EllaThe transition from the basement’s cool, rustic ambiance to the vibrancy of the party was almost jarring. As Logan and I re-entered the ballroom, I was immediately struck by the whirl of colors, the soft strains of music, and the kaleidoscope of voices melding together in a symphony of laughter and chatter.From the throng emerged a familiar face. Leonard Barrett, Logan’s father, with his steel-gray hair slicked back, and a tall, commanding presence. His piercing blue eyes, which Logan had apparently inherited, immediately locked onto mine.I had met the man once before, and our encounter hadn't been the warmest. His reputation in the business world as a ruthless mogul was well-earned, but in person, it was his charisma that was truly overpowering.“Ah, Ella,” Leonard greeted, the corner of his lips turning up slightly. “You look even more radiant than when I last saw you.”I offered a polite smile, trying to keep my composure in front of the daunting Mafia boss. “Thank you, Mr.
EllaThe cold, salty breeze that brushed against my face as we arrived at the docks was a stark, but welcoming, contrast to the stifling warmth of the party. The night was dark, the water shimmering faintly under the moonlight.Moored ahead of us was an enormous yacht, its sprawling length dotted with sparkling lights, making it look like a floating palace.“God, how big is this thing?” I whispered, taking in the sheer size of the vessel.“That’s my brother’s taste for you,” Logan murmured, his voice a mix of amusement and exasperation.The yacht, named The Serpent’s Charm, was truly an epitome of luxury and excess. After a tour of the sprawling main deck, Logan led me towards the interior, with a promise of showing the opulence that lay within.Opening a double door adorned with intricate golden patterns, we entered the grand lounge. It was vast, stretching wide with plush velvet couches and a massive crystal chandelier hanging above. On the far end was a bar, its shelves stocked wit
EllaThe luxuriousness of the suite was quickly overshadowed by the cold weight of Marina’s smirk, the shine of my pistol in her hands contrasting sharply with the opulent interior.My heart leaped into my throat. In my haste, I had left my purse on the bed, so consumed by the idea of wearing the ridiculous bikini.“Give that back, Marina,” I hissed, too tense to even move.Marina smirked. “Well, well,” she said, letting the pistol dangle dangerously with her finger in the trigger guard. “Color me surprised. Ella Morgan keeps a gun in her purse. It’s like… finding a snake in a flower patch.”I felt my throat constrict. Ema urged me to lunge for the gun, but I knew that it was dangerous.“Just… Put it back,” I said. “Please.”“I have to know, though,” she said. “Why do you have a pistol in your purse, Ella?” Marina asked, her voice dripping with faux sweetness, as she fingered the gun.Drawing on every ounce of calm I could muster, I replied, “It’s just for safety. I always keep one on
LoganAs the gentle hum of the evening pool party enveloped me, my eyes kept darting towards the entrance to the cabins, eagerly waiting for Ella. She had been gone for what felt like an eternity, leaving me with a strange concoction of excitement and nervousness.There was no denying that she was something special, even if our ‘relationship’ wasn’t what people believed it to be.“I think she’s softening toward you,” my wolf said. “I could feel it tonight.”“That means nothing,” I said. “She may be softening, just like they all do. But the fact of the matter is this: she’s out of my league, and from an entirely different world. We’d never last.”I felt my wolf growl inside of me, but it was true. As much as I was fascinated with Ella, we were just too different. She was a goodie-two-shoes, a princess from the light side. I grew up on the dark side, and no matter how badly I, too, wanted to end all of this Mafia business, I knew that it was unlikely to happen. You can’t teach an old do
EllaThe night’s party was in full swing. Animated chatter, effervescent laughter, and the rhythmic beats of a tropical playlist harmonized with the yacht’s steady rock. The energy was intoxicating.Amidst the glow of string lights, the centerpiece was the opulent, aqua pool. It glowed like an oasis amidst the vast expanse of the open sea, shimmering invitingly under the night sky.The initial shock of the cool water sent tingles up my spine. Logan, ever the water enthusiast, took to it effortlessly, with strong, determined strokes.Holding onto his shoulders, I felt the gentle pull of the water, laughing as he expertly navigated, taking me on a mini aquatic tour. The world seemed to blur, replaced by bubbles, muted laughter, and the serenity of being submerged.Every so often, Logan would look back, checking on me, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Encased in the cool embrace of the pool, it felt as if the complexities of the world had melted away, replaced by the simple joy of the m
EllaThe evening was unusually cool, and the air held the crispness of an impending storm. As I walked along the periphery of the yacht, the cool breeze gently teased my hair, whispering secrets of the sea into my ears.The yacht itself was magnificent, a true testament to wealth and extravagance. Every inch sparkled, reflecting the soft glow of the moonlight.Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I inhaled deeply, allowing the salty air to soothe my frazzled nerves. The party below deck had long since gone quiet, but the lavish bedroom I shared with Logan was no respite, either. I needed a break, some time alone to collect my thoughts.The sky was painted with the inky blue of dusk, and the horizon seemed to stretch endlessly before me. I walked to the edge of the yacht, leaning on the railing, and felt the coolness seep through the metal into my palms. Below, the ocean waves kissed the side of the boat, whispering its secrets to anyone who would be willing to listen.As I looked into
