Thane's pov There are so many things I want to do to her and with her. At this point, it would be useless to deny it. I want Andera, scratch that, I need her, or I might just explode. I don't know how much longer till my frayed restraint completely washes away. Andera just left me and Grace with our mouths open in awe, and dammit, she made me breathless.Again, I ask myself, how is this even possible? This is the same woman I spent my life ignoring, both when she was under my family's care and when she became my wife.They say change is constant, and yes, Andera has changed, but is it usually this drastic and overwhelming? " Are you listening, Thane? " The blonde lady says to me. She has been talking non-stop of things I don't want to hear. I didn't even know why, and when she approached me, I was too focused, gawking at Andera as she took small sips of her drink. I should pay close attention to Andera; being drunk at a party like this, in a sea of men, would do more harm than good
Thanes pov.The jeep hurtled towards me. Closer, faster. I shut my eyes closed as the Jeep's blinding headlights pierced through my windshield.I braced myself for what was to come, only it didn't come. When I opened my eyes. The jeep had stopped mere inches away from my car. Like a miracle.I couldn't bring myself to sigh in relief yet, not when Andera was still inside that car with God knows who. Despite the cool night air, sweat tricked from my forehead down to my chin. I could hear my heavy breathing in my car. A tense minute of stillness passes.I fight back the urge to confront the Abductor. Confronting him might not be the best option, especially since I didn't know if he was armed. It was all I could think about to stop me from storming out of my car. The cops should be here anytime soon now. I can't see through the front tinted glass on the jeep but I know that Andera is in there.In a flash, the back door to the jeep opens, and Andera falls to the hard ground with a lou
Andera's povI hated Thane. I have never had so much hatred for one person. I hated him for what he did to me seven years ago, for believing I would stoop so low and steal from him, my husband. Nothing could quench that angerBut yet, here we are, lips crashing into one another's. Just like on our first night.They say there is a thin line between love and hate. If that's true, then I am balancing precariously on that line. I know I will never love Thane, not like I used to, but tonight, just for tonight, I'll risk it. I will put one foot on the other side of that line.I parted my lips for him, allowing Thane to deepen the kiss. We could have tonight, this frenzied moment of reckless abandon, not caring if were divorced, business partners or not.Come morning, I will go back to hating Thane, to orchestrating his ruin. Tonight, I break my rules.Thane groaned, pulling my head closer. Using his tongue to tease me, making me crave more of him.I knew any of the nurses could walk in an
Thane's pov.Three empty bottles of whiskey lay beside me. I groaned, wincing as I tried to open my eyes, but the sunlight that seeped in through the open window assaulted my senses. I raised a hand to my face to shield myself from the harsh rays.It took a minute for me to realize what room I had passed out in.My living room, where all the staff's could have seen me wasted. After seeing Andera leave with only one bodyguard, I was still apprehensive, but knowing that her kidnappers were in police custody, my tension eased a bit. I could vaguely remember anything that happened when I returned home in the early hours of this morning, save for Melissa's incessant yelling and me drinking whiskey, formulating my plan to get Andera back.I must have drank too much.The station, our statement. Fuck I was supposed to be there with Andera. I glanced at the grand pendulum clock; it was already eleven in the morning. I was supposed to be at the police station two hours ago.I cursed my luck
Andera's povNumber 47. I should hate Thane for how he stood back and watched as Melissa made me hand wash her clothes.Number 48. I should hate Thane because of how he stood me up when I asked him to lunch on our first marriage anniversary Number 49. ... I dropped my pen on the desk. My mind had suddenly gone blank. That was strange, the last time I did this; writing all the reasons why I should hate Thane. I could have sworn I had written nearly five hundred reasons. Now I'm stuck at forty-eight. My alarm goes off. It's already nine o'clock. Time to meet with the officer who had caught those men. A cold shiver ran down my spine.When I returned in the early hours of the morning, I had filled in Rosa on all that happened, though I left out what transpired between me and Thane.Rosa wept for me as I narrated everything; I cried, too, quietly so as not to wake the kids. She was there to support me emotionally, Rosa had stayed up till I drifted to sleep. She had mentioned something a
Andera's pov"Father." I gasped. Before I could blink twice and process his sudden arrival, he swept me into a tight, crushing hug."Andera, my child. " He whispered as he squeezed me closer to himself."I cannot wrap my head around why you chose to keep this from me." His voice was laden with a mix of relief and reprimand. "You don't know how worried I was when Officer Jerkins told me about the situation. I had my pilot fly me here the moment I hung up my phone" " Father. " I whispered again, Clinging to him tightly as tears prickled at the corner of my eyes. This feeling of being loved and cared for. I don't think there was any getting used to it. My father had shown me so much unwavering devotion."I didn't want to bother you." My voice cracked as I explained. "I know how demanding your schedule is and I didn't want to add to your worries."He let out a bitter laugh." Worries?". He repeated. "My child. You mean the world to me." He pulled back, resting his hands on my shoulders
