Brandon’s POVAs the wedding ceremony begins, a wave of excitement washes over me. Alessandra, looking breathtaking in her elegant gown, is meticulously instructing her security guard to be vigilant. Today is not just any day; it’s one of the most significant milestones in her life, and she’s determined that everything goes flawlessly.Her personal security detail is tasked with welcoming her mother and sister with the utmost respect and guiding them to the VIP section. The same level of courtesy is to be extended to all the invited guests. Every detail is meticulously planned, and Alessandra’s dedication is palpable.I glance over at my dad's head of security, and give him a nod. He understands the gravity of the day and ensures that his team follows the same protocols.Today is crucial for both of us, and we can’t afford any disruptions or strict security measures that might impede the flow of our celebration. We’ve decided to ease up a bit, allowing the event to proceed with a sense
Alessandra’s POVThe instant the bullet strikes my shoulder, a searing pain shoots through me, cold and sharp. It feels as though my body is being pierced by ice and fire at the same time. I try desperately to stay upright, my mind racing as I attempt to call out to Robert. I want to alert him about the shooter and ensure he can help apprehend the attacker.But my spirit, while determined, is betrayed by my faltering body. The pain overwhelms me, and maintaining my balance becomes an impossible task. My vision blurs, and I can’t seem to keep my footing. It’s as if my body is betraying me at the very moment I need it most.With a final, helpless gasp, I collapse to the ground. My heart races uncontrollably, each beat pounding in my ears like a drum. Blood seeps from my wound, soaking into my wedding gown and turning the pristine white fabric into a macabre canvas of crimson stains. The once-beautiful dress, meant to mark a joyous occasion, now bears the evidence of this horrific turn
Sandra’s POVAs soon as I jump in through the open window, a wave of adrenaline courses through me. I find myself in a corridor that stretches out before me, a maze of uncertainty and fear.I start walking forward slowly, my heart pounding in my chest, trying to remain hidden from view.This hospital is a private one, and naturally, I expect even tighter security than in government-owned hospitals. Every corner is monitored by CCTV cameras, capturing my every move. Thankfully, I’m not a criminal carrying a weapon, but the pressure of not getting caught weighs heavily on me.I walk down the corridor to the end, my nerves frayed, and then turn right, facing another long corridor. The vastness of this place, though overwhelming, doesn’t concern me right now. My only focus is finding Brandon and checking on him.The urgency makes me walk faster, and my anxiety pushes me forward. I’m no longer worried about being seen; my only concern is reaching Brandon.But deep down, I’m still very cauti
Tyler’s POVWe are in a place they call the mess hall when I see on the old, flickering TV that Alessandra has been shot. The mess hall is grim, a stark reminder of our confined existence here. The food is barely edible—just enough to sustain us but never to satisfy. As the news report flashes on the screen, my pulse quickens. A dark smirk tugs at my lips. This moment, so anticipated, is finally here. I can hardly believe it. My heart races with a mix of excitement and anticipation. I’ve been waiting for this, savoring the thought of Alessandra finally getting what she deserves. The cruel irony of seeing her on this low-quality TV, surrounded by the dreariness of prison life, almost seems fitting.The newscaster’s voice drifts over the room, detailing the incident. My mind races with calculations and possibilities. Alessandra has been hit, but it’s not the fatal blow I hoped for. The news says she was struck in the shoulder. My satisfaction turns to frustration. How could the hired h
Sandra’s POVAs I leave the hospital, the pain in my heart feels almost unbearable, like it might shatter at any moment. Every step I take towards my car feels like a step into a void, my emotions swirling uncontrollably. Then, I force myself to climb in and start the engine, my hands trembling on the wheel, and I drive quickly, desperate to put as much distance between myself and the hospital as possible.But my frantic escape isn’t just about avoiding unwanted gazes. I have a more pressing destination: the prison where Tyler is locked away. I need to confront him, and nothing will stand in my way.When I reach the prison, the heavy gate creaks open, and I am greeted by the stern-faced guards, who inform me that visits are strictly regulated. I can only see a prisoner on their designated visiting day. My heart sinks, but I refuse to let it show. I need to see Tyler now, and I need to find a way to bend the rules.“Do you know who I am?” I ask the officer, my voice strained but determ
