AXEL’S POV:
I leaned back in my office chair, rubbing the part of my chest that still ached like a damn knife wound. No one knew the truth I was harboring along with a dozen other secrets: I was dying. Slowly, and it felt as brutal as anything I’d ever inflicted on my enemies. The doctors broke it to me two months ago—an inexplicable hole in my heart, they said. "Six months left, if you're lucky." Nature, or fate, or karma—whatever it was—finally decided to catch up.
It was right after I’d taken care of a bastard and his entire family who’d tried sabotaging one of my shipments. I didn’t feel a damn thing as I strangled him, then ordered my men to take out every breathing thing in his house. There’s no other way to be clear: you cross me, you die. He knew the stakes when he made his choice. Still, something about him and his family felt… strange.
But there was no time for questions now, especially with the ticking clock in my chest. It’s what pushed me to find Sea someone to leave her with once I’m gone—not out of any foolish notion of love or care, but because I need someone who would be so shattered, so controlled, that even after I’m gone, they wouldn’t dare step out of line. Avery fit that description perfectly; she’d serve as more than a pawn for my war against the Grayson family. Maybe this wasn't the entire reason I made my decision but part of it.
A gentle knock broke through my thoughts, and I straightened, making sure the mask I wore held steady, hiding every trace of pain. Only my doctor knew, and if he ever let slip a word, he'd lose his tongue. This secret gets out, and everything I've built goes with it. In our world, weakness isn’t a conversation—it's a death sentence.
Ryan strolled in, looking as self-assured as ever. "Still don’t understand your sudden marriage move, boss. To someone else’s wife, no less. You did the whole thing in her absence, and now the word’s out. Everyone knows you’re married." He settled into the chair across from me, raising an eyebrow.
The only reason his blood didn’t end up decorating my walls for questioning me was simple: Ryan was my second-in-command and my closest friend. We’ve been together since he saved my life—back when a group of kids beat me to a pulp. He’d broken their bones that day, small as he was, then dragged me to Blackwood. For that alone, I’d take a bullet for him, and he’d do the same for me. He was Blackwood’s first recruit and would have taken over as Don if I hadn’t outpaced him in rank. When the time came, I did what was necessary and took Blackwood down—or so everyone thinks. The truth is going with me to my grave, which feels closer with each passing day.
"Did you find what I asked you to find?" I deflected, keeping my gaze steady.
Ryan sighed but dropped it. "Not yet."
"Then you have no business sitting here. I want every scrap of information on him."
"I’ve had the best people on this, Axel," he said, his tone cautious. "But they keep coming back with the same answer. The guy’s a ghost. No records, no family—nothing. You killed every relative he had."
"No one’s a ghost, Ryan. I strangled him with my own hands two months ago. Your ‘best people’ aren’t good enough."
"Axel, they’re baffled you went through with it without proper investigation. I told you going that extreme might have been the wrong move. What if it was a mistake?"
I could feel anger flare in my chest. I’m never wrong. I don’t kill for no reason. I locked eyes with him. "Ryan, if you value your head, then do your damn job and get me the answers I need."
"I’ll involve our Colombian intel," he assured. He looked at me like he wanted to say more, but I cut him off. It was just one man—why the hell was it so hard to dig up dirt on him?
"That’s all. I’ve got work to do," I said sharply.
Ryan gave a nod, his frame towering at six-foot-four. His presence, rugged with sharp features and a chiseled jawline, held a quiet but lethal power that could unnerve most. Beneath his sophisticated veneer—a dark gaze, perfectly styled hair, and a neatly trimmed beard—lay a ruthlessness most couldn’t begin to understand. He was deceptive, a predator hiding behind an innocent face, and I trusted him because he knew how to appear weak to strike hard when it mattered most. That was why I often left him to handle operations. People underestimated him, and when they did, he made them regret it.
