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
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 - 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 - 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 - 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
Author Note: Hey readers, This book delves into the darker side of romance, featuring explicit language, scenes, and a fast pace romance intertwined with a stalker trope. Please be aware that the content is intense and may not be suitable for everyone. If you enjoy dark romance novels and want to stay updated, follow me to my F******k group, Tracy Readrats, for more insights and discussions. Happy reading! TracyRaisel - POVMy eyes fixate on the phone screen, my fingers trembling above the display, waiting—desperately hoping—for a message from Alaric. But the screen remains hauntingly silent, the absence of his name like a knife twisting deeper with every passing second. Maybe he’s just busy at work, I tell myself, my chest tightening as dread curls around my ribs like a vise. The lie barely holds together.Needing a distraction, I turn to the charity event I’m dressing for, pulling a white, sleeveless dress from the wardrobe. The cream hue feels like a bitter joke—pure, simple, l
Raisel – POV“Fine. Let’s fake date,” I whispered in response to Soren’s bold proposal. My voice wavered, but my heart betrayed me with a flutter. His braces were gone, and so was the awkward nerd I once knew. Standing before me now was a man who looked as though he’d stepped out of a European magazine—dark, brooding eyes, sharp features, and a presence that demanded attention. He was utterly unrecognizable, and it made my chest tighten.The paparazzi swarmed us like vultures, their camera flashes blinding and relentless. My head throbbed as questions were hurled at us from every direction. Before I could react, Soren’s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him. His hold was firm yet protective, shielding me from the chaos.“Mr. Soren Dalton, we need to ask Mrs. Raisel Warden some questions,” one of them shouted.“You will not ask any questions of my girlfriend,” Soren stated with a calm, steely edge to his voice. The word “girlfriend” hung in the air like a firecracker, silenci
Soren’s POVThe apartment was silent now. Hazel and Raisel were asleep in the guest room after finishing off a tub of ice cream and hours of painful sobbing. Raisel’s cries had been raw and relentless, each one cutting through me like a knife. It was unbearable to hear her pain—her heartbreak—and knowing I couldn’t fix it entirely only made it worse. Hazel, thankfully, stayed by her side, offering the comfort of a sister.I stood by the window, glass in hand, staring at the city skyline. The lights of New York stretched endlessly before me, a stark contrast to the darkness stirring within. The sight offered no solace tonight. My thoughts were consumed by the image of Raisel—her tear-streaked face, her trembling voice, the shattered trust in her eyes. She looked utterly broken.She didn’t deserve this. Not Raisel. Never her.She was a kind soul, too good for the likes of Alaric. She had been my rock in college—the one who stood by me when no one else dared. Back then, I was the freak, 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