head, even as I sat at the cafeteria downstairs.My gaze and Layla's locked as I reluctantly took my seat. She smiled and then settled down too.“Why are you in hiding though? You can tell me, we're friends after all.” Layla's smile was too wide, her eyes too knowing.I shifted uncomfortably, the silence stretching between us. "It's personal,” I mumbled.“Hmm, okay, fine,” she raised her hands dismissively. “Whatever the reason is, that's your business; I won't pry.”“So what do you want?” I sighed out.“Don't worry, it's nothing too hard for you,” she answered with a sly smile.“Okay…?” I raised a questioning brow, waiting for her to continue.“Well, just five million dollars." Her voice was almost a whisper.My jaw dropped. “Five what??!” “Relax. I mean, it's nothing for someone like you, right?” “Someone like me, or someone like Ashley?” She shrugged but didn't say a word. "Listen, La
**Third person** Valerie dragged her heavy eyes open. She blinked a couple of times to clear her vision. The smell of drugs and antiseptic and hospital filled her nose. Beside her, Lucas sat with his eyes closed. Almost immediately she jumped up on the bed. “Let me go,” she shouted, startling Lucas. He climbed the bed and pulled her into his arms. “It's okay, you're safe now,” he whispered softly, planting kiss after kiss on her hair and forehead. Valerie relaxed into his embrace, her racing heart finally calm. A tear slipped from his eyes and he wiped it. He'd thought he'd lost her. “I'm sorry I couldn't keep you safe. I should have anticipated it, I should—” “It's not your fault,” she cut him off gently. “It's not.” Tears trailed down her own cheeks and she sniffed. “What happened to Matthew?” A muscle ticked in Lucas's jaw, he felt Matt had an easy fate after everything he did. "Dead." Valerie let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, her body shaking with relieve
**Third person**“Let's move, slowly,” Matt murmured in Valerie's ears, his hot breath fanning against her skin. His eyes were still locked onto Lucas—who was practically shooting daggers at Matt with his eyes."Matthew, please," Valerie whispered back, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this. You can still let me go."Matt's jaw tightened, his chest heaving with desperation and anger. "Do you really think I'm stupid?" he hissed. "You want me to let you go? I should just allow you to run into his arms?" He questioned in a mocking tone.“Drop your weapon and surrender,” the police announced again but neither Valerie nor Matt paid any attention. “Best believe that if I do that, then I'll shoot you from behind before you get to him,” Matt added. The chilling sensation in his voice sent a shiver down Valerie's spine.“Man to man,” Lucas began, his voice almost a growl. “What would it take for you to let her go? Anything at all… name it. Even if you don't want to spend a single da
**Third person**It took Matthew half the time it would normally take to get to the bunker. He parked his car at a safe distance before running over to the location. And with each step he took, his mind raced, his heart pounded with anxiety. He couldn't afford to lose her now that he was so close. They'd literally be leaving the country today. Valerie please be there, please be there, Matt murmured, his legs moving faster.A half-relieved sigh left his lips when he reached the entrance and saw that the door was still locked—She was still here. His trembling fingers sifted through his bunch of keys, his breath gaspy and he wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his palm.Matt unlocked the door and then pushed it open forcefully. His eyes blazing with anger and anxiety found Valerie immediately. She was curled up at a corner, her cheeks stained with tears and her hands and feet shaking."What have you done??!" he growled, his voice venomous.She frowned in confusion, even th
**Third person**Matt seemed to ponder for a moment before he exhaled deeply. Then he moved over to the table and picked up a small knife. He began cutting the ropes. His jaw clenched at the red mark the ropes left on her skin, a pang of guilt coursing through him. He'd done this to her, he thought. “Do you need me to get you anything from the store?”Finally untied, Valerie examined her free hands and legs, a sense of relief and determination washing over her. “No, thanks.”