Jaxon’s POVI smirked at her, a knowing glint in my eye. How could this woman know so much about me, even without me saying a word? She knew too much!"I got rid of him. He's a problem I needed to fix. It blows my mind that he's a fucking traitor." I said calmly.She stepped back, her gaze filled with doubt and confusion. "What do you mean by 'getting rid of him'?"THREE HOURS AGO, I watched Cattleya as she gracefully exited the room; her sophistication really mesmerized me more.But there was something about her: a desire to protect and cherish her.Yet, a nagging doubt lingered. Could I truly trust her? What if she turned on me? The thought was killing me, contradicting my thirty-two years of never being let down.I put my hand in my pocket as Cattleya left the Shadow Manor Residence.Then I walked down the stairs, sharpening my eyes as I scanned the area. There he was! The traitor. "Leo, a word." I said, demanding in a dangerous tone.Leo looked up, his jaw clenched and his f
Cattleya's POV ROME, ITALYI couldn't help but wipe my tears with my bare hand. Then my driver slid open the van's door and said, "My condolences, Ms. Cattleya." I bit my lower lip and walked down the aisle with a heavy heart, and as I looked around, everyone was dressed in black; I couldn't believe that it was really my twin sister's funeral. But being here with relatives I barely know makes me feel suffocated. Whispers and forced sympathies fill the air, and each person gets on my nerves that I want them to be kicked away from my twin sister’s funeral, so they can have a place for their gossip. I stare at Ariella’s smiling photos in the center and then I glance down at the closed casket, a heavy oak barrier that will separate me from my sister forever. “Ariella…” I said trying to stop myself from breaking down. “Catt…” My mom walked towards me and I hugged her tightly, bursting into tears. She sobbed softly, "It was all my fault." "Mom, it's not your fault." I said, and ask
Cattleya’s POV"What do you mean? What about this club? Do you know this club?" I showed him the flyer.He sighed and said, "Yes, Jaxon Moretti owns this nightclub. It's a nightclub catering to the most exclusive clientele, and when I say elite, what I mean are affluent, well-connected people."I gasped softly and sat in the chair while thinking about what just happened to my sweet twin sister. “Do you think Ariella….” “Yes,” he said. "Then how come the authorities didn't dig deeper into my sister's death?! They need to do their job! They need to look into this guy, the club, and everyone else!" I yelled, trying to hide my tears. "It's because Jaxon Moretti is the boss of a powerful mafia family known for being cruel and strict. Getting close to Moretti is an act of pure risk-taking. People have gone missing, received harsh sentences, and even faced death." My heart skipped a beat, and the picture of that handsome man in the picture broke in my mind. Then fear prickled my skin as
Cattleya’s POV“Huh?” He smiled, “Have we met before, Cattleya?” My lips quivered in fear, swallowed hardly as I replied, “No, I don’t think we have met before, J–Jaxon.” He sat on his long black couch, spreading his legs, and directed his gaze at me for a second. Then he leaned his back and closed his eyes, seemingly yearning for a moment of peace. I stood there, watching him intently, but my mind was uncertain about what to do next.I can't let him ignore me this time; I have to do something crazy.I carefully took off my heels one at a time. Next, I took a deep breath and sat down on his lap, putting myself at ease right away. Then I gasped when I smelled his manly perfume, which took me away.As his piercing, mystifying gaze locked with me, his face shifted from bewilderment to surprise.He leaned back a little, resisting the urge to touch me. Then, in a gentle voice, he asked me, "What are you doing, Ms. Sullivan?"“Uhm…” “Is this how you pay me?” he asked, arching his ey
Cattleya’s POVMy heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice. "You're here?" I asked softly. He smirked, "You ask me to find you, Cattleya Sullivan..." That's when I realized he'd already found me in my own damn house. I thought he'd come to my new condo, but now there's no turning back. By the time he found me here, my plan had already failed.He smiled at me as he walked closer. But I felt glued to the spot, unable to move, and my heart was beating so fast that it almost leaped out of my chest. Finally, I forced myself to grab his hand and take him to my room. Clamping my palm over his mouth, I whispered, "I don't want anyone else to see you, especially Patrick." "And who is Patrick?" he asked, his voice clouded with confusion and amusement."None of your business." I moved away from him and opened the door. Then, I glanced at him and said, "Please, stay here. I need to talk to Patrick."I couldn't believe I had let this dangerous criminal roam around in my room and into my life
Cattleya’s POVI smiled and shook my head at him. "I think you shouldn't answer that," I replied. Then, I walked right past him as I went into his house. The room was dark and cozy, just like him. I glanced back at him when he followed me inside. I let out a gasp as his hand reached my shoulder, and my back scraped against his chest. He turned me around to face him. I could hardly breathe because he was so close. Finally, I asked him the question that made him frown: "So you run the Inferno Nightclub, right? Does the name Ariella ring a bell?"Jaxon's frown deepened, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "The name sounds familiar," he finally replied. "I think I've heard it before. Why do you ask?” He stepped forward and I stepped back when he was so close to me that it was hard for me to breathe properly. “Are you looking for a missing woman? I apologize, I don't keep women in my vault."Softly scowling, my heart hurt because I thought he knew Ariella, or maybe he didn't k
Cattleya’s POVBang! A gunshot reverberated across the room in an instant. It gave me chills to think that someone might shoot me and I'd die. I felt like I could pass out at any time. When I turned around, I saw the man, bloodily, lying on the floor with his eyes open. Jaxon covered my eyes with his palm. "Don't stare at him."I stared at Jaxon in horror, my hands trembling, but somehow I managed to stay calm. He took me outside and called someone on his phone. "I have a job for you," he said, glancing at me.He walked back inside and continued talking. I still don't know what I've gotten myself into. It felt like I put myself in danger with the most dangerous man.He'd killed someone right in front of me without even flinching. He stood there, staring at the dead body like it was nothing to him.When he came back, he said, "We need to get out of here. No one should see you." I gasped softly. "But what about the...""Don't worry about him," he cut in. "My men will clean him up.
Cattleya's POVI stared at him intently, my gaze tenacious.Only he could command such undivided attention from me.Leaning forward, I plastered on a sweet, seductive smile and whispered, "No, I'm not."He sighed softly, clearly exerting self-control. "Alright then, it seems like you're persistent.""I am," I replied firmly.Suddenly, my phone rang, jolting me from our intimate moment.Patrick's name flashed across the screen.Why was he calling now?"Aren't you going to answer that?" Jaxon asked, his gaze fixed on the road.I shook my head, silencing my phone. "It's not important," I said, clearing my throat and trying to refocus. "So, where are we going now?"He nodded, his hand tightening on the steering wheel. "Well, I'm taking you home. You need a good night's sleep and to stop thinking about me."Confusion washed over me. "I thought you were going to help me find my sister's killer?""I don't know if I have to help you, Cattleya Sullivan," Jaxon said, his tone flat. "I don't hav