Thane's pov.A cool breeze blew over my face, just like the way the week had flown by. I had gone to the police department to meet with Officer Jerkins. He revealed that Andera and her father had been there the day before.I was surprised. Andera's father had come here from Boston to ensure his daughter's safety.He must care about her deeply, and I didn't need to be a shaman to know he would hate me. Hell, I would hate me. Throwing out my wife to the streets, even if I didn't know she was homeless, wasn't an excuse.I had put a hold on my plans and stayed away from her for the space of a week. Let her enjoy her time with her daddy. But a week was all I could take. Each day, I would stare at my phone, hoping for a message from her, a meeting, strategy secession, new client negotiation, anything, as long as it meant I got to see her face, hear her voice, and confirm that she was okay.I knew she would be. She had a father who loved her and cared for her. The three fuckers who tried
Andera pov.My breath caught in my throat.His wife?! A possession to use and toll with, a thing to be ignored and resented?That was it. I had given Thane far too much clemency than was necessary.My palm connected to his face with a resounding slap. My fist reddened and tingled from the impact. Thane's head shot backwards, his gary eyes wide with shock as he absorbed what had just happened."You slapped me. " The words came out of him, low and dangerous. "And I would slap you again if you think you can come into my company and insult me. " I spat. "Do you think I'm that woman who stood doe-eyed while you gave your father an earful about how you won't marry the.....what was the word you both used.....' defiled virgin"Do you think your useless charms would work on me again, because of one kiss? You pride yourself too much, Thane, to think I would stoop so low as to go back to my vomit."Thane growled. His eyes were red, an indication that my words were setting him over the edge.Tha
Thane's Pov. The meeting dragged longer than it should have. Much to my Asian client's disdain, I kept glancing at my watch, thinking of Andera, Timmy, and Tiffany at the bakery and all the family time I was missing out on. Thankfully, the wedding was a stone's throw away, after which we'd go on our honeymoon - the twins included, to a place far removed, deep in the mountains. I heaved out a sigh of relief when we rounded things up. Something had been gnawing at me the entire meeting. I brushed it off as the feeling of missing out, but now that the meeting is over, I realize it's because Atlas didn't check in with me. He was supposed to give me information once they reached the bakery, and departed too. Andrea had also said she'd call me on her way back. I haven't received her call, and she should have been back by now. I called once. No answer. Twice. Nothing. By the third ring, my gut twisted sharply. I stood from my chair when the call ended and reached out to Paul “Postpon
Andera's povI could hear the blood pounding in my ears. My pulse spiked, I drew the twins closer to me.“Mommy is something wrong?” Timmy asked with a trembling voice.Atlas drew out his gun, Tiffany let out a piercing scream, Timmy burrowed into my side, his fists clutching my shirt.“Stay down.” Atlas's voice carried a note of urgency I had not heard before. My throat dried as I pulled the kids down with me to the floor of the car. “At..Atlas. Wh..what's going on?” I couldn't hear myself over the erratic beating of my heart. Oh God! What could be happening? My body trembled with fear. I reached into my purse with shaky fingers to call for help. Somehow, over the loud thumping in my chest and the shakiness of my body, I heard the sound of metal clashing against metal behind us, of tires screeching, and a loud bang.My hand flew to my mouth to stifle my horrified scream; the car behind us had just been hit.Tiffany burst into tears, and Timmy joined immediately. “Mommy”I hushed t
Andera's Pov.Tiffany tugged on her daddy's pants, giving him those cute hazel eyes both of us found hard to say No to. “Please, Daddy, please. Pretty pleaseeee”I bit back a grin when Timmy joined, grabbing the other leg. “Please, Daddy.”They were both using their child charm on him, and it was working. Thane ran a hand over his face like a defeated man. His eyes ping-ponged between the two rascals, weaponizing their asset of cuteness. There was love in his eyes, bright and unwavering, but there was also guilt, the kind only a parent would have when forced to choose duty over time with their family.“Help me.” Thane mouthed in my direction. I cleared my throat, stepping in. “Timmy and Tiffany Reinhardt, come here.”Timmy pouted, folded his arms, and stomped his foot over to my side; Tiffany held on though, sheathing her biggest weapon-big puppy hazel eyes. Thane's throat bobbed, he hated saying no to the twins. While Timmy was more understanding, Tiffany would likely throw a fit
