Soren - POVRaisel’s hesitation was almost imperceptible, but I saw it—how the room hit her like a storm she wasn’t ready for. “I told you to keep Raisins out of this,” I growled, my words razor-edged.“I wanted in.” Her response was quick, defiant.“Don’t you dare say another word, Raisins” My voice was low, threatening, but she didn’t flinch. Her stare was cold, unrelenting—a frigid standoff crackling between us. God, it was maddening how calm she stayed. Sexy as hell. No one else had ever looked me dead in the eye like that, not even the women I’d taken to bed.“Calm down.” Jace’s voice cut through the tension like a dull blade. I didn’t look away, but Raisel did, breaking the thread between us. She turned her eyes from mine, but I kept glaring—first at her, then at Jace. He averted his gaze, the coward.“What’s the plan?” Raisel asked, her voice sharp as a dagger. Her question was for Jace, but Grandpa’s eyes landed on me. I met his stare with a glare that screamed, Don’t even thi
Raisel - POVI couldn’t focus on my work but managed to pull myself together and assign teams their tasks. I had to get a few signatures from Soren, so I knocked on his cabin door.“Come in.”I walked in. Soren looked at me with a blank stare.“I need your signatures on these papers,” I said, handing him the file. He read it, signed it, and gave it back to me.I stayed in his office, knowing full well that Soren had been stalking me. He claimed it was to protect me, but I hated his methods. We never talked about it, but I knew there was more to his story. I was aware of half the truth, but I felt Soren was hiding something deeper.“What?” he asked, noticing my stare.“You know, after tonight’s mission, we need to talk,” I said firmly.“About what?” he asked, still focused on his laptop.“You stalking me.”He looked up at me.“There’s nothing to say. I told you I did it to protect you,” he said flatly.“I’m not letting you off with that one-sentence explanation, Soren. You better talk
Soren – POVRaisel’s eyes burned with hatred as she glared at Alaric, the intensity of her rage like a firestorm.“You bastard,” Alaric hissed through gritted teeth, his voice sharp and venomous. “Let me go! You’re making a huge mistake, Soren.”His eyes darted to me, blazing with defiance.“You don’t even know who you’re messing with.”I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and smirked, my voice calm but dismissive.“I couldn’t care less.”Alaric’s lips curled into a snarl, his fury practically radiating off him.“You bastard! Unhand me, and I’ll show you what I’m capable of.”Before I could even respond, Raisel stepped forward and slapped him. Hard.The sound of her palm meeting his cheek echoed in the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. Alaric’s head snapped to the side, and when he turned back, his glare could’ve killed.I didn’t give him a chance to act. My fist collided with his stomach, and he doubled over, coughing and groaning in pain.“You don’t ever get to loo
Soren - POVAlaric’s fists came flying at me. I dodged, narrowly avoiding the blows, and retaliated with a sharp kick to his gut. He staggered back, gasping for air, but recovered quickly. The exchange between us was savage—punch after punch thrown with reckless fury. A few of mine connected with his face, snapping his head back, and a few of his landed on me, stinging my ribs. I was done playing games.With a calculated strike, I swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Before he could regain his footing, I lunged, wrapping my arm around his neck in a crushing chokehold. Alaric writhed beneath me, his breaths coming in sharp, desperate bursts. And yet, a part of me—a shadow lurking deep within—found satisfaction in his struggle.Something inside me twisted, dark and primal. I wanted to end him. My grip tightened, the thought whispering like a seductive promise: Kill him. With your hands. Make him disappear. But before I could succumb, Alaric slipped free
Soren – POVI couldn’t get enough of her. Her lips were soft, trembling slightly as if they carried the weight of the world. Raisel leaned into me, her body molding against mine as if she were trying to hide from her pain. When we finally pulled away, her forehead rested against mine, and our breaths mingled in the fragile space between us. Her eyes—deep pools of fear and longing—drew me in.“Distract me. Please,” she whispered, her voice a delicate thread, heavy with desperation. Her plea struck a chord so deep it ached.“Anything for you, Raisins,” I murmured, my lips curving into a soft smile. Without another word, I swept her into my arms and carried her to the bathroom.Steam rose around us as the shower came to life, but I was already burning. She helped me undress, her fingers brushing my skin in ways that left my heart hammering. When her clothes fell away, I couldn’t stop my eyes from wandering over her. She was stunning—every curve, every line, a masterpiece I felt unworthy
Raisel’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the absence of Soren. He wasn’t home.Hazel walked into the room, already dressed for the day, but something about her posture was tense. Trouble followed her like a shadow. We sat down at the dining table in silence, the air between us thick and unspoken.“What’s with you?” Hazel finally asked, her voice clipped as she sipped her coffee.“Nothing. Just… work stress,” I lied, avoiding her gaze. I couldn’t bring myself to admit the nightmare I had. I didn’t want to relive it, let alone share it. “What about you?”Hazel scowled, her fingers tightening around the coffee mug. “I’m going to Paris. My mother and I had a massive fight,” she admitted, her words as sharp as broken glass. Just then, Nia brought breakfast to the table. Hazel didn’t even look at it. “She had the audacity to arrange my wedding. Some guy. Some stranger. She thought she could hide it from me.”“So… you figured it out?” I asked, trying to sound casual a
