Elijah’s POVThe bookstore in Guadalajara was hushed, with the quiet murmur of a few customers flipping through books or browsing the shelves. I sat in the far corner, half-hidden by a display of mystery novels, watching as the team casually took up positions around the room.Each one looked like they belonged there—disguised as staff, customers, a student reading by the window. I had to hand it to them; they blended in flawlessly.But under the calm, there was tension, and my heart thudded with the thrill and nerves that always came before a high-stakes operation. Today, we were either going to end this chase, or Henry and Julia would slip through our fingers once again.It made me stop and think all of a sudden. How did I come to be tangled up in such dangerous situations? A long time ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of being a part of something like this. I would have chosen not to be in the middle of the action but simply waiting for reports and updates. But I’ve changed already… And
Elijah’s POV“Elijah,” Henry sneered, regaining a bit of his composure. “You think this is going to change anything?”I crossed my arms, blocking their only escape. “You’re right. It’s not going to change anything. But it’ll end everything.”Julia’s eyes darted to the side, searching for a way out. I could see the desperation rising in her, a trapped animal’s instinct kicking in. She looked to Henry, but he kept his gaze locked on me, his expression bitter.“You think you’ve won?” he spat, his voice laced with defiance. “You’re too late, Elijah. Everything’s already in place. You can’t stop us.”“We’ll see about that,” I said, taking a step forward. “You’re done running.”Behind them, Julian and Joe’s operatives moved in, sealing off any possible escape. Henry and Julia were completely surrounded, their backs against the wall. I could see the realization dawning in their eyes—that this was it. The end of the line.“Give it up,” Joe called out, his voice firm. “This is over. You’re not
Sophia’s POVOne year had passed. Just like that. One long, grueling year since they’d been captured in Mexico. Now, I sat in the trial court, my hand clasped tightly in Elijah’s as we waited for the final verdict.Anticipation hovered around us, every rustle and whispered breath amplifying the tension that had been simmering for so long.I glanced across the room at Henry and Julia, seated a few rows away, flanked by officers on either side. Henry’s once-sharp features were worn, his face gaunt, his hair graying and thinning.He looked hollowed out, as though the years of hiding, the trials in France and now here in the U.S., had sucked the life from him. His hands were bound, but I could still see the twitch of his fingers, the anger boiling beneath his carefully composed exterior.Beside him, Julia looked equally changed. She’d aged in ways that seemed impossible for just a year’s passing—her skin pale, her eyes shadowed and glassy, as if she’d been surviving on sleepless nights a
Sophia’s POVThe restaurant, Bella Sera, stood glowing in soft, elegant lights as we approached. It was bustling with guests, laughter and conversations blending together to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. I could hardly believe a year had passed since its grand opening, during which my husband Elijah had reconciled with his stepmom.Tonight was Bella Sera’s first anniversary celebration, and for once, I felt a sense of calm and happiness surrounding us. I looked down, giving Reese’s hand a little squeeze as we stepped inside, with Roxy and Jared walking alongside us, their eyes wide with curiosity.As we entered, Morgana herself appeared, beaming as she saw us. She looked elegant, her face bright with pride, and there was something so genuine in her warmth that I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Behind her was her husband, Lennon Delmare, standing tall and grinning broadly.“Sophia, Elijah! And my little ones!” Morgana opened her arms, crouching down to embrace Reese, Roxy, and
Sophia’s POVJared squirmed in my arms, distracting me from my thoughts. I set him down, smiling as he took off again, this time circling around me in playful loops.As I watched him, my gaze drifted back to the table where Elijah was talking with Kayla, and I noticed his expression—serene but thoughtful, as if he, too, was carrying an invisible weight.Les Ombres Écarlates had fallen silent in the U.S. since Henry and Julia were locked away, but whispers remained that the syndicate still operated in France. No one knew who might be leading them now.Isabelle had remained in prison, and for all we knew, she’d been cut off from her network… or perhaps she was working wonders from the shadows, keeping her influence alive from a distance. No one could tell for sure.“Mommy?” Jared tugged on my hand, bringing me back to the present. “Can I go play with Roxy and Reese?”“Of course, sweetheart,” I said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “They’re right over there with Daddy.”Jared darted fo
Sophia’s POVI was trying to steady my racing heart, unable to get back to the festivities yet, when my husband Elijah approached me. “Sophia, where have you been? Everyone’s been asking about you,” he said, his tone gentle but laced with worry.I forced a small smile. “I just… needed a moment to think. But actually, I have to talk to you.” I reached out, grasping his arm, and pulled him aside into a quieter corner of the hallway, far from prying ears.“What’s going on?” he asked, his gaze intense.“Lennon,” I whispered, casting a glance down the hallway to make sure no one was listening. “I just ran into him by the restroom. He was carrying an envelope…” My voice trembled as I continued. “It had the Les Ombres Écarlates emblem on it.”Elijah’s eyes widened. “Wait—are you sure?”“Yes. I’m sure. He even hurried away when he saw me glancing at it.” I bit my lip, trying to calm the anxiety clawing at my insides. “What could he possibly want with them? And if Lennon’s involved… does that
