"Sell her."The words sliced through the dimly lit room, as cold as the metal cuffs biting into Nirvana Castillo’s wrists.She sucked in a sharp breath, her throat burning from hours of silence, but her head snapped toward the voice. Adrian Holt, the man she had once loved, sat comfortably in a leather chair, his legs crossed as if discussing nothing more than a business transaction."You can't be serious," she finally choked out, her voice hoarse but steady.Adrian’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m very serious.” He leaned forward, his sharp brown eyes glinting with amusement. “You lost your worth the moment your father’s empire collapsed. What use do I have for a broken heiress?”Nirvana’s nails dug into her palms, fury and betrayal coiling in her chest like a snake ready to strike. “You’re disgusting.”His smirk widened. “That may be, but I’m also practical. And let’s be honest…you’ll fetch a high price.”Her stomach churned. The man she had planned to marry, t
"Wear this."Nirvana barely had time to process Rayne’s words before he tossed a shimmering black dress onto the bed. It was barely a dress…more like strips of silk stitched together, held up by the thinnest straps imaginable.She scoffed, arms crossing over her chest. "No."Rayne raised a brow, his lips curling in amusement. "That wasn’t a request, kitten."Her jaw tightened. "I’m not your damn doll."He took a slow step forward, his presence alone enough to make the air in the room feel suffocating. "Oh, but you are. And tonight, you’re going to play your part."She glared at him, refusing to move.Rayne sighed dramatically before grabbing her wrist. With a sharp tug, he yanked her toward him, his breath fanning against her cheek. "You can either put it on yourself," he murmured, voice low and warning, "or I can do it for you. And trust me, sweetheart, you won’t like my methods."Heat flared in her cheeks…anger, humiliation, helplessness twisting inside her like a storm.Still, she
"Get up and clean this mess, girl. What do you think you are, a queen?"Nirvana barely dodged the dirty rag thrown at her face. The other maids sneered as she limped toward the kitchen, her ankle throbbing from hours of forced labor. Scrubbing floors, lifting heavy crates, fetching hot water…it never ended. She knew they did it on purpose, punishing her for being "special" to RAyNe St Trinity."You missed a spot," one of them taunted, kicking over a bucket of soapy water. Nirvana clenched her fists, swallowing the sharp words on her tongue. Fighting back would only make things worse."You okay?" a soft voice whispered behind her. Luna, the only person in this house who didn’t treat her like dirt, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder."I’m fine," Nirvana lied, wincing as she shifted her weight.Luna sighed. "You should rest before he gets back. You know he won’t care if you collapse."Nirvana nodded, but deep down, she wasn’t sure that was true.Later That NightThe sound of the front
"You’re awfully quiet today, little dove."Nirvana glanced up from the window where she sat curled up on the couch, staring at the gray sky beyond the glass. She hadn’t even heard RAyNe enter, but there he was, leaning against the doorframe, watching her with that unreadable expression.She shrugged. “It’s nothing.”RAyNe’s lips curved, though there was no humor in it. He strolled toward her, his steps slow, deliberate, the kind that made her feel like prey. When he reached her, he crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees.“Lying to me on your birthday?” His voice was deceptively soft. “That’s not very wise.”Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.RAyNe reached out, pushing a stray curl behind her ear. “Tell me what you want.”She hesitated. This was a rare moment..him asking rather than deciding for her. She should have asked for something small, something safe.But there was only one thing on her mind.“I want to see my father.”The air shifted.RAyNe didn’t rea
"Get your hands off her."Rayne’s voice was lethal, his tone sharp enough to slice through steel.Zayd didn’t move. His arm remained around Nirvana’s shoulders as she gripped the railing, her breathing uneven."Relax, St. Trinity," Zayd drawled, his dark gaze steady. "I was only comforting her."Rayne’s jaw ticked. "I don’t give a damn what you were doing. Step away. Now."Nirvana turned sharply, glaring. "Rayne, stop. You’re overreacting…""Overreacting?" Rayne cut her off, his icy-blue eyes locking onto hers. "I find you in another man’s arms, looking at him like.." He exhaled sharply, turning his fury back to Zayd. "You think you can touch what’s mine?"Zayd’s smirk deepened. "Yours? Funny. I don’t see a claim anywhere on her."That did it.Rayne lunged.Fists met skin. The sound of impact echoed in the air as the two men crashed against the balcony railing."Rayne!" Nirvana gasped, grabbing his arm, but he barely felt her.Zayd countered smoothly, landing a solid punch to Rayne’s
"Nirvana, can you hear me? Please… say something!" Luna's voice wavered as she pounded on the door for what felt like the hundredth time.Silence."Damn it!" She pressed her forehead against the wood, frustration and fear twisting in her gut. "I'm sorry, Nirvana. I tried… I really tried, but they won’t let me in."Behind her, Rayne’s men stood like statues, avoiding eye contact, their expressions carefully blank. She knew why…they were terrified. Rayne had been clear: No one goes in. No one comes out.And for three days, they had followed his order to the letter.Inside the dimly lit room, Nirvana lay curled on the cold marble floor, her body trembling, her breaths shallow. A deep ache spread through her limbs, heavier than before. She tried to keep her eyes open, to focus on the cracked ceiling above her, but the edges of her vision blurred.Her fingers weakly traced the chain around her ankle…her prison…but even that motion felt exhausting."Not yet..." she whispered hoarsely, gripp