Raisel’s POVThe hidden door slid open, revealing the secret room next to Soren’s home. The faint sound of the shelf grinding against the floor made me shiver. “So, you moved all your things into a hidden office,” I murmured, my voice low as he flicked on the lights.The room illuminated, and my breath caught. My images—dozens of them—plastered the walls. Notes, details about my life, my habits, my wants, and my needs were laid bare like a living diary. My pulse quickened. How long had this been here? A year? Maybe more—ever since he’d left college.“I’ll confess,” Soren said, stepping closer, his presence suffocating in the small room. “I’ve been obsessed with you. Only you.”His words lingered, thick in the air, as if they dared me to respond.“Soren, this… all of this makes me uncomfortable,” I whispered, my voice trembling.“I know you don't,” he replied, his tone quiet but teasing, like he enjoyed my unease. “Your eyes—oh, Raisel—your eyes always sparkle when you realize how obse
Soren - POVThe VIP lounge reeked of expensive whiskey and bad decisions. I sat alone, nursing my glass, the burn of the alcohol doing little to dull my thoughts. Raisel had gone to Chicago, not Paris. Chicago—where Hazel used to work. It was like Raisel was chasing ghosts, running from me.I wanted to stop her. I wanted to hold her back, to make her stay. But deep down, I knew she needed space. Maybe it was for the best—for her to breathe, to get away from me. Yet, I couldn’t shake the gnawing thought: once she knows the truth, she might never come back. And I can’t let that happen. She will stay with me—no matter what it takes.The sound of footsteps interrupted my spiraling thoughts. Then, the voice I least wanted to hear.“Well, well… dear brother,” Joshua’s voice drawled, his tone sharp, his eyes mocking. He had that look in them—the one that always meant trouble.“Not in the mood,” I muttered, not bothering to glance at him.“Rough day, huh?” he taunted. “I heard your little lov
Raisel’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the curtains, warm and soft, like a kiss from the universe after a long, restless storm. I stirred in bed, feeling more rested than I had in days. My body still ached slightly from the newness of motherhood, but my heart felt full—overflowing, actually.I padded through the apartment, still quiet with the peaceful hush of early morning. I found Soren in Aurelia’s room, the soft light of dawn casting a golden hue over him as he carefully adjusted her tiny blanket. His every movement was tender, deliberate. This man—the same one who used to grumble about morning alarms—was now up before me, checking on our daughter.After his routine—breakfast, meds, and his usual black coffee—he turned to me and smiled.“Don’t worry about Aurelia,” he said, pouring a second cup for himself. “I’ve got her.”It had only been four days since we brought her home. Four days. And yet, Soren had slipped so effortlessly into fatherhood, like it had always been insi
Soren’s POV My eyes settle on the sweetest sight: Aurelia fast asleep in her crib, and somehow, Raisins has managed to squeeze in beside her. The little guy fits perfectly, curled up like he was meant to be there. It’s impossibly cute. I pull out my phone and snap a picture, already knowing I’ll come back to this moment again and again.I tiptoe out, letting my two angels rest. I can’t wipe the smile off my face—seeing them like that does something to me. Still, deep down, there’s this quiet fear that won’t quite go away: What if I’m not enough? What if I can’t be the father she deserves?But this happiness… this warmth in my chest… it’s like nothing I’ve ever known. I sit on the couch, breathe in deep, and close myeyes. The peace is so overwhelming I could cry. And to think—I once believed I’d never know this kind of love. I thought I was broken. Unlovable. That someone like Raisel was a dream I’d never be allowed to have.“Soren?”I open my eyes to find Raisel walking toward me,
Raisel’s POVMornings felt like a haze lately—exhaustion clinging to me like fog. But I wasn’t alone. I had help. Soren, Hazel, Fiora... and of course, Aurelia.“Morning, love,” Soren murmured, brushing a kiss across my forehead. I smiled up at him as his arms slid around my waist.Hazel entered with Aurelia in her arms and handed her to me gently. The baby giggled and cooed, lighting up the entire room.“Hey there, little princess,” I whispered, nuzzling her soft cheek.“Breakfast is ready!” Nia called cheerfully from the kitchen. Even Nia, usually so calm and composed, couldn’t resist the joy Aurelia brought into our home.“You all go ahead and eat. I’ll take care of Aurelia,” Soren offered, cradling her as he walked off toward the playroom.As I sat down with the others, I noticed the energy shift. Something unspoken hung heavy between Hazel and Fiora—glances exchanged, a tension that was hard to miss.“What’s going on?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.No wonder Soren had slipped away
