ELLA'S POV It was absolutely nothing like I had pictured in my mind. My breath hitched as Xavier's hand guided me inside, his presence strong and overwhelming behind me. The space screamed power, control, and. intimacy-very much not the kind with which I was familiar. More to the point, it was a place where Xavier's dominance and authority reigned.My heart was racing, and not completely out of fear. There was more to it, a thrill in a way, as if stepping into this room was stepping into a part of him no one else had access to."You're going to love this," he said, voice low, commanding, yet sending a wave of uncertainty through me.I stammered, looking at the dark wood surrounding me, at the leather straps, the polished metal. That was something else altogether. That wasn't ordinary attraction; that was something strong, and I wasn't so sure I was ready for this.His hand moved to my chin, turning my face to him. His eyes were blazing with that possessive intensity, which had thrill
ELLA'S POV I lay in bed, feeling the sheets beneath me, observing the first beams of morning sunlight filter through the curtains. I had just pulled on my dress, but I really didn't feel like moving quite yet. My mind was still lost in the haze of last night. His touch remained on my skin, the possessive grip, the ease with which he took control-so naturally.A small smile teased at my lips until it quickly fell away with the emergence of a voice-a female voice-from the hallway. I frowned at the sound that invaded my thoughts. I strained to listen more intently, and what I heard was the sharp, cutting sound of her voice cutting through the air.It sounded too familiar.Then it clicked. Claudia.I sprang upright, the memory of her stinging words at the party flashing through my mind. I slipped off the bed, then moved silently toward the door, just out of sight but close enough to hear their conversation clearly."Xavier, I don't understand. Why are you wasting your time with her?" Cla
Alex's POVI watched the cityscape from the large window in my office, the world spread before me, silently mocking me. All this wealth, this power—it wasn't earned by the man who claimed it. It was simply handed down, like a spoiled child's toy. Xavier McKinney, with all his arrogance, never once understood what it meant to actually fight for something.He didn't deserve any of it. An empire, control, the fear he wielded with such carelessness-it was never his by right. It should have been mine.But no, I had to stand by his side through all these years, watching him rule, taking orders like a puppet while my hate grew deeper and festered. My fists instinctively clutched in my pockets at the thought of his smug face, so full of entitlement with every interaction, every goddamn meeting. He'd thought himself above the law, and for so long, I let that be.Patience was an art I had mastered. I had waited years for this moment. Years of playing the perfect, devoted assistant, behind the s
XAVIER'S POV My hands were clutched tightly around the wheel, while the quietness in the car spoke louder than any words either of us could utter. Ella sat beside me, her body stiff, but I still knew how hot we'd gotten just a little time ago. The memory of her body, the way she responded to me, echoed inside my head like the steady beat of a drum. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since-the feel of her, her soft moans in my ears, the way her body bent to my will. I wanted that part of her again, the raw, unguarded side-the part she showed only me when we were alone, where I could strip away her walls. As I looked over at her, I could tell she stared out the window, probably lost to her own thoughts, but all I could think about was how much I wanted her. It was carnal, deep in my bones, and something I couldn't shake. We pulled up to Ivy's school. The sudden shift from desire to fatherly duty was almost amusing, but as I parked the car and stepped out, I wasn't bot
ELLA'S POV As I stepped into the living room, tension hit me like a physical wall. Xavier stood near the door, his back to me, facing his uncle. I could feel the energy between them-strained, thick, and unnerving. I didn't know what was going on, but it certainly didn't take a genius to figure out that Xavier wasn't exactly pleased to have his uncle appear so suddenly. Ivy tugged on my hand, her face innocently devoid of the currents running underneath. Her eyes gleamed bright as she looked from me to Xavier, heedless of the chill on his face, and the fact that his body screamed control. Uncle Luke had this casual arrogance about him-threw a leg over the wall and leaned on it like he owned the place. The smile on his face was of those that sent chills down my spine, a warning that whatever conversation was going on, it wasn't a friendly catch-up. I didn't want to interrupt, but Ivy had other plans. "Mommy, Daddy! Guess what happened in school today!" she piped up, cutting the si
ELLA'S POV The morning light filtered through the curtains, falling softly across the room. I blinked against the glare, feeling the warmth of Ivy nestled up beside me. Her small body was curled between Xavier and me, still soundly asleep, her chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of breathing. I turned to see Xavier already awake; his eyes, piercing as always, were set on the ceiling above him as if in deep reflection. His features were slack, yet there was something behind those eyes-something distant, a thousand miles away, though he lay no further than beside me.I shifted carefully, not to rouse Ivy, and then sat up. Today was the day of her school function, the one she had been so hyped about. The thought of going through all those people made my stomach twist nervously. People who had looked down at me, who have whispered behind my back. Ivy's classmates' parents that see us as less than them. But today was different. Today I had Xavier beside me.I got out of bed as
