I stood frozen on the porch, the ominous glow of the taillights disappearing into the night. My fingers clenched my phone tightly as the message burned into my mind. I couldn’t let fear paralyze me, not now.The door creaked open behind me, and William’s voice broke the silence. “Margarette? What’s going on?”I turned to him, struggling to steady my breathing. “There was a car. Someone sent me a message. They’re watching us.”His expression darkened instantly, his eyes scanning the street. “Get inside. Now.”Inside, I recounted the events to both William and Leon. They exchanged a glance—tense, calculating.“This isn’t just intimidation anymore,” Leon said, pacing the room. “They’re escalating. We need to strike first before they get bolder.”“We’re not going to act recklessly,” William countered. “We need a plan, not some impulsive move that’ll get us all killed.”Leon scoffed. “And sitting around waiting for them to make the next move isn’t reckless? Great strategy, William.”“Enoug
The aftermath of the encounter at the distillery lingered in the air like a storm refusing to break. Leon and William argued as we made our way back to the safe house, their voices rising and clashing like thunder. I sat in the back seat, my hands trembling as I replayed Justin's chilling smirk in my mind.“Why the hell didn’t you stick to the plan?” William barked, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.Leon shot him a glare from the passenger seat. “The plan changed when she decided to chase Justin. I wasn’t going to stand back and let her get herself killed.”“I don’t need either of you deciding what I can or can’t do!” I snapped, my voice cutting through their argument.Both of them fell silent, their eyes flickering to me in the rearview mirror.“This isn’t about your rivalry or your ego. This is about stopping Justin before he hurts anyone else. If you two can’t work together, then stay out of my way.”Back at the safe house, Leon pulled me aside, his expression gr
The next morning, the events of the previous night weighed heavily on my mind. The envelope with Justin’s chilling message sat on the kitchen counter, a constant reminder of how far he was willing to go.Leon and William had taken shifts patrolling the perimeter, neither willing to leave me unguarded. Their unspoken rivalry was suffocating, but I didn’t have the energy to address it again. Instead, I found myself dialing Aunt Lou’s number, seeking the comfort only she could provide.When I arrived at Aunt Lou’s cozy house, the familiar scent of baked goods and lavender soap filled the air. Lena and Letty were already there, their faces lighting up when they saw me.“Margarette! It’s been ages,” Letty exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.Lena joined in, her smile warm. “You look exhausted. Sit down, we’ll make tea.”Aunt Lou appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her sharp eyes immediately noticed the strain on my face. “What’s wrong, dear? You look like you haven
Restless sleep had been my unwelcome companion all night, leaving me irritable and uneasy the next day. The warmth of my family—Aunt Lou, my cousins—was comforting, but not enough to erase the lingering weight of my nightmare.By evening, that sense of unease had wormed its way back, stronger than ever. I clung to the chatter of my cousins and Aunt Lou’s calm presence, hoping their energy would drown out the echo of fear looping in my mind. Yet, no matter how much I tried to shake it off, a nagging feeling clung to me—like eyes were watching from the shadows.After dinner, I sat with Aunt Lou in the living room. The fire crackled softly, casting warm flickers of light on the walls. I hugged my knees to my chest, trying to ignore the churn in my stomach.“You’ve been quieter than usual today,” Aunt Lou said, setting down her knitting and looking at me with concern. “Is something bothering you?”I hesitated. Should I tell her? Would she think I was losing my grip? But Aunt Lou was the on
The air between Leon and me was thick with tension, but it wasn’t the kind born solely of fear or uncertainty—it was the unresolved thread of emotions that had tethered us to each other, despite everything. As we sat in that quiet café, plotting how to confront the darkness of Justin’s schemes, the charged silence was impossible to ignore.After hashing out the next steps, Leon leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that made my breath hitch. His fingers drummed lightly on the table, and when he spoke, his voice was softer, almost hesitant.“You’ve been through so much, Margarette. I hate that I couldn’t protect you from all of it.”I looked down, trying to ignore the way his words stirred something in me. “You don’t have to protect me, Leon. I’m not some damsel in distress.”A small smile curved his lips. “I know you’re not. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to try.”I opened my mouth to respond, but he reached across the table, his warm hand brushing against mine.
