Dear Rebels, thank you so much for all the GEMS you're still constantly sending this book. I really do appreciate all the love you're showing this story. but if you could still send more as it would help it to get more boosted, I would really really be thankful for that. XO
The morning light seeped through the blinds of the safe house, casting soft streaks of gold on the worn-out carpet. My coffee sat untouched on the table, a quiet testament to the swirl of emotions in my chest. Gerald had briefed us on the mission, yet my mind kept drifting elsewhere—to the promise I had made William, to the looming battle with The Architect, and to the fractured pieces of my past.The wedding.I had given William my word to move forward, but the weight of that promise sat heavily on my shoulders. A thousand questions raced through my mind. Where would we even begin? Could I truly focus on something as monumental as a wedding while the world seemed to be crumbling around us?“Lost in thought?” William’s voice interrupted my reverie. He stood by the doorway, arms crossed, a soft smile playing on his lips.“Always,” I replied, attempting a grin.He walked over, pulling a chair close. “Gerald gave us two days to regroup before the mission. Let’s use them. Just us. No plan
The safe house was no longer just a refuge; it had become a war room. Maps, files, and tactical gear littered every surface, a stark reminder of the battle closing in. Gerald’s revelation about The Architect’s plan to target the wedding sent shockwaves through the team.“We need to cancel,” William declared, his jaw tight with resolve.“No,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the tense air. “If we cancel, they’ll know we’re afraid. They’ll take it as a victory.”“Margarette,” William began, but I held up a hand to stop him.“This wedding isn’t just about us. It’s about hope. If we let them take that from us, they win,” I argued, my gaze locking with his.William sighed, his resistance softening under the weight of my determination. “Then we need to be ready.”Gerald cleared his throat, stepping forward. “We’ll double security. No one gets in without clearance. But we’ll need an inside informant. Someone close enough to The Architect to know their moves.”All eyes turned to me. Th
The safe house was quiet, the hum of the generator the only sound breaking the stillness. Leon sat at the table, poring over blueprints of the Architect’s compound. I leaned over his shoulder, pointing at an entry point that looked promising.“This tunnel here,” I said, tracing my finger along the map. “It’s less guarded, but it connects directly to the main hall. If we can get through without alerting them, we might have a shot.”Leon nodded, his eyes fixed on mine for a moment longer than necessary. “Good catch. You’ve got an eye for strategy.”I felt my cheeks flush, and before I could respond, William’s voice cut through the room like a blade.“Is this a strategy session or a date?”I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and his jaw tight. His tone was light, but his eyes betrayed his irritation.“We’re working,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral.“Sure you are,” William replied, pushing off the wall and walking over. He stood close, his presence
The tension between Leon and William had become unbearable. Every mission, every conversation, even the briefest shared glance—it all carried the weight of their unresolved animosity. It wasn’t just frustrating; it was dangerous.After days of trying to keep the peace, I knew I had to make a choice. And it wasn’t one I wanted to make.It was late, the safe house quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside. I found Leon in the small balcony area, leaning against the railing with a glass of whiskey in hand.He turned as I approached, a small smile softening his features. “Couldn’t sleep either?”I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “We need to talk.”The smile faded. He set the glass down and faced me fully. “That sounds ominous.”“It’s about you and William,” I began, keeping my voice steady. “This… whatever it is between you two—it’s getting out of hand. It’s putting everyone at risk.”His jaw tightened, but he said nothing, letting me continue.“I can’t have this,” I said fi
The night before the mission felt endless, the silence in the safe house broken only by the occasional creak of the building settling. Sleep was elusive, and I found myself wandering the halls, lost in thought.The tension between Leon and William had dulled into an uneasy truce, but I knew it was only a matter of time before it resurfaced. The two men were too different—each brilliant in his own way but driven by conflicting instincts.I rounded the corner to the kitchen and stopped short. Leon was there, his back to me as he poured a glass of water. The dim light cast sharp shadows on his face, highlighting the exhaustion etched into his features.“You’re up late,” I said softly.He turned, startled, then relaxed when he saw me. “Couldn’t sleep,” he admitted.“Me neither.”For a moment, we stood in silence, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on us.“I didn’t mean for things to get so complicated,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.His eyes darkened, a flick
