AXEL’S POV:Now, her real story begins. We’ve been playing this game of hide and seek for far too long, her scurrying around like a rat while I stood as the hunter, patient yet relentless. But the time for games was over. It was time she learned what made me infamous—a name whispered in fear, a shadow cast over the weak and the rebellious alike. When she spat, “Get it over with, moron,” it ignited a fire in me. I felt the pull of my gun, the itch in my finger to press the trigger and let go. A single, clean bullet to her forehead could end this charade in seconds. But no. A rebellious little bitch like her didn’t deserve the grace of a quick death. Mercy was for the deserving, and Avery...she was far beneath it. She had to be reminded—taught—the meaning of fear, of pain. Breaking her, piece by piece, was mine to savor. I circled her, watching her battered form like a hawk studying prey. Cuts and bruises marked every corner of her skin. Her face showed exhaustion—dirt smeared
AXEL’S POV:Her muscles tensed under my touch, and I smirked at the reaction. “Who knew you’d be tatted up, darling? With that innocent face, I’d have pegged you as squeaky clean. But this—” I pressed my fingers harder against the inked skin, watching her flinch, “—this tells me there’s more to you than meets the eye.” Her silence was deafening, her shallow breaths the only response. “What does it mean?” I asked, my tone deceptively calm. “A lover’s name? A mark of shame? Or is it something darker—something you earned in prison?” I leaned closer, letting the threat simmer between us. “You’ll tell me, one way or another.” She said nothing, only moving her back away from my touch like it burned her, trying to twist it in a different direction from my eyes. Her silence only heightened my curiosity. I stretched my hand and pressed harder, letting my fingers dig into the symbols. “Answer me,” I demanded. Still, she remained mute. My frustration boiled over, and I lashed out, the cha
AVERY’S POV:The moment the door slammed shut behind him, I exhaled the breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. It was as if every ounce of air had been trapped in my lungs since the moment I was dragged into that cold, soulless room. My body trembled, my chest rising and falling in sharp, shallow gasps. And then, I broke. Tears spilled over, hot and relentless, streaking down my face as I crumbled. The strong exterior I had painstakingly constructed in front of Axel shattered into a thousand irreparable pieces. My hands shook, and my shoulders sagged as the weight of everything I had endured pressed down on me. Yet, through the sobs that racked my body, I felt a sliver of pride. I hadn’t let him see this. I fought to keep my head high in front of Axel because breaking down in front of him was a defeat I couldn’t afford. It was a vow I had made to myself the moment I became his prisoner: "Don’t let him see you break. Don’t let him see you weak." And even though I was crumblin
Axel’s POV:Breakfast at home was sacred. No matter how chaotic my world became, mornings were reserved for my angel. I could count on one hand the number of times I’d missed breakfast with her, and each of those instances had been unavoidable. Today was no different. Sea sat across from me, swinging her legs under the table, her soft giggles making the chaos of my life seem far away. I poured syrup over her pancakes, watching her eyes light up as she grinned up at me. "Is Avery still not back?" she asked, her small melodic to my earMy heart sank. Not this again. I forced a warm smile, trying to reassure her. "No, baby girl. But don't worry, everything will be okay."She looked up at me with big, innocent eyes. "Daddy, you can find her! Try looking for her!" Her faith in me was both comforting and crushing.I took a deep breath, struggling to maintain the facade. "Baby girl, remember the rules? No talking at the table, okay?" I gently reminded her, trying to divert her attention.S
AXEL’S POV:Chase’s hand hovered awkwardly in the space between us for a moment longer, his smile faltering. He didn’t retract it right away, as though hoping I’d reconsider, but I didn’t. Instead, I folded my arms across my chest and said, "I don’t do handshakes." The words came out like steel, cutting clean through the fake pleasantries he’d tried to establish. His face flushed slightly before he tucked his hand into his pocket, attempting to hide the embarrassment that even his demeanor couldn’t mask. Recovering quickly, he cleared his throat and gestured to the couple standing behind him. "Allow me to introduce you to my parents." His mother stepped forward first, her smile wide and artificial, as though it had been practiced in the mirror before this meeting. She gave a small, excited wave, punctuated by a giggle that grated on my nerves. "Hello, Mr. Blackwood!" she chirped. "It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. Chase has told us so much about you!" Her overly eage
AXEL’S POV:"I’m sorry about that," he said, his voice dripping with insincerity. "It seems you were too lenient with her. She needs to know who is in charge. However you want me to compensate you for her troubles, I will." There was so much venom in his tone that it caught even me off guard. This was a man who had spent five years married to Avery, and yet there wasn’t a shred of care or remorse in his voice. To him, she was nothing more than an object—a tool to be used and discarded at his convenience. I studied him for a moment, my eyes falling on the black band on his wedding finger. "I see you replace them like clothes," I noted, mockery in my tone. "Already onto your second marriage, and to her sister, no less. What’s so special about that family that you keep taking their daughters?" Chase’s chest puffed up with pride, as though he had accomplished something worth celebrating. "They’re just pawns in the bigger game," he said, his tone smug. "The kids are gullible."