The drive was quiet, the tension between us thick yet not uncomfortable. I watched the passing trees and fields, my curiosity growing as we ventured farther from town. Finally, we arrived at a secluded clearing near the edge of a lake. The moonlight danced across the water, and the soft chirping of crickets filled the air.“What is this place?” I asked as I stepped out of the car.“It’s where I come to think,” Leon said, walking around to join me. “I used to come here when things got too overwhelming. It’s peaceful.”I looked out at the lake, the stillness of the water mirroring the calm I so desperately craved. “It’s beautiful,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
The night air was thick with tension as I paced the length of Leon’s living room, my thoughts racing in chaotic loops. Alexa was gone. Taken. And every second that ticked by felt like a countdown to her doom.“We can’t just sit here!” I snapped, glaring at Leon as he poured over the latest intel on his laptop. “She’s out there, terrified, and we’re… we’re just… doing nothing!”Leon’s head shot up, his dark eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and determination. “Do you think this is easy for me, Margarette? Sitting here, knowing she’s in danger? I’m doing everything I can to find her.”“Well, it’s not enough!” I crossed my arms over my chest, my voice cracking. “We need to be out there looking for her, not… not waiting for some magical clue to fall into our laps.”“Enough.” His tone was sharp, cutting through my panic. He stood, towering over me, his presence commanding. “You think I don’t feel the weight of this? That I don’t know what’s at stake?”“Then act like it!” I shouted ba
The aftermath of the rescue was a blur of activity. Leon’s team secured Justin and swept the warehouse for any remaining threats, their efficiency like a well-oiled machine. I stayed close to Alexa, helping her stand on shaky legs. Her injuries, while not life-threatening, told a story of her ordeal, and my heart ached with guilt for not protecting her sooner.William approached, his expression a mix of relief and concern. “We need to get her out of here,” he said gently, his hand brushing my shoulder. “There’s a med team waiting at Leon’s property.”I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. William’s touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary, a subtle yet unmistakable gesture of comfort. “Thank you,” I whispered, meeting his gaze.He gave me a small, reassuring smile. “You were brave tonight, Margarette. Alexa’s safe because of you.”Leon appeared just then, his dark eyes flicking between William’s hand on my shoulder and my face. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Instead
The next few days passed in a blur of careful planning and tense anticipation. Elise’s information had given us a direction, but we still had work to do—connections to make, leverage to gather. It should have consumed all my focus.But Leon was a distraction I couldn’t shake.No matter how much I told myself that our night together hadn’t changed anything, I felt it in the way he looked at me, in the way his fingers brushed against mine when he handed me a file, in the way his presence filled every quiet moment. He didn’t push, didn’t demand more than I could give, but the weight of everything left unsaid pressed down on me.I wasn’t sure if I was grateful or terrified.***Late one night, I found myself pacing the penthouse balcony, the cold air biting through my thin sweater. The city sprawled beneath me, glittering and endless, yet I felt trapped in my own thoughts.“You’re thinking too loud again.”I turned to see Leon stepping onto the balcony, his hands tucked into the pockets o
The meeting with Elise was set. That should have been my focus. But my mind kept replaying last night—Leon’s lips on mine, the way he held me as if he couldn’t bear to let go.I inhaled sharply and pushed the thought away. There was no space for distractions.The restaurant Elise had chosen was a high-end establishment, the kind that catered to politicians and business elites who wanted to talk without prying eyes listening in. The dim lighting and low chatter made it the perfect place for clandestine discussions.Leon and I arrived together, though we were careful not to look too familiar. Dorian had insisted on waiting outside, just in case.Elise was already seated when we arrived. She was dressed elegantly in a dark blazer, her posture stiff with tension. As soon as she spotted us, her eyes flicked to Leon, then to me.“You came,” she said, her voice steady but guarded.I slid into the seat across from her, Leon taking the one beside me. “You asked, we answered.”Her lips pressed
The weight of Leon’s words settled over me, thick and inescapable. I could feel the heat of his gaze, his possessiveness wrapping around me like an invisible chain. A part of me wanted to push back, to tell him that I didn’t belong to anyone. But the other part—the part that craved the way he looked at me, the way his presence consumed me—refused to speak.Instead, I exhaled sharply and turned away, fingers tightening around my phone. "I haven't decided yet," I said, my voice even, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an immediate answer.Leon hummed low in his throat, stepping closer. "Decide carefully, Margarette."I refused to face him, but I could feel the warmth of his body behind me. The air between us buzzed with unspoken words, unsatisfied tension.Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.***Later that evening, I sat curled up on the couch, scrolling through my phone, staring at Noah’s message.Drinks sometime? To catch up. No pressure.It should have been s
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, but its warmth did little to ease the tension curling in my stomach. Elise’s message played over and over in my mind.Meet me at noon. My place. No one else.Leon sat across from me, fingers drumming against the table as he studied the message. He was too quiet. That meant he was already three steps ahead, calculating risks, preparing for anything.Dorian whistled from where he lounged on the couch, sipping his coffee like this was just another casual morning. “So, we’re going or not?”I shot him a glare before turning back to Leon. “What do you think?”Leon leaned back in his chair, considering. “It’s suspicious. Either she’s truly desperate, or she wants us walking into something.”I crossed my arms. “I think we should go.”His gaze flickered to me, sharp and assessing. “If we do, we’re doing it my way.”I nodded. “Fine.”Leon studied me a second longer, then let out a low sigh. “Then let’s get moving.”