Sophia’s POVThe following morning, as sunlight streamed through our bedroom window, I lay awake, staring up at the ceiling, the events of last night playing on an endless loop in my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of Lennon clutching that ominous envelope… or the strange woman and her little boy, who somehow felt so familiar.Lost in thought, I barely heard Elijah enter the room until he sat on the edge of the bed, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You’re up early,” he noted, studying me with a concerned expression.I managed a weak smile. “Couldn’t sleep. I keep thinking about last night. Lennon and that… envelope.” I hesitated, lowering my voice. He reached out, taking my hand in his. “Well, maybe we’ll have a chance to find out. Mom invited us for brunch at the cafe today. She said she’d love to see the kids again.”I sat up, my heart pounding at the prospect. “Maybe… maybe we could use it as a chance to ask her. About Lennon, I mean. If she’s hiding something, I think you’d be
Sophia’s POVVictoria Langston’s face tightened with surprise as she glanced back at us, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m so sorry for the disruption, and if Kian made the little girl cry,” she said hurriedly, addressing Morgana with a tight smile. “Uh, I’m sure he didn’t mean to,” Morgana answered. Victoria nodded, looking worried. “I’ll just give you a call soon to discuss the rest.”Without waiting for a reply, Victoria turned on her heel and left, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she hurried out of the cafe.I knelt down beside Roxy, pulling her into my arms and rubbing her back soothingly. “Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here. Just breathe.”Roxy’s sobs slowly quieted as I rocked her gently, her little fingers clutching onto my shirt. She buried her face in my shoulder, but she still wouldn’t say a word. Her tiny shoulders heaved, and I could feel the tension in her body as I continued to calm her.I glanced over my shoulder at my eldest child Reese, who was stan
Elijah’s POVI ended the call with Emily and let out a long, slow breath, leaning back in the chair. Her pain lingered in my chest like an echo. The weight of everything—the mob, Jared, keeping everyone safe—pressed heavily on my shoulders.“You okay?” Joe asked, his sharp eyes scanning me from across the room.I nodded, though the tightness in my chest hadn’t eased. “Yeah. Just a lot to think about.”I glanced at him then, leaning against his desk, his ever-present sharpness softened just a fraction. “Emily’s strong,” I said, more to myself than to him. “But even she has her breaking point.”Joe nodded, picking at the corner of a file on his desk. “She’s got Chris, though. Guy’s solid, if a little rough around the edges. They’ll hold out.”“Chris isn’t used to this kind of life, but he’s never loved someone like how he loves Emily. It’s really admirable that he’s doing all this for her. She needs him by her side.”Joe rubbed the back of his neck, his face tight with thought. “The mob
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, glancing at the neatly organized business reports in front of me. Normally, mornings like these were a steady grind, but today, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.Last night replayed in my mind, unbidden but welcome. The warmth of Sophia’s touch, her whispered promises, and the way we’d melted into each other as though the rest of the world didn’t exist. It had been intense, much more than the usual. Definitely one of the most memorable. The sound of my phone shattered the moment, pulling me back to the present. I picked it up, spotting Joe’s name flashing on the screen. His timing was rarely coincidental.“Joe,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “What’s the update?”“Got something big,” he said, his voice urgent, but low enough that I knew he was being cautious. “I managed to connect with Emily and Chris. Used a secure satellite line. They’re safe for now.”Relief washed over me. “That’s good to hear. And Marc and Luc? What are
Sophia’s POVElijah’s silence pressed down on me like a physical force, heavier than the comforter I was clutching. I lay on my side, my back turned to him, staring into the darkness. My heart felt raw, aching with the knowledge that I’d hurt the one person who meant everything to me.He wasn’t asleep—I knew him well enough to sense that. And knowing he was lying there, just as restless as I was, made the ache in my chest even worse.I couldn’t take it anymore.“Elijah,” I whispered. Turning slowly, I faced him, my eyes adjusting to the faint light filtering through the curtains. His back was still to me, but I reached out tentatively, my fingers brushing against his shoulder. “Please,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I can’t stand this distance between us.”For a moment, he didn’t move, and I thought he might ignore me. But then, he rolled over, his face etched with both exhaustion and pain. His eyes met mine, and the sight of his hurt broke me.“I’m sorry,” I said, tears pooling i
