The rhythmic beat of music pulsed through the gym, and Susan moved through each exercise with laser focus, her body pushing to keep up with her racing thoughts. Frustration surged with each repetition, and she felt the tension build, but the burn in her muscles was a welcome release.“Whoa, slow down, girl,” Caroline’s voice pulled her back to reality. Her friend was giving her a raised eyebrow from across the row of weights. “What’s got you so tense?”Susan paused, catching her breath, and forced a casual shrug. She couldn't exactly open up to her friend about the gang boss she'd gotten herself involved with, so she managed a small smile. “Just... work stuff.” She lied, and knew as the words left her mouth that Caroline would not believe her as she was such a terrible liar. Caroline gave her a knowing look but didn’t press. “Right. Well, from the way you’re going at it, I’d say it’s more than just work, but I won't pry.” She grinned slyly. “You need a distraction. Like, an actual di
The apartment was cozy, filled with the warmth of Susan’s home-cooked meal, and the light scent of roasted chicken and herbs lingered in the air. She watched Samuel take another bite of rice and salad, his face softened by a rare moment of calm. For the first time in a while, they were sitting down together, sharing a meal without the shadows of debt or danger lurking in the background—at least, that’s what she wanted him to think.“This is good,” Samuel said, gesturing to his plate. “You still make the best chicken.”Susan gave him a small smile. “Mom taught me well. I had to learn to keep you fed, remember? You weren’t exactly a picky eater, but you could finish a meal before I even sat down.”He chuckled, and for a moment, the tension lifted. They finished eating, their laughter filling the small space, the closeness of siblings who had faced far too much together. But as they settled in the living room with mugs of tea, Samuel’s expression grew serious.“So... I still can’t figure
Susan smoothed down her dress, taking a final look in the mirror. The short, sky-blue gown hugged her figure elegantly, giving her a polished look that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Tonight, she’d left her hair loose, letting soft waves fall over her shoulders, and had put a little more effort into her makeup. She wanted to feel like herself again—something she hadn't been able to do since getting involved with Leo.She shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. Tonight was about Jeremy, the charming guy she’d met at the gym. He seemed nice, normal even, and she desperately needed that kind of stability in her life. As she got ready, she thought about how different Jeremy was from Leo. Where Leo was intense and unpredictable, Jeremy felt safe and grounded.With a final glance in the mirror, she grabbed her purse and stepped out, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach. The drive to the restaurant was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension, but she told herse
A look of disappointment crossed his face, but he nodded. “Of course. I hope everything’s alright.”“Yes, it’s fine,” she assured him, but couldn't ignore the disappointment on his face. “I'm so sorry, Jeremy. Believe me, I was really having a great time with you. How about we do this again sometime,” Jeremy nodded, “Sure, I'd be delighted to,” he said. Susan grabbed her purse as she stood. “I’ll…call you soon.”As she walked out of the restaurant, her mind raced with questions. Leo’s message had been short—straight to the point, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted from her now. All she knew was that any chance of a simple, normal night was gone, and once again, she was being pulled back into Leo’s world._________The Summit was open when Susan got there, unlike the last time. Susan found her way upstairs to the lounge with a swirl of irritation and intrigue buzzing in her chest, where she met Connor who then led her to Leo's private room without question. Guess he'd b
Susan blinked, her anger momentarily displaced by confusion. “What?”He gave a slight, almost teasing smile. “You said I interrupted your date. And I have to say, you look... breathtaking. It’d be a shame to let all that effort go to waste, wouldn't it?”Susan opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. The intensity of his stare was overwhelming, clouding her thoughts, and she felt herself wavering.“Let’s make a deal,” Leo murmured, his voice dropping. “You let me take you to dinner, and I’ll consider your proposal. How does that sound?”Her mind was a whirl. His closeness, his scent, the magnetic pull she couldn’t escape—it was all too much. She took a deep breath, feeling her resolve falter as his words sank in.“You will?” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but she couldn’t look away.“Cross my heart,” he said, smiling, his gaze steady and unwavering.After a moment, Susan nodded, barely trusting herself as she answered. “Fine.”_________Susan sat in Leo's sleek black
When the food arrived, Leo watched her closely as she tried each dish, his attention unwavering. She felt herself gradually relaxing, the rich flavors and ambiance drawing her into the moment.After they’d finished the main course, Leo surprised her by ordering a rich, dark chocolate mousse. "A reward," he said with a grin, “for taking a risk with me tonight.”She couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, this is a risk?" she teased.His eyes darkened slightly as he leaned forward, his voice a quiet murmur. "For someone like you, I’d say so."The air between them was charged with an unspoken tension, and the world seemed to slip away until all that was left was the space between them. She felt the familiar shiver race down her spine as he held her gaze, his hand just barely brushing hers on the table. It was both an invitation and a warning, one that she wasn’t sure she was ready for but couldn’t resist.Once they’d finished dessert, Leo took care of the bill without so
