I blurt out, “No, no. That’s not necessary. I’ll inform her myself.”‘It will be a cold day in hell before I let you two meet again,’ I resolve. I’d be damned before Joseph set his slimy eyes on her again. No way.Joseph studies me. “You say she’s your staff. But I’ve never seen you interact so frie
Lionel’s POVI am frozen at the question.I am completely caught off guard. I had not expected this direct confrontation. I am not ready for it.“I don’t-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I stutter out. ‘Idiot,’ I think to myself.Joseph is unrelenting. “Don’t pull that bullshit with me! It’s
I continue, now geared up. “During our first meeting, I saw that bastard ready to attack. She did not scream. She just used her own body to protect Patti, no matter the cost to her.”At the time I had already considered her brave. It was admirable that someone would do anything to protect their chil
Third Person POVVera and Patti have been vibrating with excitement.Or at least Patti felt that way. On the surface, Vera’s energy was calmer. But Patti had gotten better at reading Vera.Vera imitated their dad a lot. Her face as cold as his. The same daring brown eyes.But Vera had her tells. The
Patti said, “But both of you are our parents. Parents who wear diamond rings every day are loving couples who never separate.”Lionel had nothing to say against that. “I’ll think about it.” Lionel conceded.Patti saw that she could not push him any further. So she dropped it. She could add this to h
Nan’s POVBirthdays are not worth celebrating.At least, that is what I had felt about my own. Always working and only being able to afford medicine left little money for celebrations. Not that I cared about it.But this birthday…just might change my perspective. Most of the daily staff have been re
Patti skips the table, pulling Vera along. Lionel follows them, carrying the cake with care despite his earlier criticism. The atmosphere is relaxed and happy.I try hard not to look at Lionel. I scold myself for noticing that he no longer chooses the chair closest to me, or the one that faces me. I
Nan’s POVI had never been to a cocktail party.It had been a week since my birthday dinner. Things were good, but a certain event had popped up. Lionel was obligated to attend a cocktail party a business associate was hosting.He had pleaded with me. “Come on, Nan, I need a plus one. Don’t leave me
Third Person POVIt had been the easiest wedding Nan had ever planned.She knew that she might have been stressed under any other circumstances. Nan had survived much worse than planning her own wedding. So this did not phase her.Scarlett and her sister had been a huge help in that regard.Nan was
He pulled out all the way and then slammed back in. Again and again. It was fast and brutal.I loved every second of it. This is what I had been craving. Lionel at his wildest and utterly crazed for me.At one point he turned me onto all fours. This new ankle only brought him deeper. Making me clenc
Nan’s POVIt should have been awkward.We were on a deserted island. The heavy weight of history of this place resting over us like a dark cloud. Exposed to the elements.It should not have been as arousing as it was.There was something about this that excited me. We were out in the open. Anyone co
I felt sick to my stomach. Everything I had uncovered had hinted at some dark origins. I could not have imagined anything like this.I could imagine it in my mind’s eye. The betrayal from the people they had led. Blood and shackles their new fate.“Only one clan remembered its original purpose. Only
Nan’s POVThis was the moment I had been waiting for.Mr. Holder had allowed us to go home and rest for a while. Correctly guessing that Lionel and I needed time to rest after that ordeal. Neither of us wanted to be far from each other that night.Mr. Holder had requested for us to meet with him at
I let the bond wash over me. Lionel pushes his emotions through. His fear, his worry, his love.I send back my own terrible fear and pain. He takes it into himself. Almost cupping it like he would a wound.There are no true words in the bond. Not really. But if there were…‘Remember…fight…remember w
Nan’s POVMy entire world was aflame.Fire filled my vision. Smoke burned my lungs. I held my breath.The fire licked at my skin. Heated my blood. Seeking to fill the hollow of my bones.The strangest thing was that I was not burning.I should have been. Any normal fire would nave incinerated me. Ye
“Yes?”“If we do this-” She begins.“Nan!” I interject sharply.I am ignored.“-and it fails…what will happen to me?” She asks tightly.He meets her gaze head on. Unflinching. “You would most likely perish.”“See?! It’s too risky!” I growl.Nan is not paying me any mind. Her attention is directed at
Lionel’s POV“Today marks your third trial.”“What is today?” I ask weakly. “Running through the forest…a treasure hunt?”Each trial had gotten progressively more difficult. I had not forgotten the man’s last words to us. Knowing that this would be the worst of all did not inspire much confidence in