The front door slammed open with a deafening bang, echoing through the house like a gunshot. I flinched, clutching Rebecca closer as Rowan pulled me behind him. His gun was already raised, his stance steady and ready for whatever—or whoever—came through the doorway.Heavy boots pounded against the wooden floor, and then they appeared—four figures dressed in black, their faces obscured by masks. The lead figure held a gun, but his stance was relaxed, as though he didn’t see Rowan as a threat.“You’ve been busy, Mr. Hamilton,” the man said, his voice muffled but cold. “But it’s time to end the game.”Rowan didn’t flinch. “If you want to talk, put down your weapons. Otherwise, I suggest you leave while you can still walk.”The man chuckled, a low, menacing sound. “Always so confident. But tonight, your luck runs out.”Before Rowan could respond, another voice cut through the tension, one that sent chills down my spine.“Enough,” Victor said, stepping into the room from the shadows, his s
Rowan’s body tensed beside me as the figure stepped into the light, his face an unwelcome ghost from my past. My father’s cold gaze met mine, a smirk tugging at his lips."Pamela," he said, his tone chillingly casual, as though he hadn’t disappeared from my life without explanation.I stood frozen, my mind racing to piece together how this was possible. “You… you’re alive?” The words felt foreign in my mouth.Rowan moved in front of me, shielding me with his body. “Stay back,” he warned, his voice low and dangerous.My father chuckled, his eyes flicking to Rowan. “Still playing the hero, I see. How quaint.”“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice trembling with both anger and confusion. “Why are you with them?”He ignored my question, his gaze returning to me. “I see you’ve grown up, Pamela. A shame it took this long for us to reunite, though I’d hoped it would be under better circumstances.”“Better circumstances?” I repeated, my disbelief bubbling into anger. “You abandoned
The weight of the message on my phone lingered like a lead blanket over my thoughts as the car hurtled down the dark, winding road. Rowan sat beside me, his arms crossed and jaw tight, every muscle in his body coiled with tension. Across from us, my father maintained an eerie calm, his hands clasped in his lap.The silence between us was suffocating, the kind that begged to be broken but no one dared to touch. My thoughts raced, cycling between the message, my father’s sudden reappearance, and the danger we were barreling toward.Finally, Rowan’s patience snapped. “We’re not going to your damn safe house until you start talking,” he said, his voice low but sharp as a knife. “You’ve dropped a bombshell on Pamela, and you’re acting like she should just go along with it.”My father turned his gaze to Rowan, unflinching. “You think I don’t know how much I’ve put her through? But this isn’t about emotions. It’s about survival. Every minute we waste could cost us dearly.”“Convenient excuse
The night air was thick with tension as Rowan, Joana, and I hurried out of the safe house, our footsteps echoing off the cold, stone floors. Every sound seemed amplified, every shadow a threat. My father had insisted on staying behind, claiming it would be too dangerous for him to accompany us, though I couldn’t help but wonder if his true motives lay in keeping us as far from his involvement as possible.Joana, despite her usual calm demeanor, was clearly shaken. Her hands trembled as she clutched a small, worn envelope in her palm. The letter inside was the key—at least that’s what she believed. It was something our mother had left behind, a final message, a piece of the puzzle that might unravel everything. But what if it was too late? What if the Syndicate had already found us?“Are you sure this is where you found it?” Rowan’s voice cut through the silence as he glanced around the darkened streets.“Yes,” Joana replied, her voice steady but strained. “It was in the box of Mom’s t
The air seemed to freeze the moment my father stepped into the room, his figure casting a long shadow over the dimly lit space. My heart raced, the blood pounding in my ears as Rowan instinctively took a step forward, his hand brushing the gun beneath his jacket. I had never seen my father like this before. There was a coldness in his eyes, a weight in his posture that I couldn’t ignore.“Pamela,” he said, his voice smooth, almost too calm. “Joana. I see you’ve found something important.”The weight of his words hung in the air, suffocating me. For the first time, I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved to see him or terrified. The look in his eyes, the way he had entered without any warning—something wasn’t right.I tightened my grip on the journal, my fingers trembling. “What do you want, Father?” I asked, my voice a little sharper than I intended.He took a step closer, and I instinctively moved back, placing myself between Joana and him. Rowan remained vigilant behind me, his presen
I felt the blood drain from my face as Lyka Stones entered the room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She stood there, poised and confident, her eyes briefly flicking to my father, who had yet to utter a word, and then to Rowan, who was now visibly tense, his hands clenched into fists. I couldn’t figure out whether her presence here was a coincidence or part of something far more dangerous.Lyka’s gaze landed on the journal in my hand, and I could almost feel the weight of her thoughts. She knew what was inside, or at least, she had an idea.“Pamela,” she greeted me with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s been a while.”“What are you doing here, Lyka?” My voice was sharper than I intended, a mix of confusion and growing suspicion. Her sudden appearance made my heart race. Was she part of whatever was going on with my father? Was she working with the Syndicate? Had she been playing me from the start?“Isn’t it obvious?” she said coolly, her lips curving
