RICARDO I kept knocking. Three times. Then four. I didn’t even know why I was still standing there. Maybe I wanted to fix it. Maybe I just needed to see him. Needed to apologize, even though I knew words weren’t enough. Why the hell did I think it was a good idea? A threesome? With her? His girlfriend… or should I say ex. God. What the hell was wrong with me? "Ryan," I called again, softer this time. “Come on, man. Please… open the door.” The silence on the other side stretched, after a few seconds the door creaked open. Ryan stood there, arm crossed. “What do you want?” he asked flatly. I opened my mouth, but the words caught in my throat. Then I saw him. Rafael. Lying on the bed. Something inside me cracked. My stomach twisted, but I kept my face still. “What are you doing here?” I asked, even though I already knew. I just… needed to hear him say it. Rafael tilted his head. “I don’t understand the question,” he said. “Am I not allowed in this room?” That was it. That t
RYANJust like Rafael predicted, I got the call.I was going out with them tonight.I stood by the entrance, adjusting the sleeves of my jacket, when Rafael strolled in casually like we were headed to a beach bar and not a war zone. A loose black shirt, baggy brown trousers that fitted him perfectly.I blinked at him. “You sure you’re dressed for a fight?”He shrugged. “Comfort over chaos, my friend.”I couldn’t help the snort that escaped. Then I leaned in. “Did you talk to Ricardo? About Bella?”“Yeah, sure. He agreed,” Rafael said, brushing invisible lint off his shirt. “She should be here any…”Before Rafael could even finish his sentence, the doors swung open.Ricardo stepped out, his boots hitting the marble. He was followed by five of his men, all suited, armed, and cold-eyed. His gaze landed on me. “Since you're going to be my underboss soon,” he said, voice sharp and commanding, “you start earning that title. From tonight, you follow us out on every mission. No more sitting
RYANI closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable. I could feel the cold steel of the gun still pressed against my forehead, and my breath hitched as I prepared for the end. This was it. After everything, this was how it would all go down.But just as Matteo's finger tightened on the trigger, a voice rang out from behind me."Don’t do it."It was Ricardo.Matteo stilled for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the sound of the command. But the smirk never left his face. He shifted his weight slightly, keeping the gun locked on me but still facing the voice that threatened him.Ricardo stepped into view, and he wasn’t alone. Behind him, Lucas stood, his arms pinned tightly at his sides, a gun pressed to his temple. Ricardo’s eyes locked onto Matteo’s with a cold stare."If you try anything, I’ll shoot him," Ricardo said, his voice calm, unbothered. Matteo’s lips curled up into that wicked smile again, but his laugh was darker this time. "Does it look like I care? You s
RICARDO"I should’ve fucking used it!" I roared, slamming my fist into the wall so hard the plaster cracked beneath my knuckles. "I should’ve stopped the goddamn time!"The rage in my chest was a wildfire, my breathing came in sharp bursts, my vision red with fury and self-loathing. I could still see it… Ryan collapsing into my arms, the life draining from his eyes, his blood warm and sticky on my hands.I had the power to change that. I could’ve changed it.I should’ve.I paced the length of the room like a madman, fists clenched, every nerve in my body shaking with guilt.Why didn’t I use it? Why the fuck didn’t I just use it?Because every time I did, a part of me broke. My health spiraled. The nosebleeds, the migraines, the tremors… they got worse with each use. And the last time… the last time almost killed me.But so what?I clenched my jaw and slammed my fist against the wall again, harder this time. A small streak of blood bloomed on my skin, but I didn’t care. The pain was t
RAFAELI stood at the edge of the dock, the wind biting through my coat as I checked my watch again. The ocean was calm tonight, but my gut wasn’t. I didn’t like this kind of silence, it always meant something was coming. And not always a shipment.We were early. I didn’t believe in being late to things that could cost me my life or millions of dollars.A few headlights blinked in the distance, bouncing off the stacked containers, and I tensed. But then I saw him.Alessio.I glanced sideways… Bella was walking toward him. I matched her pace as we made our way to him.Alessio didn’t wait for pleasantries."What do you want from me again?" he snapped as soon as we were within range, his voice echoing slightly against the metal around us.Then he turned to Bella, eyes narrowing."You," he said, with a short laugh. "I trusted you. I actually thought you were depressed, genuinely spiraling." He shook his head and scoffed. "And then you used it. Played the poor broken girl card on me. Wicke
RAFAELI stood frozen behind the half-transparent glass, my hands clenched into fists at my sides as I watched Bella and the other doctors battling to keep Ryan alive.He looked lifeless.Machines beeped frantically. One of the nurses barked an order. Bella’s face was tight with panic, but her hands moved with the sharp precision of someone refusing to lose. Still, I could see the fear in her eyes.Ryan’s chest barely moved. There were tubes everywhere. Blood.God.I pressed my forehead against the cool surface of the glass and shut my eyes for a split second. Don’t die… please don’t die. I didn’t care who was listening… I prayed. I begged. I would’ve made deals with the damn devil if it meant hearing him laugh again.I couldn’t take it anymore.I spun around and stormed down the corridor, barely registering the people I passed. My blood was boiling, my vision tunneling.Ricardo.He was in his room. Comfortable. Alive. Breathing. While Ryan was fighting for every second.I didn’t even
