Lucia’s question echoed in my mind long after she had gone to bed.Do you actually see a way out?I wanted to say yes. I wanted to believe that this was just a temporary arrangement—that I could walk away unscathed. But every time I thought about leaving, something held me back.Was it the contract? The power Thiago wielded over my life? Or was it something far more dangerous—something I refused to name?I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I stared out at the city skyline.And then, as if summoned by my thoughts, my phone buzzed.Thiago.I hesitated before answering. “What?”His voice was smooth, controlled. “Open the door.”I blinked. “Excuse me?”“Open the door, Bridgette.”A shiver ran down my spine. Slowly, I walked toward the front entrance. As soon as I turned the handle, the heavy door swung open, revealing Thiago in a crisp black suit.He stepped inside without invitation, his presence consuming the space. “You left in a hurry earlier.”I crossed my arms. “Because I di
The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of salt from the ocean beyond the cliffs. The villa before me was breathtaking—an architectural masterpiece of sleek glass walls, stone pathways, and warm lights glowing softly against the dark sky. It was secluded, luxurious… and it felt like a trap.Thiago placed a hand at the small of my back, guiding me toward the entrance. “You’re tense.”I stepped away from his touch, glaring up at him. “I don’t like surprises.”His lips twitched as if I’d just amused him. “You’ll like this one.”I doubted that.We entered through massive double doors, revealing a space that was both elegant and intimate. Dark wood floors stretched beneath my heels, and expensive artwork adorned the walls. A fire crackled in a sleek stone hearth, casting flickering shadows over the leather furniture. It was the kind of place designed for indulgence.I turned to him, crossing my arms. “What is this, Thiago? Some twisted version of a honeymoon?”He chuckled, slow a
Sleep didn’t come easily that night.I lay in the massive bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying Thiago’s words over and over. The way he had looked at me, the way he had challenged me. It made my skin burn with frustration—and something else I didn’t want to name.I should have taken the damn key.I should have walked out just to prove him wrong.But I hadn’t.And now, I was trapped in my own head, questioning everything.The distant sound of waves crashing against the shore was the only thing breaking the silence. The villa was quiet, except for the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards outside my door. Was it him? Pacing? Waiting for me to come to my senses?I groaned, flipping onto my side. “Ridiculous,” I muttered to myself.Thiago Bermudez was a manipulative bastard. A man who played with people like they were chess pieces, moving them where he wanted until he won. And somehow, I had let myself get dragged into his game.I needed to regain control.With that thought, I push
The days after our engagement were a blur of quiet moments and soft laughter—normalcy in a way I had never truly experienced before. Leon and I settled into a rhythm that felt natural, like we had been doing this forever.One evening, we were sprawled out on the couch, my legs draped over his lap as he absentmindedly traced circles on my ankle. A movie played in the background, but neither of us was paying attention.“You know,” Leon mused, tilting his head toward me, “we should probably start thinking about where we want to live.”I blinked. “What’s wrong with where we live now?”He chuckled. “Nothing, but… don’t you want something that’s ours? A place we choose together?”The idea settled in my chest, warm and unfamiliar. I had always been so focused on surviving that I had never considered what it would mean to truly build something with him.“You already have a place in mind, don’t you?” I narrowed my eyes.He smirked. “Maybe.”I sighed dramatically. “Of course you do. Go on then,
I stared at the keycard in my hand as if it were a loaded gun.A weekend with Thiago.No contracts. No business. Just us.I should’ve said no.I should’ve tossed the keycard back at him and walked away.Instead, I curled my fingers around it, feeling the weight of my choice settle deep in my stomach.“I’ll text you the details,” Thiago murmured, his voice smooth as silk. “Pack light.”Cocky bastard.I shot him a look, slipping the keycard into my purse. “Don’t expect me to make this easy for you.”His smirk was infuriating. “Querida, I’d be disappointed if you did.”—The drive to the location Thiago had sent me was long enough for my doubts to creep in.Why did I agree to this?I didn’t trust him.I didn’t trust myself around him.Yet here I was, gripping the steering wheel tighter with every mile.When I finally arrived, I understood why he’d told me to pack light.The estate was isolated, surrounded by towering cliffs that overlooked the ocean. It wasn’t a resort, but it wasn’t jus
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore. Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of my hotel suite, casting golden hues over the pristine white sheets. It would have been beautiful—relaxing, even—if I weren’t tangled up in Thiago Bermudez’s world.I pushed off the covers and stretched, rolling my shoulders. I needed to remind myself why I was here. This was a business trip. Nothing more. I wasn’t some naïve woman who let candlelit dinners and expensive wine cloud her judgment.I took a quick shower, dressed in a fitted navy dress that exuded power, and stepped into my heels. If I was going to walk into a high-stakes business meeting alongside Thiago, I needed to look the part.Just as I was applying my lipstick, a knock at the door made me pause.I opened it to find Thiago, leaning against the frame in a crisp dark suit, looking as effortlessly put together as ever. His eyes flicked down my body, a slow, appreciating glance that sent
I didn’t sleep much.Every time I closed my eyes, my mind replayed the night—the deal, the way Thiago maneuvered every situation, the way he looked at me as if I was both his greatest challenge and his favorite game. It infuriated me. It intrigued me.It was a dangerous combination.By the time the sun rose, I had barely gotten a few hours of sleep. I dragged myself out of bed and into the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face in an attempt to shake off the exhaustion.I had a long day ahead.And unfortunately, that meant dealing with Thiago.Breakfast with the DevilWhen I walked into the suite’s dining area, he was already there, sipping his coffee and reading something on his tablet. He looked unbothered—always unbothered—like last night hadn’t happened, like he hadn’t spent the evening testing me just to see how far I’d go.I hated how effortlessly handsome he looked. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing a hint of his tanned skin, and his dark hair was slightly tousl
