Raisel – POVI sat across from Soren as he handed me a vodka, pouring whiskey for himself. His broad shoulders were tense beneath the tailored tuxedo, a perfect fit that made him look like something out of a magazine. No wonder every single woman at the wedding scowled when they saw me—the woman who had somehow managed to capture the attention of the most eligible billionaire bachelor. But the tension between us tonight had little to do with envy or attraction. It was something far darker.I watched him as he settled on the couch, unsure of where to begin. He was never one for conversations like this—too much of an introvert to spill his thoughts easily.“You should know I’m on your side,” Soren finally broke the silence as I took a sip of my vodka.“Genius, I figured that much, though I had my doubts,” I replied, and he frowned slightly. “But after tonight, I trust you more. It’s clear you’re serious about taking revenge on Alaric and Davina.” I sipped again, letting the burn distrac
Raisel – POVLenny and Lora were both off today because we were heading to Soren’s grandfather’s for lunch and dinner. I sat at the table, unable to take my eyes off the view before me—Soren, shirtless, his broad back flexing as he moved in nothing but sweatpants. He was making pancakes and brewing coffee, insisting I sit and wait. I’d protested, saying I’d cook, but he never listened. Now, I was glad I hadn’t pushed harder. His muscles rippled under his skin as he worked, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away.I wished, for a fleeting moment, that he was still the nerd with braces and glasses—the one with a lean body that had somehow transformed into this athletic figure standing in front of me. Shaking off the thought, I forced my attention back to my phone, feeling like a voyeur. I was sure he felt my stare. And when I felt his gaze return, it was like a jolt to my system. Heat rose to my cheeks, and I pretended to focus on an article about Davina and Alaric’s disastrous wedding. Pictur
Raisel – POVSoren’s grip tightened around my hand, silencing me with nothing more than pressure. His voice cut through the room, low and edged. “Grandpa, I told you to play nice—for once.” His eyes, narrowed to dangerous slits, flicked over to me. I dared a glance at Mr. Beau, but his face remained emotionless, utterly indifferent to the warning hanging thick in the air.“Calm down, Soren,” I whispered, though he didn’t turn to me. His gaze remained fixed on his grandfather, who watched us both like we were subjects under a microscope. “I’m not with Soren for his money,” I blurted, desperate to end the silent war already brewing between them.Mr. Beau’s voice was steady, cold. “Do you work?” The question slithered out as I gripped Soren’s arm, holding him back. To my surprise, he remained silent, his eyes lingering on where my fingers clung to him.“No,” I replied, my voice barely audible.“Hard to believe you’re not after his money, then.” His tone dripped with accusation, making So
Soren – POVThe new office is finally ready—a business I’ve built without a single cent of Dalton family money. Now, the task is to make it succeed. I glance over the files in front of me, filled with the specs for a new automobile—one that will give my competitors no room to breathe. My gaze briefly shifts to Gwen, my secretary, as she arranges the paperwork.Raisel is seated next to me, holding her composure though I can sense the tension she hides. Across the table, the other designers and engineers are present, waiting for direction. As I discuss the vision for the car, I make it clear: the model needs to be revolutionary, something that not only stands out but crushes the competition. The files contain every detail, the contracts have been signed, and I’ve ensured no one will leak or steal my ideas.I check my watch—two hours of discussion. It’s time to end this.“Meeting adjourned. I need the prototype ready in a month.”“A month is a tight deadline, Mr. Dalton,” one of the desi
Raisel – POVAfter a suffocating session with the counselor, I spot Soren in the waiting room. He sits there, oblivious to the hungry gazes of the women around him, his attention buried in his phone. I stride toward him, and when our eyes meet, he greets me with a smile that feels almost too innocent. “Here’s your Americano,” he says, handing me the coffee. I take it, forcing a grateful smile as he guides me out of the counselor’s office. I can feel eyes on us—phones pointed, pictures snapped, their interest feeding off the spectacle of our every move. But none of it bothers me. Not when I’m with him.We head to the car, ready to sell the apartment Alaric and I had once called home. A few potential buyers are lined up, and Soren insists on accompanying me. As the clients filter through, I go through the motions, showing them the penthouse that once held so many memories. A few offer to buy, but their offers fall short.“The house will be sold for no less than ten billion,” Soren decla
Soren – POV Raisel’s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since our fight last night. It wasn’t the first time we argued, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I hate seeing her upset, even if—strangely—she looks kind of cute when she’s mad. The way she glares at me, subtle but sharp… I hate it, but at the same time, I’m drawn to it. I sighed and glanced at my phone. Davina had sent another one of her threat messages. Apparently, she’s going to blow up some scandal about Dalton firm that could ruin me. She’s delusional if she thinks it’s that simple. My deal with her was clear: I’d give her dirt on Alaric, the guy she’s been obsessed with since college. She’s still stuck on him, even though her bad habits are the reason Alaric left her for Raisel. And I hate him for taking Raisel away from me. Davina and Alaric still kept in touch, even if it was all just dirty messages at this point. I heard about it from her best friend—who, coincidentally, I was sleeping with at the time. Yeah, s
