**Daniel's POV**The tension in the room was suffocating as Amira stared at us, her eyes filled with misery. I had seen her brave through impossible situations before, but this was different. This time, the threat was personal, and it was closing in on her fast. Aiden and Ethan were ruthless, and I knew they wouldn’t stop until they had her."Amira," I said softly, trying to mask the urgency in my voice, "you need to leave the state, just for a little while. It’s the only way to keep you safe."Her eyes hardened, her jaw tightening as she shook her head. "I’m not the kind of woman who hides, Daniel. I can face my fate, whatever it is."I could see the glimmer of hopelessness behind her brave facade, and it twisted something deep inside me. How could she think this was her fate? How could she give in to that kind of despair? Mia and I exchanged a glance, both of us silently pleading with her to listen to reason."Please, Amira," Mia stepped forward, her voice filled with emotion. "You’
**Author’s POV**Aiden sat in the dim light of his apartment, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake the memories that had been tormenting him for hours. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Amira—her smile, her laughter, the way she used to look at him when they were happy. But those memories only fueled the anger simmering just beneath the surface.He reached for his phone, checking the time. Five more hours, he thought, before he would make his move. But as he opened the tracking app on his phone, a flicker of suspicion ran through him. Amira's location had been static for the past four hours. The hospital.His chest tightened, a wave of possessive rage washing over him. Was she with Ryan? The mere thought of Amira lying next to that man in his bed, comforting him, whispering sweet nothings into his ear, made Aiden’s blood boil. She was his, and no one else's. The idea of Ryan touching her, of even being close to her, was intolerable.Without thinking, Aiden dialed one of his men
Aiden stormed into Ryan’s hospital room, the door crashing against the wall as it flew open. The sudden intrusion startled the group of friends gathered around Ryan’s bed. Daniel, Eva, and Mia turned in unison, their eyes widening in shock and fear.Ryan lay on the bed, his face pale and drawn, his breathing shallow. The morphine had finally eased his pain, leaving him in a deep, drugged sleep. But Aiden’s rage flared at the sight of him resting peacefully, as if he had a right to be there, as if he had a right to Amira.Without hesitation, Aiden drew his gun, his movements precise and deadly calm. He pointed the barrel directly at Daniel, who was closest to the bed, his expression unreadable, but his eyes burning with anger. “Where is she?” Aiden demanded, his voice a dangerous growl that sent a shiver down Daniel’s spine.Daniel squared his shoulders, refusing to show fear. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Aiden,” he replied evenly, though his heart pounded in his chest.Aid
Aiden stood in the hospital room, his frustration boiling over as he pointed his gun at Ryan’s head. Daniel, Eva, and Mia were pleading with him, their voices desperate, but he wasn’t listening. All he could think about was Amira—how she had defied him, how she had run, and now how she had dared to hide behind these pathetic attempts to shield herself from him.But then, in the middle of their frantic arguments, something caught his attention. Ryan, the pathetic excuse for a man who had tried to take Amira from him, stirred. His eyes slowly fluttered open, and Aiden felt a surge of satisfaction—he would make Ryan watch as he claimed what was rightfully his. He would make him see that Amira would never belong to anyone else.But then Ryan spoke, his voice weak yet clear as he said the one name that had driven Aiden to the brink of madness: "Amira."Aiden's heart skipped a beat, a sense of something shifting in the air. He turned sharply, his eyes following Ryan’s gaze—and there she was
When Aiden grabbed my wrist and tried to take me with him, something in me snapped. I wasn’t the same woman I was moments ago, filled with fear and uncertainty. No, I was done being the victim of his twisted games, done letting him control me. I planted my feet firmly on the ground and resisted his pull, forcing him to stop and turn around. His eyes, dark and full of that familiar, dangerous intensity, bore into mine, silently questioning why I wasn’t complying.I stared back at him, my gaze unwavering, bold, and daring. Aiden was used to women falling at his feet, cowering before his power, but I wasn’t going to be one of them anymore. Not now. Not ever.“I’ll come,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling around us.Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly, amusement flickering across his face. He wasn’t expecting that. “Still 30 minutes are left,” I added, my words laced with a subtle reminder.He paused, staring at me as if trying to decipher the meaning behind my words. Then, as
The room was thick with tension, every second ticking by like a countdown to an explosion. I could feel the weight of the gun at my side, a cold, unforgiving reminder of the power I held. My every muscle was coiled, ready to spring, my jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. The words she had just uttered, those damned words, echoed in my mind, bouncing off the walls of my skull like bullets ricocheting in a steel cage.“I love you ,Ryan.”My hand tightened around the grip of the gun, knuckles white as the fury built up inside me. I fought to keep my face impassive, but the rage was a beast clawing at the edges of my control, desperate to be unleashed. She had said it like it was nothing, like it didn’t matter that those words tore through me, unraveling the last thread of restraint I had left.But then…then they kissed.It was as if the world had slowed down to a crawl, every agonizing detail magnified. Her lips met his in a kiss that was anything but hesitant. There was no awkward fumbling
