Selena sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door Valerie had just walked out of. The room was quiet now, but her mind wasn’t. Valerie had told her to rest because they were going out tomorrow. But sleep felt impossible. Her thoughts were a mess, tangled between everything that had happened. Between Adrian, Valerie, and the strange new reality she found herself in. She sighed and lay back, staring at the ceiling. Her body was exhausted, but her mind refused to stop running. Would tomorrow be any different? Would Adrian still act cold and distant? Would she even have the strength to face him again? She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the questions, but sleep claimed her before she could find any answers. --- The next morning, Selena woke up feeling slightly more rested, though her heart still felt heavy. She got out of bed, washed up, and dressed in simple jeans and a blouse. Just as she was slipping on her shoes, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," s
Selena stepped out of the dressing room, adjusting the blue dress. It fit well, hugging her frame without being too tight. Valerie clapped her hands together. "I knew it! That color is perfect on you," she said excitedly. Matteo smirked. "Almost too perfect. Maybe Adrian will finally wake up and—" Selena shot him a sharp look. "Don't start." Nathan, who had been leaning against a nearby rack, nodded in approval. "It suits you." Selena felt a strange warmth at his compliment, but she quickly pushed it aside. She wasn’t here to impress anyone—especially not Adrian. Valerie grabbed her wrist. "Alright, you’re getting it. No arguments!" Selena sighed. "Fine." They walked to the checkout counter, and Matteo casually tossed a few more items onto the pile. "What are you doing?" Selena asked, raising an eyebrow. "Buying you more things," Matteo said nonchalantly. Selena shook her head. "I can pay for myself." Matteo grinned. "I know. But I like spending money." Valer
The car ride back home was quiet, tense even. Valerie kept throwing glances at Selena, who stared out the window, lost in thought. Matteo drummed his fingers against the steering wheel while Nathan sat with his arms crossed, his face unreadable. Selena still couldn’t shake off the feeling from earlier—the warning from that man. The way he spoke, the way he seemed to know her, know Adrian. What did he mean by trust is dangerous? She barely noticed when the car pulled into the driveway. “We’re home,” Matteo announced, breaking the silence. As they stepped out of the car, the front door swung open, and Adrian stood there, his sharp gaze locking onto them immediately. “Inside,” he ordered. No one questioned him. They walked in, and that’s when Selena noticed Isabelle sitting on the couch, a pleased smile on her lips. Valerie frowned. “What’s she still doing here?” Adrian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked to the center of the room, his presence commanding attent
Selena stormed up the stairs, her heart pounding furiously in her chest. She wasn’t going to sit there and let Isabelle play her games. Not when Adrian refused to see what was right in front of him. She reached her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Taking a deep breath, she leaned against it, trying to calm down. But the anger wouldn’t go away. A knock sounded on her door just as she ran a hand through her hair. “Go away,” she called out. “It’s me,” Valerie’s voice came through. Selena sighed before opening the door. Valerie stepped inside, closing it behind her. “Can you believe that?” Valerie fumed, pacing the room. “She’s acting like some innocent victim while you’re the villain. And Adrian just lets her!” Selena sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her temples. “It’s exhausting.” Valerie stopped pacing and faced her. “You know what’s really annoying? Adrian knows you. He knows when someone’s lying. So why is he letting her get away with this?” Selena scoffe
Selena paced the length of her room, her mind spinning. She was done waiting. Done being kept in the dark. Adrian thought he could just bring Isabelle here and expect her to sit quietly? No. If he wanted to protect secrets, he should have kept them far away from her. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. “Selena?” Valerie’s voice came through. Selena sighed and pulled the door open. Valerie stepped inside, closing it behind her. “I figured you’d be in here, plotting someone’s downfall,” Valerie teased. Selena smirked. “Not someone. Just Isabelle.” Valerie plopped onto the bed. “Good. Because I have news.” Selena raised a brow. “I’m listening.” Valerie grinned. “Nathan and Matteo were talking earlier. They don’t trust Isabelle either.” Selena’s heart skipped. “Did they say why?” Valerie nodded. “Something about Lucian. Apparently, he’s involved, and Isabelle’s hiding something.” Selena’s eyes darkened. “I knew it.” Valerie leaned forward. “What’s the p
Selena kept her head high, her movements fluid as she danced with yet another partner, but she could feel Adrian watching her. It was a weight, a presence she couldn’t ignore no matter how hard she tried. Every glance she stole in his direction only added fuel to the slow-burning fire inside her. He wasn’t just watching her. He was touching her. Not Selena. The woman in his arms. Her name didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was the way Adrian’s fingers skimmed over her bare back, how he leaned in slightly, murmuring something into her ear that made her laugh. Selena’s nails dug into Ethan’s shoulder, making him wince. “You okay?” he asked, shifting his grip. She forced a smile. “Perfect.” But she wasn’t. Because Adrian’s gaze was locked on her even as his hands roamed over someone else. He was daring her to react. Testing her. Fine. Selena let her body press closer to Ethan, tilting her head in a way that exposed her neck. She didn’t have to see Adrian to