Alessandra’s POVBrandon and I were still in the hospital when we saw the news. In fact, I don’t even know how to describe how I feel when I see it. There is no doubt that the news is, in fact, a sudden blow to everyone. Brandon, on the other hand, is even more shocked. “Who on earth murdered Tyler, and why?” he exclaims as we continue watching the news.The newscaster and the reporter at the murder scene have done their best to give us detailed coverage, but the news is incomplete without knowing who the murderer is. But, of course, that’s prison life. We all know that any murder that takes place there rarely makes it to the news. And the ones that do are usually because the person is either famous or a known terrorist before imprisonment, like Tyler, who was involved in a controversial topic with me before he went to prison.The same level of shock on Brandon’s face isn’t on mine, though. I mean, it’s not that difficult to figure out who killed Tyler. Just think about it—Tyler is th
Diana’s POVI am sitting in front of the TV while Olivia and Emily help me with my manicure. It doesn’t matter if our place looks nice, shabby, or even tattered; having peace of mind and being content is the medicine that keeps us going.This, of course, is something I am forced to learn after the incident with my son, Tyler, who threw us out of the home we used to live in with him.Well, that’s gone. I cannot hold grudges against my son, especially when we all see how life is dealing with him mercilessly these days.Maybe it is even karma. We did Alessandra a lot of harm, and though we pleaded for forgiveness, it didn’t stop Tyler from ending up in prison. And for us, it didn’t stop us from getting even poorer.Today, I am seated in front of the TV while Emily and Olivia help with my manicure. In my hand is a warm cup of tea in a plastic cup with a broken handle.Sitting in front of the TV, I’m only half-watching a movie when I suddenly feel the urge to change the channel.I can’t exp
Sandra’s POVSeeing the news spread like wildfire across the city, state, and country makes me realize just how popular Tyler was. I wasn’t expecting such loud, relentless coverage about his murder, and it makes me scared, thinking I might be exposed so soon.But then I hear what the prison officer says in the interview, and a wave of relief washes over me. My muscles, tense and coiled like a spring, finally start to unwind. I know my secret is safe with him. The thought brings a twisted sense of satisfaction—a dark comfort in knowing that the jailer, even while being asked questions, will keep my secret sealed away.What did I whisper to the jailer that made him so corporate, so eager, that he handed me the gun to take down Tyler? It’s all so clear, he was desperate, and I knew exactly which strings to pull to get what I wanted.People will do unbelievable things for money, and those things often involve compromising everything they once stood for. I’ve seen it time and time again—th
Robert’s POVMy job is simple: protect Alessandra at all costs. But as I stand here, watching everything unfold, one thought keeps repeating in my head—I’ve failed her.I should never have stayed behind at the hospital, no matter how much she insisted. Alessandra may be strong, but I should’ve known better. I should’ve been there, more alert, more prepared. That woman who pretended to be hit? I should’ve seen right through her. Everything is finally falling into place, and the truth hits me like a punch to the gut.I know who Diana is. I’ve figured out who Emily and Olivia really are. And those three idiots hiding behind their ridiculous code names? Yeah, I know them, too.It was them—we passed them on the road earlier. The bodies scattered across the pavement... the blood... It all makes sense now. Alessandra—Matriarch Alessandra—is in serious danger.That’s why I don’t waste any time. My foot slams down on the gas pedal, racing us past the chaos on the road. Stopping isn’t an option
Sandra’s POVWe pull up to the warehouse, and the moment I spot the front door slightly ajar, I know it’s time. I drive inside, parking with purpose as the tension in my chest tightens. Locking the door behind me, I take a deep breath, bracing myself for what’s next.I watch Alessandra step out of the vehicle, her face calm—too calm. She doesn’t look scared, like I thought she would. Instead, she’s asking, “Where are we now? Are they gone?”I pause. What? Does she seriously think I’m here to save her?A twisted laugh threatens to escape my lips, but I swallow it down. Instead, I turn toward the backseat and yank open the door. My fingers grip the cold steel of the sniper rifle. The weight of it feels satisfying in my hands, a reminder of the power I hold.Without missing a beat, I swing the rifle around and aim it straight at her. “On your knees, now!” I command, my voice as sharp as the edge of a knife.For a second, her eyes widen, but then realization sinks in. She knows now. She’s
Brandon’s POVI never thought I'd find myself here. In custody. The cold metal of the handcuffs still lingers on my wrists even though they’ve been removed. My mind is racing, struggling to keep up with everything that’s happened. How did I get here?I’ve already contacted my family lawyer. He promised he’d help—at first. But then he learned that bigger forces are involved, and he left me to fend for myself. I don’t blame him, though. When powerful people decide you’re guilty, it doesn’t matter what the facts are. According to them, I committed a crime too big to ignore, and they want me to pay for it, no matter who I am.But how do I make them see I’m innocent? How do I prove I’ve been framed? The evidence stacked against me is so clear, so detailed, that even I would think I did it if I were on the outside looking in.It feels hopeless.I sit in the interrogation room, staring at the dull gray walls. The weight of everything crashes down on me. But the thought of Alessandra pushes t