Aiden’s grip on my wrist was suffocating, his rage pulsating through his fingers as he dragged me along. I could feel the raw anger simmering just beneath his skin, ready to erupt at any moment. My wrist throbbed under his tight hold, and I knew that if he pressed any harder, he could break it. But I didn’t resist. There was no point in fighting him, not now.As we left the room, I glanced back over my shoulder, my heart aching at the sight of Ryan and my friends. Ryan’s face was a mess of blood and bruises, and the guilt weighed heavy on my chest. This wasn’t how things were supposed to be. My friends stood there, stunned, helpless, unable to do anything but watch as Aiden dragged me away. Their eyes pleaded with me to fight, to do something, but I couldn’t. I was too broken, too defeated.When we exited the hospital, I was met with a sight that only added to my confusion and fear. Men in suits stood like statues around the entrance, their eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, their po
Aiden povWhen I received the message from my parents, I was in Italy, deep in the heart of my company. The world of mechanics and gadgets had always fascinated me—the cold precision of gears, the mathematical elegance of circuits, the way technology could be manipulated and bent to my will. Everything made sense in that world; everything was controllable, predictable, unlike the mess of emotions and human interactions. The company had grown quickly, thanks to my intellect and ruthless business acumen, but I never bothered with the accolades or the people that came with success. They meant nothing to me.Women, in particular, were a distraction I could never abide. Their incessant neediness, the way they clung and fawned, it all made me sick. At university, while other guys were busy chasing skirts, I kept to myself, focused on my studies. The only person I bothered to talk to was Michael, a quiet, unassuming guy who understood my disdain for the superficial. He respected my space, an
The morning was filled with anticipation as Aiden sat in the hospital’s waiting room, his hands resting gently on the small shoulders of his three-year-old son. The little boy, with his curly hair and deep brown skin, played with a small toy car, unaware of the monumental moment that was about to change their lives forever. Aiden couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the boy—a child Amira had insisted on adopting despite the prejudices of others.Amira had met the boy during one of her visits to the orphanage. She had been furious to see him excluded and got hurt by the other children because of his skin color, and her fierce heart wouldn’t let it go. She had scolded those children and, without hesitation, decided to bring him into their family. The boy was now the light of their lives, and today, he was about to become a big brother.“Daddy, when is Mommy coming out?” the boy asked, his innocent eyes looking up at Aiden.“Soon, buddy. Your little sister will be here any minute now,
Aiden covered her completely with bed sheets.Crawling under the covers, Aiden wrapped his arms around Amira's trembling body and guided her knees towards her chest. She instinctively clutched the fabric to her breasts, a barrier of modesty. "Shhh, it's okay," he murmured, pressing soothing kisses along her inner thighs. "I've got you."His lips trailed higher, skimming over soft, sensitive skin. Amira's breath hitched as his mouth neared her most intimate place. Would he truly...? Anticipation mingled with nervousness, a potent mix.Aiden nuzzled in close, inhaling her womanly musk. He licked a slow stripe through glistening folds. A strangled moan escaped her throat.He chuckled against her flesh. "You taste like heaven, Amira. Let me pleasure you." Parting her with his thumbs, he delved in for a deeper sample, laving her sweet nectar. His tongue circled her pearl, coaxing it to stiffness. Amira bucked into the different sensation, hands fisting in the sheets. Nothing had ever
Aiden arrived at the office minutes before the meeting, his stride confident but unhurried. Michele, already seated at the conference table, looked up in surprise, his eyes widening.“Well, well, well,” Michele said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “I didn’t think you’d actually show up after that call earlier. Thought you’d be… otherwise occupied.”Aiden chuckled, adjusting his tie as he took a seat. “I keep my priorities straight, Michele. Besides, someone has to make sure you don’t screw this up.”Michele laughed, shaking his head. “You’re something else, man. But hey, can’t blame you. If I had what you have waiting at home, I’d probably skip every meeting too.”Aiden gave him a knowing grin but said nothing, his thoughts already drifting to Amira.The day passed in a blur of presentations and negotiations, but Aiden’s mind kept wandering back to the promise Amira had made that morning. By the time the meeting ended, he could barely contain his excitement.As he pulled into
