SkyHis hands were warm as they cupped my face, his touch firm yet gentle, like he was afraid I would disappear if he let go. His dark eyes searched mine, flickering with worry, deeper that I couldn’t quite place.“Are you hurt anywhere? Did he touch you?” His voice was rough, edged with barely restrained fury, but there was something else in it too—desperation. Like he needed to hear me say I was okay just as much as I needed to believe it myself.I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out at first. My throat was thick with emotion, my chest tight. The reality of everything that had just happened crashed over me. I was safe. He was here. He had really come for me.Tears spilled freely down my cheeks, uncontrollably.“I’m okay,” I finally managed, my voice breaking slightly. “He didn’t—he didn’t get the chance.”He exhaled sharply, his shoulders loosening as relief flooded his face. Before I could say anything else, he pulled me closer, his lips crashing against mine in a desp
SkyI open my eyes slowly, my body sinking into the softness beneath me, warmth cocooning me in a way I hadn’t felt in so long. For a moment, I don’t move—I just breathe. The air smells different, cleaner, familiar. Not the damp, cold scent of fear that clung to me for what felt like an eternity.I blink, adjusting to the soft light filtering into the room. And then I realize where I am.Dare’s room.A place I never thought I’d see again.I haven’t slept this peacefully in what feels like forever. My body wants to surrender to it, to close my eyes and drift back into the safety of this warmth, but before I can, the door creaks open.“You’re awake,” Dare’s deep voice greets me, pulling me fully into the present.I sit upright, my heart swelling at the sight of him. He looks different—less guarded, but still every bit the man who had torn through fire and blood to bring me back. In his hands, he carries a tray, the rich aroma of food wafting through the air.I blink down at it, my stoma
DareI get a direct order from Agent Mikhail to return to the Pact after taking Moscow down. I hesitate for a moment before leaving—I don’t want to be away from Sky, not even for a second. But I know I have to deal with this.When I arrive at the office, I walk in. The place still feels the same—the dim lighting, the sharp scent of gun oil and papers, the faint hum of machines running in the background. It used to feel like home. Now, it just feels like another part of my past trying to drag me back in.“Dare, back so soon? Were you able to find him?” Mikhail asks, leaning back in his chair, fingers tapping lazily on the desk. His eyes flicker with curiosity.I nod, stepping forward. “Yeah. It’s done.” My voice is clipped, straight to the point. “Thanks for the intel. It helped.”Mikhail scoffs, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You think I did that just to get a thank-you?” He shakes his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. “No, Dare. I helped you because of the deal we made. You remembe
SkyThe warmth of the bed tempts me to stay wrapped up in it a little longer, but the soft weight of someone’s gaze pulls me from sleep. My lashes flutter open, and for a moment, I’m caught between dreams and reality. Then, I see him—Dare, lying next to me, his dark eyes watching me with an intensity that makes my heart stutter.He’s never here when I wake up. He’s always in his study, working before the sun even fully rises. But today, he’s here, his arm resting on the pillow, his head propped up slightly as he watches me.I blink at him in sleepy confusion before a small smile tugs at my lips. “Good morning.” My voice is soft, still thick with sleep.“Good morning,” he murmurs, his lips curving into a small smile.I stretch, my body still sluggish from sleep, and let my fingers brush against his arm. “Were you watching me sleep?” I tease, tilting my head at him.He smirks slightly but doesn’t deny it. “Didn’t notice I was until now.”I roll my eyes but can’t help the way my chest w
SkyThe warmth of the bed tempts me to stay wrapped up in it a little longer, but the soft weight of someone’s gaze pulls me from sleep. My lashes flutter open, and for a moment, I’m caught between dreams and reality. Then, I see him—Dare, lying next to me, his dark eyes watching me with an intensity that makes my heart stutter.He’s never here when I wake up. He’s always in his study, working before the sun even fully rises. But today, he’s here, his arm resting on the pillow, his head propped up slightly as he watches me.I blink at him in sleepy confusion before a small smile tugs at my lips. “Good morning.” My voice is soft, still thick with sleep.“Good morning,” he murmurs, his lips curving into a small smile.I stretch, my body still sluggish from sleep, and let my fingers brush against his arm. “Were you watching me sleep?” I tease, tilting my head at him.He smirks slightly but doesn’t deny it. “Didn’t notice I was until now.”I roll my eyes but can’t help the way my chest w
SkyThe warmth of the bed tempts me to stay wrapped up in it a little longer, but the soft weight of someone’s gaze pulls me from sleep. My lashes flutter open, and for a moment, I’m caught between dreams and reality. Then, I see him—Dare, lying next to me, his dark eyes watching me with an intensity that makes my heart stutter.He’s never here when I wake up. He’s always in his study, working before the sun even fully rises. But today, he’s here, his arm resting on the pillow, his head propped up slightly as he watches me.I blink at him in sleepy confusion before a small smile tugs at my lips. “Good morning.” My voice is soft, still thick with sleep.“Good morning,” he murmurs, his lips curving into a small smile.I stretch, my body still sluggish from sleep, and let my fingers brush against his arm. “Were you watching me sleep?” I tease, tilting my head at him.He smirks slightly but doesn’t deny it. “Didn’t notice I was until now.”I roll my eyes but can’t help the way my chest w