Diana’s POVOut of nowhere, Olivia, Emily, and I suddenly see Viper, Red, Jinx, and Blade fall to the ground, each with a bullet wound to the head. Blood pools around them, dark and terrifying, staining the ground beneath them. The sight makes my heart race, and for a moment, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. My breath catches in my throat, and time seems to stand still. I’m in shock, completely blindsided by the sudden violence. How could this have happened? One moment, we’re in control, and the next, everything’s gone to hell. But as I watch them fall, one after another, the horrifying reality hits me: we’re under attack. We’re not safe. We never were.This can’t be anyone but the police. Who else would come at us like this, so precise, so deadly? And it’s my fault. My fault we didn’t get out sooner. My fault this mission is hanging by a thread. I should have listened to Viper when he told us to leave. We should have been long gone, but I hesitated. And now they’re dead—Viper, Red, J
Sandra’s POVI steady myself in the cramped toilet, heart pounding as I carefully position the sniper rifle out the narrow window. The cold metal of the trigger grounds me, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts.Through the scope, I zoom in to 8X. Alessandra finally comes into focus as she steps out of the law firm. She looks composed, but there’s a tension in her movements that makes my gut clench. Something’s wrong.In the distance, off to the right, a group of people is watching her with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. Their eyes are locked on Alessandra, and the cruel twist of their lips sends a chill down my spine. They’re like predators circling wounded prey, relishing the kill before it even happens.I should take the shot now, end this. It’s the perfect moment. Then Brandon would finally be free, and he’d be mine. But something holds me back. These people, whoever they are, might be more dangerous and I need to know why they’re after Alessandra.As
Diana’s POVAs Viper deftly tosses a small canister of smoke into Alessandra’s car. We don't waste a second, swiftly moving to take control of the other vehicles in her entourage.Alessandra is being escorted by three cars: one at the front, one in the middle where she sits, and one at the rear. The plan is precise, and we execute it with the efficiency of seasoned professionals.Olivia and Emily take on the first car. They expertly deploy another smoke canister, filling the vehicle with a thick, suffocating fog. Meanwhile, I focus on the rear car, tossing a canister of my own into it. Smoke quickly engulfs all three vehicles, forcing their occupants to open their doors, desperately gasping for fresh air. Even Alessandra, who had been hysterically screaming moments earlier, is silenced by the choking haz
Diana’s POVWhen Jezebel’s message arrives, confirming what we've been anxiously anticipating—Alessandra is alone. My heart beats faster, not out of fear but from the anticipation of what's to come. It’s time to set our plan in motion.With a cold, calculated calm, I gather Viper, Red, Jinx, and Blade. “She's alone,” I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “Jezebel’s done her part. Now it’s our turn.”They nod in unison, a silent agreement passing between us. There’s no need for words; we all know what needs to be done. The stakes are high, and failure is not an option.We regroup at my rundown, hidden in the shadows of the city. Viper, the most experienced among us, checks his blade, its edge gleaming under the dim light. “Remember,” he says, his voice low but firm, “guns are for boys in the game. Blades are for men.”His words echo in my mind as I glance around at the others. Red is sharpening his weapon, his eyes filled with a cold, ruthless determinati
Sandra’s POVStepping out of the warehouse, I don’t know where I am, and it’s terrifying. I’m stranded, disoriented, and powerless.I stand by the road, feeling utterly lost, watching taxis whiz by as if the world is oblivious to the chaos inside me. My hands shake as I lift them to flag down a taxi. But just as I do, my phone rings.The sound sends a jolt through me, and I glance at the screen. My heart pounds as I see the caller—Private Number. Dread tightens around me like a noose, and I hesitate before answering, my breath shallow.“Hello?” My voice barely escapes, trembling with anxiety.A cold, deep voice responds, as sharp as ice.
Jezebel’s POVI’ve been treated at the nearest hospital, but if I let this personal assistant slip away now, then I’m not the Jezebel everyone thinks I am.The doctor finishes up, wiping his hands as he says, “There you go, ma’am. You’re free to leave now.”I flash him a polite smile, but my mind is already elsewhere. My fingers tighten around the personal assistant’s arm, my nails digging into his sleeve as I anchor him beside me.The room is cold and sterile, yet I feel the heat of the moment. Matriarch Alessandra sits across from us, her silence dominating the room. When I grip her assistant’s arm, I catch the flash of surprise in her eyes, the slight parting of her lips. She wasn’t expecting this.“I still feel pain in my leg,” I say, my voice tinged with just enough distress to sound convincing. “It’s much worse than I thought. I don’t think I can walk.”Alessandra’s eyes narrow ever so slightly as she watches me closely, trying to figure me out. Let her think I’m putting on an ac