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 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 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 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
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
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
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
Alex’s POVI watched Kelly retreat into her bedroom, closing the door softly behind her. The sound felt deafening, like the crash of a door shutting on my entire world. She didn’t slam it, that would’ve been easier to take but the quiet, deliberate way she walked away broke something in me, I knew she trusted me but the battle in her to believe me or not was one obvious even to a blind man.I had never seen her like this before. Hurt, angry, and worst of all distant. It was like I couldn’t reach her no matter how much I tried, and the realization terrified me.I sank onto the couch, running a hand through my hair. My chest felt heavy, the weight of guilt and fear pressing down hard. How had I let it come to this? I should have told her about Gina. I should have warned her about the games she played, the manipulations she was capable of. But I didn’t because I thought I could keep that part of my life buried.Stupid. So, so stupid.The images Gina sent played over and over in my mind.
Alex’s POVThe office clock struck 4:00 PM. The day had been a whirlwind of meetings, calls, and Finn spending most of his digging into the Mr. James Corporation. But just as I was about to pack up, Finn knocked and stepped into my office, a grim expression on his face.“Got something,” he said, closing the door behind him.I gestured for him to take a seat. “I knew there had to be something, I don't necessarily trust concierges What did you find?”“It’s about the concierge,” Finn began, handing me a folder. “Turns out, he was involved in some shady dealings in Italy a few years back. He was linked to a fraudulent acquisition that almost bankrupted a luxury hotel chain, he acted oblivious of a bad deal which affected the companies but he was found guilty, if he were to be normal, then he would be dry and probably in jail or in debts, but the charges were dropped, but only after a hefty settlement and some powerful strings being pulled to clear his name.”I leaned back in my chair, fli
Alex’s POVDinner was ready. The faint aroma of rosemary chicken wafted through the air as I stood outside Kelly’s door. My knuckles hovered over the wood, hesitating for a brief moment. She’d been in there all day, secluded, away from me, away from the world. I couldn’t bear to see her slipping further into herself.I finally knocked.“Kelly,” I called softly, leaning against the door. “Dinner’s ready. I’d really like for us to eat together… at the dining table.”For a few seconds, there was silence. I almost thought she wasn’t going to respond. Then I heard the soft creak of her bed and footsteps padding across the floor.The door cracked open just slightly, her face peeking through the gap. Her eyes still looked tired, distant, but there was no anger in them—just a quiet sadness that tore me apart.“I’m not hungry, Alex,” she said in a small voice.I gave her a gentle smile, trying to mask the ache in my chest. “I know. But it’s been hours since you ate anything. Please, butterfly.
Alex’s POVI watched Kelly retreat into her bedroom, closing the door softly behind her. The sound felt deafening, like the crash of a door shutting on my entire world. She didn’t slam it, that would’ve been easier to take but the quiet, deliberate way she walked away broke something in me, I knew she trusted me but the battle in her to believe me or not was one obvious even to a blind man.I had never seen her like this before. Hurt, angry, and worst of all distant. It was like I couldn’t reach her no matter how much I tried, and the realization terrified me.I sank onto the couch, running a hand through my hair. My chest felt heavy, the weight of guilt and fear pressing down hard. How had I let it come to this? I should have told her about Gina. I should have warned her about the games she played, the manipulations she was capable of. But I didn’t because I thought I could keep that part of my life buried.Stupid. So, so stupid.The images Gina sent played over and over in my mind.
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