Pamela felt her pulse hammering in her ears as the dimly lit road became an arena for danger. Rowan stood his ground, his gun unwaveringly aimed at Gabriel. Around them, the night pressed down, thick with tension. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to act, but the weight of uncertainty kept her frozen. Rowan glanced at her from the corner of his eye, his lips barely moving as he spoke.“Stay behind me,” he whispered, his voice calm but firm.Pamela ignored him. Her mind raced through everything she had learned in the last twenty-four hours. Gabriel wasn’t just a threat—he was the kind of predator that played mind games. And right now, she felt like a pawn on his chessboard.“Rowan, be reasonable,” Gabriel said, his tone deceptively cordial. “This isn’t a battle you can win. My men outnumber you, and even if you manage to take me down, more will come. Let’s stop pretending you have a choice.”Rowan’s finger twitched near the trigger. “There’s always a choice. You just won’t like
The cold night air seemed sharper, cutting through Pamela’s skin as they pushed forward into the dense forest. The scent of smoke lingered in the breeze from the car explosion, and every sound—a snapping twig or rustling leaves—felt like the whisper of an unseen enemy. Rowan’s grip on her hand was firm, his pace relentless, as if his sheer determination alone could outrun the chaos chasing them.“Rowan,” Pamela said, breathless, her chest heaving from the strain of keeping up, “what does Gabriel want with me? The truth this time. No more dodging.”He didn’t stop, his jaw tightening as he glanced over his shoulder at her. “It’s complicated,” he muttered, his voice clipped.“I don’t care if it’s complicated!” she snapped, yanking her hand free and planting herself firmly where she stood. “I deserve to know! My life is falling apart, and I’m not just going to blindly follow you into the dark without answers!”Rowan turned, his frustration evident in the way he raked a hand through his ha
Pamela’s heart was still racing as the SUV sped through the desolate back roads. The roaring engine drowned out her rapid breathing, but the tight grip of Rowan’s hand around hers grounded her, pulling her back from the edge of spiraling panic. She glanced at him, his face hardened into a mask of grim focus, yet his thumb brushed softly against her palm, a contradiction that sent a tingle up her arm.The operatives in the front seats murmured in hushed voices, exchanging coded phrases that Pamela couldn’t make sense of. Their leader, a broad-shouldered man with steely eyes, was barking orders into a comms device, his voice sharp and urgent. The tension in the vehicle was suffocating, but Rowan’s presence beside her kept her from crumbling.“Are you okay?” Rowan’s voice broke through the haze, low and concerned.She nodded, though her body betrayed her with a shiver. “I’m... managing. Who were those people back there? And these... operatives? Who sent them?”Rowan’s jaw tightened, his
Pamela’s entire body felt like it was weighed down by the crushing realization of her father’s betrayal. His apologetic gaze pierced through her, but she couldn’t reconcile the man she had known with the one standing alongside Gabriel’s men. Rowan’s presence next to her, solid and unyielding, was the only thing keeping her from crumbling.“Your father has made some... interesting decisions,” Gabriel drawled, his smirk widening as he stepped further into the cabin. His men flanked him, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. “But even I didn’t expect him to hand you over so easily.”Pamela shook her head, her voice trembling as she forced herself to speak. “Dad, why? Why are you doing this?”Her father’s face twisted with anguish. “Pamela, you don’t understand. Gabriel... he promised me you wouldn’t be hurt. He said this was the only way to protect you.”“Protect me?” Pamela spat, her voice rising. “By handing me over to a monster?”Gabriel chuckled darkly, but Rowan cut him off with
The cold night air bit at Pamela’s skin as she tightened her grip on Rowan, his weight pressing heavily against her. Each step they took through the forest felt like an eternity. The dim glow of the headlights in the distance was their only beacon, a mix of hope and uncertainty that fueled her adrenaline.Rowan’s breaths were shallow and uneven, his free hand clinging to her shoulder as they trudged forward. The blood from his wound seeped through his shirt, a dark stain against the fabric. Pamela’s mind raced, torn between fear for his life and the overwhelming desire to get him to safety.“Just a little further,” Rowan murmured, his voice weak but steady.Pamela glanced at him, her chest tightening at the sight of his pale face. “You’re losing too much blood,” she said, her voice breaking. “You need medical attention now, Rowan.”He managed a faint smirk, his lips curling despite the pain. “I’ve had worse.”“Stop trying to act tough,” she snapped, tears stinging her eyes. “You’re no
Pamela froze, the gun trembling in her hands as she stared at the man standing in the doorway. Her brother. David. A ghost from her past that she had buried so deeply, she’d convinced herself he would never resurface. Rowan’s voice cut through the tension, low and strained. “Your brother?” David took a step forward, his hands still raised in a show of surrender. “Pamela,” he said, his voice softer now, a mixture of relief and guilt coloring his tone. “I’ve been looking for you for years.” She didn’t lower the gun. Her heart hammered in her chest, confusion and anger warring within her. “Looking for me? You left us, David. You walked away when we needed you most. And now, you just show up?” David’s face tightened, regret etched into his features. “I know. I made mistakes—ones I’ve spent every day regretting. But I’m here now because you’re in danger.” Rowan shifted, his hand brushing against Pamela’s arm as if grounding her. “Pamela,” he murmured, his voice a quiet plea. “Let
Pamela’s pulse thundered in her ears as the first shot rang out, piercing the fragile quiet of the cabin. Rowan was already moving, his body positioned between her and the danger despite the lingering stiffness in his movements. His protective instinct sent a wave of warmth through her chest, but she had no time to dwell on it. "Stay low," Rowan commanded, his voice sharp but calm as he pulled her behind the overturned table. His hand was steady, though the slight tremble in his fingers betrayed the strain his injury was putting on him. Pamela’s grip tightened around her gun. Her heart was pounding, but she forced herself to focus, to push past the fear threatening to paralyze her. She had to be strong—not just for herself, but for Rowan. For both of them. “David!” Rowan barked as the sound of gunfire intensified. “How many more?” “Still three outside,” David shouted from his position near the window, his voice strained but steady. “Two inside now!” Pamela’s breath hitched a
Pamela’s breath came in uneven gasps as she gripped Rowan’s arm, the weight of the night’s battle settling heavily over her. The clearing was eerily quiet now, the last echoes of gunfire fading into the dense forest. Blood stained the ground, and the acrid scent of gunpowder lingered in the air. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over.Rowan turned to her, his face shadowed by the moonlight filtering through the trees. His piercing eyes searched hers, filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher. Relief? Concern? Something deeper?“Are you hurt?” His voice was low but urgent.Pamela shook her head, even as her hands trembled from the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. “I’m fine. You?”Rowan exhaled, wincing as he pressed a hand to his side. The fabric of his shirt was darkened with blood. Not fresh, but the wound from earlier had reopened. Pamela’s heart clenched.“You’re not fine,” she whispered, reaching for him instinctively. “Let me see.”He caught
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