The air inside the car felt suffocating.Thiago’s smirk lingered, but his fingers tightened around his phone, the tension in his knuckles betraying his calm demeanor. He wasn’t just angry—he was calculating.Whoever did this didn’t just send a warning.They declared war."Victor," Thiago said, voice sharp. "I want every associate checked. No one moves without my knowledge. And find out who Gabriel had been speaking to in the last seventy-two hours."I heard Victor’s clipped response over the speakerphone before the call ended.I exhaled slowly, gripping the leather seat. "Thiago, this isn’t just about your company anymore. Someone wants to prove they can challenge you."His gaze slid to me, amusement flickering behind the storm brewing in his eyes. "And that excites you, doesn’t it, cariño?"I stiffened. "Excites me? A man is dead, and you’re treating this like some kind of game."Thiago chuckled, low and dark. "That’s because it is a game, sweetheart. The only difference is—" He reac
The silence stretched between us, thick with words left unsaid. Victor's gaze remained steady, unwavering, as if he could will me into understanding the danger I was walking into. Maybe he could see the fracture lines forming beneath my skin, the way I was slowly unraveling under the weight of my own choices.But what choice did I have? Thiago was a shadow I couldn’t outrun. No matter how far I went, how fiercely I tried to carve out a life separate from him, he was always there. And worst of all, some part of me still wanted him to be.I exhaled sharply, shoving past Victor toward the kitchen, needing space—needing something to ground me before I lost myself completely in this never-ending push and pull. I reached for the half-empty wine bottle on the counter and poured myself a glass. My hand trembled slightly as I took a sip, the bitter liquid burning down my throat.Victor followed but didn’t say anything right away. He just leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest,
The silence between Victor and me stretched, taut and suffocating. He watched me like I was a puzzle he had almost solved but was too frustrated to finish.“Bridge,” he finally said, his voice softer now. “You don’t have to do this alone. You know that, right?”I swallowed against the lump in my throat. Victor had always been my safety net, the one person who saw the mess I was and still chose to stand by me. But even he couldn’t save me from myself.I turned away, rubbing my arms as though that could shake off the cold creeping into my bones. “I’m tired, Vic. Can we just—can we not do this tonight?”His eyes darkened, but he nodded once, reluctant. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”With that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him. I waited, standing frozen in place until I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway. Then, with a shaky breath, I turned and pressed my forehead against the door, letting my eyes close.Not five minutes later, my phone vibrated on the counter.I didn’t wan
The weight of Lucia’s words lingered long after she was gone, settling over me like an unwelcome shroud. The air in my apartment felt heavier, thick with the ghost of Thiago’s presence.I set the wine glass down with a soft clink, pressing my fingers against my temples. My head throbbed, not from the alcohol but from the war waging inside me. Thiago was a storm—unrelenting, consuming, and I was the fool who kept stepping into the rain without an umbrella.I forced myself to move, needing to shake off the static thrumming in my veins. One step, then another, until I was standing before my bedroom mirror. The woman staring back at me looked like a stranger. There was defiance in her eyes, yes, but beneath it, something else lurked—uncertainty.My gaze dropped to the ring, still snug on my finger. I could almost feel the phantom trace of Thiago’s touch lingering there. My hands curled into fists. I should take it off. I should have done it the second he walked out that door.With a sharp
The elevator ride to my apartment was silent except for the dull hum of the machinery. My fingers hovered over the ring on my hand, debating whether to rip it off before I stepped through the door. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I stepped out into the hallway, my heels clicking against the polished floor, my pulse a steady drumbeat in my ears. As I neared my door, a whisper of hesitation curled in my chest, but I ignored it. My fingers trembled only slightly as I unlocked the door and stepped inside.The lights were already on.I froze.And then…“I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”Thiago’s voice curled through the space, rich and smooth, wrapping around me like a silk noose. He was there, lounging in my living room like he belonged. A bottle of wine sat open on the table, two glasses half-poured. Like he’d planned for this. Like he knew I’d come.My breath stuttered. “You broke into my apartment.”Thiago smirked, tilting his head. “Now, now, wifey. You gave me a key, reme
The night air was thick with the scent of the ocean, the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore a stark contrast to the storm still raging inside me. Lucia’s grip on my wrist didn’t loosen until we were a good distance away from the bar, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she all but dragged me down the sidewalk.I let her.Because if I didn’t, I wasn’t sure if I’d turn back.Lucia finally stopped near the edge of the boardwalk, whirling around to face me. “What the hell was that?”I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples. “Lucia—”“No.” She held up a finger, her eyes blazing. “No, don’t you Lucia me. You just stood there and let him put that ring back on your finger. Do you want to keep playing his little games?”I didn’t answer.Because I didn’t know.Lucia groaned, running a hand through her hair. “I swear to God, Bridge, I love you, but you’re killing me.”I let out a humorless laugh. “You think I don’t know that?”She narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms.