EllaThe dark alcove where the stranger had pulled me offered a deceptive sense of security, but every fiber of my being screamed danger.Before I could make sense of how I knew this man, his fingers tightened around my wrist, and his other hand came up to rest on my lips, silencing any potential scream. The soft glow from a distant chandelier created a play of light and shadow across his face, emphasizing his intense gaze.My wolf growled inside of me, a low rumble of warning that vibrated through my core. “Fight,” she whispered, urging me to attack the stranger and make a break for it. I could feel my muscles tensing in preparation, every instinct primed to obey the primal voice inside my head.But just as I was about to make my move, a hauntingly familiar voice echoed down the corridor, freezing me in my tracks. Harry and his men. They were headed our way.“...don’t know why you trusted him in the first place,” one of the men sneered.“That’s why he’s dead now,” came Harry’s voice,
Ella“Yes, Logan,” I said with a heavy sigh, “it’s the same guy. The man from the park.”Logan's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. “This isn’t good, Ella.”Logan’s response left me somewhat taken aback. “What do you mean?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. “He helped me, maybe even saved my life, twice. Shouldn’t that be a good thing?”However, Logan was silent for a moment, shaking his head. I watched as he sank down onto the edge of the bed, holding his head in his hands for a few moments.“What is it, Logan?” I asked, taking a tentative step forward.Logan finally looked up at me. When he did, his face was serious. “Ella… It’s one thing for a stranger to step in and help you once, but twice? Especially in these circumstances?”“So?” I asked. “I mean, sure, I’m also a bit wary of his connections here… but it does feel like it’s just a coincidence. And a beneficial one, at that. Surely not everyone at this party was part of the mafia—”“No, they’re not,” he said
EllaThe reception was in full swing, the air filled with the soft sound of music, the clinking of cutlery and champagne glasses, and the pleasant murmur of guests. It was the perfect night, too; the sun had set, and the air outside had cooled to a pleasant temperature as the crickets and cicadas sang.Walking hand in hand with Logan, we approached the multi-tiered wedding cake. It was unbelievably tall, adorned with carefully piped flowers and leaves. There were two little figures at th
EllaThe reception hall was filled with the soft, warm glow of hundreds of candles, and the sound of gentle music filled the space. It really was everything that we had wanted. The wedding planner had outdone herself.“What do you think?” Logan asked, holding my hand as we meandered around the room. “Quite the party, huh?”
EllaThe doors to the chapel opened, and the soft sound of orchestral music filled my ears. This was it; this was the moment. Everything felt like it was moving so fast, and yet somehow it felt as though time was standing completely still at the same moment.I watched as the wedding planner gestured from the sidelines for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to pair up and walk through the doors, preceded by the flower girl—a family friend’s daughter, who looked absolutely precious
Ella“Are you nervous, Ella?” the makeup artist, Jenna, asked as she selected a palette of soft, natural colors that complemented my skin tone.Nervous would have been an understatement. It was the morning of my wedding; the day had finally come, after what had somehow felt like both an eternity and no time at all at the same time.
LoganI sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the little silver key in the palm of my hand.“I should just go and do it,” I whispered, more to myself than to my wolf. “Get it over with, right?”“What’s the worst that could happen?” my wolf added. “It’s
EllaAs I walked into the bridal boutique with my entourage, the little bell on the door chimed and I was immediately greeted with the scent of lavender and the smile of a bridal assistant.Daisy, Moana, Clara, and Sarah were with me; it was just a couple of days after the housewarming party, and our new house felt full to the brim with my family and Clara staying for a while. Not that I minded, though. It was fun having them here, and I was glad to have them all by my side as I tried on
LoganI was enjoying the party, watching with a smile on my face as Clara, Ella, and Sarah exchanged stories, when the sound of my phone ringing suddenly cut through the lively atmosphere.Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I felt my heart lurch in my chest. It was Hartman; I hadn’t heard from him in months. After Marina and Harry had taken off and Devon had been caught, I had paid Hartman for his help—even though our plan wound up being foiled—and that was the end of t
EllaThe months following Logan’s and my engagement was a whirlwind of change. We sold Logan’s mansion to a wealthy family from out of the area, and before I knew it, we were moving into our new home.It was a 1920s Spanish-style home, with warm stucco walls and breezy windows. The first floor was open concept, and I could already picture all of the wonderful parties we could have here. I fell in love with it immediately.
Ella“Sit down. Both of you.”Sarah and I exchanged wary glances. Her face was just as pale as mine probably was, and I felt a wrench in my stomach.“But Mr. Henderson, Sarah never—”