**************CHAPTER 54~Kaia’s POV~Shyne.I knew that name.At Blaze’s uncle’s birthday celebration, I had seen her approach Blaze, a woman too poised, too familiar, and clearly accustomed to getting attention. Even then, I had noticed how his entire demeanour barely shifted the second she appeared—his features hardening, his irritation barely concealed.Back then my anger or jealousy didn’t make me see it, but later, when I thought about it, he masked it, which was why I thought he was entertaining her.And now, here she was, calling at this hour.I wasn’t sure what to think.Was she just some annoying family friend? Someone his father had imposed on him? Or was she—I cut off the thought before it could fully form.Blaze hadn’t even responded yet. He just sat there, his grip on his phone tightening.I suddenly felt like an intruder in a conversation I wasn’t supposed to be a part of.“I’ll leave you to it,” I murmured, stepping back and smoothing the creases of my apron, as if
**************CHAPTER 55~Kaia’s POV~The moment I stepped downstairs, I could feel the shift in the air.Blaze stood at the bottom of the staircase, dressed in a black tuxedo, his hair styled just enough to look effortlessly put together. His blue eyes flickered up, and for the first time tonight, his usual cocky smirk vanished.His gaze raked over me, from the deep emerald silk gown hugging my figure to the high slit that teased my thigh with every step I took.I knew I looked good.And from the way Blaze’s jaw clenched slightly, I knew he knew it too.I descended gracefully, keeping my expression composed. “Are we late?” I asked as I reached the last step.Blaze blinked once before schooling his face back into its usual unreadable mask. “No,” he said, offering me his arm. “But you sure know how to make an entrance.”I smirked and looped my hand around his arm. “That’s the idea.”With that, we headed out.**************~At the Event~The venue was a masterpiece—elegant chandeliers
**************CHAPTER 56~Kaia’s POV~Blaze’s voice penetrated through the fog in my mind. The moment the three men turned, a force of raw fury crashed into them.Blaze.I barely had time to process what was happening before Blaze’s fist connected with the first man’s jaw. The sickening crack of bone against bone echoed through the corridor. The man staggered back, blood spurting from his nose.Jesus!Before the second man could react, Blaze spun, delivering a brutal kick to his stomach. He doubled over, gasping for air, but Blaze didn’t stop there.His rage was unchecked.He grabbed the man by the collar and slammed him against the wall so hard the paintings rattled. “Touch my wife again,” he growled, his voice deadly, “and I’ll break you.”The third man, clearly realizing he’d made a mistake, tried to bolt. But Blaze was faster. He caught him by the back of his shirt and yanked him backward, sending his knee crashing into the guy’s gut.The man let out a choked gasp before collapsi
**************CHAPTER 57~Kaia’s POV~I could feel the hunger in his touch, the barely restrained desire. And yet, beneath it all, there was a tenderness I hadn't expected.I clung to him, my fingers tangling in his hair, his clothes, anything I could grab.I wanted more.I needed more."Blaze," I gasped, my body arching off the bed as he kissed his way down my neck, his tongue tracing patterns on my heated skin.Blaze smirked, nipping at the sensitive spot where my shoulder met my neck. "Is this what you want?" he asked, his voice low and husky.I whimpered, my hips bucking involuntarily. "Yes," I breathed, my eyes fluttering shut as pleasure washed over me."Or would you like me to quench your desire?"I happily nodded, unsure of what his question truly meant.But it was all the permission Blaze needed.He tugged my dress down, baring my bra, and then the gown was completely off.My cheeks burned at the thought of Blade seeing me almost half naked, but the next second, he leaned do
**************CHAPTER 58~Blaze’s POV~I watched the doctor, one of my close friends, Sam, check Kaia over, my arms crossed tightly as I leaned against the wall. Her breathing was steady, but she looked so damn pale. The way she had passed out earlier had nearly given me a heart attack.I wasn’t used to seeing her like this—weak, vulnerable. Kaia was always the strongest person in the room. But now? Now, she looked small and fragile.“She needs to sleep,” Sam concluded, standing up straight. “Let her be. Her body will naturally process the drug. In a day or two, she should be fine.”My jaw clenched. “And her mental state?”“She’ll be a little disoriented,” Sam admitted. “But there should be no permanent damage.”I exhaled, some of the tension in my chest easing. “I see.”“She also seems a little dehydrated. Keep an eye on her and ensure she drinks plenty of fluids,” Sam added.I nodded. “Yeah. Of course.”Once that was done, he exhaled and packed up his things, zipping up his bag bef
**************CHAPTER 59~Kaia’s POV~I stared at Blaze, my mind spinning from everything that had happened. The drug. The fight. The hotel room.And now… this conversation.Well, it was apparent we had concluded. My craziness yesterday hadn’t landed me in bed with Blaze Black.My fingers tightened around the blanket as I sat up a little more. “Okay, serious question—how did you change my clothes?”Blaze smirked, leaning back against the chair beside the bed. “Kaia, I can disable a bomb without looking. You really think I can’t change your clothes with my eyes shut?”I exhaled, letting my shoulders relax. “Fine. Fair point.”Then, just as I started to let it go, he added, “Doesn’t mean I didn’t look.”I blinked. “You—”Blaze chuckled, but before he could finish his laugh, I grabbed the nearest pillow and launched it at his face. He caught it effortlessly, amusement dancing in his sharp blue eyes.