Alex’s POVKelly had already gone to bed. I'd gone to check on her, her soft breathing echoing faintly through the room. She was safe now, but my mind refused to settle. Gina’s reappearance and her audacity to approach Kelly boiled my blood. How can that bitch think of bribing Kelly, and that Holly girl had the audacity to show up? Should have killed her a while ago.I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. My mind was already racing with plans to handle this situation. Gina had crossed a line, and I wasn’t about to let it slide. Picking up my phone, I scrolled through my contacts until I found Finn’s name.The phone rang; his groggy voice answered.“Boss? It’s late,” Finn muttered.“I need you to wake up. This is urgent,” I said, my tone firm.Finn sighed audibly. “What’s going on?”“Gina,” I spat the name like it was venom. “I need you to track someone down for me. Her current boyfriend, or rather, her lover. The former bodyguard my ex-wife left me for. I need to know what he’s d
Kelly’s POVThe whispers had been relentless since the cafeteria incident. Every glance, every half-concealed smile from my coworkers felt heavy with speculation. I knew they were talking about me, piecing together fragments of the scene they witnessed: Alex storming in, the confrontation with the cafeteria staff, and my untouched tray. It had been a whirlwind, leaving me more shaken than I cared to admit.The incident in the cafeteria had caused quite a stir, and though Alex had handled it with his usual commanding presence, it was clear that the news had spread.When I arrived at my desk, Daniela was already waiting with an urgent expression. She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.“Kelly,” she said, "you must have been shaken by the incident. So sorry you had to face that. Thank God Alex was watching. He wants to see you in his office. He told me to bring you there.”A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. It wasn’t unusual for Alex to call me to his office, but after w
Kelly’s POVThe next morning, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I actually did make Alex change his mind about me leaving the company. His concern for my safety was valid, but leaving the company felt like an abandonment of my principles. I needed to take control of the narrative, both for myself and for us.Without much thought, out of excitement, I grabbed my phone and dialed Daniela. She answered the call, her voice cheerful despite the early hour.“Kelly! Morning! Are you okay?”“Hi, Daniela. I’m okay,” I began hesitantly. “Actually, I wanted to update you about the work stuff.”“Of course! Spill it,” she said, her tone shifting to one of curiosity.I took a deep breath. “I’ve decided I’m not leaving the company. Alex and I came to a compromise. At first I accepted it because of Gina and the attempt on my life, but I need to live and not be in hiding just because some ex-wife misses what she once had. There'll be increased security measures, but I’m staying.”There was a pause bef
Kelly's POVAlex and I were finally in a good place again, and Daniela's loyalty—she is currently my only friend apart from Alex—had reinforced my belief that I wasn’t alone in this.After stretching and yawning, I grabbed my phone to check for any messages. There were lots of reactions to the article I’d written about Gina.It seemed that exposing Gina’s manipulative antics had turned the tide in my favor within the company.Amid the barrage of messages, one stood out—a reminder for my follow-up doctor’s appointment. I’d nearly forgotten about the check-up. My injuries were healing, but I was eager to hear what the doctor had to say about my progress.With a deep breath, I decided to handle this day head-on.******Later that morning,The doctor arrived at the mansion just in time. I wanted him to come early so I could return back to work.“Good morning, Kelly, been a while, dear,” he said.“Yes, it has. Thanks, Doctor,” I replied, settling in. “How’s everything looking?”He smiled re
Holly’s POVI stared at my reflection in the mirror, hatred etched into every feature of my face. Kelly. The name itself filled me with a rage I could barely contain. How dare she waltz into my life and take everything I deserved? She wasn’t just a threat; she was my enemy.I hadn’t always been this way, but life had a way of hardening you. People like Kelly always came out on top, while those like me were left in the shadows, forgotten. That wouldn’t be my fate, not this time.Taking a deep breath, I smirked at the irony of it all. The message I’d sent her earlier was just the beginning. Little did she know that her precious Alex wasn’t as untouchable as she thought. I had allies now, Alex’s rivals, desperate to see him fall, and I intended to use them.“Miss Holly,” a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see Victor, one of Alex’s fiercest competitors, standing in the doorway.“Victor,” I greeted, my tone smooth. “I trust you have the information I need?”He handed me a folder,
Alex’s POVThe room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls as Finn sat across from me, nursing a glass of bourbon.I picked a club for us to meet at; I didn't want it to be at home. Kelly might walk into the study or hear us. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on me; he could see it, and I knew what I was about to propose would cross a line Kelly doesn't want me to cross. But I was a Don, and in this world, mercy was a luxury I couldn’t afford."Finn," I began, my voice low but steady, "Holly has gone too far. She's not just playing games anymore; she's threatening everything we've built, everything I’ve worked for, and worst of all, she's targeting Kelly. How can such a little girl do that, and we watch her go scot-free? If it was just Kelly's betrayal, I would have allowed her to pass, but she's doing a lot to piss me off. I can't stay put."Finn leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes assessing me. "And what exactly do you have in mind? Because I know that look, A
