The days following the incident with Justin and Regina were filled with a tumultuous blend of determination and dread. I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t let them get to me, that I would push forward and secure the victory in the lawsuit. Every morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose, reminding myself that I had to prove to Justin—and to myself—that I wasn’t someone who would simply surrender to his manipulations.On one such morning, as I descended the stairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted me, mingling with the faint scent of the flowers Aunt Lou always kept in a vase by the kitchen window. But instead of the usual peaceful start to the day, I was met with an unusual sight—Aunt Lou, standing by the living room couch, her hand clutching the phone to her ear, her expression strained. She was talking to someone, and the anxiety etched into her features made my heart skip a beat. I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, not wanting to intrude, but as Aunt Lou’
The silence in the car was almost suffocating, each of us wrapped up in our own thoughts. I glanced at Uncle George as he drove, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles had turned white against the worn leather. It had been years since I’d last seen him, and though the circumstances were far from ideal, the wear of time was etched deeply on his face. He looked older, more burdened by the weight of life’s unexpected blows.Aunt Lou sat beside him, trying and failing to hide her tears. She dabbed at her eyes with a crumpled tissue, thinking no one noticed. But I did. I saw everything—the silent sorrow in the set of her shoulders, the tremor in her hands.I wanted to say something, anything, to ease the tension, but the words just wouldn’t come. Instead, I stared out the window, watching the world blur past, my own emotions a tangled mess that I couldn’t begin to unravel.The car hummed quietly, the sound only amplifying the tension.When we finally arrived a
The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of the hospital room, casting a pale glow on the sterile environment. My heart pounded in my chest, but I tried to push down the nerves as I prepared myself to donate blood for Lena. After a restless night, I knew that this was the least I could do for Aunt Lou and my cousin.The nurse smiled at me as she prepped the needle. "You’re doing a wonderful thing," she said softly.I forced a smile back, trying to ignore the slight tremor in my hand as I clenched and unclenched it. "I’m just glad I can help."The donation itself was quick, though the aftermath left me feeling light-headed. The nurse offered me juice and a snack, insisting I rest for a bit, but I was too anxious to stay still. I needed to see Aunt Lou, to make sure she was okay.As I walked out of the donation room, I found Aunt Lou pacing in the hallway, her worry etched into every line of her face. When she saw me, her expression shifted to one of relief, though concern s
"I feel fine," I insisted as Leon and I were arguing that I wanted to go and take turns with Aunt Lou to look after Lena. Aunt Lou must be pretty exhausted now and would need my help inside the ICU.But Leon was being stubborn into telling me that I needed to rest more. This was one reason I didn’t want him here, he could be over frantic than I was over my body. I still know myself better when I feel unwell."You're not fine," Leon countered softly. "You nearly fainted earlier. You scared the hell out of me, you know that?"His words brought back the hazy memory of collapsing in his arms, the world spinning around me. "I didn't mean to worry you."Leon sighed, his fingers tracing small circles on the back of my hand. "I know you didn't. But you need to take care of yourself too."Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Aunt Lou rushed in, her face a mixture of relief and worry. "Oh, Margarette! Thank God you're okay," she exclaimed, hurrying to my side."Aunt Lou," I began,
Leon’s touch was deliberate, every movement sending a ripple of heat through my body. He began by slowly undressing me, his lips never leaving mine, capturing every gasp of breath, every moan, as his hands roamed my skin. His mouth was all-consuming, leaving me breathless, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of his kiss.As my clothes fell away, Leon’s mouth descended to my breasts, his tongue flicking over my nipples before he began to suck, drawing moans from deep within me. Each pull of his lips on my sensitive skin sent waves of pleasure down my spine, making me arch into him, desperate for more.“I see you’re liking this,” Leon murmured against my skin, his voice thick with desire. He continued to suck on my nipples, making them swollen and tender. His hand slipped beneath my panties, his fingers finding my clit with a skillful ease, massaging it in slow, deliberate circles.“You’re making this hard for me, Leon,” I managed to utter, my voice trembling with need.He lifted his hea
The sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom like a gentle reminder of the comfort surrounding me. I stretched lazily, feeling the lingering warmth of the sheets, but something was missing. Leon wasn’t beside me. The bed felt oddly empty without his reassuring presence, and a sense of unease flickered in my chest before I noticed the scent wafting into the room.The rich, savory aroma of sizzling bacon and eggs slowly coaxed me from the last vestiges of sleep. My stomach responded with an insistent growl, urging me to investigate. I blinked against the morning light, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I sat up. The realization that Leon wasn’t in bed was unsettling, but the smell of breakfast guided me, soothing the initial worry. He must be in the kitchen.Curiosity and hunger combined, prompting me to slip out of bed. The cool wooden floor beneath my feet was a sharp contrast to the warmth of the bed, but it helped to clear the fog from my mind. I pad
The drive to the café had been quiet, filled with the comfortable silence that Leon and I had grown accustomed to. It was a peaceful ride, the kind where I could simply enjoy the company without feeling the need to fill the space with words. Yet, underneath that calm exterior, I could sense something different in Leon—a subtle tension that hadn’t been there earlier. He was focused, more so than usual, and it made me wonder what was on his mind.We arrived at the café, a quaint little place tucked away on the outskirts of town. The sign above the door read "Rafael’s Café," and there was a certain charm about it, as if it held years of stories within its walls. As we stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods filled the air, mingling with the quiet chatter of a few patrons.