The room fell silent as Lillian’s words hung in the air. The shock on everyone’s faces was palpable, and I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. My eyes snapped from Lillian to Rowan, searching for any sign of what she meant. Was this part of the plan? Or had something gone terribly wrong?“We need to go, now!” Lillian urged again, her eyes wide with fear. She looked at me, as if somehow knowing that I was the one who would understand. “They’ve found us.”“Who?” Rowan’s voice was low, tense, but there was a flicker of panic behind his cold eyes. He was always so controlled, always so sure of himself. But now, for the first time since I had known him, I saw doubt in his expression. He was just as confused, just as trapped, as I felt.“The Syndicate,” Lillian answered, her voice shaking. “They’ve come for us. They’ve been watching, waiting, and now… they’re here.”The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. The Syndicate. The same group that had controlled my life, that had manip
The darkness enveloped us, pressing in from all sides. My heart raced, my breath shallow, and I could hear the rapid beat of my pulse in my ears. Rowan’s grip tightened around me, his body still shielding mine from whatever danger lurked in the shadows. The air was thick with tension, each breath I took feeling heavier than the last.“What the hell did you do?” Rowan’s voice broke through the silence, low and dangerous, as he reached out, clearly searching for something, anything to help us understand the sudden blackout. I could hear him moving, his footsteps slow and cautious, but I couldn’t see a thing.“I’m just getting started,” James’s voice echoed through the room, colder than I had ever heard it. His voice had always been calculated, but now there was a darkness in it that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “You’ve had your chance, Rowan. Now, it’s my turn to take control.”“James…” Rowan’s voice was tight with frustration, his hand gripping mine harder, tryin
The cool evening air wrapped around Pamela as she stood on the balcony of Rowan’s penthouse, her fingers gripping the cold steel railing. Below, the city buzzed with life, neon lights reflecting off the rain-slicked streets. It had been days since the chaos had unfolded, but the tension in the air showed no signs of dissipating. She could still feel the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on her chest. A chill crept in, and it wasn’t just from the night breeze.Rowan stepped behind her, his presence powerful yet comforting. His arms slid around her waist, pulling her against him as he pressed a soft kiss against the side of her neck. Pamela closed her eyes, leaning into him, feeling the warmth of his body chase away the cold that seeped into her bones.“You’re quiet,” he murmured, his voice laced with concern.“I’m just thinking,” she replied, tilting her head back to rest on his shoulder. “About everything.”He tightened his grip around her as if afraid she’d slip aw
Rowan’s grip on Pamela tightened as he led her through the grand halls of his estate. The storm outside rattled the windows, the howling wind mirroring the chaos swirling inside his chest. He had spent years shielding himself from attachments, believing that power and control were the only currencies that mattered. Yet, with Pamela beside him, trembling but unwavering, he knew there was no escape from the emotions unraveling between them.The marble floors reflected the flickering candlelight that lined the walls, casting ethereal shadows in the dimly lit corridor. Rowan had built the estate to display his dominance, each room a testament to his success. But as they hurried toward his private study, the grandeur that had once impressed him faded into the background. The only thing that mattered now was the woman by his side, the pulse of her heartbeat synchronizing with his own.Pamela’s heart pounded as she matched his hurried steps. She had spent months trying to push him away, conv
The dim glow of the chandelier cast long, shifting shadows across the luxurious room as Pamela paced back and forth. Her heart pounded against her ribs, the weight of everything pressing down on her shoulders. The night outside was eerily quiet, yet inside, a storm raged between her thoughts and emotions.Rowan sat on the edge of the bed, watching her with an intensity that made her shiver. He was a man who had conquered boardrooms and adversaries alike, but now, faced with Pamela’s turmoil, he seemed almost vulnerable.“Pamela, please sit down,” he said softly, reaching out a hand.She halted, turning to face him, her expression a mixture of hesitation and longing. “I can’t,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around herself. “I keep thinking about everything. About us. About Joana. About what’s coming next.”Rowan exhaled, standing up and walking toward her. His presence was warm, comforting, but Pamela still felt the lingering ghost of the past between them. He gently cupped her face