The night air was crisp, but Selena’s skin burned. Not from the cold, not from fear—but from something deeper, something more dangerous. She paced the garden, her heels clicking against the stone pathway, trying to shake off the weight of Nathan’s words. "Adrian doesn’t share."As if she was his to claim. As if she hadn’t spent years keeping him at a distance, pretending his touch didn’t linger long after he was gone. Nathan stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching her. “Are you going to say something?” Selena stopped pacing. “What do you want me to say?” Nathan exhaled. “That you understand. That you know why he did that.” She scoffed. “Why he nearly killed a man in front of everyone?” Nathan didn’t flinch. “For you.” Selena’s breath hitched. She spun on her heel, crossing her arms. “I didn’t ask for that.” Nathan tilted his head. “Didn’t you?” Her heart pounded. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Nathan stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You knew wh
Selena walked through the dimly lit hallways, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. The chandeliers above cast long shadows across the walls, making the grand estate feel emptier than ever. Her heart still raced from her argument with Adrian, but she forced herself to push those emotions aside. She needed to talk to him. She needed answers. Her pace quickened as she neared his study. The heavy wooden doors were slightly ajar, and just as she reached for the handle, she heard voices from inside. A woman’s voice. Soft. Sultry. Familiar. Selena hesitated, her fingers hovering above the door. Then she heard a low chuckle—Adrian’s chuckle. A strange, sinking feeling settled in her chest as she leaned closer. “Adrian,” Isabelle’s voice purred, “you always make things so… interesting.” Selena’s grip tightened on the doorframe. “Do I?” Adrian’s voice sounded like he was intrigued, but there was no warmth in his tone. She swallowed hard and, b
The Cartel had been shattered, And yet, amid the wreckage, Alvarez still drew breath.His body ached, every nerve screaming in agony as he forced himself to move. He pressed a hand to his bleeding side, the warm, sticky sensation of his own blood soaking through his fingers. The pain was nothing compared to the fury burning in his chest. He had been played. The Ghosted, his supposed allies, had turned against him at the last moment, throwing the battlefield into complete chaos. But why? Who had ordered this betrayal?His fingers curled into fists as he staggered forward, his boots crunching against shattered glass and spent shell casings. He needed to find answers. He needed to find the one who had orchestrated this disaster.A low groan echoed from the rubble. Alvarez turned sharply, gun raised, but his aim wavered when he saw who it was—one of the masked assassins, barely alive, clutching a deep wound in his stomach. Blood seeped through his gloves as he struggled to breathe, his ma
The air vibrated with gunfire, screams, and the rhythmic thunder of boots pounding against the cracked asphalt. The war had begun.Mikhail, the ruthless leader of the Monadikos, stood atop the ruins of an old industrial complex, his sharp gaze cutting through the chaos unfolding below. His fingers clenched into a fist as he watched his men swarm the abandoned shipyard where the Cartel had foolishly stationed their latest shipment of illicit arms. The plan was simple, wipe them out, seize the weapons, and cripple their operations."Push forward! No mercy!" he bellowed, his voice slicing through the night.His men responded with a battle cry, surging ahead like a tidal wave of vengeance. Gunfire erupted from every angle. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off rusted shipping containers, and the metallic scent of gunpowder thickened in the air. The Cartel, caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack, scrambled to mount a defense.****Alvarez, the cold and calculating leader of the Car
The Gathering in the WarehouseParker stood in the center of the dimly lit warehouse, his sharp gaze scanning the masked figures surrounding him. Shadows danced along the cracked concrete walls, the single, flickering overhead bulb casting an eerie glow over the meeting. The air was thick with the scent of oil and dampness, the remnants of a forgotten storage facility now serving as the meeting ground for a faction that thrived in secrecy.Each figure stood cloaked in dark garments, their features concealed by masks of varying designs. Some bore symbols etched into the fabric,silent declarations of past allegiances or blood debts yet to be settled. Though their faces were hidden, Parker could feel their eyes on him, waiting, expecting."The Monadikos are moving," Parker announced, his voice steady, carrying the weight of the intelligence he had gathered. He took a step forward, his boots echoing slightly on the cold floor. "They already know Adrian has access to the weapon blueprint,t