RAFAELI hurried my footsteps, ignoring the ache in my legs, the burning in my chest. The sound of that flatline echoed in my skull like a siren screaming death.No.No, no, no…I reached the room and my heart nearly came out of my mouth. My knees buckled the moment I saw it.That white sheet.Pulled up over a still body.No movement. No beeping machines. Just… silence.I stumbled to the ground, my palms hitting the cold, sterile tiles, my breath catching in my throat like a noose. Tears welled up fast. One fell. Then another. Then they all came crashing down.He can’t be dead.He can’t be.“Ryan,” I gasped out. “No… please… God, no…”I crawled closer, like if I just got a little nearer I’d find out it wasn’t true. That maybe I was wrong. That maybe it was someone else.But the blood.The silence.The goddamn sheet.My hand shook as I reached out, not even sure what I was doing. Just needing something. A touch. A sign. Anything.My chest ached so hard I thought I’d throw up. I couldn’
BELLA“I think Ricardo has powers.”Michael blinked. “Come again?”I leaned back against the chair in his room, arms folded, my heart still racing from everything that had happened. “I said… I think he has powers. Like, actual powers. Like stopping-time kind of powers.”Michael stared at me like I had grown a third eye. “What the hell are you talking about?”I turned my gaze to the floor, chewing the inside of my cheek before sighing. “Remember that camera you gave me? The one I planted in Ricardo’s room?”His brows drew together. “Yeah…”“Well,” I said, voice lower now, “I watched the footage. All of it. Even the parts after… the threesome.”Michael gave me a look. “Really didn't need the reminder.”I rolled my eyes. “Get over it.”He said nothing.I continued. “I saw Ricardo talking to himself… not like ‘talking in the mirror’ kind of way, but like he was fighting something inside. He said he had powers. That he could’ve saved Ryan. That he… stopped time before. He was pissed that h
BELLA“I think Ricardo has powers.”Michael blinked. “Come again?”I leaned back against the chair in his room, arms folded, my heart still racing from everything that had happened. “I said… I think he has powers. Like, actual powers. Like stopping-time kind of powers.”Michael stared at me like I had grown a third eye. “What the hell are you talking about?”I turned my gaze to the floor, chewing the inside of my cheek before sighing. “Remember that camera you gave me? The one I planted in Ricardo’s room?”His brows drew together. “Yeah…”“Well,” I said, voice lower now, “I watched the footage. All of it. Even the parts after… the threesome.”Michael gave me a look. “Really didn't need the reminder.”I rolled my eyes. “Get over it.”He said nothing.I continued. “I saw Ricardo talking to himself… not like ‘talking in the mirror’ kind of way, but like he was fighting something inside. He said he had powers. That he could’ve saved Ryan. That he… stopped time before. He was pissed that h
RAFAELI hurried my footsteps, ignoring the ache in my legs, the burning in my chest. The sound of that flatline echoed in my skull like a siren screaming death.No.No, no, no…I reached the room and my heart nearly came out of my mouth. My knees buckled the moment I saw it.That white sheet.Pulled up over a still body.No movement. No beeping machines. Just… silence.I stumbled to the ground, my palms hitting the cold, sterile tiles, my breath catching in my throat like a noose. Tears welled up fast. One fell. Then another. Then they all came crashing down.He can’t be dead.He can’t be.“Ryan,” I gasped out. “No… please… God, no…”I crawled closer, like if I just got a little nearer I’d find out it wasn’t true. That maybe I was wrong. That maybe it was someone else.But the blood.The silence.The goddamn sheet.My hand shook as I reached out, not even sure what I was doing. Just needing something. A touch. A sign. Anything.My chest ached so hard I thought I’d throw up. I couldn’
RAFAELI stood frozen behind the half-transparent glass, my hands clenched into fists at my sides as I watched Bella and the other doctors battling to keep Ryan alive.He looked lifeless.Machines beeped frantically. One of the nurses barked an order. Bella’s face was tight with panic, but her hands moved with the sharp precision of someone refusing to lose. Still, I could see the fear in her eyes.Ryan’s chest barely moved. There were tubes everywhere. Blood.God.I pressed my forehead against the cool surface of the glass and shut my eyes for a split second. Don’t die… please don’t die. I didn’t care who was listening… I prayed. I begged. I would’ve made deals with the damn devil if it meant hearing him laugh again.I couldn’t take it anymore.I spun around and stormed down the corridor, barely registering the people I passed. My blood was boiling, my vision tunneling.Ricardo.He was in his room. Comfortable. Alive. Breathing. While Ryan was fighting for every second.I didn’t even