The night breeze rolled over the pier, carrying the scent of salt and damp wood. Elise had disappeared into the fog, but the weight of her decision lingered in the air. Leon stood beside me, silent, his hands shoved into the pockets of his coat.“She’s scared,” I murmured.Leon let out a low hum. “Good. Fear makes people careful.”I glanced at him. “And desperate.”He met my gaze, his dark eyes unreadable. “Desperation is useful. If she’s smart, she’ll realize we’re offering her an out before everything collapses.”I let out a slow breath, my mind racing. “And if she’s not?”Leon’s jaw tightened. “Then we make sure she doesn’t get in our way.”There was a finality in his tone that sent a chill down my spine. He wasn’t a man who took risks lightly. He weighed every move, calculated every possibility. It was why I trusted him, even when the path ahead was uncertain.Dorian, who had been leaning against a lamppost, pushed off and stretched lazily. “Well, that was fun. I say we celebrate.
The days turned into weeks, and for the first time in a long time, my life wasn’t consumed by revenge or survival. It was strange, almost unsettling, to wake up without the weight of the past pressing down on me.But Leon made it easier.We spent our days in a quiet rhythm—mornings wrapped in each other, afternoons exploring parts of the city I had never truly appreciated, and evenings spent talking about everything and nothing.One afternoon, Leon surprised me with a drive outside the city. The road stretched ahead of us, winding through rolling green hills and open fields.I turned to him, curious. “Where are we going?”He glanced at me with a smirk. “You’ll see.”After about an hour, we pulled up to a secluded property. A modern house with wide glass windows sat on a hill, overlooking a lake. The air smelled of fresh grass and wildflowers, and the only sound was the distant chirping of birds.I stepped out of the car, taking in the view. “Leon… what is this place?”He walked up bes
The days that followed were a whirlwind of chaos.My father’s downfall was splashed across every news outlet. Financial crimes, money laundering, illegal dealings—his empire was collapsing, and with it, his reputation. His allies abandoned him one by one, choosing self-preservation over loyalty.But he wasn’t the kind of man to go down without a fight.That’s why I wasn’t surprised when I received the message.A single text.Suite 1103. One last talk. Come alone.Leon was furious. “Absolutely not.”I expected that reaction. I also knew there was no changing my mind.“Leon, this is my fight. My ending to write.”His eyes darkened. “He’s cornered, Margarette. That makes him more dangerous than ever.”I reached for his hand, squeezing it. “I’ll be fine.”He exhaled sharply. “I don’t trust him.”I smiled softly. “Good. Neither do I.”The Last Conversation—AgainSuite 1103 was dimly lit when I walked in. My father sat by the window, a drink in his hand, staring out at the city he once rule
We had expected my father to retaliate, but I knew he wouldn’t be careless. No, he’d take his time. He’d make sure his counterattack hurt.Which meant we had to strike first.Leon was already making calls before I even had to say anything. His contacts, his men—every piece of leverage we had was being mobilized.Victor paced across the penthouse, his expression tense. “Margarette, I don’t think you understand how much you just provoked him.”I crossed my arms. “Oh, I understand, Victor. That’s the point.”Leon smirked at my words, but his eyes were sharp as he cut in. “We need to draw him out. He’s not going to sit back and lick his wounds. He’s going to come for you.”Victor sighed. “And you’re just waiting for that to happen?”I walked over to the window, watching the city below. “No.” My voice was calm. “We’re leading him exactly where we want.”Victor ran a hand through his hair. “And where is that, exactly?”Leon leaned against the counter, his voice casual but firm. “A place whe
Dorian was right. My father wasn’t sitting idle. He was moving his pieces, fortifying his position before I could strike.But he underestimated me.By morning, I was already on the phone, making calls, pulling in every favor I had left. I wasn’t just going to fight him—I was going to destroy him.Leon watched me from across the kitchen, leaning against the counter, sipping his coffee. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and despite the weight of everything we were up against, he looked completely composed.It irritated me.“Do you ever worry?” I muttered, ending a call and tossing my phone on the counter.Leon smirked. “Constantly.”I gave him a look. “You don’t seem worried.”He set his mug down and closed the distance between us. “Because I don’t show it the way you do.”I exhaled. “I feel like we’re on the edge of something big. Like we’re one wrong move away from losing everything.”Leon tilted his head slightly, studying me. “Margarette.” His