LOGINBack at Corey's mansion, the air was heavy. The chandeliers hung like silent witnesses, their crystals catching the late-afternoon light and fracturing it into thin, nervous shards. Corey sat up on his king-sized bed, shoulders rigid. Derrick stood like a shadow by his side, and Greyhem lounged on the couch opposite him, one leg thrown over the arm as if the room were still someone else’s show. Doc sat quietly, watching the way the men moved — cataloguing fear, loyalty, and the slow burn of plans being born.After a few minutes, Greyhem’s phone popped up with a ding sound. Everyone adjusted immediately and turned toward him. Unlocking the phone, his eyes ran round the screen for a few seconds and then they lit up.“Booyah… there we go,” he said, smiling.“What did you get?” Corey asked impatiently.“Hand the phone over already, Greyhem.” Corey’s voice rang out again.“Woah, woah hot-blooded human, take a chill pill,” Greyhem mocked Corey, and then turned to Derrick. “You, bring the la
“Go change into clean clothes and come downstairs for lunch, Maya,” James said. Maya pouted. “Okayyy, big brother.” She blew a kiss toward Janis’s tummy. “I’ll be right back in a jiffy, baby!” she said and ran upstairs, her footsteps thudding before her door slammed shut. James chuckled, shaking his head. “Her Maya,” he muttered, waving at the guard who’d been standing by since Maya arrived. The guard bowed and went outside, driving both cars into the garage beside the house. Janis finally sat down, eyes still exploring the glass walls. “Won’t people see us from outside?” she asked, her tone soft and innocent. “Of course not,” James said, smiling. “But we can see them from here. Top security measures.” “Oh.” Moments later, Maya came running back in, now in a clean white dress and shiny shoes. The three of them had a heartfelt lunch — James’s cooking filling the air wit
The drive was silent.Janis kept stealing glances at James behind the wheel of a sleek black Aston Martin DBX707, its scent of new leather mixing with the soft hum of power beneath her. James, aware of her gaze, only tightened his grip on the steering and reached across to lace his free hand over her smaller one.She stayed quiet until she noticed him take a right turn instead of the left — the turn that should’ve led back to the old apartment.Her brows furrowed. “Aren’t we going home? Why the right turn?”James smiled, eyes still on the road. “Of course, Jan-Jan… we’re going home. A new home.”The words hit her like a whisper from a dream. She blinked, staring out the window as they drove off the bustling streets into a quiet, opulent estate. The guards at the towering gate bowed the moment they saw the car, waving them through without question.Her heart thumped faster. This was the Peaches Estate.The same estate that only the richest of the rich could step foot in — celebrities,
The heavy doors of the dark mansion swung open. James walked in, his polished shoes clicking sharply against the marble floor — click, click, click — echoing through the silent hall like a countdown.His suit jacket hung open, unbuttoned down to the fourth button, revealing a white shirt loosened at the collar. His usually calm face was tight with worry. He didn’t spare a glance at the guards bowing as he passed, his steps unbroken, purposeful.Reaching the study, he pushed the door open without knocking. Vince sat behind his desk, speaking quietly with Bruno.James dropped the briefcase he’d been carrying onto the table with a thud.“Where is she?”Vince paused, eyes slowly lifting from Bruno to James, a slow smile curving his lips.“Well… welcome back to the country, CEO. And good afternoon to you, too,” he said, voice dripping with mock politeness.James exhaled sharply, running a hand through his slicked-back hair.“Yeah, my bad. Hi, boss.” He turned slightly toward Bruno, giving
Vince watched them carry Janis up the stairs, shoulders still taut with a dangerous impatience. He turned at last to the tall figure beside him, voice sharp. “I didn’t touch her thanks to you—now what are you standing there for?” The huge man exhaled slowly, not looking away from the stairs. “It isn’t Janis you have a thing against,” he said, voice even. “And per the deal—you return her to James in one piece.” Vince snorted, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, right. James.” The name tasted like sarcasm and old grudges. “I’ll make sure she’s safe,” the big man said, then turned and walked off without looking back. Some time later, after things had settled, the huge man pushed Janis’s door open. The room was small and dim; Janis lay curled on the side of the bed, the offered clothes discarded on the floor as if she’d flung them away in disgust. A tray of untouched food sat by the bedside. He stepped in and sighed quietly. His voice was low and careful when he spoke. “You should eat
The mansion gates burst open as the guards drove in, tires screeching against the stone. Derrick was already outside before the engine stopped. “Boss!” he shouted, rushing to the back seat. Corey was half-conscious, blood dripping down the side of his face, shirt torn from the crash. Without hesitation, Derrick crouched and lifted him onto his back despite the weight, his muscles straining but his grip firm. “Call the family doctor—now!” Derrick’s voice thundered across the yard as he carried Corey inside, each stride echoing panic through the halls. In his room, Derrick laid him on the bed, already barking orders. “Get the first aid box—now! We need to stop the bleeding before Doc gets here!” A guard sprinted away while another ran to bring clean clothes. Derrick tore away Corey’s bloodied shirt and began cleaning the wounds with disinfectant. His hands trembled; his eyes were red and wide with fear. He muttered under his breath, “Dammit… I should’ve gone with him…” Moments l