As he left, I turned to my laptop and connected to the CCTV feed, my gaze settling on my new “guest.” Avery had showered and changed into fresh clothes, curled up in a corner, her eyes rimmed red, traces of recent tears. I didn’t care. I focused on something else, one insistent curiosity gnawing at the back of my mind—the real reason I’d chosen her. The one I refused to acknowledge, hiding it behind other justifications.
It started with a dream, right after my diagnosis. A strange, peaceful dream, where an angel wrapped her wings around me, and for the first time, I felt calm. I brushed it off as nothing, but then it came back, night after night, the same vision. It was relentless, to the point where I’d begun researching her, only to discover she was real. Since then, she’d been stuck in my mind, her image like a damn brand I couldn’t shake. How could I explain that to anyone, let alone myself?
With a sigh, I switched the feed to show Sea’s room. She was in the middle of a lesson with her tutor, who would leave soon. I wondered how long it would take Sea to warm up to Avery. She’s just like me, that girl—distrusting, quick to shut people out. I’m the only one who can make her smile. She’s mine, in blood and in spirit. One day, she might ask about her mother, and as much as I hate lying, she can never know that darkness. I won’t let her see me the way the rest of the world does.
AVERY'S POV:I was done with crying. It felt like a curse had latched onto my life, shadowing every breath I took. Why did everything have to go wrong? Not a moment to breathe, to laugh, or feel free—just an endless stream of pain, betrayal, and torment. Let me take you back to where it all started, to the reason I can’t seem to stop the tears.Growing up, the only warmth I felt came from my father and grandfather. My mother, Lyra Russell, used to be loving—at least, that’s what I was told. But then something changed when I turned two. My father said her love began to fade. I didn't understand it then, but as I grew older, I saw the truth for myself. The moment Astrid, my younger sister, entered the picture, it was as if all the love my mother once had for me shifted to her.That alone was hard, but at least I had my father and grandfather. They were my sanctuary, wrapping me in a love that softened the sharp edges of my mother’s indifference. But even that comfort was ripped away all
AVERY'S POV:Sea's small voice, full of vulnerability, tugged at memories I hadn’t let myself touch in years. Hearing her admit she was afraid of the dark was like looking in a mirror back to my own childhood. I remembered lying in bed, hiding under covers, watching shadows stretch across the walls, and waiting for the sound of my father’s footsteps. He’d read me a story every night, staying until I drifted off. If he left even a second too soon, I’d call out for him, sure that the monsters would sneak in the moment he was gone.I glanced down at Sea, curled up tightly, hugging her teddy bear. Her eyes peeked over its fuzzy head, watching me warily, not trusting but not sending me away either. Slowly, I stepped closer to her bed and lowered myself down, one hand gently resting on her back. Her shoulders were stiff, defensive, but she didn’t pull away.My eyes locked onto the phone nestled next to her pillow, and I knew I had to act. I paused for a moment, collecting my thoughts.“Woul
AVERY'S POV:The idea hit me like a spark, and suddenly, every cell in my body felt electrified. Could this be my chance? Instead of relaxing into this twisted arrangement, I’d rather be smart and run while I still could. I had no plans to settle into this deceitful life, to play the submissive wife. I had to get out.With my heart pounding, I bolted downstairs, keeping my steps light and quick. Every glance over my shoulder felt like Axel’s eyes might appear in the shadows, tracking my every move. But I didn’t stop. I reached a side door that led outside, and without hesitation, I slipped through, barely closing it behind me before breaking into a run.The night air was sharp and cool, but I barely felt it as I sprinted, following a path that led away from the house. The grounds were enormous, more like an estate than a simple backyard, with sprawling gardens and dense hedges lining the pathways. I thought I could see the edge, some glimpse of freedom, but as I rounded a corner, I st
