NATHAN'S POVSitting down at the round table, I took my time to look at the other attendees of this meeting.Vincent, Hades, and Delilah all looking bored with Delilah using a file on her nails, Hades was focused on his phone while his body lay heavily on the back of the chair causing it to slant a little, Vincent was probably the only person who looked a bit interested in what I have to say.I leaned forward, laying my hands on the table without breaking eye contact. I needed one of them to break form, for their defiant expression to give away for guilt, even in just a split second.I needed answers.Finally, I broke the silence, saying "The last time we had this meeting, we made a plan which was supposed to be carried out today.The plan was to rat out Damian to the police to avoid interference in our investigation and also to bring Damian's sins to light.Every single piece of evidence we have concerning this case points to Damian as the culprit and knowing that we made the plan a
Damian's POV The press meeting has just ended, and the cameras have finally stopped rolling. I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I had deliberately held back the news I wanted to share, not because I wasn't ready to reveal it, but because I intended to tease them, to leave them with a sense of anticipation and curiosity.Under no circumstances will I ever breathe a word about their secret. Not only would it affect the orders, but it would also have a devastating impact on me on everyone, and even on Leah.So, I had no intention of actually revealing their secret. But I wanted to use the threat of exposure as leverage to keep the orders in line. I needed to show them that I wasn't someone to be trifled with and that I wasn't weak.By holding back the information, I had created a sense of tension, a sense of uncertainty that would keep them guessing. And that was exactly what I wanted. I wanted to be in control, to be the one holding the reins. And now, I had the upper ha
Leah's POV"What excuse can I give to leave this house?" I thought to myself.This morning, I felt an overwhelming urge to visit the restaurant, not driven by a desire to check on its operations, but rather by a deep-seated need to see Scarlet.On top of that, I have started feeling like a prisoner again, like I felt when I was in Damian's house, only that I was more comfortable there, but here I'm not. Lucy is making me uncomfortable.She's doing so many things to piss me off, and I'm unable to react because I'm trying to get in their good book.Lucy has been consistently finding ways to hurt me, all while pretending to be concerned about my well-being. A perfect example is when she spilled tea all over me, claiming it was an accident, feigning apologies and innocence. But I know it was no mistake, it was just an attempt to unsettle me, to make me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.Not only is Lucy's behavior unsettling, but Aiden's gaze has also been making me increasingly uncomforta
Aiden's POVI seethed with anger at Leah's sharp words, but I bit back my retort. I had been deliberately gentle with her, despite her provocations, because I recognized her value in my quest to take down Damian. I believed Leah was the key to exploiting Damian's weakness, and I needed her on my side to succeed. That's why I had been tolerating her behavior, swallowing my pride and keeping my temper in check. Normally, I wouldn't hesitate to put someone in their place for speaking to me like that, but I was willing to make an exception for Leah - for now.Lost in thought, I didn't notice the presence behind me until I sensed a subtle shift in the air. I turned to find Lucy standing there, her eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity. Lucy's sudden appearance startled me, my words sharp with annoyance. "I've told you countless times to stop sneaking up on me!" I exclaimed.Lucy's apologetic smile only partially softened her mischievous glint. "Oh, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist,"
Leah's POVAs soon as Aiden stormed out, I collapsed back onto my desk, overcome with emotion, and burst into tears.What have I done?! The memory of Damien's stricken face, etched with pain and rejection, sears my mind like a branding iron. I didn't mean to hurt him so much, but my sharp words cut deep. Now I feel terrible and can't catch my breath. Seeing the pain in his eyes makes me feel a strong sadness inside, like a deep wound that's growing bigger.I'm consumed by a forbidden empathy, a mercy I shouldn't be offering to Damian. He may not have kidnapped the children, but I witnessed his brutal act, the way he nearly took the life of an innocent child. That moment is etched in my memory, a constant reminder of his capacity for cruelty. Yet, despite everything, I find myself wavering, my heart inclined to show him a compassion he doesn't deserve.He's guilty, And because of that, he doesn't deserve a single tear from me. Whatever punishment or pain comes his way, he's earned it
Leah's POVI muttered under my breath, bewildered by the sight before me. "What in the world is she doing here, of all places? Is she trying to torment me like she always does "I thought to myself, my mind racing with possibilities. Her presence was like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and disoriented. I couldn't fathom why she would show up in my restaurant of all places.As I stood there, Lucy's eyes locked onto mine, and she flashed a playful, mischievous grin, I felt my heart skip a beat as she sauntered towards me with confident ease."I was just passing by, on my way to the spa," she said, her voice dripping with nonchalance. "Then I remembered your restaurant was around here, so I thought, why not? I'll pick you up, and we can go together. I'm bored, and I don't want to go alone." Her explanation was laced with a hint of innocence, but I knew better. Lucy never did anything without a reason, and I couldn't help but wonder what she was after."Why don't you go with
Leah's POVRed! I looked again into the mirror and a scream lodged in my throat.I remembered asking for a black dye.What I don't remember is asking for red. Why is my hair red? Not maroon, not dull, it's a road-stopping red.I look hideous. I looked again into the mirror and caught Lucy's expression. She is smiling. I turned back to look at her again and she was still smiling.This is her doing."What's wrong, miss", the voice of the stylist in charge of my hair broke through my anger clouded thoughts. "I asked for my hair to be dyed black, why is my hair red? I look stupid", I shouted at the stylist and her face paled. "Miss, I didn't, I didn't...", she stuttered out but I ignored her, I was fuming."You didn't, you didn't what? Why the fuck is my hair red? Didn't you see the dye, the color? Can't you read? Oh my God, what is this?", I asked, holding my hair in my hand as I stared at her, my eyes wild." What the hell is wrong with you? Is this how bad you are and they let you
THE ORDER A meeting was called among all the heads of the order and everyone was present.There was confusion, distrust, and accusations in the air. Everyone was antsy."Was his body found?", Nathan asked, not bothering to give any identity.His death was an unexpected shock, it had everyone in a chokehold." No, it wasn't. But his car was found and it looked destroyed and unsalvageable", Vincent answered."The order has nothing to do with this because if it has, there is no reason to keep it a secret.It is known that Damian is a threat that needs to be thrashed but I gave no go-ahead on any plans to take out Damian. So, I am putting this question out there, Which one of you is responsible for this attack?", Nathan asked, angrily. DELILAH'S POV Damian is dead, the greatest news of the century.He can burn in hell for all I care, he deserves nothing but destruction and damnation.I have always hated him but when he killed my vampires, my babies. I grew to despis