AVERY’S POV:I lost all sense of time as I stumbled deeper into the endless expanse of woods, my body heavy with exhaustion. My muscles throbbed, my throat burned with thirst, and my stomach churned, empty and relentless in its protest. Lightheaded from starvation and dehydration, I trudged forward, though each step felt like a battle I was losing. The jagged sting of my untreated wounds showed my vulnerability; the thought of infection worried my sanity. My clothes hung in tatters, clinging to my bruised skin. Now, under the shade of a towering oak, I collapsed, seeking reprieve from the unforgiving sun. Its light filtered through the canopy, harsh even in this supposed refuge. For the first time in days, I questioned why I was fighting at all. Maybe life wasn’t worth it anymore. Freedom had once seemed like a promise—a bright, shining thing waiting for me outside those prison gates. But since stepping into the open air, all I’d found was war. One unrelenting battle after anoth
AVERY’S POV:As I rested my head on the couch, trying to settle into a comfortable position, my body begged for sleep. But my mind wouldn’t relent. My thoughts were like a swarm of bees, buzzing with unease. Why couldn’t I relax? This woman had been nothing but kind to me, yet the heaviness in my chest lingered. I sat upright, my heart thudding against my ribs. Where was she? And why did I feel so on edge? Maybe I was being irrational, letting my paranoia get the best of me. But the tattoo on my back gnawed at my thoughts. It had haunted me ever since I noticed it in the hospital. Could I check it here? I shook my head. "Calm down, Avery. Not everything is a conspiracy." Still, I couldn’t ignore the tension crawling up my spine. Rising to my feet, I moved toward the door. My hand hesitated on the knob for a moment before I cracked it open just enough to peek outside. There she was, standing on the porch, cigarette in hand. Smoke curled lazily around her as she stared into the
AXEL’S POV:The day started innocently enough, with my little girl and I engrossed in one of her endless imaginary tea parties. She giggled as she poured invisible tea into a porcelain cup, her laughter infectious. Then Logan called, and my mood shifted instantly. Sea’s laughter still echoed in my mind as I picked up Logan’s call, unaware of how quickly the day would shift from innocence to chaos“Turn on the news,” he said, his tone clipped but carrying a hint of satisfaction. I did as he instructed, not out of curiosity, but because I demanded loyalty and obedience from those who served me, and Logan never disappointed. His handiwork lit up the screen of my phone, a blaze of chaos wrapped in polished headlines. Avery’s face stared back at me, plastered across every channel, with fabricated accusations that would ensure no corner of the earth was safe for her. A smile tugged at my lips. Logan had played his part well. I’d told him to light the match, and he’d set the fire where
AXEL’S POV:"I had plans to be merciful," I said, stepping closer. "You did what those useless cops couldn’t. But for letting your tongue loose, you’ve sealed your fate. You won’t see the light of the next day." The woman froze, her curses dying on her lips as the gravity of my words sunk in. Ryan appeared beside me just then, his face calm but his voice low. "She’s been tossed in the trunk. Everything’s in place." I nodded, satisfied. I spared the woman one last glance before turning my back on her. "Clean this up," I said over my shoulder to Ryan. "I want no traces." The woman’s parting words were like a thorn under my skin, burrowing deeper with every syllable. "When you finally come to me, I'll show no mercy!"I stopped mid-stride, my hand tightening into a fist. Slowly, I turned back to face her, my voice cold as ice. "Tie her up and set her on fire. Leave the gas open so the whole place explodes."Ryan didn’t need further clarification. He gestured to two of my men, w
AVERY’S POV:I prayed for death as I lay curled up in the cage, crammed into the trunk of the Devil’s car. Breathing my last in that suffocating darkness seemed preferable to whatever awaited me. The rage I’d glimpsed in his eyes, paired with the distant explosion that rattled the air, left no doubt—whatever came next would make death seem merciful. Every attempt to escape him had failed. I was back in his grasp, trapped like an animal awaiting slaughter. The ride stretched on endlessly. The cramped space stole the blood from my limbs, leaving them numb and useless. Every bump in the road jarred the cage, the jagged edges of the metal scraping my skin. Pain pulsed through me, but even that was better than the terrifying silence of what lay ahead. I tried to focus my mind elsewhere—on the fleeting moments of happiness I’d once known. Memories of innocence, laughter, and safety became my refuge, though they felt like they belonged to someone else entirely. Time blurred. The car
AVERY’S POV:Finally, we stopped. The cage crashed onto the floor of an empty cell with a heavy clang, the vibrations rattling through my body like an electric shock. One of them unlocked the door and yanked me out, their grip rough and uncaring. Pain ripped through me, every bruise and cut roaring back to life. My legs wobbled, half-numb and trembling after the cramped ride, the blood returning to my limbs in a fiery cascade. I bit down hard on my lip to stop myself from crying out, the taste of iron filling my mouth. I crumpled. My knees gave way, and I hit the floor, curling in on myself instinctively. But they weren’t done. “Up,” barked one of the men, his voice sharp and impatient. He grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet, the movement sending a fresh wave of agony coursing through me. My legs refused to hold me, but they didn’t care. They dragged me to the wall and clamped cold, heavy chains around my wrists and ankles, binding me in place. The chains left me spread out,