AVERY'S POV: I bolted from the thicket, leaving the gruesome scene behind me. My pulse thundered in my ears as my bare feet slapped against the damp, cold earth. The maze loomed, suffocating in its enormity, its hedges closing in like walls of an unending prison. I didn’t care about getting lost anymore—I just needed to keep moving. I didn’t think about Axel, bloodied and monstrous, or the guards, or even the possibility of being caught. Survival had taken over, and every breath burned as I pushed my body past exhaustion. The jagged edges of branches snagged at my arms and legs as I tore through the maze, leaving faint trails of blood on the leaves. My dress now shredded and caked with dirt, mostly torn. My feet stung with every step, the soft soles of my shoes long gone, leaving my skin exposed to the rough ground. A sharp stone tore through the arch of my foot, and I bit back a scream, my teeth sinking into my lip until I tasted copper. I couldn’t stop. If I stopped, I was as good
AVERY'S POV:“Avery Grayson,” I whispered, gripping the receiver so tightly my knuckles ached. It was the last name my ID bore. It should give them a heads-up on finding me. “I was taken to a house… a big estate. There were guards—armed guards. I escaped through the woods, but I don’t know where I am now. Please, they’ll find me if I don’t get away.” The dispatcher’s tone shifted, becoming sharper. “Avery, can you see any street signs or landmarks? Anything that might help us locate you?” I looked around frantically, the faint glow of a nearby store sign catching my eye. “There’s… there’s a gas station down the road. I think it says ‘Jefferson Fuel.’” “Good. That’s a start. Stay there if you can. Officers are being dispatched to your location now.” “No!” I blurted out, panic taking over every nerve. “I can’t stay here. What if they find me first? I can’t be taken back to him. I won’t survive.” “Okay, Avery,” the dispatcher said calmly, “do you know the address of where you’r
AVERY’S POV:"Mum, I was kidnapped by a stranger," I began, my eyes scanning every shadowy corner, my gaze darting back and forth to ensure we were truly alone. "I barely managed to escape. Please, we need to call the police. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m so scared," I begged, my voice shaking as I clung to the last shred of hope I had. Their reaction caught me off guard. I had braced myself for concern, for sympathetic hands reaching for phones to call for help, for warm arms enveloping me in comfort. But instead, they stood frozen, their faces impassive, their eyes unyielding. My mother's icy blue eyes bore into me with a look so detached it hurt more than my bruises. "What nonsense are you talking about?" she asked, her voice clipped and dripping with disbelief. "Mum, I’m not joking." I took a shaky step back, my voice cracking as I narrated the entire incident. My disheveled appearance, the bruises and cuts on my skin, and my bloodshot eyes should have been enough
AVERY’S POV:"Avery..." my mother called out. I gnored her and continued."When I was helping you with contracts, bringing in clients, and doing everything you asked, you always had a new task for me. I'm in trouble again, and you're turning your back on me. Please, I need you until the police figure out what's going on." I blurted out, my emotions boiling over.My mother's face crumpled, and she dissolved into sobs. Seeing her like that shattered me. I loved her so much, and knowing I'd caused her pain was unbearable. The weight of my regret crushed me. I shouldn't have spoken those words; they'd tumbled out before I could stop them."Mum, I’m..." I tried to apologize, but she wouldn't let me get the words out."Shut up, Avery!" Her face twisted with rage as she stormed back toward me. The slap landed before I even registered her movement. My cheek stung, the sound echoing in the room. "How dare you!" she spat, her voice venomous and low. "You think you can manipulate me with guilt
AXEL’S POV:I was fuming. My pulse thundered as I stood in the center of the room, glaring at the team that had failed me. "How can you all lose one tiny woman?" I roared, my voice reverberating through the stone walls. Avery was gone. She’d slipped through the cracks of my fortress—my fortress, built to be impenetrable. Now it felt like a mockery, a hollow shell of what it was supposed to be.Ryan stood beside me, maddeningly calm, his hands buried in his pockets. His silence only stoked the fire burning in my chest. They said they'd been combing through every inch of the surrounding area all night, and not one man could give me an answer that made sense. How had she slipped past them? Past me?Brady, head of my security patrol, finally worked up the courage and stepped forward. His massive frame shrank under my gaze, his hands shaking as he began, "It... it appears there was a tiny exit in the dilapidated—" his anxiety got the better of him, and his words poured out in a jumbled, in
