Mutters of disbelief rippled through the crowd."What the hell? This can't be right...""Son of a bitch, they can't do this!""I've been with the network for fifteen years!"Serena watched the scene with furrowed brows. Every single paparazzo and reporter present had just had the professional rug ripped out from underneath them in one decisive move. As if losing their luxurious media positions wasn't enough of a punishment, they were instantly followed by a series of menacing rumbles coming from the street.The crowd split like a wave when two luxurious black SUVs, armed to the teeth with heavily armed men pulled up to flank Serena's convoy.The reporters watched in stunned silence as the rear hatches opened and a small army of imposing figures piled out, fanning out to surround the entire crowd in a loose semicircle. These weren't the typical rent-a-cops most were accustomed to dealing with - these men were clearly trained military operators. Their icy professionalism and t
Alex had been in a state of disbelief when Khylie had shown up, waving around a medical report she'd somehow managed to snag from the hospital where Serena had ended up after her wild night out. He had always thought Serena was above that sort of behavior - using her body as a weapon for revenge. But now...His eyes narrowed to slits as the answer suddenly became clear. Indeed, someone had been pulling the strings and filling her head with dangerous delusions of power and entitlement that she could never earn on her own merit. A slow burn of anger began kindling in the pit of his stomach as his gaze raked over Dimitri and the rest of Serena's hulking bodyguards once more with their icy demeanors and telltale bulges of concealed weapons beneath their tailored suits.A cruel smirk twisted Alex's lips when the final piece clicked into place in his mind. "I see it now," he sneered, giving a slow, mocking shake of his head as he looked back towards Serena with undisguised contempt. "The l
Serena’s perfectly manicured finger hit the dial for Jenkins on the phone screen long after they left her father’s villa. "Serena? Jesus, are you okay?" Jenkins' panicked voice exploded from the speaker as soon as he picked up."You saw the videos I assume? With dear old stepmom, Kylie and that snake Alex?" Serena spat with venom. "Yes, God, Serena what were you thinking confronting them like that?" Jenkins sounded exasperated. "Especially with that dobbed sex tape shitstorm everywhere online. You should be lying low, not stirring up more drama!""Those fucking cowards leaked it to sabotage me before I could take them down for what they’d done." Serena erupted, stabbing an accusatory finger toward the empty seat in front of her as if Alex was sitting right there."I figured as much," Jenkins sighed. "Still, just showing up at the estate like that? Your face is all over the internet now. I thought we agreed you'd lie low until we could get ahead of this mess.""Until what?" She clutc
"Drive!”Dimitri immediately sprang into action, sliding behind the steering wheel in one fluid motion. He roared the engine to life and the powerful car shot forward, leaving the wreckage in its wake.Knox's intense gaze remained fixed on Serena the entire time they sped away. She looked so fragile like she might shatter into pieces if he so much as exerted the slightest force on her. But Knox knew better than that. Beneath her delicate exterior beat the heart of a true fighter, a survivor. Serena had been through her own personal hell at the hands of the people she trusted and called family and had emerged stronger than ever, ready to swing back at the world with everything she had. Just like Knox had after being forged in the same brutal fire. The ride came to an abrupt halt a few miles later, ultimately jolting Knox from his brooding thoughts. The rear passenger door flew open and Killian slid into the driver's seat, his expression thunderous. The big man's hands were
The black car roared to a halt after passing through the imposing wrought-iron gates of the sprawling villa estate. Knox emerged first with an almost predatory grace. He straightened to his full, intimidating height of over six feet, the muscles in his arms and shoulders visibly straining against the expensive fabric of his customized suit. His face was set in a harsh line that promised swift and brutal retribution to anyone foolish enough to cross him and his jawline was clenched. His eyes were like molten chips of blazing amber ice, glittering with a dangerous intensity that could freeze one's blood.Knox reached back into the car and gently gathered Serena into his arms, cradling her slender body against his muscular frame. One large hand rested at the back of her head while his fingers tenderly stroked the silken strands of her hair. A small, almost tender smile ghosted across his harsh features when she stirred slightly in his embrace but remained nestled trustingly against h
"Erm... Could you two not forget the single males who are about to wind up with blue balls? My dick is already swelled from not being able to reach Lala due to an interruption by my loving sisters-in-law." Killian grumbled, breaking the silence with his usual crude humor. “Speaking of interruptions, sister-in-law, did we at least put on a decent performance for you? Can you tell us whose dick is bigger between Seven’s and—” Killian trailed off when he felt every hair on his skin rise from the death stare he was receiving. He quickly slid beside Seven and shrunk as small as he could. “You will die sooner than I imagined,” Seven muttered under his breath. Serena, on the other hand, wished the ground would just open up and swallow her whole. She could feel the heat of embarrassment flooding her cheeks in a scorching blush. This Killian was simply too much! Shameless. Dimitri cleared his throat awkwardly. His massive frame seeming to take up half the space in the study. "Sorry to int
The atmosphere in the living room was wound tight with tension, like a coiled spring ready to snap. The maids, all dressed in their pristine uniforms, were huddled together, their heads bowed low in deference. The only exception was Mrs. Ricci, who had the daunting task of serving lunch to everyone seated at the dining table - Killian, Seven, Serena, and Knox."Would you like some more wine, master?" Mrs. Ricci asked when she finished arranging everyone's plates with an assortment of delectable dishes."I am good," came Killian’s response."Me too," Seven said.Knox didn't say anything, his focus entirely on his meal. He picked up his cutlery and began eating with a grace that left Serena who had been watching, breathless. She marveled at how he managed to make something as simple as eating look so refined and enticing. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest at the sight of him - his chiseled jaw working methodically as he chewed and swallowed each bite."Is everything alright, sis
The room was thick with tension as Knox's gaze bore into Serena.Was she okay? A bitter laugh threatened to escape Serena's lips at the absurdity of the question. She had just discovered that her husband not only had a mistress but was also betrothed to some princess. And all this information came from a maid who had breathed her last in front of her eyes. How could anyone be okay after that?Serena didn’t utter a word for over a minute. Her mind raced as she pieced together what the dying maid had probably revealed unintentionally. Someone wanted her dead and all signs pointed towards Knox’s women being involved somehow. The realization sent a chill down her spine and hardened her resolve.“I’m far from okay!” Serena finally responded. "I want out. I want a divorce.” She added, lifting her gaze to meet Knox's cold stare. She could see him stiffen at her words, but she continued undeterred. "I already had one cheating man in my life; I don't need another. I don’t need a se