The early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow on the room. Aiden lay on his back, his arms wrapped tightly around Amira as she nestled against his chest. Their bodies were tangled together under the sheets, a peaceful silence enveloping them.Aiden’s phone buzzed on the bedside table, breaking the calm. He groaned, reaching out to grab it, but before he could, Amira snatched it from his hand with a sleepy but determined motion.“Hello?” she said groggily, her voice low and raspy from sleep.On the other end, Michele’s voice sounded serious. “Aiden, there’s an important meeting this morning. You need to—”Amira cut him off mid-sentence. “He’s not coming anywhere,” she said, her words slow and deliberate. “Handle it yourself.”There was a moment of stunned silence from Michele.Aiden, unable to hold back his amusement, chuckled softly, burying his face in her hair. “You’re something else, you know that?” he murmured, kissing her cheek.Michele, still on
The cold metal of the gun pressed against Amira’s back sent a shiver down her spine, but her jaw clenched in defiance. The man behind her tightened his grip on her hair, yanking her head back as he sneered.“Put the gun down,” he ordered, his voice rough and taunting. “You’ve got no chance, sweetheart. You’re just a girl.”Amira’s teeth ground together, her blood boiling at his condescension. Her fingers twitched, itching to grab the gun, but his hold on her hair kept her restrained.From the shadows, a soft, deliberate noise echoed—a click of the tongue, dripping with mock disappointment.The man holding Amira froze, his head snapping toward the sound. Amira turned her eyes in the same direction, and from the darkness, a figure stepped into the dim light, his silhouette instantly recognizable.Aiden.He stood casually, a gun resting lazily in his hand, his other hand scratching his head as if he were mildly bored. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, his sleeves rolled up, but his expr
The clock on the bedside table read 2:37 a.m. when Amira’s phone buzzed silently. She stirred, blinking in the dim light as she reached for it. The name Denis flashed across the screen. Her pulse quickened. She glanced at Aiden, whose arm was draped over her waist, his steady breathing indicating he was deep asleep.She hesitated for a second before answering, whispering, “Hello?”“Amira,” Denis’s voice was sharp, urgent. “I’m in trouble. I need you. Now.”“What’s going on?” she asked, keeping her voice low.“They’ve found me. I’m sending my location. Please, hurry,” he said before the line went dead.Amira exhaled slowly, her mind racing. She turned to Aiden, carefully lifting his arm and sliding out of bed. He stirred briefly, but his breathing soon returned to its rhythmic cadence.She moved quietly through the apartment, grabbing her jacket and the loaded gun she kept in a drawer. As she reached the living room, Leo, lifted his head, his sharp eyes following her.“Shh, Leo,” she w
Aiden signalled one of his men to clean up the mess and made other one to drive the car.The air in the car was heavy with the remnants of the chaos they had just left behind, but in the backseat, the tension between Aiden and Amira had shifted to something softer, something far more intimate. The city lights flickered through the tinted windows, casting a warm glow over their faces as the car rolled down the quiet streets.Amira leaned against Aiden, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. She let out a long, tired sigh and turned her face slightly toward him. “Thanks for the… valuable gift,” she murmured, her voice laced with a mix of gratitude and lingering exhaustion.Aiden smirked, tilting his head to look at her. “Valuable gift? That’s one way to put it,” he teased, his tone playful. “You emptied bullets into him.shouldn’t I deserve more than thanks”Amira shot him a faint smile, her eyes glimmering under the soft light.She shifted slightly, looking up at him more directly. “
The gun felt like it weighed a thousand pounds in Amira’s trembling hands, but her resolve was steady. Memories crashed over her like waves—moments of fear, anguish, and betrayal all tied to the man in front of her. He had been the architect of her nightmares, the shadow that loomed over her every step, and now, he sat bound, powerless, and at her mercy.Her breath came in short, sharp bursts as she took a step closer, her eyes dark with rage. She raised the gun and pointed it at his groin, her finger hovering over the trigger. “Stephen”she called out his name with a sinister smile with an head tilt..The man’s sneer vanished instantly, replaced by wide-eyed terror.“No! Wait! Please!” he shouted, struggling against the restraints. “Don’t do this! I’ll do anything you want—just don’t shoot!”Amira’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Anything I want?” she repeated, her voice cold and venomous. “How generous of you, can you give my child’s life back.”“I—I was wrong,” he stammered, hi
The night air was thick with finality as I packed my things and left the mansion behind—along with the memories, the pain, and the darkness it harbored. Every step I took away from that place felt like shedding a weight off my chest, but the further I went, the more I realized how deeply my father’s betrayal had wounded me. Even leaving Aiden behind, with all the history we shared, felt like a necessary step in a journey that no longer had any clear destination.The city lights grew dim as I sped away, and by the time I reached Mia’s house, the moon was hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows over her quiet neighborhood. I knocked softly at first, hesitant to disturb her, but the need for someone—anyone—was stronger than my hesitance. My second knock was firmer, and after a few moments, the door opened to Mia’s familiar face, her warm smile faltering when she saw the state I was in.“Amira?” Her voice was full of surprise, then concern as she took in my tear-streaked face, the ha