AXEL’S POV:The Manhattan docks reeked of salt, rust, and a thin veil of danger that no amount of floodlights could dispel. My boots clicked against the worn concrete as I stepped off the private pier, the chill of the night cutting through the black wool of my coat. Four grueling hours of oversight had passed. My team and I had inspected every corner of the seaport, ensuring the perimeter was secure, every guard in place, and all surveillance equipment operational. I never left things to chance. Not there. Not that night. The shipment had finally arrived—three massive cargo ships docked at my Manhattan seaport. That location was a fortress. I controlled the authorities, paid off anyone who mattered, and left the rest too terrified to intervene. No one dared interfere. I stopped at the edge of the docks, letting the scene unfold. The air smelled of salt and iron, a mix of the ocean breeze and the lingering scent of metal containers baking under industrial lights. Three ships, thei
AXEL’S POV:The flashlight’s beam cut through the dimness, revealing rows of neatly stacked bags, each meticulously labeled. I opened one, inspecting the dried herbs within. They were fragile, their leaves a unique shade of deep green with veins that shimmered faintly under the light. This plant was rare—found only in the most remote corners of the world. Its value lay in its potential, though few knew the extent of it. Satisfied, I exited the container, stripping off the gear and tossing it aside. Bruno stood a few inches away. His short, stout frame seemed to expand, taking up more space than his actual size warranted. His broad shoulders and barrel chest strained against the seams of his tight-fitting shirt, giving him a faintly menacing appearance.His overbearing presence was suffocating. The faint scent of his overpowering cologne further amplifying his already overwhelming presence. His very proximity was almost unbearable. I hated it. “Everything’s in order,” I announced
AXEL’S POV:The door creaked slightly as I pushed it open, revealing a modest bathroom. I clicked the door shut behind me and leaned heavily against it despite the sting in my legs. My chest heaved as I exhaled, eyes darting over the bathroom's simple layout. The tiles were spotless, gleaming under the soft glow of recessed lighting. A simple shower stall stood in the corner, its glass door streak-free. On the counter beside the sink, neatly folded towels and small bottles of shampoo and body wash awaited me, their clean, floral scent a reminder of how desperately I needed them. Stripping off Axel's jacket, I tossed it onto the floor and grabbed the new toothbrush sitting on the counter. For the first time in what felt like days, I allowed myself the luxury of slowness. Each stroke of the toothbrush over my teeth was methodical, each swish of mouthwash a small victory. I even took my time flossing, savoring the strange normalcy of it. The shower beckoned next. Stepping under the
AVERY’S POV:“Follow me,” Axel ordered, the first words he’d spoken since entering the room. Without another glance, he turned his back to me, striding toward the door with the unyielding confidence of someone who expected obedience. I stood frozen, my mind a whirlpool of indecision. My gaze flitted between the lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground, the coat draped over aching skin, and Axel’s broad shoulders retreating ahead of me. Should I stay here, in this concrete hellhole where at least I knew what to expect? If death was inevitable, would it be easier to face it here, where I could see it coming? Or should I follow him, trading one unknown for another, gambling on the faintest possibility of survival? I inhaled shakily, perceiving the metallic tang of blood and my own sweat. My knees screamed in protest as I forced myself to stand. My legs wobbled beneath me like a newborn fawn’s, unsteady and weak after days of immobility. Every muscle in my body felt as though it had
AXEL’S POV:From the moment the door creaked open, humiliation poured in like a flood. They hadn’t just locked me away—they’d stripped me of every shred of dignity, leaving me stark naked and freezing in this damp concrete cell. Axel’s men treated me like a toy, their sickening laughter echoing as they took turns hurling crude comments and vile advances my way. Even now, their eyes raked over my bruised, filthy body with revolting hunger, as if my brokenness made me more desirable. My skin reeked from days without a shower, my teeth unbrushed, my breath stale. I could feel my bladder screaming, the pain sharpening with every second I couldn’t relieve it. I prayed for death—but death didn’t come. And here I was again, cornered by two of them. One grinned as he unzipped his pants, exposing himself like it was a joke. "I don’t know why the boss hasn’t let us have our fun yet," he sneered. "I can’t wait to tear you apart with my big dick." The other, a hulking figure with dreadloc
AXEL’S POV:The flashlight’s beam cut through the dimness, revealing rows of neatly stacked bags, each meticulously labeled. I opened one, inspecting the dried herbs within. They were fragile, their leaves a unique shade of deep green with veins that shimmered faintly under the light. This plant was rare—found only in the most remote corners of the world. Its value lay in its potential, though few knew the extent of it. Satisfied, I exited the container, stripping off the gear and tossing it aside. Bruno stood a few inches away. His short, stout frame seemed to expand, taking up more space than his actual size warranted. His broad shoulders and barrel chest strained against the seams of his tight-fitting shirt, giving him a faintly menacing appearance.His overbearing presence was suffocating. The faint scent of his overpowering cologne further amplifying his already overwhelming presence. His very proximity was almost unbearable. I hated it. “Everything’s in order,” I announced