“You’re impossible,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.“You love it.”I glared at him, but
**************CHAPTER 60~Summer’s POV~My breath came in short, panicked gasps. My pulse pounded so hard it echoed in my ears. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Blaze wasn’t supposed to care about Kaia this much.Not enough to do this. Not enough to terrify me in a way I had never known before.I yanked at the ropes binding my wrists, my nails digging into my skin. “Blaze,” I forced out, trying to keep my voice steady, “you don’t have to do this.”Blaze exhaled. He rested his elbows on his knees, watching me like a predator studying his prey.“You’re right,” he said calmly. “I don’t have to. I want to.”I swallowed hard.This was bad.Really, really bad.“I just…” I tried to force my voice into something sweet, something desperate enough to pull at his heart—soft, something that might appeal to the man I used to know. “Blaze, I just—”His chair scraped as he leaned forward, cutting off my words with nothing but his sheer presence.“Shut up, Summer.”The way he said my name
**************CHAPTER 61~Kaia’s POV~"Okay, this looks good," I muttered to myself. With my hands resting on my hips, I stepped back to take one last look at the table. The aroma of roasted lamb, garlic mashed potatoes, and honey-glazed carrots filled the dining room. The table was set elegantly, with a simple but classy arrangement of silverware, wine glasses, and a bottle of aged red wine."I hope he likes it."It wasn’t every day I did something like this—cooking for Blaze. It wasn’t because I couldn’t cook but because I had never really felt the need to go out of my way for him. But after everything that had happened the day before, after how he had taken care of me, I wanted to say thank you in a way that felt more personal.Just then, I heard the sound of an engine pulling into the driveway. My heartbeat quickened. He's here.Quickly, I untied my apron and smoothed out my short green dress. I checked my reflection in the hallway mirror, running my fingers through my hair t
*****************CHAPTER 131~Kaia’s POV~The moment I stepped off the rooftop garden, something inside me clicked into place.I couldn’t run anymore.I couldn’t keep pretending that the walls weren't closing in around me.If I was going to have any future with Blaze—or even just peace with myself—I needed answers. The real ones. No half-truths. No more silence.By the time I reached my office, I was already pulling out my phone.My hands trembled slightly as I scrolled through my contacts and pressed the call button.It rang twice before my mother’s voice answered, warm but cautious. "Kaia, darling! This is a surprise."I inhaled, steadying my voice. "Hi, Mum. Are you home later this afternoon?"There was a small pause before she answered, "Yes, of course. Is everything alright?"I forced a smile she couldn’t see. "I just… I want to come by. I’d like to see you and Dad."Another slight hesitation on her end.But she recovered quickly, her tone chipper again. "We’d love that, sweethe
Kaia’s POVThe next morning came too soon.I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, flashes of the party replayed behind my eyelids—the whispers, the lingering glances, the half-hidden stares of strangers I didn’t know but who somehow seemed to know me.I dragged myself out of bed, forcing my body into motion even though my mind was still stuck somewhere between fear and denial.By the time I got to Apex Global, the familiar buzz of the office barely cut through the cloud in my head.Blaze was already there when I arrived. He stood by the windows of his office, phone pressed to his ear, speaking in low, clipped tones that I couldn’t quite catch. His tie was loose, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up, and there was a tension in his shoulders I hadn’t seen in a while.I hesitated for a moment outside his door, then knocked softly.He glanced up, his expression softening immediately. He gestured for me to come in.I stepped inside, trying to push my swirling thoughts to the back
*****************CHAPTER 129~Kaia’s POV~The week passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and whispered conversations about the project with Kayne Kyle. I barely had time to breathe, much less think about anything else.It was Friday afternoon when Blaze knocked on my office door, stepped inside without waiting for a full reply, and leaned casually against the frame."You’re coming with me to an event tonight," he said, like it wasn’t up for debate.I blinked up from my laptop. "Event?"He smirked. "Gala. Big business celebration. One of my oldest associates is throwing it. I need you to be my date."I set my pen down slowly. "You need me?"He shrugged, unbothered. "You’re beautiful, smart, and far less annoying than most women who’d kill to be on my arm. Plus, I like looking at you."I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed at his words. "You could have just said you wanted company."He chuckled. "Maybe. But then you’d have thought you had a choice."That evening, I found myself s
*************Kaia’s POVThe car ride home was mostly quiet.Blaze was at the wheel, one hand on the steering, the other occasionally tapping against his thigh. I didn’t press him for conversation. We were both exhausted. Meetings all day, back-to-back check-ins with the project team, Kayne Kyle hovering like a charming shadow I didn’t ask for.By the time we pulled into the estate, the sky was already turning dusky blue, the last traces of sunset melting into the city skyline behind us.As soon as we stepped through the front doors, we were greeted by the scent of something warm and cinnamon-sweet wafting through the air.Blaze raised a brow. “Smells like cake.”