AXEL’S POV:It had been two weeks. Two whole weeks of trying to exorcise her from my mind. I kept myself busy—hunting for the perfect virgin maid, tracking down the so-called Orion. I even went through five women who fit the description of the mystery girl that crazy woman had described, testing them in the only way that mattered to me. But none of them could get me off. No matter how tight they were, they weren’t her. And they sure as hell weren’t healing me either. In fact, it only got worse. I had convinced myself that my obsession was about control—about needing to reclaim whatever hold she had on me. But it wasn’t just that. It was the way she had changed. Avery was no longer the terrified woman I had brought into my world. She wasn’t cowering anymore, wasn’t swallowing her words just to avoid setting me off. She had learned to fight. Not just physically but in every way. She took care of Sea like she had been born to do it. She challenged me in training, standing her g
AXEL’S POV:"...and I'm Don Orlando of the Black Horse faction," a gruff voice said, pulling my attention back.I nodded politely, my eyes returning to the mysterious stranger.Finally, he stepped forward, his eyes locking onto mine with unnerving intensity. "Vaughan Zedar, Don of the Four Square faction," he said, his voice smooth as silk.I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his confidence. His suit was pristine, his posture too at ease for a man who looked like he'd just stepped out of a boardroom. Something about him set my instincts on edge."Four Square's Don is Don Zak," I said, testing him.Vaughan's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of something – amusement? – danced in his eyes. "He passed away two years ago, and I took over."I nodded, my mind racing with questions. "I see."Vaughan's smile was a thin, mirthless line. "Welcome to my home. Let me know if you need anything.""I don't deserve that politeness, Don Axel," Vaughan said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "But I'
AXEL’S POV:Ryan’s request was clear as daylight now. The admiration, the silent nods, the stolen glances when he thought no one was watching—it had all been leading to this. Still, I never took it seriously. Ryan hated Avery down to his bones. Or at least, that’s what I thought. When did that change? And to the point where he wanted her as a damn birthday present? "Ryan, you’re not one to joke around, so I know you’re serious. Why do you want Avery?" His hands slid into his pockets as a smirk tugged at his lips. His entire posture shifted—light, almost boyish, like a kid about to confess to his first crush. I already knew what he was going to say, and I didn’t want to hear it. Keeping my expression blank, I tilted my head, my gaze cutting into him. "Ryan, ask for something else. I have a purpose for Avery. She’s out of reach." The smirk faded. "I figured you’d say that." His voice carried no disappointment, only a quiet determination. "But I know her main purpose is to take c
AVERY’S POV:I forced myself to ignore whatever I was feeling, pushing down the anger that bubbled up every time I thought about him with another woman. It wasn’t like I had proof, but the whispers were there. Axel was looking for a new maid. Axel was sleeping around. Baron had been talking about it with the guys when I overheard them. Still, I focused on my training, harder than ever. The inked circle on his chest had faded into nothing, and no one spoke about it—not even Cedric when he came for a routine checkup. I was left in the dark, like always. This morning, even before the first streak of light broke through, everything felt different. The entire estate buzzed with activity. Extra security. People rushing in and out. But Axel and Ryan were nowhere to be seen. Whatever was happening, I wasn’t allowed to know. Even the girls wouldn’t talk. I tried to get them to slip up in the kitchen earlier, but Katie caught us, and the conversation ended before it began. Then they black
AVERY'S POV:Today was the day. The day everything I’d sacrificed for—three years of isolation, shame, and clinging to hope—would finally be worth it. Today, Chase and I will be together again. I’d imagined it a thousand times, practically willed it into existence. He’d be there waiting, holding roses, his face soft and full of the love I’d convinced myself still lived beneath the hurt and resentment. It had to be there. He would be my reward for enduring it all.The warden’s voice cut through the waiting room. “Mrs. Avery Grayson!” Her voice loudly pulled me back from my daze. “That’s me,” I blurted, jumping to my feet, my heart doing a little twirl dance. Today was the day I left behind everything—the concrete walls, the metal bars, the fluorescent lights, and that dull ache that had taken residence in my bones. I’d already showered, fixed my hair, and even put on a little makeup that one of the guards had snuck me. I wanted to look perfect. He’d appreciate the effort; he’d see tha
AVERY'S POV:I felt an overwhelming urge to storm into the house, to confront Chase and demand answers for this chaos. But my feet barely took a step before I was abruptly halted. The sudden loss of momentum left me reeling, like a door slammed shut in my face. This was my house. I should be treated with reverence and respect as Mrs. Grayson. Not being handled as a nobody – invisible, insignificant, and utterly powerless.The guard shoved me into a room, dark and suffocating, as if it was meant to close around me like a vice. The rough edges of the doorframe scraped against my arms, but I didn’t flinch. I barely felt it. I could only stand there, swallowing down bile, my heart beating out some useless plea that this was all a nightmare.But it wasn’t. Chase had left me rotting in that prison, only to serve me divorce papers on the day of my release. As if that wasn’t enough, the invitation to his wedding—his wedding to my own sister—had been tucked right beside them like a sick joke.