AXEL’S POV:The Manhattan docks reeked of salt, rust, and a thin veil of danger that no amount of floodlights could dispel. My boots clicked against the worn concrete as I stepped off the private pier, the chill of the night cutting through the black wool of my coat. Four grueling hours of oversight had passed. My team and I had inspected every corner of the seaport, ensuring the perimeter was secure, every guard in place, and all surveillance equipment operational. I never left things to chance. Not there. Not that night. The shipment had finally arrived—three massive cargo ships docked at my Manhattan seaport. That location was a fortress. I controlled the authorities, paid off anyone who mattered, and left the rest too terrified to intervene. No one dared interfere. I stopped at the edge of the docks, letting the scene unfold. The air smelled of salt and iron, a mix of the ocean breeze and the lingering scent of metal containers baking under industrial lights. Three ships, thei
AXEL’S POV:"I’m sorry about that," he said, his voice dripping with insincerity. "It seems you were too lenient with her. She needs to know who is in charge. However you want me to compensate you for her troubles, I will." There was so much venom in his tone that it caught even me off guard. This was a man who had spent five years married to Avery, and yet there wasn’t a shred of care or remorse in his voice. To him, she was nothing more than an object—a tool to be used and discarded at his convenience. I studied him for a moment, my eyes falling on the black band on his wedding finger. "I see you replace them like clothes," I noted, mockery in my tone. "Already onto your second marriage, and to her sister, no less. What’s so special about that family that you keep taking their daughters?" Chase’s chest puffed up with pride, as though he had accomplished something worth celebrating. "They’re just pawns in the bigger game," he said, his tone smug. "The kids are gullible."
AXEL’S POV:Chase’s hand hovered awkwardly in the space between us for a moment longer, his smile faltering. He didn’t retract it right away, as though hoping I’d reconsider, but I didn’t. Instead, I folded my arms across my chest and said, "I don’t do handshakes." The words came out like steel, cutting clean through the fake pleasantries he’d tried to establish. His face flushed slightly before he tucked his hand into his pocket, attempting to hide the embarrassment that even his demeanor couldn’t mask. Recovering quickly, he cleared his throat and gestured to the couple standing behind him. "Allow me to introduce you to my parents." His mother stepped forward first, her smile wide and artificial, as though it had been practiced in the mirror before this meeting. She gave a small, excited wave, punctuated by a giggle that grated on my nerves. "Hello, Mr. Blackwood!" she chirped. "It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. Chase has told us so much about you!" Her overly eage
Axel’s POV:Breakfast at home was sacred. No matter how chaotic my world became, mornings were reserved for my angel. I could count on one hand the number of times I’d missed breakfast with her, and each of those instances had been unavoidable. Today was no different. Sea sat across from me, swinging her legs under the table, her soft giggles making the chaos of my life seem far away. I poured syrup over her pancakes, watching her eyes light up as she grinned up at me. "Is Avery still not back?" she asked, her small melodic to my earMy heart sank. Not this again. I forced a warm smile, trying to reassure her. "No, baby girl. But don't worry, everything will be okay."She looked up at me with big, innocent eyes. "Daddy, you can find her! Try looking for her!" Her faith in me was both comforting and crushing.I took a deep breath, struggling to maintain the facade. "Baby girl, remember the rules? No talking at the table, okay?" I gently reminded her, trying to divert her attention.S
AVERY’S POV:The moment the door slammed shut behind him, I exhaled the breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. It was as if every ounce of air had been trapped in my lungs since the moment I was dragged into that cold, soulless room. My body trembled, my chest rising and falling in sharp, shallow gasps. And then, I broke. Tears spilled over, hot and relentless, streaking down my face as I crumbled. The strong exterior I had painstakingly constructed in front of Axel shattered into a thousand irreparable pieces. My hands shook, and my shoulders sagged as the weight of everything I had endured pressed down on me. Yet, through the sobs that racked my body, I felt a sliver of pride. I hadn’t let him see this. I fought to keep my head high in front of Axel because breaking down in front of him was a defeat I couldn’t afford. It was a vow I had made to myself the moment I became his prisoner: "Don’t let him see you break. Don’t let him see you weak." And even though I was crumblin