Sienna doesn’t realize the car is slowing until Noah yanks her out, gripping her wrist tightly. Blinking in surprise, she takes in her surroundings: a sprawling villa stands alone, surrounded by endless land and a chilling silence, broken only by the wind. The villa’s modern lines and grand windows feel cold and isolated.It’s practically impossible to sneak in without getting caught on camera overlooking every corner.“Noah, wait,” she protests as he pulls her forward, stumbling over the gravel. He doesn’t care; his hold tightens as he drags her to the front door—a massive slab of wood with beautiful carvings. When they step inside, the heavy door creaks, and Sienna begins to tremble out of fear.The villa is as lifeless as the land outside. High ceilings and marble floors amplify their footsteps. A single chandelier illuminates the grand foyer. A winding staircase spirals upward, its polished banister gleaming in the gloom. The place feels immaculate, untouched, as if it has been wa
“Noah, please—stop!” she screams again, her voice breaking as she kicks against him. Her knee connects with his side, but it barely fazes him. His fingers dig into her skin as he presses his body closer, his need overpowering any sense of restraint. Tears blinds her vision as she fights, but it’s like pushing against a wall. He’s too strong, too driven by something dark and uncontrollable.Sienna’s breathing grows ragged, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her panic turns into full-blown terror. “Noah, no—stop!” she gasps, struggling harder. She kicks again, this time with more force, her heel connecting with his shin. It’s enough to throw him off balance for a moment, but his hands are back on her in an instant, rough and demanding as they move up her leg again.But then her body betrays her—her breath comes in quick, shallow bursts, her chest heaving uncontrollably. She’s hyperventilating, her vision darkening at the edges. Noah pauses, his hands freezing as he looks down at he
She fetches a small first-aid kit and begins treating the bruises with delicate hands. The silence between them is heavy, but it’s what Sienna needs right now. No words. No explanations. Just the quiet support of someone who’s always been there.Sienna winces as Mia dabs at a particularly dark bruise on her wrist, the spot where Noah had gripped her the hardest. Mia’s hand hesitates, her jaw clenching, but she still doesn’t ask. She doesn’t need to.Sienna leans back against the couch, so tired as her mind finally replayed everything like a broken record. She can barely keep her eyes open, but before she can drift off, her phone buzzes on the coffee table. The sound jolts her, pulling her from the edge of sleep.Mia glances at the phone, then back at Sienna. “Do you want me to get it?” she asks softly.Sienna doesn’t answer, her eyes fixed on the screen, but she doesn’t move. The caller ID flashes Noah King in bold letters. Shaking her head, she turns her face away. She can’t deal wit
“I don’t bite—what are you so afraid of?” Ethan’s voice is light, casual, as he releases Sienna and returns to his seat, settling in like he’s got all the time in the world. He gestures to the sofa across from him. “Come on. I’d like the company. Sit down.”Sienna stays planted where she is, suspicious. There’s no telling what he’s really after. Throwing his hands up in mock surrender, he grins. “Just sit and relax. You look like you could use it. I swear, I won’t do anything. If I do, feel free to kick me where it hurts.” His laughter softens the edge of his words.She considers his offer. Her feet ache in the stilettos she’s been wearing, reminding her how much she misses her sneakers and jeans. She’s never felt so out of her element.Finally, she gives in, setting her tray down and moving to the sofa. She eases herself onto it, crossing one leg over the other and meeting his gaze.Ethan leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You know,” he says, studying her, “you’re real
Sienna skips breakfast, rushing to class bright and early after waking up late. Just as her stomach begins to growl, a message pings on her phone—a summons to the school’s office. Something about her scholarship. She barely waits for class to end before slipping out, her heart thudding with hope and dread. But as she rounds the corner, she stops cold. Standing in her path, looking every inch like royalty, is her half-sister, Nylar.Nylar’s skin glows in the morning light, hair spilling in dark, perfect curls, lips painted a bold red. Everything about her screams money and confidence. Sienna’s instinct is to look away, avoid her entirely, but it’s too late. Those raven eyes are fixed on her, not about to let her escape.“Sienna,” Nylar calls out.Sienna’s steps slow, wary but determined not to let her discomfort show. “Nylar.”“I need to talk to you.” Nylar gestures toward a nearby café, her eyes narrowing as if testing how much control she still has. Sienna knows she should walk away,
It’s Sienna’s 19th birthday, and she doesn’t expect much. She spends most of the day on campus attending lectures, then rushes through a shift at the nightclub where she works as a waitress. But today feels different, as if the universe is finally cutting her a break.After clocking out, her phone rings. It’s her best friend, Mia Carter, insisting that she come over."I’ve got a surprise for you, birthday girl!" Mia teases.Mia’s vibrant presence always chases away Sienna’s darkest moods. Her chestnut-brown hair falls in effortless waves, framing bright green eyes that sparkle like emeralds. Living together in their cozy downtown apartment, they’ve forged an unbreakable bond over late-night laughs, inside jokes, and endless shifts at KAYOL, where they juggle trays and dreams as waitresses while Sienna continues her studies.Sienna smiles, already imagining what Mia has up her sleeve.As she pushes open the door to their apartment, the sweet scent of frosting reaches her before she eve
Sienna hesitates, weighing the pros and cons of confiding in Mia. Their friendship is built on trust and honesty, but this situation is a tangled complication of emotions and secrets. She worries that Mia, with her black-and-white perspective, will struggle to grasp the nuances. The fear of being judged or misunderstood keeps Sienna's lips sealed"Does it matter? If it does, I found it in the trash. What’s it for?"“I can’t explain right now.”“You even know what that means?” Mia asks, her voice tight with disbelief.“Mia, it’s not what you think,” Sienna whispers, running a hand through her hair. “He just... wanted to talk.”“Talk? And he sent you that much? Sienna, wake up. Noah King doesn’t ‘just talk.’ He’s up to something. He wants something. You need to get away from him before it’s too late.”Sienna’s stomach twists. Mia is right, of course. But how can she explain the impossible? That refusing Noah isn’t just hard—it’s dangerous. “You don’t understand, Mia,” she whispers. “If
The car glides smoothly along the busy streets of Washington D.C., the engine's hum a soft backdrop to the thoughts swirling in Sienna’s mind. She sits by the window, her eyes following the blur of buildings and city lights outside, but her mind is stuck in a place she can’t escape—two weeks ago, back in the chaos of the nightclub.The memory grips her as she casts a sideways glance at the man sitting next to her. He’s engrossed in his phone, fingers moving swiftly across the screen, probably handling one of his multi-billion-dollar deals with ease.Noah King. Impossibly handsome, with a sharp jawline, defined by the faintest shadow of stubble that adds to his rugged authority that’s hard to ignore. His dark hair is impeccably styled, though a rebellious strand has fallen across his forehead tonight.His intense blue eyes, currently focused on his iPad, make it easy to imagine how they could freeze someone when they finally land on them.Dressed in a suit that hugs his broad shoulders