Kelly’s POVI stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, the echoes of Holly’s threats ringing in my ears. Holly’s cruelty wasn’t just about me; it felt like an attempt to destroy everything and everyone I loved. Her relentless torment, her schemes, her obsession with Alex and me, had spiraled into something far more dangerous than I’d ever anticipated.Why is she doing this? That question plagued me endlessly. Holly was cunning, spiteful, and calculating, but what drove her hatred? It couldn’t simply be jealousy, could it? Jealousy didn’t burn this hot or last this long.I sighed, sitting up and hugging my knees to my chest. I felt powerless, constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for her next move. Her attacks weren’t just verbal or emotional; they had become physical, calculated strikes meant to unnerve us. Alex had tried to shield me from the worst of it, but I could see the toll it was taking on him.The door creaked open, and Alex stepped in. His presence always seemed to fil
Kelly's POVThe day began like any other. The hum of office chatter, the gentle clinking of coffee mugs, and the rhythmic tapping of keyboards created a soothing atmosphere at the company. For the first time in weeks, I felt a semblance of normalcy. Alex had been more attentive than ever, and the chaos with Holly seemed to have quieted down.I sat at my desk, meticulously going over some reports, my mind drifting back to the necklace Alex had given me. It glinted softly under the fluorescent lights, a constant reminder of his love and protection. But even with the gift around my neck, a faint unease lingered in the back of my mind, an intuition I couldn’t quite shake.The door to the office swung open with a loud thud, jolting me out of my thoughts. All heads turned toward the source of the sound. Holly.She stormed in, her heels clicking angrily against the marble floor, her face twisted in fury. My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively gripped the edge of my desk. What was she d
Kelly’s POVThe word “killer” hung in the air like a noose tightening around my neck, suffocating and impossible to shake. Gina’s mocking voice echoed in my head, taunting me.Killer.But what she didn’t know, what I hadn’t even fully come to terms with, was that I didn’t regret it. Holly deserved every second of her ending. I wished I could go back, do it all over again, and this time relish in the satisfaction. The memory was horrifying, yes. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the sense of justice that came with it; I could have been the one killed by Holly, but fate has made it this way.All of a sudden, a flashback of my foster father came to mind. Am I really a killer?. I might even have excuses for both circumstances, but what am I in the eyes of justice? 1After the call ended, I sat motionless, staring blankly at Alex’s phone in my hands. My mind raced as Gina’s words burrowed deeper into my psyche. How dare she throw Holly’s death in my face after everything she and Hol
Kelly’s POVMorning crept into the room slowly, its light soft and unobtrusive, as though even the sun knew I needed more time to heal. The warmth of Alex’s arms around me was the only thing keeping the haunting memories at bay. His steady breathing against my back reminded me that, despite everything, I was no longer alone in the nightmare. A morning not in that warehouse.I stirred slightly, careful not to wake him. The events of the warehouse were still fresh in my mind, replaying like a broken record. Those guards watching me urinate, depriving me of every sense of privacy. I couldn't even employ the thoughts of escaping; I felt helpless. I didn't know a tear had escaped my left eye. Holly’s wicked smirk, her threats, and the sickening sound of her crumpling to the floor filled my thoughts. My hands trembled at the memory of her blood on them, but what unsettled me most was the sense of relief I’d felt when it was over.“Kelly?” Alex’s voice broke into my thoughts, soft and laced
Alex's POVThe SUV screeched to a halt outside the sprawling hotel where Gina wanted to meet. I stepped out, a storm brewing inside me. Every instinct screamed to leave this woman to rot in whatever chaos she was spinning, but Kelly’s life was at stake. My fists clenched as I thought of Kelly’s pale face from the photo Gina had sent. My heart ached, and my rage bubbled dangerously beneath the surface.“Finn, status update,” I barked into the phone; immediately Finn picked up my calls as I strode into the hotel lobby.“We’re on it, boss. The informant gave us a list of four possible warehouses. We’re checking the first one immediately we get into Mexico,” Finn replied. His voice was calm, but I could hear the tension.“Good,” I muttered, glancing around the lobby. It looked almost the same as it had years ago when I first met Gina. Memories I’d tried to bury came rushing back uninvited, tangling with the chaos of my present reality. I didn't care about all that now; Kelly is all that m
