The air between Thiago and me was heavy with unspoken words. I couldn’t shake the mixture of anger, sadness, and confusion churning inside me. His declaration hung in the space around us, an invisible thread tugging at my heart, daring me to unravel it.But I didn’t have the strength to respond. Not yet. I pulled back, taking a steadying breath, needing space between us.“I need to go,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended but firm enough to make Thiago pause. “Sevi’s waiting for me. I can’t leave him wondering where I am.”His jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. “I’ll come with you.”“No,” I snapped, sharper than I intended. “You don’t need to.”Thiago took a step forward, his gaze unrelenting. “After everything that’s happened today, you think I’m going to let you walk out of here alone? You were nearly kidnapped, Bridgette. I’m not leaving your side.”“It’s not your choice to make,” I fired back, trying to summon the strength to keep him at arm’s length. “I can take care
The quiet hum of the ceiling fan did nothing to still the noise in my head. The soft sheets of Sevi’s guest bedroom wrapped around me like a cocoon, but sleep wasn’t coming anytime soon. My thoughts were an unrelenting storm, a mix of confusion, guilt, and an unwelcome glimmer of hope.I had heard Thiago out—against my better judgment, against the fortress I’d built to keep him and his excuses out. His words had cut through me, not because of their harshness but because of their sincerity. And the more I replayed them, the more my walls felt less like armor and more like a prison I’d built for myself.“I’ve never stopped loving you, Bridgette,” Thiago’s voice echoed in my mind. “That night, that kiss—it wasn’t real. Cynthia forced it on me, and before I could even explain, you were gone. But I’ve been chasing you ever since. I’ll never stop chasing you.”He meant it. I could see it in his eyes. For once, the Thiago I had come to know—the powerful, unrelenting, infuriating man—was stri
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, warm and golden, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. I stretched lazily in bed, the soft linen sheets catching against my skin. The quiet hum of the city outside Sevi’s residence was oddly soothing, a subtle reminder that life went on no matter how chaotic things felt.Last night’s conversation with Sevi replayed in my mind, his words like a steady anchor amid the swirling uncertainty. He was right—I needed to face the truth, whatever it was. But the idea of confronting Thiago, of admitting even to myself that I might still want to give him a chance, felt like stepping into the eye of a storm.It wasn’t just fear that held me back; it was the lingering doubt that, no matter how much Thiago claimed to love me, history might repeat itself. Could I survive another heartbreak if it all went wrong again?I sighed, burying my face in my hands. For now, I had to focus on the present. And that meant navigating the delicate balance of
After dinner, Sevi and I walked back to the residence in silence. The night air was cool, a stark contrast to the warmth that lingered between us. I wasn’t sure what had shifted in me during the evening, but there was an undeniable pull towards Sevi—one that I hadn’t expected to feel. He was kind, understanding, and exactly the kind of man I would need if I were to ever fully move on from Thiago.But could I?I walked ahead of Sevi, lost in my thoughts, trying to process everything that had happened. As much as I had tried to keep my heart locked away, it was clear that the emotions I had for both men were more entangled than I had ever imagined.When we arrived at the residence, Sevi stopped me before I could enter the door. "Bridgette," he said, his voice gentle but firm, "I know this is complicated, but I want you to think about what you want. What you really want. Don’t just think about what’s easiest. Don’t just think about what’s safe."His words hit me hard, like a slap of cold
The day started off beautifully, with the sun casting a warm glow over the estate’s manicured gardens. Sevi had suggested we go for a walk, and I was more than happy to escape the walls of his residence for a while. Despite the uncertainty between us, his company had become a comforting constant, even if the boundaries of our arrangement continued to blur.We strolled down the winding stone path that led to the estate's private park, the fresh air and soft rustle of leaves easing some of my lingering tension. Sevi was telling me about a recent misadventure he’d had while trying to rearrange his library shelves—a lighthearted anecdote that drew a genuine laugh from me."I’m telling you," he said, grinning, "one of those old encyclopedias nearly took me out. It’s a dangerous world out there in the literary trenches."I smirked, playfully nudging his arm. "Maybe stick to reading them instead of rearranging them. Sounds like less of a health hazard."Sevi chuckled, shaking his head. "Note