CLAUDIA'S POV As I walked away from Ella, my anger bubbled in my stomach, waiting to spill over. How dare that woman even think she could take anything that belonged to me? That was the maddening part. I fisted my hands, digging my nails into my palms as I struggled to keep at bay the surging anger.Ella had been no more than a thorn in my side. Now, apparently, she would stop at nothing to stake her claim on something that was never meant for her. In the world of Xavier, Ella was no better than a pawn, some sort of distraction with whom he'd grown bored. I knew this. I'd seen the whole thing before. Men like Xavier were never satisfied with those things that were easily within their grasp. They always reached for something new, something different.I took a deep breath, willing myself to be calm. I had to think, not let my emotions take over. But the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Seeing them, Xavier and her, so perfect and so satisfied, wanted to make me scream. I'd be
Claudia’s POVI stood there, hidden in the throng of guests, my gaze locked on Ella and Xavier. The sight of them, so close and intimate, was like a splinter in my mind. I had imagined myself in Ella’s place countless times, but seeing them together, so effortlessly at ease, ignited a storm of irritation within me. I was supposed to be the one by his side, not her. The way Xavier looked at her, the way he spoke to her—it was as if she had cast a spell over him.I wanted to understand it. What was it about Ella that had captured Xavier’s attention so thoroughly? What made her special enough to make a powerful CEO lose control? Was it her perfect smile, her seemingly effortless charm? I couldn’t comprehend it, and that frustration gnawed at me like a relentless beast.As I watched them, an idea began to form in my mind. If I couldn’t have Xavier, then I’d make sure everyone knew just how much I was willing to disrupt his perfect little life. I needed to draw attention, to remind everyon
M ADAME BRO WNE'S POV “Hello,” I said, my voice hoarse. I could still feel the prick of glass on my palms, the soft pain but I overlooked it. The entire room reeked of sweat and alcohol. I waited a long minute before the person on the other end finally responded me. On the other end of the line, I could hear grunting and loud cursing. My patience soon waned once I checked the waiting time and saw it had been 40 seconds already.I scowl angrily, pulling the phone as I stretched my index finger to press the end call button. Before I could press it, the call was picked and a husky feminine voice beamed out from my speakers. “Hello, this is Poison speaking, if it's another loan company, I swear too God I am going to freaking come and deal with y'all myself.” I heard the familiar voice of one of my girls, Poison, my go-to actually.She was the perfect one for the role. “Hey, this ain't no loan shark company, it's Madame Browne.” I said and listened closely as a hushed silence followed m
LUCAS'S POV“On your knees!” I ordered watching from the high chair as she did as ordered. The soft flickering sound the crackling fire made braced my ears as I chuckled.“Why did you do it? Why did you have to ruin all my sheerchard work for what? Only for the president to find out years later.” I thundered, my voice lashing through the thin silence in the air.Madame Browne moved slowly, my nails pressing hard into her flesh. She was on her knees as I had ordered, her head tilted downwards in fear. She was shaking like a winter leaf, her eyes lit up in confusion.“I still don't understand any of your words, what do you mean by I ruined all of your hardwork I promise you, I didn't do shit!” She cursed underneath her voice.The anger in me raged harder with each passing second, the sight of her filling me with irritation. “You don't still understand? Well, I'll give you a hint.” I growled, my teeth tighly.I tilted my gaze upwards, hesitating for a secondary as I stared at the guards
L U C A S 'S P O V I watched the president with cold eyes, it had been hours now and I wasn't going to fall for his pretend sleep. The truth was about to get out, but I wasn't really sure if he knew what I thought I knew.I made sure I scrubbed out all traces to the incident, how did the president found out about it? I scrub my hair roughly, thoughts pulsing through my brain. I freaking hated the fact that they were all still here.I wanted some alone time with the president, just the two of us. I need to find out all he knew. The thought of having him tell Xavier and Ella was haunting, sending chills though me. I came back to New York for one thing and that didn't include going to jail.No!I'd traced out all the evidence, even the police were clueless as to who the perpetrator was. How did he find out? Anger and restlessness seeped into my bones as I turned my gaze to stare at the two other people in the room.Xavier and Ella.They were still here and I could tell they were already