Alex’s POVThe room was silent except for the sound of my fist slamming against the desk. Papers scattered everywhere, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t care less. Kelly was missing, and every passing second without her chipped away at my sanity; this was day 5 of her being kidnapped. I felt every connection I had was useless as nothing has led me to her yet. My constant fear, “What if they kill her? But I realized, on Daniela's words, whoever had her is using her as collateral; else I would have heard something. I had accounted for everybody found, and it wasn't hers; I tried to keep hopes alive.Finn stood across the room, his face tight with concern. He had been my right-hand man for years, loyal to a fault, but even he looked shaken. “I've never seen you this way, boss; you need to eat at the very least.”.“What if they are starving her?” I asked, “She has to be somewhere, Finn!” I growled, pacing back and forth. “We’re missing something. We’re overlooking something!”Finn sighed, run
Kelly's POVDarkness. That’s all I could see when I first opened my eyes. My head throbbed, each heartbeat a sharp, stabbing pain that seemed to echo in my skull. I tried to move, but the cold bite of metal cuffs around my wrists stopped me. The air was heavy and damp, with the faint stench of mold and old wood filling my nostrils. Wherever I was, it wasn’t anywhere Alex could find me easily. It was the second day.Panic clawed at my chest, threatening to choke me. Stay calm, I told myself. But the fear wouldn’t let go.Then I heard footsteps, slow, deliberate, echoing in the distance. My breath hitched as the sound grew closer. A door creaked open, flooding the room with dim yellow light. My eyes squinted against the sudden brightness, and I could just make out two figures walking toward me.Gina. Her striking face twisted into a malicious grin, and beside her, it was Holly, Her presence felt cold, as though cruelty radiated off her in waves. Two men followed them in.“Well, look who
Alex’s POVThe moment I realized Kelly was gone, something inside me snapped. The world blurred, and all I could hear was the deafening roar of my own heartbeat. The love of my life—the one person who gave me purpose—had been taken, and I hadn’t been there to stop it.I stood in the middle of the empty ballroom, her name escaping my lips like a desperate prayer. "Kelly!" My voice reverberated off the walls, but the silence that followed was a cruel reminder that she wasn’t there.Finn and Daniela rushed to my side, their faces etched with concern."Alex," Finn said, gripping my shoulder. "We’ll find her. You need to focus."But I couldn’t focus. Not when every second that passed felt like another inch she was pulled away from me. My chest heaved as anger and fear warred within me. I grabbed Finn by the collar, my voice a growl."Focus? She’s out there with God knows who, and you want me to focus?!""Alex!" Daniela’s voice cut through my fury like a blade. She stepped between us, her e
Kelly’s POVFrom the moment they grabbed me, I fought with every ounce of strength I had. My heart pounded like a war drum, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I thrashed and kicked against their unrelenting grip. Desperation clawed at me, each scream tearing from my throat with raw intensity. But the silky material of my dress, once a symbol of elegance, betrayed me, clinging to my skin and restricting my movements. Every step I tried to take became a stumble, the fabric twisting around my legs like a vice. Is this the world Alex has always tried to protect me from?.Before I could find my footing, a rough hand yanked me back with such force that I gasped, the air rushing out of my lungs. "Let me go!" I screamed, the words echoing into the night like a desperate prayer, I was scared, my strength wavering.One of the men snorted, his tone dripping with amusement. "Feisty, isn’t she?" I barely had time to process his mocking words before a sharp slap cracked across my face, sen
Alex’s POVThe night seemed to stretch endlessly after Gina’s dramatic exit. I stood near the entrance of the Riviera Hall, the faint buzz of party chatter filtering through the doors behind me, I had to leave my audience to make sure she was completely gone, Gina can be a crazy bitch. Finn approached, his footsteps steady, his sharp suit catching the light from the chandeliers above.“She’s gone,” Finn said quietly, his voice laced with reassurance. “Security escorted her off the premises, and they’ll make sure she doesn’t get back in. I had the guards stationed outside the gates just in case she decides to pull anything else, I'm sorry this happened”I let out a slow breath, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “Thanks, Finn. I needed that, don't be sorry, it's not my fault, my past is just not wanting to let go, all the more reasons I'm glad Kelly is besides me and all these tantrums doesn't move her”Finn reached into his pocket and pulled out his cigar case again. “You lo
Alex's POVThe night was finally here. The Riviera Hall stood proud and resplendent, bathed in the soft golden glow of fairy lights strung along the perimeter. A crimson carpet stretched from the entrance to the grand double doors, flanked by elegant floral arrangements that mirrored the theme: black and gold. The air buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the faint notes of classical music floating from the live band warming up inside.I stood outside the hall, adjusting the cuffs of my tailored black tuxedo with gold accents, feeling both anticipation and pride. Tonight wasn’t just about celebrating my love for Kelly, it was also a showcase of our ability to pull off something magnificent together I know it hasn't been so long I've known her, but no woman has ever locked me down like she does, her soul and love makes my heartless soul beat and pant after her. Daniela had outdone herself with the organization, and I made a mental note to double her bonus.A tap on my shoulder pulled m