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
AXEL’S POV:Clearing my throat, “Cedric,” I said, my tone shifting as I stood up, brushing invisible dust from my slacks, “we have more to talk about. But for now, I have somewhere to be. Some examples to set.”I nodded toward him in thanks. “Thaddeus will take you back. I appreciate your help.”Avery blinked as I moved, her joy giving way to confusion. She stood too. “Wait—we’re leaving already? I thought…”I turned toward her, placing both hands gently on her shoulders. “Avery, there’s no ‘we.’ You’re staying home. Rest. I’ve been careless with you—almost lost you one too many times. I won’t make that mistake again. Take care of my child.”She tilted her head, stubbornness rising behind her eyes. “Axel… we’re a team. It’s you and I against the world. You’re not going anywhere without me.” “Avery, remember what I told you the first time we met?” I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping. “I. Hate. Repeating. Myself. Stay home and relax. We’ve been through heaven and hell.”She exhaled
AXEL'S POV:Settling in had been strangely easy. Too easy. After everything, Avery and I managed to freshen up and slip into something lighter. She moved around the house like she already belonged here, her bare feet silent against the polished floors as she prepared a simple fruit bowl for us. It wasn’t a feast, but it was enough—a bowl of sliced strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and cold watermelon. We sat side by side on the couch, snacking between tired conversations, trying to pretend we weren't waiting for the next battle to hit our doorstep.But the peace didn’t last long.Thaddeus arrived, the door buzzing once before the security system confirmed him. I rose to meet him at the entrance, Avery trailing just behind me, wiping her hands on a napkin.He wasn’t alone.Standing beside Thaddeus was Cedric—alive, breathing, and looking one wrong move away from bolting. His hands twitched slightly at his sides, and his face was set somewhere between disbelief and anger like he had
AVERY’S POV:I was getting car sick, which was unusual. I pressed my palm against my mouth, taking slow breaths as the car was maneuvered through winding roads lined with thick trees and endless security cameras. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we pulled up in front of a massive, top-tier secured house. The gate, an intimidating stretch of black steel, buzzed with electricity and slid open only after Axel’s fingerprint and a vocal command. Thaddeus leaned over from the passenger seat, tapping a device on the dashboard, and I watched my name flicker onto a small digital screen. Just like that, I was added to the access list. It was only the three of us who could open the gate now. No one else. As we pulled into the compound, my mouth dropped open slightly. I thought we’d lost guards when Axel’s last estate was blown to pieces, but apparently not. This place was crawling with security — a fortress disguised as a home. Men in all black, bulletproof vests strapped to th
AVERY’S POV:Something in me felt... wrong. A heavy, unsettled feeling gnawed at my chest the whole ride to MedixGen. Maybe it was just nerves—or maybe it was the dizziness and sick feeling that kept flashing hot and cold under my skin. I pushed it aside. We’d been through worse. I wasn’t going to fall apart now.Whether I liked it or not, we were about to make headlines.When we pulled into the lot, my eyes almost popped out of their sockets. The once-polished empire of Axel Blackwood—the building that had dominated every headline, symbolizing wealth, power, and fear—was barely standing. Structures had been torn down, and the main building that once pulsed with life now sat hollow and ignored, as if forgotten by the world. Axel looked like he had seen a ghost.We stepped out of the car, shoes crunching against concrete, and were immediately greeted by a sign swinging weakly on rusted hinges.“Little Loaf Bakery – Home of Fresh Beginnings!”Axel stared at it. Then he stared some
AXEL’S POV:A light knock sounded at the door, followed by Serena’s voice interrupting the quiet, “Boss, we’re landing in five minutes.”I groaned under my breath, dragging a hand down my face. I leaned over and kissed Avery’s temple, brushing my lips softly against her skin.“Wake up, honey,” I whispered. “Time to rise, my Queen.”She mumbled something incoherent and nuzzled closer into my chest.“Come on, baby, we’re landing. We gotta get dressed,” I coaxed again, kissing the tip of her nose.Avery sighed heavily, fluttering her eyes open just enough to glare at me half-heartedly. “Five more minutes,” she grumbled.“No can do, sweetheart. We’ve got a city waiting.”Reluctantly, she sat up, and I got out of bed, shrugging off the robe. Just as I promised, Serena had left us clothes during the night — neat, pressed, and laid out on the dresser. I grabbed my black slacks and button-down shirt, dressing quickly but methodically. Beside me, Avery slipped out of her robe, pulling on a pai
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