AXEL’S POV:Business was good—no, it was flawless. My name alone struck fear wherever it was spoken, and respect was a currency I never ran short of. In every boardroom, back alley, and underground circuit, I was Axel Blackwood: a god among men, ruthless and unyielding. Just the way I liked it.But there was still an itch I couldn’t scratch. The kind that sank deep, an ache gnawing at my insides every time I closed my eyes. Revenge. I’d returned to finish what had started years ago, blood debts left unpaid. I was patient, though. I’d learned to savor it—blood, sweat, and tears from everyone who’d ever dared to cross me.Yet, today, the taste of satisfaction had dulled. I’d spent most of my day distracted, my focus slipping. Sea, my six-year-old daughter, had seemed out of sorts, her usual bright chatter dimmed. She’d stood in the doorway of my office, pouting in that way only she could.“Daddy, you’re always working,” she said, her voice tiny and cracked. “I need someone who can actua
AVERY'S POV:His voice cut through me, sharp and cold, and I didn’t need a second reminder to obey. As Katie, the maid who introduced herself in a low, calm tone, led me down a quiet, lavish hallway, my mind was fixated on one thing: his left eye. The one I could see.Axel Blackwood’s left eye was a smoldering, molten copper—alive with an inner fire that seemed to light up the very air around him. The iris, polished like burnished penny, radiated an intense warmth and depth that made the gaze hypnotic, magnetic. Flecks of gold glinted within that coppery storm, as if shards of sunlight had taken residence there, restless and burning. The cream-toned skin around his eye only served to make its color more striking, like the contrast of fire against pale ember. And his lash, thick and dark, framed his eye like brushstrokes on a masterpiece, accentuating the dangerous gleam within them.As he’d looked at me, his eys had held a glint of mischief, laced with something far darker—command, au
AVERY’S POV:I forced myself to ignore whatever I was feeling, pushing down the anger that bubbled up every time I thought about him with another woman. It wasn’t like I had proof, but the whispers were there. Axel was looking for a new maid. Axel was sleeping around. Baron had been talking about it with the guys when I overheard them. Still, I focused on my training, harder than ever. The inked circle on his chest had faded into nothing, and no one spoke about it—not even Cedric when he came for a routine checkup. I was left in the dark, like always. This morning, even before the first streak of light broke through, everything felt different. The entire estate buzzed with activity. Extra security. People rushing in and out. But Axel and Ryan were nowhere to be seen. Whatever was happening, I wasn’t allowed to know. Even the girls wouldn’t talk. I tried to get them to slip up in the kitchen earlier, but Katie caught us, and the conversation ended before it began. Then they black
AXEL’S POV:Ryan’s request was clear as daylight now. The admiration, the silent nods, the stolen glances when he thought no one was watching—it had all been leading to this. Still, I never took it seriously. Ryan hated Avery down to his bones. Or at least, that’s what I thought. When did that change? And to the point where he wanted her as a damn birthday present? "Ryan, you’re not one to joke around, so I know you’re serious. Why do you want Avery?" His hands slid into his pockets as a smirk tugged at his lips. His entire posture shifted—light, almost boyish, like a kid about to confess to his first crush. I already knew what he was going to say, and I didn’t want to hear it. Keeping my expression blank, I tilted my head, my gaze cutting into him. "Ryan, ask for something else. I have a purpose for Avery. She’s out of reach." The smirk faded. "I figured you’d say that." His voice carried no disappointment, only a quiet determination. "But I know her main purpose is to take c
AXEL’S POV:"...and I'm Don Orlando of the Black Horse faction," a gruff voice said, pulling my attention back.I nodded politely, my eyes returning to the mysterious stranger.Finally, he stepped forward, his eyes locking onto mine with unnerving intensity. "Vaughan Zedar, Don of the Four Square faction," he said, his voice smooth as silk.I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his confidence. His suit was pristine, his posture too at ease for a man who looked like he'd just stepped out of a boardroom. Something about him set my instincts on edge."Four Square's Don is Don Zak," I said, testing him.Vaughan's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of something – amusement? – danced in his eyes. "He passed away two years ago, and I took over."I nodded, my mind racing with questions. "I see."Vaughan's smile was a thin, mirthless line. "Welcome to my home. Let me know if you need anything.""I don't deserve that politeness, Don Axel," Vaughan said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "But I'