“I'll be back soon.” He gave her a warning look. “Don't try anything stupid.”She nodded vigorously. “I wouldn't dare.”Satisfied, Matthew turned around and headed out. Valerie had her timid and innocent mask on, until the moment Matthew was out of view.She squeezed her eyes shut and then began counting from one to fifty in her head, giving Matthew enough time to leave the premises. Even with her eyes closed, she could hear the locks click behind him.When she was done, she sprang to her feet, her eyes desperat
**Third person**Eighteen hours had passed since Valerie's disappearance.Lucas stood in the center of his living room, surrounded by computers and anxious faces. His team of experts, handpicked from the best in the business, worked tirelessly to track down any lead on his woman.But so far, neither his team nor the police have been able to come up with anything tangible. There was also no signal from the tracker in Valerie's necklace. Either her kidnapper knew that the necklace was bugged and got rid of it, or they were under water, in a bunker, or somewhere that'll block the signal.One thing for sure; he'd find Valerie and he'd find her soon. Even if it meant turning the planet upside down. She'd be found.News about her and disappearance was all over the media and there was a huge cash prize for whoever brought relevant information on her whereabouts. Lucas ran a palm across his exhausted face. Deep lines creased his forehead, and his jaw was set in a rigid clench. "Broaden the
**Third person** It was almost as if Valerie disappeared just when Elliot blinked. After dismissing the woman who'd come to talk to him, he looked up but he didn't find his boss. Damnit! He'd clenched his jaw and quickened his pace, his hand instinctively resting on the gun holstered at his hip as he rushed outside. Eyes scanned everywhere around but there was no trace of her. "Miss Thorne?" he called out, his mind racing. “Ashley?” He called louder. “Valerie?” There was no response. Immediately, he dialed her number… once, twice, thrice… until it was unreachable. He'd rushed over to some passersby to ask if they'd seen her… There was nothing. Shit! Just then, his phone started ringing. Elliot pulled the device out and stared at the screen, his throat suddenly feeling dry as he registered the caller ID—Mr. Stone. He took a deep breath and then pressed the answer button. ***************************** Valerie's eyes fluttered open, her gaze was blurry and unfocused. She tri
**Third person**Valerie's blood ran cold as she stared at the picture attached to the message. It was a picture of a small boy, no more than two years old. The fact that he was a spitting image of Lucas Stone had goosebumps erupting all over her skin—same blue eyes, jet-black hair, nose, lips, jawline…Val's heart rate increased. Her son was truly alive?“We’re heading to the hospital; Mr. Stone said we're meeting him there?” Elliot asked, his hands already on the ignition.Valerie nodded absent mindedly and he started the car.She felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she stuck her head outside the window. Breeze hit her face but it did nothing to calm her. She knew that she had to lose Elliot, and fast. As the car moved through the city, she spotted a convenience store up ahead and made a split-second decision. "I need to stop and get some water," she said suddenly.Elliot frowned and glanced at the bottle of water sitting in the middle of the car compartment.
**Third person**Valerie's smile broadened into a full-blown grin. "Oh, don't think it's unfair if justice isn't served for your lover's sister."Karen frowned, her eyes narrowing. "My lover? What do you mean?" What did this have to do with Victor, she hasn't even heard from him, Karen wondered.Valerie locked her eyes onto Karen's. "Victor, your bodyguard... the one you've been fucking.” She paused to study Karen's face—she didn't look so confident anymore. “But you killed his sister."Karen's face drained of blood, her eyes wide and her lips parting with shock. Valerie continued, "The young lady who took care of Nathaniel Scott."Dread coursed through Karen, her mind shifting back to the night Nathaniel was killed. He'd been with a woman, and when Adam killed Mr. Scott, the woman witnessed it. Karen had to silence her.A small smile found its way to Valerie's lips as she studied the horrified look on Karen's face. "So now, does it finally ring a bell?"Karen's eyes stung with tears
**Third person**Valerie woke up to a wet sensation on her clit. A shiver coursed through her spine, her nipples hardening.The sensation continued, and she was forced to open her eyes. She wiped her heavy eyes with the back of her palm and then looked down between her legs, where the source of the heat she was feeling came from. Lucas, with his head between her thighs, looked up, his tongue still whipping her sensitive clit. “Morning, babe,” he murmured. Valerie blinked a couple of times to clear her eyes. She arched her back and she cried out in pleasure when he slipped a finger inside her. “W-what are you doing?” She managed to ask between moans.He smiled and looked up at her again, with those dark, desire-filled eyes. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed her pussy juice rubbed all over his mouth and its surroundings. “I've always dreamed of waking you up like this,” she murmured, his voice rough.Lucas slipped another finger in her and began pumping, his tongue returning to her c