Rowan’s grip on Pamela tightened as they stood at the edge of the estate’s grand balcony, the city lights shimmering below like fallen stars. The weight of everything that had happened pressed heavily against them, but for once, in this moment, it felt like the world had stopped just for them.“I don’t want to lose you, Pamela,” Rowan murmured, his voice raw with emotion. “Not now, not ever.”Pamela inhaled sharply, the sincerity in his words making her heart clench. Her hands instinctively reached up to cup his face, her thumb tracing the faint scar above his eyebrow. “Then don’t let go,” she whispered, pressing her forehead against his. “I’m still here.”A shadow passed across Rowan’s face, his jaw tightening. “For how long?” His voice wavered, betraying the confidence he usually carried.Pamela frowned. “What are you talking about?”“Things aren’t as simple as we want them to be.” Rowan exhaled heavily, pulling away slightly. “I found something. Something about your father’s deal w
Pamela stood in the dimly lit corridor of the Hamilton estate, her heart hammering against her ribs as she tried to steady her breath. The soft glow of the chandelier above cast elongated shadows along the walls, mirroring the turbulence within her. She had spent so long running, so long trying to escape the chains that bound her to Rowan Hamilton, yet here she was—trapped once more in his world, but this time, not by force.Rowan’s voice was a low murmur behind her. “You’re trembling.”She swallowed hard, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. “No, I’m not.”He let out a quiet chuckle, stepping closer. The warmth of his presence was magnetic, drawing her in despite herself. She should resist—should put as much distance between them as possible—but she found herself standing still, waiting.“Pamela,” he murmured, his fingers brushing against her arm. The simple touch sent a jolt of electricity down her spine.She turned sharply, facing him. “What do you want, Rowan?” Her voice c
The tension between Rowan and Pamela crackled like a live wire, charged with unspoken words and undeniable longing. The moon hung high above them, casting silver light across the vast estate, making everything look surreal, as if time itself had slowed down just for them.Pamela stood by the grand window of Rowan’s study, her arms crossed over her chest as she tried to suppress the storm of emotions raging inside her. Rowan, seated in his chair, watched her with piercing eyes, the weight of unspoken confessions heavy between them.“Say something,” she finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.Rowan ran a hand through his tousled hair, sighing. “What do you want me to say, Pamela? That I regret everything? That I should have fought harder for you?” His voice held a sharp edge, laced with frustration and something deeper—pain.Pamela turned, her gaze fierce. “I never asked you to fight for me, Rowan. But you walked away like I meant nothing. Like what we had was just
The dimly lit room seemed to shrink around them, filled only with the tension building between Rowan and Pamela as they stood there, their faces inches apart. For a moment, the world outside their bubble ceased to exist—no threats, no conspiracies, just the two of them bound together by something deeper than either had ever dared to acknowledge.“I don’t want to lose you,” Rowan murmured, his voice laced with desperation. His words hung in the air like a challenge, daring Pamela to let her guard down.Pamela swallowed the lump forming in her throat, her heart racing with each beat. She had fought so hard to keep her heart guarded, to resist the undeniable pull between them. But standing there, cocooned in his arms, resistance felt futile.“You won’t,” she whispered, her voice barely audible above a whisper. The words tumbled out of her mouth as if on their own, as if she was finally ready to admit to herself, to Rowan, that she couldn’t deny their connection any longer.A slow, deviou
Rowan’s grip on Pamela’s hand tightened as they stepped onto the balcony, the city lights shimmering like distant stars. The cool night breeze rustled her hair, and for a moment, she let herself be lost in his warmth. There was something different about him tonight—something softer, yet still as intense as ever.“Are you sure about this?” Pamela asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart pounded against her ribcage, unsure if it was from the cold or his proximity.Rowan turned to her, his dark eyes searching hers. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”She swallowed hard, the weight of their shared past pressing down on her. The tension between them had always been undeniable, but tonight, it felt like it was reaching a breaking point.Before she could speak, Rowan closed the distance between them. His fingers gently traced the outline of her jaw before tilting her face up to his. “I need you to understand something,” he murmured. “You’re not just an obligation
Pamela's heart pounded as she clutched Rowan’s hand, their fingers interlaced in a silent promise neither dared to break. The air was thick with tension, but beneath it all, an undeniable pull bound them together—one neither of them could ignore anymore.Rowan’s gaze flickered to Pamela’s lips before meeting her eyes again, his breath heavy with unspoken words. “Pamela,” he murmured, his voice both desperate and tender, “I don’t want to waste any more time. Whatever happens, I want to be by your side.”Pamela’s lips parted, her heart hammering against her ribs. She had spent so much time running—from him, from her feelings, from the life she thought she could never have. But looking at him now, she saw the truth in his eyes—undeniable, unwavering. He was hers, and she was his.The moment between them crackled like a live wire, but before she could respond, the distant echo of footsteps broke the spell. Pamela tensed, her instincts sharpening. Rowan’s jaw clenched, his hand tightening