Susan took it all in, her heart pounding slightly as she moved to drop her bag on the table. When she turned back, Leo was still by the door, watching her with an intensity that sent a thrill up her spine. He hadn’t moved, nor had he said a word, but his gaze was full of something unspoken, a magnetic pull that made her want to close the distance between them. The silence was becoming too much to bear. Someone had to say something, but for a moment, they just stood and stared at each other. She took a few steps forward. She couldn't tell what it was, but she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, and slowly the urge to fight her attraction to him was dying. Her voice was softer than she intended when she finally broke the silence. "So… are you just going to go home and leave me here? All alone?”Leo gave a small chuckle, “Is that an invitation?” he teased, “Leo…” Damn, even the way she said his name was a turn on. He shook his head and tried to control his thoughts. A smile tug
Her breath caught, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. There it was again, that magnetism between them—charged and unspoken, pulling them closer even when words failed. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to refocus. “Well, thank you,” she said again, her voice quieter this time.Leo’s gaze softened, and he took a small step toward her, still keeping a respectful distance. “Anytime,” he murmured. “But tell me—are you really leaving now? We could grab breakfast downstairs if you’re not in a hurry.”Susan hesitated, caught off guard by the invitation, but she knew she needed to return home. There were errands to run, laundry to tackle, and the lingering memory of the date she’d just left behind. Besides, a quiet voice in her mind warned her against spending too much time with him, as if each second lowered her guard just a bit more.“Thank you, but I should head home,” she replied gently, offering him a small smile. “I’ve got a few things to take care of today.”Leo’s expressi
Leo’s lips twitched, but he didn’t dare smile. Instead, he leaned closer, his free hand brushing a stray strand of hair from her damp forehead. “You’re doing great, Susan. You’ve got this.”The hours dragged on. The contractions came faster and harder, and each one seemed to drain Susan’s strength. Leo stayed with her the entire time, holding her hand, whispering reassurances, even snapping at a nurse when she wasn’t quick enough with the ice chips.Finally, the doctor returned, checking Susan again. “You’re fully dilated. It’s time to push.”Susan’s heart raced. She looked up at Leo, fear flickering in her eyes.“You can do this,” he said firmly, his hands cradling her face for a moment. “I’m right here.”The room transformed into a flurry of activity. Nurses positioned themselves, the doctor gave instructions, and Susan braced herself.“Okay, Susan, with the next contraction, I need you to push,” the doctor instructed.The pain was overwhelming, but Susan gritted her teeth and pushe
An hour later, Leo’s men drove Vince, unconscious, to an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town. They positioned him in a chair surrounded by stacks of counterfeit bills, the bag of drugs on the table, and the pistol in his lap.Leo observed every detail, ensuring there was enough evidence to connect Vince to the stolen money and illegal activities. He even had Connor take pictures of the setup to send to an anonymous tip line.“Make sure it looks like he was working alone,” Leo instructed. “The last thing we need is this tying back to us.”Asher nodded and set about wiping down any trace of their presence.Once everything was in place, they made the call to the police, disguising their voices as concerned neighbors reporting suspicious activity.Hours later, Leo sat alone in his study, a glass of whiskey in hand as the news played on the television. The headline read: “Local Man Arrested in Connection to Counterfeit Money Operation.” Vince’s mugshot appeared on the screen, his face
There was a brief pause on the other end before Asher replied, “Understood. We’ll keep him... comfortable until you arrive.”Leo ended the call without another word, slipping the phone back into his pocket. He downed the last of his whiskey, the burn of it barely registering as his mind focused on what needed to be done. Vince had made a fatal mistake, and Leo was about to remind him—and everyone else—why crossing him was a mistake no one survived. He'd let Vince go the first time, and now he was going to finish the job. He flicked the cigarette over the balcony railing, watching the ember fall until it vanished into the night. He turned toward the door, ready to head inside, when he froze at the sight of Susan standing there. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her eyes were filled with anger and something else—disappointment.“How long have you been standing there?” he asked, his voice flat, though his jaw tightened.“Long enough,” Susan snapped, stepping onto the balcony. Th
