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 - 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