The queen sat on her bed, clutching a picture of Bryan in her hand. She looked at his smiling face and felt a pang of pain in her heart. She loved him more than anything in the world. He was her son, even if he was not her flesh and blood.She had given him her name, her love, and her protection. She had watched him grow into a handsome and brave young man, who had made her proud in every way.But now, everything was in doubt. A stranger had appeared, claiming to be the true prince and heir of the throne. He had challenged Bryan to a test of blood and truth, to prove his claim. And the ball was in her court to either agree to it, or trash it but it was the only way to settle the matter.The queen didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to doubt Bryan's identity or loyalty. She didn't want to risk losing him or hurting him. But she also didn't want to deny the possibility that the stranger was telling the truth. What if he was really her son? What if he was the child that had been t
The next morning, Roy and Bryan walked to the throne room, where the test of blood was going to take place.They held hands as they walked, squeezing each other's fingers. They looked into each other's eyes, smiling bravely. They whispered words of encouragement and affection."Whatever happens, I love you," Roy said."I love you too," Bryan said.They reached the throne room, where a large crowd was waiting for them. They saw the King and Queen, who sat on their thrones, looking tense and worried. They saw their siblings, who stood by their sides, looking supportive and proud.Bryan’s eyes traveled across the room and he locked gazes with Alexander who stood by the side of the old maid, looking as cool as a cucumber but Bryan could smell his anxiety and fear from miles away. He was just faking the calm exterior.They saw the priestess of the blood, who held a silver dagger and a golden chalice, looking solemn and ominous.They felt a surge of fear and anxiety, but they did not let go
A year after…Bryan Anderson and Roy Jordan had come a long way since Roy first walked into the office building of Anderson Inc. They had overcome many obstacles, enemies, and secrets to become not only partners in work, but also in life. They had built a new company together, one that was innovative, ethical, and successful. They had also built a new family together, one that was loving, supportive, and diverse.As Roy sat in his office, he twirled the ring on his finger with a small smile. He still couldn't believe that he was married to Bryan, the man who had changed his life for the better. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost time for their weekly video call with their family. He picked up his phone and dialed Bryan's number."Hey, babe. Are you ready?" he asked."Almost. Just finishing up some paperwork. I'll be there in a minute," Bryan replied."Okay. Don't keep me waiting too long. I miss you," Roy said."I miss you too. Love you," Bryan said."Love you more," R
Bryan Anderson’s P.OV As I watched the young man walking towards my towering skyscraper, a wave of anticipation coursed through me. Despite being immensely wealthy, I knew my fortune wouldn't impress him and quite frankly I found his indifference to wealth, stupid. But there was something about him that made my heart race. For years, I had my lawyers send countless legal notices to Forbes to ensure that I would not be included in their list of the world's most desirable men. I had no interest in such superficial and frivolous attention. My kind valued discretion and maintained a low profile, even though I knew my immense wealth and striking appearance would turn heads wherever I went. But even as I observed the boy's approach, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, even if he turned out to be a parasitic swindler. His slicked-back brown hair glistened with gel, framing a heart-shaped face with blue eyes and long lashes. His rosebud lips begged to be kissed, and his lithe body seeme
8:42 amMigraine.His head was threatening to split into two if he doesn’t burrow back into his bed covers and get some more sleep but today is his first day at work and he really needs this job.Besides, Liam would definitely kill him if he ‘Effs’ this up like the rest. Liam is his best friend and pulled every string to help him get employed. String can be begging the human resources at the company for an interview. Sue him.The jarring noise of his ringtone against the bedside table shakes the remnant of sleep away. Grumbling, Roy blindly reaches over for the currently offensive device, shooting upright once he sees the I.D. “Li baby.”—a title Liam hates as much as he loves him.Think of the devil and he comes running over.“Hey sugar,” He mutters in a sleepy teasing tone as he grabs his towel, preparing for a shower.“Roy,” Liam’s voice is stern, “Don’t tell me you slept in late!”“Calm your balls, I’ll make it in time.”“You’d better.” He warns in a serious tone and Roy rolls his e
Ah.Roy manages to swallow back the instinctive gasp that rises out of his throat, a shocked reaction to slamming right into the man he had high hopes of never meeting till he meets his grave. He has never seen the CEO, but what he sees on the internet is more than enough for him to know that this guy is hot. Intensely so—but it’s the first time Roy finds someone so literally hot that sweat actually starts soaking his skin.Was that fear?“Sir?”Eff. It sounds like Roy is about to cry which he doesn’t want to do. He tries again, and this time his voice comes out more confident, stronger than he feels. “Sir. I am so sorry about this. I don’t—”Just as abruptly Bryan held Roy, he lets go of him, and his sensually unsmiling lips thin. Roy almost loses his balance, thrown off course by the thinly veiled condescension in the billionaire’s gaze. It makes him sick to the stomach, especially when his heart refuses to get the memo that this man is looking at him like he was a gnat beneath those
It’s Winnie again, but this time, a smug smile is on her face as though she just won the lottery. That smile makes Roy’s hand sweaty. Creepy. “What do you want?” he asks, trying to sound indifferent.“You have an appointment with the CEO at the top floor.” she grins, enjoying his shock.His heart skips a beat.Why would the CEO want to see him? He’s just the social media guy. The CEO probably doesn’t even know his name, unless—It’s her fault, he realizes grimly. She’s still mad at him for insulting her, so she makes up some crazy story to get him in trouble with the big boss. And he also epically bumped into the CEO this morning.Stupid ape!Roy clears his throat. Maybe Winnie is mistaken. He’s new here after all. Maybe it’s just his supervisor who needs him, not the CEO himself. “Are you sure about that?” he says slowly, hoping she’s wrong.She rolls her eyes. “I heard it myself,” she snaps, “He even said your full name, Roy.”What did she tell the CEO anyway?Did she tell the CEO
Roy tiptoes through the doorway, swallowed by the vast jaws of the CEO's office. Every fiber of his being screams retreat, but his feet keep moving, driven by a morbid fascination. This isn’t an office; it is a palace carved from glass and steel, sprawled across the entire penthouse floor. From what Roy can see, it rivals the size of the entire apartment complex he shares with Hailey and Liam, maybe even double it. Heck, it can probably work as a landing pad for a couple of choppers. What is he doing here?!!!!! The room is cloaked in twilight, save for a shaft of golden light spearing through a crack in the doorway. Floor-to-ceiling drapes cover the windows, shielding the room from the sun's fiery descent. Paintings, stark against the black-coated steel walls, seemed to leer down at him. His footsteps, muffled by the plush sapphire carpet, sounded like drumbeats against his racing heart. Oh, Christ, Roy feels faint. Gulping air, he cranes his neck upwards, the ceiling angling down in