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After the board meeting, the sense of victory lingered in the air as I made my way to the parking lot. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a dusky glow over the city. I felt lighter than I had in weeks, buoyed by our triumph and the renewed sense of partnership with Thiago. Yet, a nagging instinct tugged at my gut as I walked through the dimly lit area, scanning my surroundings.Since Thiago still have to go meet up with the new investors, I decided to come home early so that I could prepare a good dinner for my husband once he comes home. I was so excited to come up with a good dish that he would surely enjoy that I quickly rush to my car so that I could still make a short drop by at a mini mart to possibly get the ingredients that I would need.But as I was almost to my car, I suddenly heard footsteps echoing behind me. My heart raced, a warning bell ringing in my ears. I turned to look, but there was no one there. Shaking my head, I chided myself for being paranoid. I un
In the days that followed, Thiago worked tirelessly to uncover who was behind the attempt on my life. He didn’t tell me every detail, but I could see the tension building behind his calm exterior. He was more cautious around me, more protective. And in truth, I needed it. The attack had shaken me in ways I hadn’t anticipated.Even the thought of getting behind the wheel of my car made my hands tremble. The parking lot felt darker, more menacing, and I dreaded being alone there. Thiago noticed right away and didn’t waste time taking measures to ease my fears. Within a day, he’d arranged for two elite guards to shadow me wherever I went, along with a driver to bring me to and from work.At first, the arrangements made me feel like a prisoner, but the sense of safety they provided was a relief I couldn’t deny. Thiago seemed even more affected by my trauma than I was, his worry only increasing each day he saw my anxiety flare up.“Are you sure you don’t mind that I arranged this?” he aske
In the days following the call from the investigator, Thiago moved with a focused, unrelenting energy. Meetings were scheduled, calls made, and more security measures were put in place.I watched him work tirelessly, juggling the demands of the Bermudez Group and the increasing threats from the syndicate without missing a beat. It was as though he had come alive with a fierce purpose, determined not only to protect me but to shield the company from further intrusion.One morning, as I was getting ready for work, Thiago came into the room, his expression unusually solemn.“We need to take a short trip,” he said, his voice low. “I want you to meet someone—an old friend of mine who’s been a crucial part of dealing with these kinds of threats in the past.”“Another business associate?” I asked, curiosity piqued.Thiago nodded. “Let’s just say that this person is someone who knows this syndicate inside and out. I think having you meet him will give you some peace of mind, too. He’s helped m
It was days before we finally started piecing things together. I’d been shaken ever since that night in the parking lot—the masked attacker, his hexagon pendant glinting in the dim light, the coldness of his grip, and the terror of nearly being overpowered. Ever since that night, I’d felt different: nervous, always glancing over my shoulder, afraid of being alone. Thiago, seeing how deeply it affected me, had taken it upon himself to ensure I’d never be left unprotected again. A private driver now took me everywhere, with two elite guards shadowing my every move, and Thiago was unrelenting in making sure I never went to the office without one of them close by. The entire situation weighed on me, but I also felt safer with Thiago’s presence and his determination to root out whoever was behind this.After one of our evening dinners, just as we’d finished eating, Callum arrived with his findings, joining us in Thiago’s study. He was carrying a file under his arm and wore a look of res
FOLLOWING AFTER ALL THAT HAPPENED, the security detail was a constant presence now for me. And Thiago insisted it.After everything that had happened with Jasper and his associates, Thiago wouldn’t let me step foot outside without guards following my every move. Even at the office, they stood in the hall outside my door, always within earshot, which took some getting used to. I was still adjusting to this new way of life when Charles suddenly showed up at my office one afternoon. I barely recognized him at first—he looked different, almost subdued, dressed in a sharply tailored suit that seemed out of character. My guard, Collins, stayed by the door, clearly wary of letting him through.“Bridgette,” Charles began, glancing briefly at Collins before turning back to me. “I just need a moment of your time. I thought we could talk alone.”Collins glanced at me, clearly uneasy. “Ma’am?”“It’s fine, Collins,” I replied, though I was every bit as hesitant. “Just wait outside, but stay close
In the days that followed, I tried to keep my suspicions to myself, but the tension between Thiago and me only grew. Every interaction felt strained, and I found myself second-guessing everything—every kind word, every affectionate touch, every lingering look. It was like a wall had grown between us, one I couldn't cross, no matter how hard I tried. Every night as he held me, I would close my eyes, wondering if his secrets ran as deep as the investigator had hinted. I’d force myself to remember the Thiago I knew—the man who’d protected me, the man who fought tirelessly for his family’s legacy and for us. But these doubts clung to me, whispering just out of reach.One evening, as I was packing up at the office, my phone rang, the sharp tone breaking the silence. It was the investigator I’d hired, his voice crackling with urgency."Bridgette, I found something you might want to see. Are you available tonight?"My pulse quickened. "Yes, where should we meet?"We arranged to meet at a d
The weeks of suspicion and relentless digging had led to this moment, a moment I never would thought I would thought of depending on to find answers that had been bugging up my mind lately.I couldn’t believe that I would end up going to see my father again. Romeo Martinez, my father, was the only person who might hold the key secrets behind my mother’s death. Which was why when the perfect opportunity arose, I quickly grabbed it. A few days later, I told Thiago I’d be on a business trip in Nebraska with Lucia, but in reality, our flight was bound for Miami. I hate to even actually go and lie about it to my husband but I needed answers—answers only my father could give me.When we arrived, Lucia immediately concern etched into her face. She leaned in, her voice low. “Are you sure about this, Madam CEO? You know what kind of man your father is. She might hurt you.”I took a steadying breath. “That’s exactly why I have to do this. He may be a monster, but he’s the only one who can gi
When I returned to Monaco, my mind was a tangled mess of questions and anger. Each step toward the house felt heavier, the confrontation with my father gnawing at me, his words burrowing deep into my psyche. “Thiago murdered her… Avenge her… Bring justice.” They replayed like a terrible song stuck on repeat, one I couldn’t shake, no matter how much I wanted to.The house felt emptier than usual. I looked around, wondering if Thiago was here, if he could see through the mask I now wore. If he could sense the wall growing between us. But as much as I wanted answers from him, a part of me recoiled at the idea. I needed more—proof, clarity, something I could hold on to.Lost in thought, I nearly jumped as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I looked down to see Charles’s name flash on the screen. The last person I wanted to talk to. But something about my conversation with my father, combined with Charles’s involvement, made me feel that he held something I was missing. I hesitated, then an