Sky I hold my mouth shut with my hands as I shiver watching the horror unfold in front of me. Secluded in such a dark area had hidden me from participating in the trauma of my life but my eyes were not shielded from it as I watched it all unfold. Standing in the room was five men, four of them dressed in black while one of them, tall and husky wore a grey pant and a black shirt, his build was bigger despite being hidden under that oversized shirt. A couple of inches taller than all the men in the room, it was easy to know he was the leader of the group. Right in the middle of them was the Klaus family, his wife and his 24 year old daughter who was the same age as me. “Do you have any idea who I am?” Mr Klaus demanded, his breathing heaved. His eyes daring as he stared at the men before him. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t” the man replied, he leaned on the wall with his left leg raised up. A smug look on his face as he flicked through his fingers. “How dare you co
Sky I am standing in front of a bed in a room filled with lavender scent, a vanity table adjacent to the dressing area, the surface adorned with trinkets and treasures. A pair of curtains flutter in the breeze, the green folds pushed to each corner allowing the rays of sunlight into the room. He stands behind me, his gaze lingers, unwavering, sending a shiver down my spine. As if he could see the layers underneath the clothing. A tremor courses through my fingers, I try to stay calm but fail helplessly, fear and uncertainty grips me, making me rethink my decision. Should I have just died like the others, should I have ended my fate right there when I was caught. No, I don’t want to die. His shadow stood enormous on the bed almost like I had disappeared into him, I was nothing but a fragile and petite girl standing close to his figure. I could hear the sound of cushion bring pressed backwards, strange enough that my hearing was at its highest peek when my life i
SkyThe warmth of the bed tempts me to stay wrapped up in it a little longer, but the soft weight of someone’s gaze pulls me from sleep. My lashes flutter open, and for a moment, I’m caught between dreams and reality. Then, I see him—Dare, lying next to me, his dark eyes watching me with an intensity that makes my heart stutter.He’s never here when I wake up. He’s always in his study, working before the sun even fully rises. But today, he’s here, his arm resting on the pillow, his head propped up slightly as he watches me.I blink at him in sleepy confusion before a small smile tugs at my lips. “Good morning.” My voice is soft, still thick with sleep.“Good morning,” he murmurs, his lips curving into a small smile.I stretch, my body still sluggish from sleep, and let my fingers brush against his arm. “Were you watching me sleep?” I tease, tilting my head at him.He smirks slightly but doesn’t deny it. “Didn’t notice I was until now.”I roll my eyes but can’t help the way my chest w
SkyThe warmth of the bed tempts me to stay wrapped up in it a little longer, but the soft weight of someone’s gaze pulls me from sleep. My lashes flutter open, and for a moment, I’m caught between dreams and reality. Then, I see him—Dare, lying next to me, his dark eyes watching me with an intensity that makes my heart stutter.He’s never here when I wake up. He’s always in his study, working before the sun even fully rises. But today, he’s here, his arm resting on the pillow, his head propped up slightly as he watches me.I blink at him in sleepy confusion before a small smile tugs at my lips. “Good morning.” My voice is soft, still thick with sleep.“Good morning,” he murmurs, his lips curving into a small smile.I stretch, my body still sluggish from sleep, and let my fingers brush against his arm. “Were you watching me sleep?” I tease, tilting my head at him.He smirks slightly but doesn’t deny it. “Didn’t notice I was until now.”I roll my eyes but can’t help the way my chest w
SkyThe warmth of the bed tempts me to stay wrapped up in it a little longer, but the soft weight of someone’s gaze pulls me from sleep. My lashes flutter open, and for a moment, I’m caught between dreams and reality. Then, I see him—Dare, lying next to me, his dark eyes watching me with an intensity that makes my heart stutter.He’s never here when I wake up. He’s always in his study, working before the sun even fully rises. But today, he’s here, his arm resting on the pillow, his head propped up slightly as he watches me.I blink at him in sleepy confusion before a small smile tugs at my lips. “Good morning.” My voice is soft, still thick with sleep.“Good morning,” he murmurs, his lips curving into a small smile.I stretch, my body still sluggish from sleep, and let my fingers brush against his arm. “Were you watching me sleep?” I tease, tilting my head at him.He smirks slightly but doesn’t deny it. “Didn’t notice I was until now.”I roll my eyes but can’t help the way my chest w