Soren’s POVA constant beeping pierced through the haze, tugging me back to consciousness. I squinted, my eyes struggling to adjust to the bright light overhead. Slowly, the blur around me sharpened. White ceiling. The sterile smell of antiseptic. A sharp, throbbing headache reminded me of where I was.I glanced down to see an IV needle buried in my hand, tubes connecting me to the machine that was keeping me alive. My grandfather sat in the chair beside me, his expression unreadable.I reached for the oxygen mask, pulling it off as I tried to find my voice.“You barely survived,” he said, his tone flat, offering no comfort.The memories of what had happened came flooding back all at once. Panic surged through me, and I shoved the blanket aside, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.“Where are you going?” my grandfather asked, his voice sharp with warning.“Raisel... where is she?” I rasped, my throat burning with every word.A nurse hurried over, trying to stop me. “She’s in the
Raisel’s POVI fell silent after his confession. The room seemed to hold its breath, and a sigh escaped his lips as the silence stretched, becoming unbearably awkward. I didn’t know what to say. Soren studied me for a second longer, then excused himself and left the room.After being discharged from the hospital, we returned to the penthouse. My body still felt weak, but Soren moved around as if nothing had happened, back to his usual self.“Take this,” he said, handing me a small bottle of strange-looking liquid.“What is it?” I asked, eyeing it suspiciously.“An antidote,” he said, breaking the silence. I hesitated. “Raisel, it’s not the first time I’ve been poisoned,” he added with a faint smile, as if the idea didn’t shock him at all. “I’ve built up immunity, so I’m fine now. You can take this—it’ll help you recover.”“Who tried to kill you this time?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“I have enemies everywhere,” he said calmly, showing no fear of another attack. “I don’t
Raisel - POVI came back to Iowa because Susan’s health is getting worse. They’re keeping her under observation in the basement infirmary. Honestly, I just want to be with her. I lost my father—who was never much of a father at all—but deep down, I’ve always craved that kind of affection. Spending these weeks with Susan, all I can think about is her warm smile and the way she used to embrace me.I sighed, the steady beeping of the machines and the sharp smell of antiseptics only making my headache worse.“You should go rest. I’ll keep an eye on Susan,” Rocher said, sipping her coffee.“I’ll be fine,” I insisted.“Soren, Jace, Hazel, and Fiora are on their way.” The relief that washed over me at the thought of them coming to Iowa was almostoverwhelming. I’d missed them—missed Soren—so much. At least I wouldn’t have to face the nightmares alone.“How are you holding up?”“Me?” I blinked, surprised. She nodded.“Yeah, do you see anyone else here?” She pulled up a chair and sat down, her
Soren - POVThe gun felt heavy in my hand as I moved through the rooms, eyes sharp, finger light on the trigger. No sign of the Reaper men. But they knew we were here. I could feel it. Jace approached, his face dark and bruised.“They’re gone,” he said, voice grim.“They figured out you’re the mole,” I muttered.“Yeah, too late,” he replied with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Managed to break out.” He shrugged, but I saw how his hands trembled.Susan stumbled in, breathless and pale. “Did you find Raisel?” she asked, voice cracked with worry.“She’s with Viktor,” Jace answered. “Heard it over a dead guard’s walkie.”“Fuck!” I hissed, the word seething through clenched teeth. “Where the hell is the rest of the team? Why are they so damn slow?”Susan’s squad was finally regrouping with Rocher, their faces drawn and bloody.“One of them slapped a tracker on Viktor’s car,” Rocher said, tossing me the keys. But Susan crumpled to the ground, barely holding on. The fight in the basemen
Raisel - POVIt’s been two days. I’ve been training like a maniac, chasing ghosts, and getting nothing but silence from Jace. He’s barely said a word, just pushed me harder, kept me quiet, and filled the gaps with bruises and exhaustion. Now, I’m standing in Viktor’s office again, my choice this time.“You should be sleeping,” he says as Viktor strides in, eyes sharp and cold.“I need to see Soren and Susan,” I reply, voice steadier than I feel.“Gunther, take her to them.”I flinch, surprised he agreed so easily, but I swallow it down and follow the man. The basement stairs groan beneath us, each step slower than the last. My pulse is a wild drumbeat in my ears.“Stop,” Gunther snaps, pulling a gun free. My body locks tight, instincts flaring.“What the hell—” The words barely leave me before Gunther's already barking into a walkie-talkie, voice clipped and panicked.“Code Red! I repeat, Code Red! Make sure Sire is secured in a safe house.”His eyes are frantic when they cut back to