Asher hesitated for a split second, then gave a curt nod. “Understood.”Without another word, Asher turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. Leo sat in silence for a moment, his thoughts swirling. Susan’s rejection, Abruzzi’s attack, Vince’s betrayal—it was all fuel for the fire already raging inside him. He glanced at the gun in his hand, then set it down carefully on the table.His empire was under attack, and Leo Spencer wasn’t the kind of man to let that go unanswered. The game had just changed, and he was going to make sure everyone involved understood one thing: no one crossed him and got away with it.____________The muffled thud of footsteps echoed in the dimly lit parking lot as Asher and Connor moved quickly, their eyes scanning the deserted space. Vince was leaning casually against his car, a cigarette dangling from his lips, utterly oblivious to the trap closing in around him.“Stay sharp,” Asher whispered to Connor, his hand resting lightly on the gun holst
The routine was the same every morning—he’d come in, announce he was leaving, and then disappear for the day. It irritated her to no end, and today, the irritation boiled over.“Got it. Please leave,” she said bluntly, pulling the duvet up to her chin as if to shield herself from his indifference.Leo frowned, his calm demeanor cracking slightly. “Excuse me? I’m only trying to be helpful.”Susan let out a humorless laugh. “Helpful? This is helping? Leaving me here every day while you run off to your club to play crime boss? Doing things that could put you in danger… How exactly is that supposed to help?”Leo’s eyes narrowed. “I’m surprised you care so much about my safety,” he retorted, his tone sharp.“I don’t,” she shot back, throwing the duvet off her legs. She swung her feet to the floor, determined to storm past him, but her body betrayed her. Moving was harder than she’d anticipated, and she struggled to push herself up.Before she could protest, Leo was at her side, his hands f
“So... when do you think we should tell Susan about us?” Samuel asked as he casually buttoned up his shirt.Caroline froze mid-motion, his question hitting her like a ton of bricks. She turned to stare at him, her expression a mix of shock and incredulity, as if he’d just suggested something completely absurd. “Why would we tell her anything?” she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.Samuel frowned, clearly caught off guard. “Why wouldn’t we?” he countered, his voice tinged with confusion.Caroline turned away, unable to meet his eyes. She felt her pulse quicken as she muttered, “Because there’s nothing to tell.”For a moment, Samuel stood there, stunned into silence. But as her words sank in, the weight of what she was saying hit him hard. He recognized this feeling—an ending he hadn’t been prepared for. And if it was going to happen, she’d have to face him when she did it.He crossed the room in a few swift steps and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders, gently but insiste
He didn’t know how to process the ache twisting in his chest. He wanted to hold her, to wipe away her tears, but his own frustration and hurt held him back. Instead, he stepped away, his expression unreadable.After a long, heavy pause, he said, “Will you at least consider moving in? Just until the baby comes. You shouldn’t be alone during this last month. After the birth, you can find your own place when you’re ready.”She hesitated, the thought of being alone during labor and the final stretch of her pregnancy weighing heavily on her. She didn't want to be alone. Finally, she nodded. “Okay. Until the baby comes.”“Good,” he said curtly. “I’ll have my driver take you home. You should start to pack your things tomorrow.”Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Susan standing there, her arms wrapped protectively around herself, tears streaming silently down her cheeks._______________Samuel felt warmth and soft against him. He shifted his weight toward the
Susan stepped closer to the crib, running her fingers over the smooth wood. “This must have taken so much time. I didn’t even know you were doing this.”“I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said, moving to stand beside her. He rested a hand lightly on her lower back, his touch grounding her as she took it all in.Susan turned to him, her heart full. “Leo, this is the most thoughtful, amazing gift anyone has ever given me.”His lips curved into a small smile, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “I just wanted you to know that I’m all in, Suzy. For this whole parenting thing. I want to give it a try… And do it right.”She didn’t know what to say, so she simply stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered into his chest.Leo held her close, resting his chin lightly on her head. That close to his lean, powerful body, Susan could smell the distinctive scent of his skin, an intoxicating mixture of citrus overlaying husky male, and as she
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” he said softly, though there was a flicker of curiosity in his expression. “You're already giving me enough,” Susan shrugged lightly, sitting back down in her armchair. “I wanted to. Just open it.”Leo pulled at the ribbon, unwrapping the paper with surprising care, as if he wanted to savor the moment. When he lifted the lid of the box, his expression froze for a second before softening.Inside was a sleek wristwatch—silver with a black leather strap. The minimalist design was elegant but not ostentatious, exactly his style. Beside it, nestled in a small compartment, were cufflinks engraved with his initials: L.S..For a moment, Leo said nothing, his eyes fixed on the gift. Susan began to fidget, suddenly unsure of herself. “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it,” she said quickly, her voice tinged with nervousness. “I just thought… well, you always wear cufflinks when you're dressed all ‘bossy’ you know, and I noticed you liked them so—”“I love it,” L