As soon as Leon left, I headed straight inside and walked through the sterile hallways. Yet, my mind was still on Leon, on the secrets that seemed to be lurking just beneath the surface. But for now, I had to set those thoughts aside. I had to see and check on my cousin, Lena, besides, there was someone else who needed me now, and it was Aunt Lou.As I head inside the recovery room, where Lena had already been transferred since she was already doing good, I found Aunt Lou inside signing some documents that Uncle George would be mailing today for the company back in Anacortes, her expression softening as she raised her head and saw me. Lena was asleep, her breathing steady, and I could see the relief in Aunt Lou’s eyes. It had been a difficult journey, but there were signs that things were finally starting to improve.“How’s she doing?” I asked softly, stepping into the room.Aunt Lou turned to me after staring at Lena for a moment, a smile tugging at her lips. “Better, much better.
I hated the way he did that.Leaving just enough of an impression to keep me tangled in his web, forcing me to dwell on his words long after he was gone. It was infuriating. And the worst part? A small, treacherous part of me was starting to believe him.I own every part of you.I shook my head, pushing the thought aside.Not if I had anything to say about it.Still, I needed to figure out my next move. Thiago was playing a long game, and I refused to be caught off guard again. If I wanted any chance of slipping out from under his control, I had to think ahead.I grabbed my phone and dialed Lucia.She picked up on the second ring. “Bridgette, finally! I’ve been waiting for you to call.”I exhaled. “Yeah, sorry. Things have been… complicated.”“No kidding.” Lucia lowered her voice. “I did some digging while you were away. The stock for Bermudez Group is still stable, but there are whispers about an internal shake-up. Whatever Thiago’s planning, it’s big.”I frowned. “Define ‘big.’”“Po
The weight of Leon’s words pressed down on me. He just put a price on your head.I had expected retaliation, but a bounty? That was another level of danger entirely.Leon was already moving. He grabbed his coat and checked his gun, his movements controlled but urgent. “We need to leave. Now.”I forced myself to stay calm. “Where are we going?”“Somewhere Nathan’s men won’t find us.”Elise, who had just stepped out of the guest room, paled. “Wait—you’re running?”Leon shot her a sharp look. “We’re regrouping.”I exhaled, my mind racing. “We can’t just disappear. If we run, Nathan will see it as confirmation that we’re a threat. He’ll only push harder.”Leon’s jaw clenched. “And if we stay, you’ll end up with a bullet in your skull.”Elise swallowed. “If Nathan wants her dead, there’s no hiding. He has eyes everywhere.”Leon turned to me. “She’s right. We need to be smart about this.”I hated the idea of leaving, of running, but I wasn’t reckless. If Leon thought we needed to move, I tr
Nathan’s presence sent a wave of cold dread through my veins, but I didn’t let it show.Elise stiffened beside me, her fingers tightening around the stem of her wine glass. She had been careful, meticulous. But somehow, Nathan had still found out.I kept my voice even. “Nathan. You surprised me.”His lips curled into a smirk. “Did I?”Leon’s voice was sharp in my earpiece. “Margarette, if you don’t walk out of there in the next thirty seconds, I’m coming in.”I ignored him.Instead, I tilted my head, keeping my expression carefully neutral. “We were just having a conversation.”Nathan’s gaze flicked to Elise. “I’m sure you were.”Elise swallowed hard but didn’t look away. “Nathan, don’t—”“Don’t what?” He stepped further into the room, his posture relaxed but his presence suffocating. “Don’t remind you where your loyalty should lie?”The tension crackled like static electricity.I knew I had two options: play innocent or go on the offensive.I chose the latter.“You’re worried,” I sai
The ride home from the gala was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Leon’s hand rested on my thigh, his thumb tracing absentminded circles against my skin. It was grounding, a silent reassurance that he was here—that he wasn’t going anywhere.Still, my mind spun.Elise’s warning lingered. If her father suspected something, it meant our window of opportunity was closing.Leon’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You’re thinking too much.”I turned to find him watching me, his eyes dark in the dim car.I sighed. “I can’t help it.”His fingers tightened slightly, his grip firm but gentle. “We’ll figure it out.”I swallowed hard, nodding. “I know.”Silence settled between us again, but this time, it was different. Charged.Maybe it was the adrenaline from the gala, or maybe it was just the way Leon looked at me—like he could see straight through the walls I tried so hard to keep up.By the time we got home, I felt like I was carrying too much inside me—too many thoughts, too many emotions.And L