Soren - POVMy eyes struggled to adjust to the dim room, a sharp headache pounding in my skull. As my vision cleared, I took in my surroundings—men dressed in black, handguns holstered at their waists, eyes cold and watchful. I tried to move, but my wrists and ankles were bound to the chair, and something rough was gagging my mouth. Panic surged when I glanced across the room and sawSusan, still unconscious, tied to a chair opposite me.“I’d suggest you don’t move,” a man next to me said coldly. His tone left no room for argument. I glared at him, my breath hitching as he nodded toward the floor.“You see that little wire connecting your chair to hers?” he asked, a cruel smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. I looked down, heart pounding. Shit. We were sitting on bombs—one wrong move, and we’d be blown to pieces.“Stay still,” he warned again, but my mind was racing. Where was she? If they had us, they must have her too. I had to find a way out of this.“You’re awake, I see—the l
Raisel - POVI stared at the walls of my new room, the one Viktor had assigned me. Pacing back and forth, my mind raced. I couldn’t afford to act recklessly—I had no power here. I was sure Viktor had me under surveillance. How was I supposed to help Susan and Soren?The doorknob turned suddenly.“Sire Viktor summons you,” a housemaid announced. I followed her, trying to keep my nerves in check.When we arrived, Viktor was waiting, his gaze cold and commanding.“I want you to meet your trainer, Rivel,” he said, motioning to a man standing nearby. My eyes widened when I saw him—Jace. He was dressed in a simple T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, but it was definitely him. I blinked, almost convinced my mind was playing tricks on me. But it wasn’t.“Jace! You’re working for Reaper?” I snapped, disbelief and betrayal flooding my voice.“Easy there, daughter,” Viktor said smoothly, his hand clamping down on my shoulder with a firm grip. I flinched but bit down the pain, refusing to give him the
Raisel - POVI gripped Soren’s hand tightly as I sat next to the ambulance, my heart pounding with a sickening sense of déjà vu. The last time I was here, he’d been shot, and now, poisoned. I fought to keep my tears at bay, forcing a deep breath as the ambulance tore through the streets.The vehicle screeched to a stop. Before I could gather my thoughts, the door swung open, and instead of hospital staff, a towering man in a black suit blocked my path.“What’s going on?” I demanded, panic creeping into my voice. “Where are you taking him?”Before I could get an answer, rough hands grabbed me, dragging me away.“Hey! Stop! Who are you people?” I shouted, struggling against the iron grip that pulled me into a dark, basement-like place.“Let go of me!” I screamed, my voice cracking. The man yanked me forward, unbothered. He cocked his gun, eyes cold and unfeeling.“Walk quietly. My sister doesn’t like loud voices,” he ordered icily. My heart stuttered as I glanced around, noticing armed
Soren - POVRocher slid a file across the table, his expression grim. “This is what the spy managed to collect before he died.” His voice was heavy. “It seems Joshua had a deal, Reaper.” He paused. “Viktor wants to make Raisel the heir to his mafia empire.”Raisel gasped, her body going rigid.“Wait… If this was a deal, why would Reaper — I mean, Viktor—kill his own men?” Jace asked, brows furrowed in confusion.I clenched my jaw. “Joshua crossed a line. He touched Raisel.”“No…” Susan’s voice was barely above a whisper. "It wasn’t just that. This was a test, set by Viktor. He wanted to see if Raisel would become a victim or fight back. He kills the man after the work is done.”Raisel’s breath hitched, her hands trembling as the weight of those words settled in. I instinctively reached for her, clasping her fingers in mine. She turned to me, eyes filled with silent gratitude, but I could see how broken she was—just like I felt. What kind of father would do something this cruel?“My hu
Soren–POVI couldn’t take my eyes off Raisel’s sleeping form, her soft breath ghosting over my skin. I pinched myself. This wasn’t a dream. She felt the same way. The memory of her confession played on a loop in my head, like a hauntingly beautiful symphony.Sleep evaded me, but the vibration of my phone in my pocket pulled me from my thoughts. Sighing, I rolled out of bed and grabbed it.“Where are you?” Jace’s voice was a low murmur at the other end.“Home,” I whispered back.“What the hell are you doing there?”“None of your damn business,” I muttered.“So, New York—are we going or not?”I ran a hand through my hair. “No. I can’t leave.”“Because of your old man?”“He’d figure it out. And, let’s be honest, he doesn’t want me there anyway.”Jace sighed. “Fine. Guess I’ll just keep myself busy with Fiora. She’s cute.”I scoffed. “You’re trying to charm her out of her pants, aren’t you? I’d bet good money she won’t cave to your cheap-ass flirting.”“Whatever, asshole.” He hung up.I t
Raisel - POVMy heart is beating faster than his, one palm on his cheek. “Soren… I… think I’ve had a crush on you for a long time.”He blinked in surprise. I chuckled at his reaction to my confession, still holding back tears in my eyes.“When you suddenly stopped coming to college, I was heartbroken that you left without a word,” I whispered."I missed you deep down. Whenever there were articles about you published, I read every one. Kind of stalking you on social media,” I said, embarrassed to confess.“I recently learned that it wasn’t just a crush… but as I have spent time with you these past three months, I started falling for you. Alaric was not the one—he was just a mistake,” I confessed. “You broke my resolve to not love anyone, but… here I am… taking a tremendous risk…”He kissed my lips, silencing me. I gasped in surprise as he slid his tongue inside my mouth. I moaned, a smirk playing across Soren’s handsome face, making me want him even more.“You have no idea what it does