ELLA'S POV “The part I hid all these years?” The president's tone was etched with fear, for the first time, I saw fear glistening in his green eyes.Never had I seen his breath hitch, his back arch and his pupils dilating. With every step, Mr Lucas McKinney took, the room erupted slowly in an air of shunned tension.“Which part?” His voice was smooth, like granite but also daring. The president immediately broke into laughter, “Don't mind my jokes Lucas, I was just taking Xavier into the old room.” The president's voice made me shocked. I frowned. Was all of this a joke?I was about jumping into conclusion but once I saw him laughing hysterically, I knew he was pretending for Lucas. Lucas was also laughing alongside, his presence a threat.As the president laughed, I noticed his chest heaving abnormally. His eyes were brimming with tears which I pushed back under the guise of a laugh. “How did you know we were here, uncle Lucas?” I asked him softly, swallowing softly as I tried to
ELLA'S POV “The truth?” I asked, confusion written boldly all over me.What did he mean by the truth? I scrunched my nose gently as I reached out to help adjust his pillow. “What do you mean by the truth, Mr McKinney?” I asked him again, this time, he actually responded to me.“I have to tell Xavier— he deserves to know.” He said and his voice faltered halfway into a dry cough that had him jerking his chest. Just a s he said those words, Xavier ran into the room, confused at to where the confusion in the air was coming from.“What's happenin— grandpa, you're awake!” Xavier's jumped for joy with the glass of drinkable water in his hands. He walked over to the bed and I took the cup from him to give the president.Mr McKinney took the glass from Xavier and after taking a long sip of the water, he placed the cup back on the nearby table. After doing that, his voice croaked out, “X… Xavier.”His pale fingers stretched to reach Xavier's face, his lids flickering weakly. He was shaking but
ELLA'S POV “It’s a long story but if you don't help the president now, we could have a different story to tell.”My heart thumped hard against my ribcage as my eyes met the president's figure. His skin was already pale, his entire form unconscious. Fear gripped me on all four edges of my body as I gasped out.A shiver trudged up my spine. I tried to stay calm in the moment, it was good Ivy wasn't around, she went to do her homework and I wouldn't want her to be disheartened by the sight of her great-grandfather unconscious.“Grab me a long fabric we have to make sure to free his airways to atleast revive him.” I ordered Xavier as I rushed over to a side of our bedroom where I normally kept my hospital kit and opened it. I checked his heartbeat and was shocked to find out it was beating quite well.Just as I pulled off the heart rate monitor, I proceed to take the long linen fabric had brought. “We have to tie it over his chest, first we have to take away all jewelries and heavy fabri
THE PRESIDENT'S POVI wasn't planning to bring out the 21 day challenge to Lucas but since the situation elevated quickly, I had to pull out that one last card. I thought it'd scare him, push him backwards and make him have double thoughs about becoming the next president but instead, it fueled his interest.The desperation in my son's eyes as he accepted the offer was scary, even to me but I decided it was smart not to allow it reflect. I tilted my head to look at Xavier's s I flash him a signal, he pushed me in the direction of the door.The wheelchair was very comfortable I must say. It wasn't that bad. I considered it a free three month rest rom walking and having someone, Xavier, push me around. I had pushed me discharge date just to be at the McKinney mansion.The tension might seem a lot heated but since we're in my pov, I'll tell you this for free, things aren't as they are. Lucas was dangerous, i knew dark secrets of my own son I deserved to preserve from the world.Our rival
LUCAS'S POV.My heart skipped a beat at the president's words. What did he mean by conditions? I held my breath, waiting patiently for the next series of words that would slip out from the president's lips. I pant slowly, my chest heaving as discomfort pooled down my arms. I wasn't quite yet sure what to believe, was it his words or the pungent feeling in my veins that told me this was another one of his games.“Accepted.” I said, dragging the word. The president’s expression didn't change like I was expecting. His breath didn't shuder, his pupils didn't dilate, It was almost like it was all real.“And what is that, if I may ask?” I took a step further, noticing the change in the air. The president was seated comfortably on the wheelchair, his composure unfazed.The thin stripes of light from the fireplace in the room striked a side of his face, giving the contempt in the eyes a brighter glow that had me pulsing. He stared up at me, his head tilted upright. I swallowed softly, a str
MADAME BROWNE’S POV I couldn't believe my eyes.The president was alive.Fury washed through me in waves as I gazed back at his impending figure. The president sat comfortable on a wheelchair, his gaze firm like a king surveying his kingdom. Xavier was the one pushing him around and the sight of the both of them standing there made me furious.I thought Lucas said he should be dead by now. To even think that I was actually about to start celebrating when he told me the news only to realize that it was all a lie. The president had survived the attack and as always, my plans had been ruined.I bit hard into my lower lip as I clenched my fists, the sharp pain that came from the pressing sensation of my fingernails on my palms jolting my head upright. The president had a sneer on his face as he was wheeled back into the room.His presence caused my heart to nearly skip a beat. My breaths came hitching out, ragged puffs coming out of my nostrils. I tried to contain the shock in my veins b