“It’s too quiet,” I muttered, glancing around the hallway. “Which means—”“She’s back,” he finished.Sure enough, when we turned the corner into the main sitting room, there she was.Grandma Black.Sitting upright and elegant in her floral-print blouse and pearls, legs crossed, a steaming cup of tea in her hand and a full spr
*****************CHAPTER 127~Author’s POV~The rooftop lounge of Seraphine, one of the city’s most exclusive members-only clubs, buzzed with low conversation and jazz humming through golden speakers. The skyline burned orange with the last of the sunset, and the air was thick with cigar smoke and quiet power.Kayne arrived just as David Mercer waved him over from a private corner booth.“Good timing,” David said smoothly, raising his glass as Kayne took the seat across from him.“I figured you'd pick somewhere dramatic,” Kayne replied with a chuckle, resting his blazer on the arm of the chair. “What are we drinking to?”“Progress.” David leaned forward, his tone was much cooler now. “And control.”Kayne raised a brow. “Sounds vague.”“Blaze is unravelling. Slowly. I’ve seen it. Ever since Kaia, he’s more emotional, more unpredictable. You showing up—getting close to her—it’s exactly what we need to keep him off balance.”Kayne smiled lazily, but his eyes sharpened. “You sound like
*****************CHAPTER 126~Author’s POV~The evening sun shone through the tall windows of Kayne Kyle’s penthouse suite, filling the space with warm light. From the top floor, the sprawling city unfolded—buildings like steel giants against a cotton-candy sky. But Kayne’s gaze was inward, fixed on the amber liquid swirling in his glass as his feet rested on the cool surface of the glass coffee table.The intercom’s soft buzz broke the silence. “Sir, Mr. Draven is here.”A smile touched Kayne’s lips. He stood and straightened the cuffs of his shirt. “Send him up.”Two minutes later, the door yielded, and Draven Davion entered. Dressed in a black shirt and dark jeans, his attire suggested ease, yet his presence never did. He moved with confidence into his cousin’s house while his eyes raked the surroundings. “Nice place,” Draven commented, his gaze sweeping over the penthouse a second time as though taking in anything he missed on first glance. “As expected.”Kayne chuckled, extend
*****************CHAPTER 125~Kaia’s POV~I was still sitting in the living room of my parents’ house when my phone buzzed beside me.Blaze.For a second, I considered ignoring it. My mind was still wrapped around the truth I had just uncovered. The weight of that document hadn’t left my chest since I found it.But I answered.“Kaia,” Blaze’s voice came through, warm and deep. “I was thinking… dinner tonight? Just the two of us.”I hesitated, shifting on the couch. “I don’t think—”“It doesn’t have to be anything serious,” he cut in, gently. “Just you and me. Good food. Maybe some dessert we don’t finish because I can’t keep my hands off you.”I should’ve laughed. I almost did.But something in me wasn’t ready. Not tonight. Not after everything.Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say no to him. Not when he sounded so hopeful.“I’ll meet you there,” I said quietly.Later that evening, I arrived at the restaurant he had chosen—Maison Lune, a softly lit, elegant space tucked into a quiet
*****************CHAPTER 124~Author’s POV~Eriel Black was sitting in his cozy study, gently swirling the last bit of his aged whiskey in a crystal glass. The late morning sun poured in through the tall windows, filling the room with a warm golden light, but his mind was anything but calm.Not today.He had barely finished reading through his messages when one of the housekeepers knocked softly and entered with a bow.“Sir… Miss Crystal is here. She’s waiting for you in the living room.”Eriel’s brows lifted slightly. That was fast.He stood up without a word, set his glass down on the desk, and walked down the long hallway. The housekeeper disappeared behind him as he stepped into the big living room.And there she was.Crystal sat elegantly on one of the couches like she had all the time in the world, her legs crossed, one hand casually resting on the armrest as though she hadn’t been at the centre of a brewing storm. Her smile was faint, polite… and empty.“Uncle,” she greeted s
*****************CHAPTER 123~Kaia’s POV~The soft rays of sunlight filtered into the room through the sheer curtains, casting faint golden stripes across the bed. I stirred slowly, my limbs sore and heavy, my skin still tingling from the night before.The space beside me was empty.Blaze was gone.I blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. The room still smelled like him—warm skin, spice, and something undeniably masculine. I shifted slightly, my body humming in the places he had touched, kissed, and worshipped.As the memories returned, my face heated.I remembered how his mouth felt between my legs, how he growled my name like he needed it to breathe. And when we’d both passed out, exhausted and bare, I remembered waking up sometime in the middle of the night with his face nuzzled between my breasts, his soft breath warming my skin, his lips pressing lazy kisses there as if he never wanted to leave.I smiled to myself, biting my bottom lip.But just as I reached for the covers to r