RAFAELI stood at the edge of the dock, the wind biting through my coat as I checked my watch again. The ocean was calm tonight, but my gut wasn’t. I didn’t like this kind of silence, it always meant something was coming. And not always a shipment.We were early. I didn’t believe in being late to things that could cost me my life or millions of dollars.A few headlights blinked in the distance, bouncing off the stacked containers, and I tensed. But then I saw him.Alessio.I glanced sideways… Bella was walking toward him. I matched her pace as we made our way to him.Alessio didn’t wait for pleasantries."What do you want from me again?" he snapped as soon as we were within range, his voice echoing slightly against the metal around us.Then he turned to Bella, eyes narrowing."You," he said, with a short laugh. "I trusted you. I actually thought you were depressed, genuinely spiraling." He shook his head and scoffed. "And then you used it. Played the poor broken girl card on me. Wicke
RICARDO"I should’ve fucking used it!" I roared, slamming my fist into the wall so hard the plaster cracked beneath my knuckles. "I should’ve stopped the goddamn time!"The rage in my chest was a wildfire, my breathing came in sharp bursts, my vision red with fury and self-loathing. I could still see it… Ryan collapsing into my arms, the life draining from his eyes, his blood warm and sticky on my hands.I had the power to change that. I could’ve changed it.I should’ve.I paced the length of the room like a madman, fists clenched, every nerve in my body shaking with guilt.Why didn’t I use it? Why the fuck didn’t I just use it?Because every time I did, a part of me broke. My health spiraled. The nosebleeds, the migraines, the tremors… they got worse with each use. And the last time… the last time almost killed me.But so what?I clenched my jaw and slammed my fist against the wall again, harder this time. A small streak of blood bloomed on my skin, but I didn’t care. The pain was t
RYANI closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable. I could feel the cold steel of the gun still pressed against my forehead, and my breath hitched as I prepared for the end. This was it. After everything, this was how it would all go down.But just as Matteo's finger tightened on the trigger, a voice rang out from behind me."Don’t do it."It was Ricardo.Matteo stilled for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the sound of the command. But the smirk never left his face. He shifted his weight slightly, keeping the gun locked on me but still facing the voice that threatened him.Ricardo stepped into view, and he wasn’t alone. Behind him, Lucas stood, his arms pinned tightly at his sides, a gun pressed to his temple. Ricardo’s eyes locked onto Matteo’s with a cold stare."If you try anything, I’ll shoot him," Ricardo said, his voice calm, unbothered. Matteo’s lips curled up into that wicked smile again, but his laugh was darker this time. "Does it look like I care? You s
RYANJust like Rafael predicted, I got the call.I was going out with them tonight.I stood by the entrance, adjusting the sleeves of my jacket, when Rafael strolled in casually like we were headed to a beach bar and not a war zone. A loose black shirt, baggy brown trousers that fitted him perfectly.I blinked at him. “You sure you’re dressed for a fight?”He shrugged. “Comfort over chaos, my friend.”I couldn’t help the snort that escaped. Then I leaned in. “Did you talk to Ricardo? About Bella?”“Yeah, sure. He agreed,” Rafael said, brushing invisible lint off his shirt. “She should be here any…”Before Rafael could even finish his sentence, the doors swung open.Ricardo stepped out, his boots hitting the marble. He was followed by five of his men, all suited, armed, and cold-eyed. His gaze landed on me. “Since you're going to be my underboss soon,” he said, voice sharp and commanding, “you start earning that title. From tonight, you follow us out on every mission. No more sitting
RICARDO I kept knocking. Three times. Then four. I didn’t even know why I was still standing there. Maybe I wanted to fix it. Maybe I just needed to see him. Needed to apologize, even though I knew words weren’t enough. Why the hell did I think it was a good idea? A threesome? With her? His girlfriend… or should I say ex. God. What the hell was wrong with me? "Ryan," I called again, softer this time. “Come on, man. Please… open the door.” The silence on the other side stretched, after a few seconds the door creaked open. Ryan stood there, arm crossed. “What do you want?” he asked flatly. I opened my mouth, but the words caught in my throat. Then I saw him. Rafael. Lying on the bed. Something inside me cracked. My stomach twisted, but I kept my face still. “What are you doing here?” I asked, even though I already knew. I just… needed to hear him say it. Rafael tilted his head. “I don’t understand the question,” he said. “Am I not allowed in this room?” That was it. That t
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONERAFAELI was on my way to my room when I saw him… Ryan. Shirtless, his pants only half-done, sweat clinging to his skin. His steps were slow, heavy, like something inside him had just shattered.He looked angry. And tired.What the hell happened?"Ryan," I called out.He stopped but didn’t turn around. His fingers were clenched around the doorknob like he was holding back from breaking it off.I took a step closer, keeping my tone steady. “What’s wrong, man? You look like you just walked out of a war.”He finally turned, and the look in his eyes made my chest tighten. Pain. Real, raw pain.He let out a shaky breath, his eyes flickering past me. “Nothing. I’m fine. Just… want to be alone.”Yeah. No, he wasn’t fine.I raised an eyebrow. “Is this about the whole thing with Bella and Alessio? Or is it Ricardo?”His jaw tightened and was mute for almost a minute.“Ryan…” I pressed gently.He suddenly snapped, his voice rising louder than either of us expected. “I said it