A large wooden table sat at the center, surrounded by figures cloaked in darkness. The air was thick with tension, the weight of secrets pressing heavily against the silence.A man in a tailored suit leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the aged surface. His eyes, sharp and calculating, flickered with something close to amusement. “So… it seems our dear Adrian has found what we have been looking for.”Across from him, a burly figure with a scar running down his left cheek exhaled sharply. “I told you we should have destroyed that underground years ago,” he growled. “Leaving it there was a mistake.”A woman with piercing blue eyes and an aura of authority spoke next. Her voice was calm, yet laced with venom. “The mistake was underestimating him. We assumed he would remain blind to what lay beneath his own empire, but Adrian is no fool.”But it is not the same underground. Our informant told us it was something no one could ever discover it was if not for their smal
Isabella held the phone to her ear, The silence that followed her selene's father’s words was deafening, ringing in her ears like an unspoken warning. Her heart pounded against her ribs, frustration and confusion clashing inside her like two raging storms.“I will tell you when it is time, but for now, give yourself a good rest,” he had said, his voice calm yet distant, before abruptly ending the call.Isabella stared at the dark screen, her lips parting as if to say something, but the words never came. A lump formed in her throat, thick with emotions she couldn't quite name. Anger? Worry? Fear? She clenched her jaw and inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the surge of questions threatening to drown her thoughts. What was he hiding? Why was he being so cryptic? She hated being kept in the dark, especially when it concerned something so obviously important.He should have just tell her right away. When he knew he won't tell her immediately, why did he call? She hissed in anger. With
The night air was biting cold, making Selene shiver slightly as she wrapped her arms around herself. Nathan noticed and turned to her. “You should go inside,” he said, his voice laced with concern.Selene nodded. “I will head to my room now.”Nathan fell into step beside her, escorting her through the dimly lit corridors. Just as they neared her room, footsteps echoed from the other side. Nathan looked up and immediately stiffened when he saw Adrian, Matteo, and Rosco approaching.The moment Selene saw Adrian, her face lit up. Without hesitation, she left Nathan’s side and rushed toward him. “Adrian,” she called softly, relief and affection clear in her voice.Nathan clenched his fists as he watched her throw her arms around Adrian, pressing herself against him as though he was the only thing that mattered. His stomach twisted in knots, but he forced himself to remain composed.Adrian responded immediately, holding her close as he kissed the top of her head. His grip on her was posse
Nathan’s footsteps echoed sharply as he stormed down the corridor, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. His hands balled into fists, his mind racing with everything that had just happened.Adrian was playing with them. Toying with them.He didn't need to say their names. His knowing looks, the smug amusement in his voice, it was clear. Adrian suspected them. No, he knew. And that meant they were walking on a thin line that could snap at any second.Behind him, Isabelle followed at a measured pace, her expression eerily composed.“Are you going to slow down,” she murmured, “or should I run to keep up?”Nathan exhaled sharply but didn’t stop. “He was testing us.” His voice was low, furious. “And you played right into it.”Isabelle chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. “Me?” She arched a brow. “I handled that beautifully.”Nathan spun to face her, his eyes flashing with barely restrained anger. “He doesn’t need proof, Isabelle. Not with the way you smirked through the entire thing. You might a
A slow, wicked smile curled her lips as she glanced back at the door they had just shut. Nina’s pained gasps still echoed faintly behind it, her weak body convulsing as the poison did its work. A fitting end for a loose end.Isabelle exhaled sharply, the thrill of control surging through her veins. She had done it. One less obstacle standing in her way.But Nathan wasn’t as composed.He walked beside her, his jaw clenched, his posture stiff. Something about the way he moved, the way his fingers twitched at his sides made it clear that something was on his mind.Isabelle noticed, but she didn’t comment. Not yet.They emerged from the labyrinth and stepped into the crisp night air. The guards they had drugged still lay motionless, their breathing slow and even. Everything had gone exactly as planned.No mistakes.No witnesses.Nathan ran a hand through his dark hair, his expression unreadable as he turned to her. “It’s done.” His voice was flat, but there was something underneath it.
The moment Isabelle returned to her room, she shut the door and pressed her back against it. Her chest heaved, her fingers trembled, but not with fear. No, it was something else.Disappointment.Power.Nathan’s words still echoed in her mind, cutting deeper than she wanted to. "You should be making peace with Victoria, not picking fights with her. That is the only way you stand a chance of winning Adrian back."Her lips curled in disgust.Make with peace with that brat that doesn't even like me at all, she scoffed. He thought she was weak.Adrian thought she was insignificant.Selene and Victoria had made a fool of her.The rage inside her boiled hotter, clawing at her insides, demanding release.She wouldn’t allow this.She refused to be discarded like trash.Her fingers curled into fists as she paced the room, her nails digging into her palm. Her entire body shook with fury, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.They want a war?A slow, cruel smirk tugged at her lips.They wil