RAISEL – POV Soren looked worn out, eyes heavy with something deeper than exhaustion.“I thought I killed him,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I really believed it. But then Killian and I reviewed the video… and it showed more.”I leaned in, heart pounding. “What else killed Alaric?”He nodded, eyes clouded. “A sniper. Hired by Joshua. The plan was to kill him and frame me.”My hand flew to my mouth. I gasped. “Oh my god…”“So technically, I’m not a criminal,” Soren said quietly. “But Viktor... he did die by my hands.”I blinked at him, stunned. “Mathew left you?”“He had to,” Soren said. “After I showed him the evidence… Killian tracked down the assassin, who confessed everything. Mathewhad no choice. He had to arrest me. But Viktor’s death… that part is still a mystery. Killian covered things back then.”I couldn’t hold back any longer. I wrapped my arms around him, trembling.“You’re finally home,” I whispered against his shoulder.“I am,” he said softly, wrapping me
Raisel - POV“Soren,” I whispered like a prayer. “Is it really you?”“Raisins, this isn’t a dream.”His voice—deep, warm, and familiar—washed over me like a balm. He reached for my hand, his touch grounding me. But then pain exploded in my abdomen, sharp and sudden.“Ahh!”The cry tore from my lips before I could stop it. My vision blurred as the pain clenched tighter, burning from the inside out.“She’s dilating,” the nurse called out as the doctor rushed in.I could barely breathe—the pain was swallowing me whole.“Soren…”“Everything’s going to be alright!”His voice shook, urgent and raw, his eyes brimming with worry as they searched mine.“Why is she in so much pain?” he snapped at the doctor.“Please, sir, calm down,” the nurse said, steady but firm.“It’s time to push,” the doctor announced.I panted through the fire blazing inside me and pushed with every ounce of strength I had left.“You’ve got this, Raisins,” I heard Soren say, his voice like an anchor in the storm.Then—A
Raisel’s POVFour Months LaterI’m at my desk, going through the motions, but my mind is elsewhere—circling around Mathew. He’s getting closer to Soren’s location, and that terrifies me. Last week, Fiora decrypted a coded message—it confirmed what I feared: Mathew is hot on their trail.Killian’s gone dark, too, hiding from Mathew, who’s figured out that Killian is the one protecting Soren.Even worse, Mathew managed to dig up enough evidence to implicate Jace—proof that he tampered with the surveillance footage tied to Soren. It’s not a solid case yet, but it’s enough for Mathew to keep hauling Jace into the interrogation room, hoping he’ll crack and hand over Soren on a silver platter.A knock snaps me out of my thoughts.“Didn’t mean to startle you,” Mathew says smoothly, stepping inside. “I’ve been calling.”I compose myself quickly. “What brings you here, Mr. Mathew?”He raises an eyebrow, probably thrown off by how calm I sound.“I have a few questions,” he says, pulling out a c
Soren’s POVBrian came striding in, almost too fast, his face lit up with a strange sort of joy. Not the kind of expression you’d expect in our line of work. He handed me an envelope.“A letter from your wife,” he said, then disappeared without waiting for a response.I didn’t need to read the name. I already knew who it was from.Inside was a letter, and a small, wrapped box. My hands trembled as I unfolded the paper."You are the father of my child."The words stared back at me, loud and raw. I unwrapped the box to find a pregnancy test. Positive.My heart cracked open with emotions I wasn’t ready for. Me—a father? That thought had never even flirted with my imagination. I didn’t know how to feel. Was she scared? Was she happy? I had no answers, only a hurricane of uncertainty.And on top of it all, that monster Davina was still out there, circling her. I should’ve ended her when I had the chance.I climbed out of the basement, needing air—needing something stronger. But I didn’t ma
Raisel’s POV“Raisins.” I stared at the nickname, my heart caught somewhere between a laugh and a lump in my throat.“This isn’t Davina writing, but—” Hazel cut in, grinning. “I’ll give you and that letter some privacy, now that I know it’s not a threat letter. It's a love letter.” She winked, her tone playful.I blushed, caught off guard.As my eyes returned to the letter, I caught a soft trace of his cologne clinging to the page — warm, spicy, unmistakably him. And just like that, a rush of emotion surged up, bittersweet and strong. A strange calm swept over me. Even if things were uncertain, this letter brought me back to center.The LetterRaisins,This is a rough patch we’re going through — being apart like this. But it won’t last forever. I know that in my gut.Raisins... are you eating on time? You always forget when you’re caught up in work. Skipping lunch is basically your thing — and it drives me nuts.{I smiled through a tear. I could almost hear his voice, every word alive
RAISEL’S POVOne Month LaterI crouched in the shadows of the alley, my breath shallow, heart pounding. I was hiding from Davina’s assassins. Heavy footstepsechoed behind me.“Search over there!” a man barked.They swarmed the area. Without a sound, I slid beneath a rickety shed, my pulse thudding so loud I was sure they could hear it.“Come out, woman!” another voice shouted.I clamped a trembling hand over my mouth, stifling the scream clawing its way up my throat. Every part of me trembled. I regrettedeverything—leaving alone, ignoring Killian and Jace’s warnings to call first, brushing Hazel off when she tried to stop me. Myphone was in my hand, but the screen was black. Dead.God, help me, I begged silently. Please."Did you check all the spots?" one of them asked."I did. Nothing.""Impossible. We saw her run down this alley."“We can’t fail this mission. If we do—” the man’s voice faltered.“We have to kill her. Then send the photo to Lady Davina.”I shivered. Even they were