The atmosphere in the safe house was oppressive, the tension between Leon’s absence and William’s continued presence casting a shadow over everything. I tried to focus on the mission, burying my emotions in plans and preparations, but the hollow ache in my chest refused to fade.It wasn’t long before the consequences of Leon’s departure became apparent. Without his intuitive strategies, we struggled to keep ahead of Justin’s network. Every decision felt heavier, every move riskier. And William’s relentless control only added to the pressure.One evening, as we regrouped in the war room, William’s frustration boiled over.“We’re losing ground,” he snapped, slamming his fist onto the table. “This wouldn’t be happening if Leon hadn’t left.”“Don’t you dare blame him,” I shot back, my voice sharp. “You pushed him away just as much as I did.”William’s gaze darkened, his usual calm facade slipping. “He left because he couldn’t handle the reality of this situation. That’s not my fault.”“Eno
The days after Leon’s departure were heavy with tension. William, though visibly more at ease, carried a weight of guilt that I couldn’t ignore. His eyes would linger on me during strategy meetings, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.Letty, ever perceptive, broke the silence as we reviewed maps of our next target zone.“You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world,” she remarked, her tone gentle but probing.I glanced at her and forced a smile. “Just trying to keep everything from falling apart.”“You mean keeping William and Leon from killing each other,” she said with a smirk. “You know, you could just let them fight it out. Might do them both some good.”“Not funny,” I muttered, though a small chuckle escaped despite myself.Her smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. “You miss him, don’t you?”I didn’t respond, but the silence was enough of an answer.That evening, as I prepared for bed, there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, I was
The forest was quiet, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I approached the clearing where Leon had asked to meet. His silhouette stood out against the faint glow of the moon, his hands shoved into his pockets as he waited.“You’re late,” he said when I arrived, his voice laced with mock annoyance.“I had to make sure no one followed me,” I replied, stepping closer.Leon’s expression softened as he studied me. “You’ve been avoiding me.”“I had to,” I admitted, crossing my arms. “The tension between you and William is affecting the entire team. I can’t let personal issues jeopardize what we’re trying to accomplish.”Leon took a step toward me, closing the distance between us. “Is that what this is to you? A personal issue?”His question caught me off guard, and I looked away, unable to meet his gaze.“Margarette,” he said softly, his hand reaching out to tilt my chin up. “You can’t keep running from this.”“I’m not running,” I whispered, though my voice lacked conviction.“Ye
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
Leon didn’t speak much after that. The drive back was filled with nothing but the hum of the tires on the road and the unspoken weight between us. I wanted to say something—anything—to make him look at me the way he used to. But I knew this wasn’t the time.When we pulled into the underground parking lot of our penthouse, Leon shut off the engine and exhaled through his nose. His hands remained on the wheel, knuckles white.I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Leon—”He turned to me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “You just declared war on your father, Margarette.”I swallowed. “You think I don’t know that?”“That’s the problem.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “This isn’t just about exposing his corruption. Harlan Westwood isn’t the kind of man who forgives betrayal. And you just put a target on your back.”I clenched my jaw. “I’ve had a target on my back ever since I decided to take back what’s mine.”Leon let out a humorless laugh. “And you think he’s just going to let you?”I reac
The night was deceptively peaceful. The city lights stretched far beyond the penthouse windows, illuminating a world that had no idea of the chaos brewing beneath the surface.Leon stood by the window, his sleeves rolled up, his jaw clenched in quiet contemplation. He hadn’t said much since our meeting at the club.I knew why.We had allies now, but it wasn’t enough.We needed more.“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours,” I said, stepping closer.Leon’s fingers tightened around the glass in his hand. “There’s a war coming, Margarette. And I don’t know if I can keep you safe through it.”I scoffed. “You’re still underestimating me?”His jaw ticked. “No. I just—” He exhaled sharply, turning to face me. “I can’t lose you.”The words hit harder than they should have.I swallowed, pushing down the sudden rush of emotion. “Then don’t.”Leon studied me for a long moment, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, before I could react, he pulled me flush against him, his lips capturing mine
By the next morning, the fallout had already begun.Leon and I sat in his penthouse, reviewing the reports pouring in from our contacts. Calloway’s operation had taken a major hit—his Russian allies were furious, his supply lines were compromised, and his reputation was crumbling.But we both knew it wasn’t over.Calloway wouldn’t take this loss lying down.Leon’s fingers drummed against the table, his jaw tight. “He’ll retaliate.”I nodded. “It’s just a matter of when.”Leon’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then answered with a clipped, “What?”A pause.Then his expression darkened.“When?” he demanded.Another pause.“Where is she now?”I sat up straighter, sensing the shift in his energy.Then Leon cursed under his breath and ended the call.“What happened?” I asked.He stood, already grabbing his keys. “Alexa was taken.”My blood ran cold. “By Calloway?”Leon’s jaw clenched. “Looks like it.”I shot up from my seat. “Then let’s go get her.”Alexa’s location was traced to a