I woke up to the sound of rain still pattering against the windows. The weight of the blankets was warm, comforting, but it was the presence beside me that truly made me hesitate before opening my eyes.Leon.His arm was draped over my waist, his body pressed against mine as if he belonged there—as if he had always belonged there. I could feel his steady breaths against the back of my neck, the rise and fall of his chest in sync with mine.Last night hadn't been a dream.I swallowed, my heart hammering against my ribs.No more running.Leon stirred behind me, shifting slightly before his arm tightened, pulling me closer. His voice was thick with sleep when he murmured, “You’re awake.”I nodded, but didn’t turn to face him. “Yeah.”A pause. Then, his fingers brushed over my wrist, tracing absent patterns against my skin. “Regrets?”I exhaled slowly. “No.”Another pause.“But I’m terrified.”Leon shifted then, pushing up on one elbow. I felt his gaze on me before I finally turned to mee
Nathan Calloway’s face twisted with rage as he realized the game was over. His men were dropping like flies, either taken down by Dorian’s gunfire or surrendering to the federal agents swarming the street. The blue and red flashes of FBI vehicles painted the alley in sharp, jagged streaks of light.He was cornered.I could see it in his stance—the way his fingers twitched toward his gun, his mind calculating, scrambling for a way out.There wasn’t one.Leon stood beside me, his gun still raised, but his grip relaxed. He had already decided Nathan wasn’t worth another bullet.But I wasn’t so sure.“Looks like you’re out of moves,” I said, stepping forward.Nathan’s sharp gaze cut to me, and for a moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes. Not fear. Not regret.Amusement.“You think this is over?” he muttered, shaking his head. Then, slowly, he smiled.A slow, deliberate, knowing smile.The kind that made my stomach clench.Then he turned to Elise.“Elise,” he said smoothly, like we w
Nathan Calloway had always exuded a quiet menace, the kind that made people instinctively lower their gaze and step aside. But today, he didn’t bother with subtlety. He stood in my path like a hunter savoring his victory, his dark suit crisp, his expression one of smug satisfaction.“Margarette,” he said smoothly, like we were old friends. “Going somewhere?”I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to keep my expression neutral. My heart was pounding, but I couldn’t let him see my fear.“I was just leaving,” I said, stepping sideways.He moved with me, blocking my way. Behind him, two of his men stood by the black car, watching. Waiting.“Now, now,” Nathan murmured, tilting his head. “Let’s not make this difficult. We both know how this ends.”A cold rush of adrenaline flooded my veins. I could fight. I could run. But neither would get me far.Leon’s voice came through my earpiece, low and urgent. “Margarette, I’m coming. Stall.”I swallowed. “If you know everything, why are yo
Elise Grant was a woman born into privilege, but privilege came with its own kind of chains. She had spent her life learning how to play the game, but now she was realizing that the rules had changed—and I was the one rewriting them.I watched her disappear into the fog, but I knew she wouldn't be able to walk away from this. Not entirely. People like Elise didn’t just sit back and watch their world collapse—they fought, even when they didn’t know who the real enemy was yet.Leon let out a quiet sigh, his fingers flexing against his side. "She’s going to struggle with this."Dorian smirked. "Good. People make the best decisions when they think they don’t have any other choice."I pulled my coat tighter around me. The air was damp, the salty ocean breeze mixing with the lingering scent of gasoline from the fishing boats docked nearby. "She’s going to reach out again soon."Leon’s gaze flicked to me. "How can you be so sure?""Because she’s smart," I said simply. "And because she’s terr
The wind whipped through my hair as I watched Elise disappear into the night. A thrill ran through me, a mix of victory and anticipation. She had taken the bait, but we weren’t in the clear yet. Not by a long shot.Leon and Dorian flanked me, their expressions unreadable. The three of us stood in silence for a beat, the ocean waves crashing against the wooden pier below us.“She’s scared,” Dorian finally muttered, lighting a cigarette. The flame illuminated his sharp features for a moment before fading into the night. “Which is good. Fear makes people predictable.”Leon’s gaze remained fixed on the path Elise had taken. His jaw clenched, his thoughts miles ahead of us. “Fear also makes people desperate.”I turned to him. “You think she’ll run to her father?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he shifted his stance, slipping his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Not immediately. She’s smart enough to know that if she tips him off too soon, she’s collateral damage.”I nodded. “The