The hospital smelled like antiseptic and something faintly metallic, a scent that clung to the walls, the sheets, even her skin. The air-conditioning hummed softly, the fluorescent lights casting a dull glow over the stark white walls. Nirvana had been here for two days. Two long, suffocating days.RAyNe hadn’t visited. He hadn’t called. Not once.But that didn’t mean he wasn’t watching.The men stationed outside her door weren’t just there to protect her. They were there to report back. To make sure she wasn’t doing anything he wouldn’t approve of.The door creaked open.Luna stepped inside, carrying a neatly packed tray. She walked with quiet efficiency, placing the food on the small bedside table without a word. She was dressed in a modest black dress, her hair neatly pinned back..always proper, always composed.Nirvana watched her for a moment before sighing. “Did he send you?”Luna nodded. “Sir instructed me to make sure you eat.”Nirvana scoffed, picking at the food with little
"You’re insane if you think you can leave," Luna whispered sharply.Nirvana ignored her. Every second wasted was another second Adrian had to hurt her father. She needed out. Now.Luna exhaled in frustration, glancing at the door where RAyNe’s men stood. "They don’t leave their post.""Then distract them." Nirvana’s voice was low, desperate.Luna hesitated, then sighed. "This is suicide." But she turned and opened the door anyway. "She’s asking for something to eat. I’ll take care of it, but you two need to give me a minute."One of the men sighed, annoyed. "Fine. Hurry up."As Luna stepped out, Nirvana moved. Pain shot through her ribs as she slid out of bed, her hospital gown brushing against her skin. The beeping machines around her made her nerves prickle…too loud. Too risky.She staggered to the window. Pulled the curtain aside. Fire escape.Her heart pounded. She pushed the window open, ice-cold night air rushing in.A hand clamped around her wrist.Her breath caught.She spun,
The morning light filtered in like a damn spotlight, too sharp, too bright, highlighting every detail of the disaster that was the bedroom. Nirvana blinked awake, slowly, groggily, her cheek pressed to something warm and firm.She tilted her head and stared. RAyNe.Naked.Asleep.The calm rise and fall of his chest looked deceivingly innocent, lips parted just a little, lashes so long they almost dusted his cheeks. She should punch him in the face, but her fingers betrayed her. They reached out, brushing over the deep frown between his brows. Gently, she massaged the tension out.He didn't stir.She turned her head and surveyed the room. Holy hell. Clothes scattered like they'd been in a brawl with gravity. The sheets twisted on the bed like a crime scene. There were handprints on the floor-length mirror. And... was that a bra hanging from the ceiling fan?"Ugh... fuck my head..." she muttered, sitting up slightly.RAyNe's eyes opened. Green and wicked.She froze.Slowly, carefully, s
RAyNe kicked open the double doors to his room, still carrying Nirvana over his shoulder like she was nothing more than a stubborn little package that had pushed every one of his damn buttons."Put me down! RAyNe! You psycho! Put me the hell down!" Nirvana shouted, pounding her fists against his back, her heels long discarded during the chaos."Be quiet, wild rose," he muttered darkly, voice low and dangerously calm.He walked into the grand bedroom…floor-to-ceiling windows, low lighting, the scent of leather and cologne clinging to the air. The heavy door slammed shut behind them.He finally tossed her onto the massive bed. She bounced slightly, hair splaying out over the pillows, chest rising and falling with her anger."You’ve really lost your fucking mind," she spat, crawling backward on the bed, her eyes flashing.RAyNe's blazer was already off. His shirt was halfway unbuttoned, revealing a hint of his chest, tattoos peeking out like dangerous secrets."Maybe," he said, stalking
The chandeliers dripped light like gold melting from the ceiling. Crystal flutes clinked against manicured nails, laughter trilled through the air like champagne bubbles, and soft classical music rose beneath the rich murmurs of elite society.Nirvana stepped into the grand hall, her arm looped with her uncle Darius Voltaire's, her presence enough to steal the breath from the room. She wore deep emerald silk that hugged her curves in reverence, her red hair cascading in sleek waves down her back, a sapphire pendant resting just above the swell of her collarbone."You look more like your mother every day," Darius said, his voice warm.She glanced up at him, the barest smile tugging her lips. "That’s the fifth time you’ve said that tonight. Are you trying to make me cry in the middle of a ballroom?"He chuckled. "Just trying to remind you who you come from. She’d be proud of you tonight. And so am I."Nirvana’s smile softened. "I hope so.""Now," Darius said, pausing as he glanced acros