I should have walked away.Should have left him standing there in the dim glow of the city lights, his arrogance hanging in the air like the scent of his cologne—rich, dark, and impossible to ignore.But my feet wouldn’t move.Thiago was waiting. Watching. That infuriating smirk still curled at the corner of his lips, like he had already won.Like he knew I wouldn’t leave.I lifted my hand again, staring at the ring on my finger. It looked the same as before, but now it felt… different. He had put it back on me. Not a question. Not an offer. A statement.I clenched my fist. “I should take this off.”His smirk didn’t waver. “But you won’t.”I exhaled sharply. “You’re so sure of yourself.”Thiago stepped closer, and just like that, the space between us disappeared. His fingers brushed against my wrist, featherlight but firm enough to make my pulse jump.“I don’t need to be sure of myself, Wifey.” His voice was low, dark, coaxing. “I just need to be sure of you.”I hated the way my body
I should have looked away. Should have turned my back on him, pretended he wasn’t there.But that was the thing about Thiago. He didn’t just take up space—he consumed it.And right now, he was consuming me.Lucia muttered a curse under her breath, shooting me a knowing look. “Seriously? Does he have some kind of tracking device on you?”I swallowed, forcing my shoulders to stay squared even as my pulse quickened. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”Thiago didn’t move right away. He just stood there, watching me, his gaze dark and unreadable. It was infuriating how effortless it was for him. How he could make an entire room feel smaller just by existing in it.Then, finally, he walked forward.And just like that, the air shifted.My grip tightened around my glass. Every part of me screamed to act unaffected—to act like he didn’t get to me. But then he was standing beside our table, his presence like a brand against my skin.Marcus, still chatting up some poor woman, glanced up and let out a
The moment the door shut behind him, I let out a shaky breath, my knees threatening to give out beneath me.Thiago was gone—for now.But I knew better than to believe he would stay away.I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling the frantic beat of my heart beneath my fingertips. He had gotten too close again. Worn me down with his words, with the weight of his presence. And damn it, he knew it.I crossed the room in quick strides, locking the door as if that would somehow keep him out. Keep him from creeping into my thoughts, my skin, my resolve.I needed air.Without a second thought, I stepped onto the balcony, the cool night breeze wrapping around me like a much-needed embrace. The ocean stretched before me, waves crashing against the shore in rhythmic defiance.I wished I could be like the tide. Constant. Unwavering. Unaffected.Instead, I was a mess.My fingers curled around the railing as I stared at the dark horizon.How had I let this happen?How had I let him slip back in, take
The moment the door shut behind him, the tension in the room thickened.Thiago didn’t move right away. He simply stood there, watching me, his gaze dark and knowing. He had won this round, and he knew it.I turned away, walking toward the minibar just to put some distance between us. My fingers curled around an empty glass, gripping it as if it could anchor me."You enjoy this, don’t you?" I muttered, not looking at him. "Back and forth, push and pull. You like knowing that no matter how much I fight you, I’ll still let you in."Thiago’s slow footsteps echoed in the room as he approached. "I don’t enjoy it, Wifey," he murmured, his voice low, dangerous. "I need it."My breath caught.Before I could turn, his hands were on my hips, his chest pressing against my back. I felt the heat of him, the possessiveness in his touch."You say you want to be free," he murmured against my ear, his lips barely brushing my skin. "But we both know you never will be. Not from me."I squeezed my eyes sh