Andera's pov. I stopped by Becky's to see how they were doing; thankfully, Jeremy is walking now with the aid of crutches; they both promised to be in attendance for the wedding. It's two more weeks to forever! I grinned and stopped at the red light. Thane and I were putting the finishing touches on our preparations. The kids and I have been so giddy ever since. I know Thane Is equally excited; he's not just bouncy like me, Timmy, and Tiffany. Explaining our remarriage to the kids had been quite a task; they kept sprouting question upon question, but they were later distracted with the promise of cakes, partying, and participating in the wedding. I drive home on autopilot. The gates opened as I pulled up in the garage; I caught sight of Thane waiting on the terrace. “Welcome back,” Thane says with a soft smile as I join him. He's wearing a crisp white shirt folded at the wrist and pants that hugged him. It was unfair how he looked insanely handsome in his casual wear. One
Andera's pov. Today was for the girls—just me, Rosa, and Tiffany.Timmy pouted as we left the house, arms crossed and lips pushed out dramatically. “Why do the girls get all the fun?” he asked, for the third time. I ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. “You’re going to get your tuxedo tested with Daddy, and he also promised you ice cream afterward. That's pretty fun too.”He nodded, his pout loosening at the mention of ice cream. I watched as Father and Son dressed up to go to the tailor. My heart doing the happy dance somersault of someone in love. With the wedding just four weeks away, our preparations have kicked into full gear, We arrived at one of Seattle's most exclusive bridal houses. The boutique was known for Its elegance and custom gowns. It smelled like soft roses and expensive fabrics when we stepped in. The bright lighting poured from the crystal-like chandeliers to the rows of dresses that looked like art.“Woah.” Tiffany's mouth flew open in awe “Mommy, it lo
Andera's pov. The clouds darkened as I made my way to my car. It was all clear skies this morning. Now it's threatening to rain, typical Seattle weather. Well, on the bright side, at least it didn't start before I made this visit. I slipped into the driver's seat of my car right as the rain started pouring down. Two weeks ago, I got that call from Atlas. I met Becky in a physically sound state, emotionally- not at all good. Her fall was a result of a call from her sister, telling her that her son had been involved in a motorbike accident. Becky left immediately to tend to her son. I turn on my car engine and drive out from the hospital's parking lot. Jeremy - Becky's son, had been recovering. Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet at the time of his motorbike accident, so no damage went to his head, but he did break some important bones in his legs. The doctor assured us that with the proper treatment and rehabilitation, he would be able to walk again. Thane and I had been visiting
Andera's pov.Seattle hadn't changed, The normal moody skies and busy traffic. My office hadn’t changed either. The floor to ceiling glass windows remained the same as with the walls, and the same soft buzz of conversations and typing that filled every corridor of Auraspire Energies.But I had changed.A whole lot, not that I dyed my hair a different color and got some tats. There was a new weight on my left hand—cool, solid, impossible to ignore.And everyone noticed.The second I stepped off the executive elevator. I caught lingering glances at my hand, the glances changed to widened eyes and whispered exchanges.Congratulations, ma’am,” Lucy, one of my very loyal workers said as I passed the marketing wing. I smiled my thanks at her; despite being the CEO, I kept my relationship with my workers professional and cordial.“Welcome back, Boss! The Maldives looked good on you,” another called out.“Damn, that ring could finance half our solar grid,” Alex, our lead engineer, muttered wi
Thane's povShe knows I'm lying. I know that she knows I'm lying. I watched her and the kids sleep peacefully in the cabin; it's been hours since we left, and we'd be home soon. Home. Warmth spread its way all over my body. I had doubted Andera would accept my proposal. Hell, I hadn't even wanted to propose yet, although I carried the ring everywhere with me. But Maldives had been an eye opener, I realized, for what would be the hundredth time, that I wanted to spend every day of my life with her. I wanted us to have beautiful vacations and getaways, laugh together, and share our tough moments. Like taking her to the sea of stars, the proposal had also been a gamble; thank the universe that the stars(above and below) were in my favor. I didn't know what I'd do if she had turned me down.But there's another problem I have to fix. I hated lying to Andera, but fúck, I couldn't put her in that position of anxiety and worry again. She's under the illusion that no one is after her, that
Andera’s pov.The day of departure came too soon. I cracked an eye open to find Thane still sleeping, looking rested; his skin was sun-kissed, slightly darker than when we first arrived. A glint of light caught my eye. The diamond ring on my finger sparkled in the morning sun that spilled through my window, and again I felt like I was floating on a bed of roses. I let my eyes linger on the ocean, the calm blue-green waters. Maldives was everything I'd hoped it would be, and then some. I gently got up to take my bath, the ring felt warm on my fingers. A perfect fit, just like Thane.Last night, I was riding the high of adrenaline and excitement, but now I have time to think. I turned on the steam, letting it envelop me.‘How would we run our companies now that we were getting married? Would we join it together or run separately?’‘What would the media say? Getting married for the second time?’‘Would the public point accusing fingers at us for marrying so soon after Melissa's death?’