LIAMI sat at my desk, staring at Felix and Romano going back and forth about payments from clients, but my mind wasn't on the numbers. It was on her.Monique.I ran a hand through my hair, frustration creeping in as I tried—and failed—to shake her from my thoughts. I'd told myself it was just physical, just the thrill of the chase. But now, the high was different. She was different.The last time I'd felt this consumed, I had a line of coke in front of me. The rush, the immediate hit, the way it filled my veins like liquid fire. It used to make me feel invincible, unstoppable. And then it'd leave me in a wreck, crashing hard and craving more.Monique was becoming my new addiction.Every time I was with her, it was a rush—like that first hit, sending a jolt through me that I couldn't get enough of. But even when she wasn't around, she lingered in my system. The memory of her, the scent of her skin, the way she looked at me like she saw something beyond the surface, it clung to me. I c
LIAMI didn't exactly have a playful mind, and I never really enjoyed games and surprises, but when Monique pulled me with her out of my office and down to my car, I let her have her fun. I enjoyed her playfulness, how she whispered in the ear of my chauffeur to drive us somewhere. I had asked her what she was up to, and she flashed a playful smirk, teasing me with a flap of her lashes. She had said, "Relax, don't ruin the surprise."I could have asked my driver where he was taking us, but I decided against it. Soon, we were on the street of one of my clubs. Monique giggled and stepped out of the car. She came around to pull me out of my seat and dragged me to the front of the club."What are we doing here, Monique?" I asked. "Shh. Just come with me and stop being grumpy." She tugged at my hand.It was one of my most exclusive clubs. Monique led me through the back entrance. I hadn't expected her to bring me here, of all places, but as we passed through the dimly lit corridors towar
MONIQUEI loved being in control. It felt good. Knowing I had almost gotten Liam nearly kneeling and under my charm felt even more amazing. I was going to use his developing feelings to my advantage rather than let them get to me simply because I reciprocated parts of those feelings.If I could have gotten him to follow me blindly to some place, claiming to have a surprise for him, it meant I was already on my way to getting him completely wrapped around my finger.His eyes followed the roll of my hips as I arched and leaned into him, my body brushing up against his, a soft smile tugging at my lips. This was my game, and I was playing it with all the finesse I had.But I couldn't make it too obvious—couldn't let him know that every touch, every brush of my fingers against his skin was leading him exactly where I wanted.With a playful grin, I pulled back just enough to make him lean in, chasing that connection. "Wait," I said softly, pressing a finger to his lips. "We need a drink."
LIAMLunch with Blanca Torres felt almost routine by now. We had met several times before under the pretext of discussing business, but there was always more to it than that. She had been the one who introduced me to her husband, David—a powerful investor whose backing I needed for my dealings. He had already proved himself a worthy partner when I had issues with my latest shipments. And while David was the ultimate target, it was clear that Blanca held the reins when it came to influencing his decisions.She sat across from me at a private table in one of my restaurants. Her dress, a form-fitting designer piece, complemented her perfectly, and she wore it with the confidence of someone who was used to having eyes on her."I owe David for his involvement last month; he saved me a lot from the authority," I said, offering her a smile as I sipped my wine. "I wouldn't have made it this far with him without your introductions."Blanca's lips curved in a playful smile. "Oh, I'm sure you co
The grand ballroom was bathed in golden light, chandeliers casting a soft glow over the crowd. Tables draped in the finest linens were adorned with centerpieces that screamed elegance. The stage was set for success—everything arranged, down to the last detail. The new hotel stood tall and gleaming against the skyline. The idiot contractor brought the initial idea to life, just as I'd pictured it.But something was off.As I stepped into the ballroom, I immediately noticed the sparse crowd. Sure, people were mingling, sipping champagne, smiling politely, but the energy wasn't there. The room wasn't packed like I had expected it to be. Not even close. I glanced around, my stomach sinking. There were far fewer people than we'd anticipated. The hum of conversation lacked the buzz I had imagined. This was supposed to be the event, but the excitement just wasn't in the air.Where the hell was everyone?I adjusted my cufflinks, trying to keep my cool, but my mind was racing. I had spent mont
MONIQUEAs the clock ticked closer to the moment of the official seal being opened, the few guests that were in attendance had dwindled—it was almost laughable. The very few guests that hung around mingled, champagne flutes in hand, while photographers hovered nearby, ready to capture the moment. But as I scanned the room, I discovered Liam was nowhere in sight.This was his big night, wasn't it? The launch couldn't wait, but neither could my questions about his whereabouts. Watching how all this affected him was the highlight so far of my time in his employ. I couldn't even hide the satisfaction on my expression.I slipped to the side of the ballroom, out of sight of the few people lingering, and quickly dialed Richardson. As I waited for him to pick up, I surveyed the room again, searching for any sign of Liam. When Richardson answered, his voice was clear and steady, reassuring me and rubbing my own proud shoulder. It just felt too good."Everything's running smoothly here," I cou
LIAMTwo days after the hotel launch, I had done my best to stay off the grid. I needed to reset, regroup. The launch night still lingered in my mind, the low turnout, the whispers about her—the damn Queen of the West. She'd managed to pull off a spectacle, sure, but I wasn't worried about the fireworks and flash. I had longevity on my side. Running a hotel in Midtown Manhattan was about more than just showmanship. It was about staying power, strategy, and knowing how to pull the right strings in the right places.She could pull a big launch show, but let's see if her business strategy was worth anything. Launching a hotel is one thing, keeping it thriving in a city like this is a different beast entirely. And I intended to own this city, one way or another.I didn't get this far to come out second. I was currently running one of the biggest cartel in the state. The hotels, clubs and restaurants were just surface level glory. Legit concealing the illicit.The competition had just offi
There's a certain silence in suffering—the kind that wraps around your throat, leaving you gasping for air. It's like a constant tinnitus, a ringing that drowns out everything, even the sound of your voice as you silently scream for help. You want to reach out to someone, anyone, to plead for relief. But even when someone is there, the silence can still feel overwhelming.Amid the chaos of New York's evening rush, with honking horns and bustling streets, the quiet inside me remained deafening.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled out of the studio, jogging away from the school building and the girls who made my life feel like hell at school. My pointe shoes were still tight on my blistered feet, tulle brushing against my leotard, and tights sticking uncomfortably to my sweaty skin, the cold night air made my sweat feel like icy pins. I felt like I was suffocating.I saw the SUV parked in the lot, waiting for me like a lifeline. I sent up a quick, desperate prayer that my mother was i