AXEL’S POV:I rose to my feet, her eyes hazy and wanting, and positioned myself between her thighs. She reached for me, and I guided myself in slowly, letting her feel every inch as I slid into her.She was tight, warm, and so damn perfect.We moved together in a rhythm only we could make. Her hands gripped my shoulders, her legs wrapped around my waist, and every thrust was slow and deep—built for connection, not just release.Her breathing hitched. Her nails bit into my skin.“Axel…” she called, her voice breaking on my name.“Look at me,” I said, and when she did, I swear I saw forever in those eyes.She came again, this time with her body clenching around me, pulling me deeper, dragging me into that same spiral of pleasure. I couldn’t hold back—I didn’t want to. I groaned against her neck as I came, burying myself to the hilt, her body the only home I’d ever known.When it was over, I didn’t move. I just held her.Her chest rose and fell against mine, skin damp, lips parted, eyes
AXEL’S POV:Believe me, I missed my wife.Yes, my body was practically screaming for hers, but it wasn’t just about that. It was about reclaiming something we lost—our rhythm, our connection, the way we used to know each other's needs without saying a word.Avery, the obedient tease, dropped to her knees without breaking eye contact. Her hands were already on my belt, and within seconds, she freed me from my trousers and briefs. My cock sprang up like it had been waiting all its life for this moment.“Damn,” she whispered, eyes widening.“What?” I asked, watching her reaction more than I cared to admit.“Did you get a new cock or something? I don’t remember it being this big. It got bigger,” she said, sounding part amazed, part suspicious.I let out a low chuckle. “Woman, I’ve always been this big. Don’t act brand new. You remember how I used to stretch you—how you used to scream into the pillow, begging me to slow down.”Her eyes darkened with something dangerous—desire, maybe mischi
AVERY’S POV:"His base would be in Miami. That’s our territory," Axel muttered, scrolling furiously through search results. "He has to be somewhere we already have dominance and power. So why the hell am I finding it difficult to trace him?""Maybe try your own homes," I said, biting into the cracker the hostess handed me. “The biggest and most discreet ones. You know, the kind no one ever talks about but everyone knows not to touch.”He stilled, glanced at me, then nodded slowly. “You’re right. He’s smart enough to hide in plain sight.”As he resumed his search, I finally allowed myself to chew. The snacks weren’t much, but they beat the dry, tasteless scraps I’d been surviving on at Orion. This was the first thing resembling real food I'd had in days."Serena," Axel called suddenly, not even lifting his eyes from the screen."Yes, Mr. Blackwood?" the flight attendant responded immediately, turning like she’d been waiting."Contact the tech team. Tell them I want the real-time locati
AVERY’S POV:We never noticed how much Orion had changed the nights we snuck out. The darkness cloaked everything, and in our desperation, we didn’t pay attention or question anything.But daylight doesn’t lie.It wasn’t until we came back down the slope—mud caking our boots, sunlight breaking through the trees—that we saw the truth. Burnt farmlands. Caved-in homes. Charred wooden posts where old lanterns used to hang. The trail had looked enchanted once. Now, it looked like a forgotten battlefield.The two men who guided us stopped near a cluster of boulders, gave a respectful nod, and wordlessly turned back. They didn’t look back once. Axel and I kept walking. And walking. It was torturous, but eventually, we came to a little town that looked almost deserted.Axel hurriedly found a payphone and made a phone call which my brain couldn't register due to how hungry and tired I was. My legs throbbed and my stomach kept reminding me how long it had been since that quick meal back in Or
