Raisel’s POVI shoved clothes into my backpack, my hands shaking. Then I froze, wiping the tears streaming down my face. A knock on my door broke through my thoughts.“Raisel… I’ll explain the pictures, I swear, but… don’t leave. Give me a chance,” Soren’s voice came through, muffled yet desperate.I hesitated but opened the door anyway. I should at least give him a chance to explain. We sat down on the couch, the silence between us thick with unspoken words.“I’m not sorry… for what I did,” he began, his tone serious, almost hard. “I had a reason. It was to protect you…”I bit back the urge to snap at him. His explanation sounded genuine, but how could he justify invading my privacy in the name of protection?“Why are you so obsessed with keeping me in the dark, Soren? Who on earth would even want to hurt me?” I asked, my frustration spilling over. “I need answers, Soren.”“The less you know, the better,” he said coldly, his eyes dark and distant, like he was carrying a burden that c
Raisel – POVWork was a nightmare. I never knew hiring could be such a pain in the ass. Talking to people all day? Not my thing. And to top it off, I had gone the whole morning without a coffee, leaving me on edge until the afternoon when I finally managed to grab one. Hazel texted me, asking to meet at Zero Bond—a place that promised some privacy. Even though the paparazzi had backed off since Soren intervened, Hazel and I still needed the assurance of a quiet spot. She didn’t want to be seen in New York.I rushed home to change, slipping into a sleek midi dress, classic pumps, and a tailored blazer for a polished look. I kept it simple—just a delicate necklace and a stylish clutch. Hazel had sent a car, and soon, I arrived at Zero Bond. I found her there, furiously texting someone, her face tense. But when she saw me, her expression softened, and I felt the same relief. It had only been three weeks without her, but it felt like an eternity. We hugged tightly.“So happy to see you,”
Raisel’s POVThe gunshot echoed in my ears, loud and final, and I braced for impact, squeezing my eyes shut. Instead of pain, I felt the weight of Soren’s body shield me. A low groan slipped from his lips, his frame slumping against mine. I barely registered Hazel’s screams or the police shouting as they finally arrived. All I could see was Soren, his eyes fluttering, consciousness slipping away.“Drop your weapon!” the officer yelled at Alaric, but Alaric’s gaze remained locked on me, his face twisted with rage. He pointed the gun again, taking a step forward. The police shot him in the leg, bringing him to the ground before he could reach me. They moved to arrest him, but my attention was only on Soren—on the blood pooling around him.“Soren…no…” I whispered, my voice choked with terror as he lay there, unmoving. Paramedics arrived, lifting him onto a stretcher, and I clung to his side as they tried to pull me back. My eyes never left him, not for a second. Reporters swarmed around
Raisel’s POVI waited, impatiently, as Mr. Beau and the man at the laptop—Jace, I think his name was—spoke in hushed tones. The name Jace felt familiar, like a half-remembered shadow flitting through my mind, but I couldn’t quite place it. Their conversation lingered in the background as I drifted, restlessly pacing the edges of the estate, the guard trailing me like a silent, watchful shadow. Maybe he was there to guide me, or maybe he was there to keep me from wandering into places I wasn’t supposed to see.And then, I saw it—the room lined with photographs, a corridor of memories preserved in silver frames. This must be Mr. Beau’s own hall of ghosts. Among the faded images, my gaze settled on a wedding photo—a beautiful woman, his wife, her smile caught in time. Then I saw it: a family picture. Soren, his mother, his father… and then, in another frame, his mother alone, her face pale with the exhaustion of pregnancy. The father was missing, absent from these intimate moments, a sha
**Raisel - POV**As I squinted, the worried face of Jace came into focus, pulling me back to reality. I tried to sit up on the soft bed, feeling the sheets tug against me.“Thank God you’re awake,” he murmured, relief evident in his voice.“How long was I out?” I whispered weakly.“An hour,” he replied, pouring me a glass of water.Just then, Mr. Beau walked in, his calm expression laced with the usual hint of sarcasm. “Welcome back,” he said. “When do you want me to go meet Alaric?” I asked, rolling off the bed on unsteady legs. Jace stood close, ready to catch me if I stumbled.“In about fifteen days. For now, you’ll focus on helping Soren with his startup, along with Gwen,” Mr. Beau instructed. “I don’t want Soren stressing over his business—this is his dream, to make a name for himself. You wouldn’t believe how much he hates the Dalton legacy.”“I can imagine,” I muttered. Mr. Beau’s gaze shifted to me, unreadable. “Anyway, thank you for showing me the truth about my aunt Marget.
Raisel’s POVDavina stormed into my office, eyes blazing with fury. Gwen, sensing the tension, scrambled to call Mr. Beau. I didn’t flinch, but behind my mask of composure, a tight coil of fear twisted in my gut.“You’re going to testify for Alaric,” she said coldly. “And you’re going to say you didn’t see him shoot Soren.”I leaned back, forcing a smirk. “You’ve got some nerve, Davina.” My voice was steady, but a storm raged inside me. “But let me enlighten you—I’m not the only witness. My best friend was there too. Alaric’s looking at a long, cold prison sentence, and I’ll see to it personally.”“I can pay you whatever you want,” she said, desperation seeping into her arrogance.My brows shot up, mocking. “You and Alaric, always thinking money can buy anything. You’re both just spoiled, self-centered parasites who believe the world bends to your will. It’s almost tragic how well you suit each other—hell’s own power couple.”Her eyes darkened, lips twisting with rage. “Listen, you in
Raisel's POVThe handle of Soren’s office door didn’t budge. Locked, of course. “Easy fix,” Hazel muttered, a mischievous glint in her eye as she reached into her handbag and produced a multi-tool lock-picking set. My jaw nearly hit the floor.“Don’t give me that look,” she smirked. “You’d be surprised what a girl learns when she spends her teenage years sneaking in and out of her mom’s office just to avoid being her next chess piece.”I let out a low whistle. “People never fail to surprise me.”She shot me a knowing look. “Everyone has a shadow side, Raisel. Some just hide it better than others. The trick is to keep your eyes sharp and never dismiss that little voice inside telling you something’s off.”I nodded, a heaviness settling in my chest. “You’re right. Ignoring your gut can lead you straight into the dark.”*Click.*The door swung open with an ominous creak. We exchanged a glance before stepping inside. The office was bare. Too clean. The clutter, the evidence—gone. “He’s m
Soren - POVPain throbs through my body, but all I feel is anger. And Joshua’s words aren’t helping.“What the hell do you mean?” Raisel snaps.She yanks her arm out of Joshua’s grasp, glaring at him with fury. Joshua just smirks, his gaze lingering on her, then lets out a slow, mocking chuckle.“Your face is adorable when you’re angry,” he says, laughter lacing his words.“What’s wrong with your brother?” Raisel mutters, exasperated. I can tell she’s expecting him to say it’s all a prank, but something about this feels… off. A strange unease prickles at me.“Prank,” I say, my tone flat.Joshua shrugs. “My brother gets me.” A sigh of relief escapes Raisel as she steps back, putting distance between us.“You two are cruel with your pranks,” she whispers, annoyed. It’s cute, watching her get riled up. But the only time I want to see her crying is when I’m the one making her gasp, her tears the good kind. The kind I can savor.“Focus, bruh,” Joshua taunts, catching my stare. “You look at
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