AXEL’S POV:It had been two weeks. Two whole weeks of trying to exorcise her from my mind. I kept myself busy—hunting for the perfect virgin maid, tracking down the so-called Orion. I even went through five women who fit the description of the mystery girl that crazy woman had described, testing them in the only way that mattered to me. But none of them could get me off. No matter how tight they were, they weren’t her. And they sure as hell weren’t healing me either. In fact, it only got worse. I had convinced myself that my obsession was about control—about needing to reclaim whatever hold she had on me. But it wasn’t just that. It was the way she had changed. Avery was no longer the terrified woman I had brought into my world. She wasn’t cowering anymore, wasn’t swallowing her words just to avoid setting me off. She had learned to fight. Not just physically but in every way. She took care of Sea like she had been born to do it. She challenged me in training, standing her g
AVERY’S POV:When I asked Axel for sex last night, I knew exactly how he shut me down—made me feel like a desperate, needy girl unworthy of his touch. Yet, desperate as I was, I craved him. The next morning, with the first rays of the sun warming my face and an aching reminder between my legs, I rolled over with a triumphant smile. I had decided then: today, I was going to get what I wanted.I reached out, expecting the warmth of the body I had grown used to. Instead, my fingers met nothing but cool sheets. My eyes snapped open. Axel was gone.I told myself he’d just stepped out—maybe to the bathroom, maybe for air. I laid back down, pretending nothing was amiss. But as minutes stretched into an hour and he still hadn’t returned, a cold, unfamiliar dread settled in my gut. Had he woken up disgusted? Had I crossed a line so deep he couldn't face me? I forced myself out of bed—the bed that wasn’t mine—and trudged to the small restroom. The cold water shocked me awake, but it couldn’t
AXEL’S POV:Avery saw it. She saw the circle around my heart—something only I had ever been able to see. How the hell was that even possible? Who was she? I stared at her sleeping face, my mind running through every insane possibility. The mysterious woman’s words echoed in my head, but there was no Orion. No grand destiny. Only Avery. Finding out who she truly was—who her biological parents were—was my priority now. Maybe then, I’d get some goddamn answers. But none of that mattered at this moment. Right now, she was in my arms, tangled up in me like she belonged there. Avery’s head rested on my chest, her soft breaths fanning against my skin. I lay face forward, my arms wrapped tightly around her, my hand moving up and down her back in slow, absent strokes. I told myself I wasn’t getting attached, but the way my grip instinctively tightened every time she shifted said otherwise. I didn’t sleep a wink. Not because I couldn’t, but because I didn’t want to. If I closed my e
AVERY’S POV:Every detail of him—his warmth, the sheen of sweat along his skin, the steady pulse of desire—held me captive.I parted my lips and welcomed him in, My tongue, wet and agile, traced every ridge, beginning its deliberate exploration along his sensitive tip. I swirled it in slow, circular motions, savoring the unique taste of him—a heady blend of salt, musk, and raw desire.Axel cradled my head, tilting it slightly as he explored. His touch was deliberate, as though teaching my body a new language of pleasure.With each flick of his tongue and tender press, he coaxed moans and gasps from deep within me. Though I was inexperienced, his guidance was as clear as his passion.With each slow thrust, it felt as though he was unlocking something deep within meEvery flick of my tongue was measured, teasing, and when I slid my lips further down, I could feel him twitch with anticipation.Axel’s eyes fluttered shut as he exhaled a slow breath.I gagged softly, breath hitching as Axe
AVERY’S POV:I never knew my body could tremble with this kind of pleasure—this raw, unfiltered ecstasy that shattered every wall I’d ever built. Every touch, every gasp was a revelation, unearthing desires so deep they left me breathless. Axel Blackwood was unlike any man I’d ever known. Chase had never touched me like this—his caresses had been clinical, detached, as if I were something to be tolerated. But Axel… Axel was a storm, a wildfire, a force that consumed me whole. I felt every ounce of past pain burn away in the heat of him, replaced by something weightless, intoxicating—something that made me feel free. My limbs still trembled from the aftermath, but my mind—miraculously sharp despite the wine—knew exactly where I was. In his arms. In his bed. And for the first time in forever, I didn’t feel broken. When I finally managed to prop myself up, I searched for him. Through the dim glow of the room, I found his silhouette—lounging in the corner, his body still bare, his
AXEL’S POV:I never expected her to jump on me. Yet, as she did, something long-buried clawed its way to the surface—something I had sworn belonged only to Sea’s mother.The past blurred into the present, and I was losing my grip on whatever rules I'd once set for myself. She had no idea what she was doing to me. No clue how dangerous it was for her to awaken this part of me. Now, in this blurred, wine-fueled haze, I found myself hypnotized. I craved her submission, the memory of her body pressed against mine, the thought of being inside her seared into her mind. I needed to be etched into her memory—undeniable, unforgettable.I moved tenderly, my hands working to strip Avery of every barrier. I slid off her suit jacket, letting it fall to the floor, and tugged down her pants until she was left wearing nothing but a white bra, matching thong, and those stiletto heels that accentuated every curve. I reached for her hair, unfastening the clip until the strands tumbled down her bac