AXEL’S POVIf I was still sane, it was only because my mind had already survived worse. That was the only explanation I had for not snapping the second we stepped foot back in the village.They saw us before we saw them.A shrill scream pierced the air, followed by the unmistakable hiss of metal drawn from sheaths. Blades flashed in the fading light. Men ran toward us with their swords raised, eyes wide with terror—not rage."Stay back!" someone yelled. "Don’t come any closer!""You shouldn't be here!" another man cried, backing away with trembling hands. "We buried you! You’re not real! You’re ghosts—vengeful spirits!"I tensed, stepping in front of Avery instinctively.Akira raised both hands, her voice strong but calm. "Peace! Peace, it's us!" she called out. "It's truly us. We've returned."The group hesitated, their weapons still raised, eyes darting between us like they were waiting for us to vanish in smoke. A woman dropped her bowl of water. It shattered on the ground."How is
AVERY’S POV:“What?” Axel blinked. “That has to be a joke.”Akira gave him a look. “When have you ever known me to joke?”“But—seven years?”She nodded. “It started counting differently once our spirits left the House of Judgment. One day in this temple equals one year in the human world.”I stared at her, trying to process. “So... when I was yelling at you two to wake up, that was normal time. But once we began the process—”“Time shifted,” she said. “You experienced four normal days and seven spiritual days. In the human world, it’s been over seven years.”Axel let out a breath. “So technically, I’m fifty-two now? Avery’s thirty-one? And Sea—” He paused. “She’d be thirteen.”“Not quite,” Akira replied calmly. “You didn’t age. None of us did. We still look, feel, and are the same age as when we first entered. But the world we’re going back to… it moved on.”I looked at my hands, then at Axel’s face. He hadn’t changed. Neither had I.“But everyone we left behind…” I whispered. “They c
AVERY’S POV:Apparently, I might not get everything back.But I have Axel. I have Akira. And for now, that was enough.Nothing’s been the same since I woke up seven days ago. Not even the way the air feels in my lungs. It’s lighter—but heavier, somehow. Akira had waited until the second morning to tell me.“There’s no heartbeat,” she said.Just like that.Axel looked just as stunned as I felt. His grip on my hand didn’t loosen, though. If anything, he held tighter.Later that night, while I stared up at the cracked ceiling, unable to stop the tears from creeping into my ears, he pulled me against him and said, “I’d rather let a child I’ve never met go than lose you. We’ll make another one, Avery. Don’t be too sad.”He’s been like that ever since.Solid. Ridiculous. Unshakable.When my sadness slips in, he trains with me. When I get too quiet, he cracks a joke—sometimes awful enough to make me roll my eyes, but it works.What surprised us both was how different we were. I took time to
AXEL’S POV:"You can’t mention any of this to anyone," Akira stated. "The last time we tried to be inclusive, half of us were wiped out, and the rest were exploited. Once this is over, we’d prefer to be left in peace. Our existence must remain a secret. We have so much to rebuild. Our land… it was ripped in two."That was my doing. I meaning the ripping the land into two part.And I swore, right then, to rebuild it for them. Every stone, every torn root, every inch of earth that had felt the weight of destruction—I would give it back.I understood her fear. People destroy what they don’t understand. And this place—this divine, terrifying place—was a miracle the outside world would dissect like a corpse. They wouldn’t see wonder; they’d see something to own. Something to use."I’ll respect your wish," I said quietly."Thank you."But my curiosity wasn’t done with me yet. "Tell me about this place. How was it founded? Who rules here—do you have a president? Prime minister? Or is this mo
AXEL’S POV:An invisible force surged through me like a pressure wave, ripping the air out of my lungs. Before I could blink, I was flung backward—lifted off my feet like a ragdoll and hurled through the air. The floor caught me with a punishing thud, pain ricocheting up my spine as the breath whooshed from my chest.I groaned, sprawled across the cold earth, my limbs momentarily useless.“Axel, quit it!” the woman snapped. “You’ve done enough already to piss off everyone. Just sit and wait.”I sat up slowly, dust clinging to my skin and frustration burning in my gut.“Do you think you care more about her than I do?”I didn’t reply. I didn’t have to.Because she didn’t love Avery as much as I did to care. So I thought. I didn’t need to hear it from her mouth to know I’d been screwing up left and right. Every time I acted on impulse, people paid the price. The burden of my mistakes stared back at me, and I reflected on the catastrophic consequences of my errors. If only I had been mo