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool silk of my nightgown brushing against my legs, I immediately noticed Elijah standing near the bed, his back to me. His posture was rigid, his head slightly tilted as he studied something in his hands. My breath caught when I realized what it was.The chocolate wrapper.My heart sank as I recognized it instantly. I’d completely forgotten about it after stashing it away. How had it ended up here?“Elijah?” I said hesitantly, my voice quieter than I intended.He turned, his face calm but his eyes sharp, like he was holding back a storm. He held up the wrapper. “Where did this come from?”I froze, my mind racing. “I—”“I found it in Reese’s bag,” he said evenly, cutting me off. His tone wasn’t accusatory, but there was an edge to it that made my stomach churn.For a split second, I considered lying, brushing it off as something our daughter must have gotten from a classmate or a friend. But the look in Elijah’s eyes stopped me. He d
Elijah’s POVI sank into the couch, remote still in hand, as the credits of some late-night documentary rolled across the screen. The faint hum of the television was lulling me into that in-between state of wakefulness and sleep when my phone buzzed on the coffee table. The name Camille lit up the screen.Frowning, I picked it up. “Hello?”“Elijah,” came her voice, slightly slurred, accompanied by background noise—music, chatter, the unmistakable din of a party still in full swing. “Hey... I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?”“No,” I said cautiously, sitting up straighter. “Are you okay? You sound... off.”She let out a soft laugh that sent warning bells ringing in my head. “Just had a little too much fun tonight, that’s all. I’m about to leave the party.”“You shouldn’t drive,” I said immediately. “Find someone sober to take you home or call a ride. Seriously.”“Oh, so protective,” she teased, her words laced with flirtation. “I’m so flattered you care.”“Camille,” I said firmly,
Sophia’s POVI sipped from my glass of champagne, the bubbles fizzing on my tongue and giving me a fleeting sense of lightness. Kayla’s concerned voice cut through the haze.“Are you okay? That’s your third glass already,” she said, a shadow of worry crossing her face as she moved closer.I waved her off with a forced smile. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just so... happy. The event was a huge success. We deserve this, don’t you think?”Kayla hesitated, her gaze scanning my face. “Yeah, but don’t go overboard. You’ve got a family waiting for you at home.”“Elijah went ahead,” I said quickly, my tone dismissive. “He’s tired.”Her eyes narrowed slightly, like she wanted to press further, but Connor appeared beside her, sliding an arm around her waist. The moment passed as she turned her attention to him, and I took the opportunity to slip away into the crowd.The bass thumped through the speakers, reverberating in my chest as I joined a group of familiar faces on the dance floor. The alcohol co
Sophia’s POVThe energy of the fashion show was electric. The applause was thunderous as the models made their final walk down the runway in Emily’s stunning tribute collection. Kayla and I stood near the stage, watching as the curtains closed on months of hard work.“We did it,” Kayla whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She squeezed my hand tightly, her smile brighter than the spotlights above.I nodded, unable to suppress the overwhelming joy bubbling inside me. “We really did. It’s perfect, Kayla.”The after-party was in full swing now, a celebration of what we had pulled off. Everyone seemed to be riding the high of the evening. Elijah had surprised me earlier with a bouquet of my favorite flowers, a sweet and thoughtful gesture that made my heart swell. His warm kiss on my cheek and whispered, “I’m so proud of you,” had been the cherry on top of a perfect night.But now, as I moved through the crowd, my excitement dulled slightly. I couldn’t find him.“Elijah?” I called
Sophia’s POV"Kayla, can you double-check the lighting cues for the finale?" I asked, glancing at the stage where models were gliding down the runway, their movements rehearsed to perfection.Kayla, clipboard in hand, barely glanced up. "Already done. Now spill. How was the night with Lucas?"My heart jumped, the question catching me off guard. I kept my tone breezy as I adjusted a hemline on one of the dresses. "Oh, it was fine. We caught a movie and grabbed dinner. Nothing special."Kayla lowered the clipboard and arched a brow. "Uh-huh. And where was Luana during all of this?"I busied myself with the dress, my hands suddenly fidgety. "She... got caught up with something at home. A repair, I think. She couldn’t make it."Kayla’s lips parted in mock surprise as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Wait. Are you telling me you and Lucas—alone—watched a movie and had dinner together? No Luana? Just the two of you?""Shh!" I hissed, glancing nervously around the backsta
Elijah’s POV“All the permits and licenses are in order,” Victoria began, her tone suddenly professional again as her eyes scanned the screen. I felt relieved. “But I’ll double-check the fire safety certifications and food handling records to make sure we’re fully covered.”“Good,” I replied, keeping my tone brisk. “I’ll work on connecting with a few experts to get additional certifications if necessary. It won’t hurt to go above and beyond for now.”She nodded, typing something into her device. “That’s a smart move. It’ll help to counter any claims before they gain traction.”As she spoke, she reached across the desk to grab her pen, her fingers brushing mine. I pulled my hand back instinctively, but she barely seemed to notice—or pretended not to.“Sorry,” she murmured with a faint smile, her eyes briefly flicking to mine before returning to her tablet.I shifted in my seat, brushing it off as an accident until, moments later, she reached up to unclip her hair. The cascading strands