DareI get a direct order from Agent Mikhail to return to the Pact after taking Moscow down. I hesitate for a moment before leaving—I don’t want to be away from Sky, not even for a second. But I know I have to deal with this.When I arrive at the office, I walk in. The place still feels the same—the dim lighting, the sharp scent of gun oil and papers, the faint hum of machines running in the background. It used to feel like home. Now, it just feels like another part of my past trying to drag me back in.“Dare, back so soon? Were you able to find him?” Mikhail asks, leaning back in his chair, fingers tapping lazily on the desk. His eyes flicker with curiosity.I nod, stepping forward. “Yeah. It’s done.” My voice is clipped, straight to the point. “Thanks for the intel. It helped.”Mikhail scoffs, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You think I did that just to get a thank-you?” He shakes his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. “No, Dare. I helped you because of the deal we made. You remembe
SkyI open my eyes slowly, my body sinking into the softness beneath me, warmth cocooning me in a way I hadn’t felt in so long. For a moment, I don’t move—I just breathe. The air smells different, cleaner, familiar. Not the damp, cold scent of fear that clung to me for what felt like an eternity.I blink, adjusting to the soft light filtering into the room. And then I realize where I am.Dare’s room.A place I never thought I’d see again.I haven’t slept this peacefully in what feels like forever. My body wants to surrender to it, to close my eyes and drift back into the safety of this warmth, but before I can, the door creaks open.“You’re awake,” Dare’s deep voice greets me, pulling me fully into the present.I sit upright, my heart swelling at the sight of him. He looks different—less guarded, but still every bit the man who had torn through fire and blood to bring me back. In his hands, he carries a tray, the rich aroma of food wafting through the air.I blink down at it, my stoma
SkyHis hands were warm as they cupped my face, his touch firm yet gentle, like he was afraid I would disappear if he let go. His dark eyes searched mine, flickering with worry, deeper that I couldn’t quite place.“Are you hurt anywhere? Did he touch you?” His voice was rough, edged with barely restrained fury, but there was something else in it too—desperation. Like he needed to hear me say I was okay just as much as I needed to believe it myself.I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out at first. My throat was thick with emotion, my chest tight. The reality of everything that had just happened crashed over me. I was safe. He was here. He had really come for me.Tears spilled freely down my cheeks, uncontrollably.“I’m okay,” I finally managed, my voice breaking slightly. “He didn’t—he didn’t get the chance.”He exhaled sharply, his shoulders loosening as relief flooded his face. Before I could say anything else, he pulled me closer, his lips crashing against mine in a desp
SkyI stood frozen, trying to process everything unraveling in front of me.“How about Klaus?” Dare’s voice was low and sharp, I was reminded of a family that I had once seen as mine. What really was the reason behind their death? Was it really Dare's fault that they are dead or it was Moscow all along. “Was it really the Pact?”I turned my head slightly, my eyes darting between Dare and Moscow. The mention of Klaus sent a shiver through me, a name tied to a family I once called friends, a family that no longer existed.Moscow smirked, his grip on me still firm. “Klaus? Oh no, that was personal,” he said casually, as if he were talking about the weather. “He found out about my business with Mark. Threatened to expose me. I couldn’t allow that, could I? So I took him out.”My heart clenched, and I felt a sickening wave roll through my stomach. My knees threatened to give out beneath me, but Moscow’s grip held me steady. Klaus’s family—their lives—gone because of… this?Moscow continued
SkyI can’t stop trembling. My body feels frozen, my legs still curled up beneath me on the bed. The echo of the gunshot rings in my ears, and every muscle in my body screams for me to run, but I can’t. I can barely breathe.Outside the room, heavy footsteps grow louder, hurried. A series of gunshots ring out in rapid succession, each one louder than the last. My heart races. Something is happening. Someone is coming.The door slams open, and my head jerks toward it. It’s Mr. M. He storms into the room, his expression dark and unhinged. For a second, he freezes. His eyes land on the lifeless body sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around it. His gaze shifts to me, still sitting on the bed like a statue.The disbelief on his face is almost laughable. He doesn’t think I’m capable of this.“Did you…?” he starts to say, but his voice falters.Without a word, he storms over and grabs me by the arm, yanking me off the bed like I’m nothing but a rag doll. The sudden movement sends a sharp
DareThe frustration was boiling under my skin. We’d gone through every one of those damned addresses, and still, Moscow wasn’t there. With each empty building, each fruitless search, my anger built, bubbling until I felt like I’d explode. But I refused to call him. No, Moscow didn’t deserve the courtesy of a warning or the satisfaction of knowing I was coming. When I found him—and I would find him—I wanted the element of surprise to hit him like a bullet between the eyes.We were down to the last address. It was further out than the others, tucked away on the outskirts of town, isolated. It was the kind of place you’d pick if you wanted to stay hidden, away from prying eyes. My instincts screamed that this was the one, that Sky was there. Still, I had needed to check the others first—needed to eliminate every possibility so I wouldn’t second-guess myself.The helicopter was prepped and waiting, its blades already spinning and slicing through the air. My men, loading up gear and weapo