The conference room shimmered with polished marble floors and high glass windows, sunlight slicing through like judgment. Nirvana stepped into the lion's den with fire in her eyes and vengeance pumping through her blood. She wore tailored black…power draped across her curves like it belonged there, like she’d never fallen, like the empire had never been stolen.Whispers swirled. Board members leaned in, startled. She didn’t flinch.“She’s back.”“Didn’t she vanish?”“Looks exactly like her mother.”Adrian sat at the head of the long mahogany table, leaning back in the leather chair with a smug grin and a sharp Armani suit that matched the venom in his voice.“Well, if it isn’t the runaway bride of the Castillo legacy,” he drawled. “Nirvana, dear, I thought you were dead.”Nirvana didn’t blink. “And I thought you were a man.”Gasps rippled. Adrian’s smile twitched.She moved to the seat directly opposite him. “Let’s begin.”The air grew taut as her uncle, Darius, stepped inside and nod
The days since the elevator incident passed like smoke.Nirvana tried to shove it all into the furthest recess of her mind: RAyNe’s kiss, the haunting familiarity of his eyes, the twist in her chest that had nothing to do with fear. She spent more time with Darius, and even more time planning.But the scars of her life…the ones memory hadn't erased…burned hotter than ever.And so, when the invitation came, handwritten and sealed in black wax with a familiar sigil, she didn’t hesitate.A charity gala.Held by none other than Castillo Enterprises.Hosted by Adrian Holt.And sponsored anonymously by someone Darius called "a benefactor from the old circle." Someone who wanted Nirvana to attend. Someone who claimed to have answers.Darius was suspicious. Nirvana was curious. She wore blood-red silk and a knife hidden in the slit of her dress.She walked into that ballroom like a queen reclaiming her throne.The chandelier dripped with crystal. The air hummed with wealth and secrets.And at
The envelope sat on RAyNe’s desk like a cursed artifact.The letter inside was worse.A formal white page. A signature at the bottom. And a check.Fifteen million dollars.Lucian stood by the window, arms crossed. Gianni leaned against the bookshelf. Sienna sat quietly in the corner of the room, still pale but watching.RAyNe read it again."To Mr. RAyNe St. Trinity,This check is a settlement for the sum you paid in acquiring my niece, Nirvana Castillo, nearly a year ago. Her life no longer belongs to your world, and it is my wish to sever all remaining ties.Respectfully,Darius Voltaire."RAyNe’s jaw clenched as he gripped the check."He’s trying to buy her away from me," he growled.Lucian stepped forward. "Boss. It’s a settlement. Not a war."RAyNe’s hand tightened. "Why can’t any of you understand? I’ll never let her go. I can’t. She’s mine."He made to rip the check in two, but Lucian strode forward and snatched it out of his grip."This is madness, boss."RAyNe’s eyes burned r
“She doesn’t remember me.”RAyNe’s voice was quiet. Unstable. Wrung with something that bordered on disbelief and madness.The car rolled into the estate’s driveway, tires crunching against the stone. Nobody in the car said a word.He had been silent all the way home from the Paris event. Silent… but trembling. A storm with no outlet. A man who’d just watched the only person that had ever truly touched him look through him like he didn’t exist.When the car stopped, he was the first to move. He burst out like a fuse lit at both ends, unbuttoning his suit jacket in harsh jerks, tossing it to the floor the second they walked into the house.The silence was broken by the crash of a vase shattering against the wall.His tie followed. Yanked off, flung somewhere into the darkness.“She looked through me,” he said hoarsely. “Like I wasn’t even there.”Elias was next to enter. His calm, unreadable presence only made RAyNe more unstable.“You wanted the truth?” Elias said. “Here it is: I warn
It had been three months since Nirvana vanished.Three months since RAyNe had left her breakfast in the confined room, glancing once at the closed door before heading out to visit Sienna at the hospital.Three months since he came back to the bloodied pavement, Siara’s stammering lies, and the devastation of a girl who had jumped from a balcony just to escape the life he'd built around her.Three months of silence.Three months of rage.Three months of searching like a man possessed.And now, in the city of Paris, in the middle of a polished ballroom gilded with marble and diamonds, RAyNe stood at the edge of the grand chandelier-lit floor, staring at the woman he had bled for.She was laughing softly, her lips painted wine red. Her dress was black, silky, plunging dangerously low in the back and hugging every curve he remembered. But what crushed him wasn’t her beauty. It was the emptiness in her eyes when she glanced at him.No flicker of recognition.No anger. No pain. Nothing.She
The door to the black car shut with a solid slam.RAyNe exhaled sharply, blood still drying beneath the fresh bandage on his arm.Gianni glanced at him through the rearview mirror."Begin the search," RAyNe muttered. "Whoever took her... it has to be someone who knows me. Or someone who knows her.""Yes, boss," Gianni replied, already tapping into the secure satellite interface wired through the dashboard. "I'll mobilize all local trackers. If she's breathing, we'll find her."RAyNe leaned back, knuckles whitening.He wasn’t going to wait for fate to be kind.He was going to force its hand.The estate gates groaned open, and RAyNe stormed into the mansion with the rage of a god on the brink of destruction.Guards stepped aside.Siara was descending the stairs in a silky robe, holding a wine glass with her usual arrogance.She didn’t even flinch as he approached.Until his hand wrapped around her throat."RAy…!" she choked, glass dropping and shattering against the marble.He slammed h