The sharp clatter of drawers and the shuffle of fabric pulled me from sleep. My eyelids fluttered open, and for a moment, I was disoriented, unsure if I was still dreaming. But the sound of hushed voices and the unmistakable sensation of someone rifling through my things jolted me awake.“What the hell?” I sat up abruptly, my voice groggy but firm.The sight that greeted me was surreal. Two maids were rummaging through my dresser, tossing garments and accessories onto the floor as if they were searching for something. Another maid was bent over my bedside table, going through my jewelry box.“Excuse me! What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped, throwing off the covers and scrambling out of bed.The maids didn’t even look at me. They continued their frantic search, their faces blank and determined, as though I wasn’t even there.“Hey!” I shouted, stepping closer and pulling one of them away from my dresser. “I’m talking to you! What is going on here?”Still, none of them answered. Pa
“Bridgette,” he said, striding toward me. “I just ran into my mother in the hall. What the hell happened?”I took a shaky breath, gesturing to the mess around us. “Your mother decided to accuse me of stealing her emerald necklace. She and her maids tore my room apart and, conveniently, found it in my wardrobe.”Sevi’s jaw tightened, his usually soft brown eyes hardening. “She what?”I nodded, crossing my arms. “She’s trying to frame me, Sevi. I don’t know why, but she clearly wants me out of this house—and out of your life.”Sevi ran a hand through his hair, muttering a curse under his breath. “I’ll talk to her. This is ridiculous.”“Don’t bother,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “She’s not going to listen to you. She’s made up her mind about me, and nothing you say will change that.”“Then I’ll make her listen,” Sevi said firmly. He reached for my hand, his touch grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected. “You’re not going through this alone, Bridgette. I’m on your side.”I l
The world always had its cruel sense of timing.I sat on the bench at the park, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the scene. The air was fresh, the sound of distant birds chirping, and the serenity of it all contrasted sharply with the storm raging in my mind.How did Thiago always seem to find us? No matter where Sevi and I went, no matter how careful we tried to be, Thiago always appeared, as though he had some sixth sense that told him exactly where to intrude. It wasn’t just unsettling—it was maddening.“Are you okay?” Sevi asked, breaking my train of thought.I looked over at him, his concerned expression softening the sharp edges of my frustration. “I’m fine,” I lied.He didn’t look convinced, but he let it go.We sat in companionable silence for a moment, the park bustling quietly around us. But that peace was shattered when I spotted a figure approaching in the distance, his tall frame and determined stride unmistakable.Thiago.“Oh, great,” I muttered under my breath.
The weight of Victor’s words settled deep in my chest long after they were spoken. I stared down at the amber liquid in my glass, but it offered no answers. Only more questions.Had I already lost the ability to choose? Had Thiago already decided for me?Victor sighed, rubbing his jaw as if he were debating something. Then, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and met my gaze.“I need to tell you something,” he said.A chill skated down my spine. “What?”He hesitated. Just for a second. And that alone sent warning bells ringing in my head.“Victor,” I pressed.His lips parted, but before he could speak, his phone buzzed sharply on the table.He glanced at the screen, and whatever he saw made his expression darken.I frowned. “What is it?”Instead of answering, he stood abruptly, snatching his jacket from the chair. “You should stay here tonight.”“What?” My heart stuttered. “Why?”His jaw tightened as he typed something on his phone. “Thiago’s looking for you.”Cold dread curled in
I clenched my fists, my pulse hammering in my ears. “I don’t have to choose anything.”Javier let out a quiet chuckle, his gaze steady, almost expectant. “That’s where you’re wrong, mija.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’ve already chosen—you just don’t realize it yet.”A chill ran down my spine.Thiago stepped between us, his broad shoulders cutting off Javier’s view of me. “If you’re done playing riddles, we’re leaving.”Javier exhaled sharply, clearly unimpressed. “You’re a fool if you think you can keep her out of this, Bermudez.” His gaze flickered back to me, dark amusement in his eyes. “And you, Bridgette… you’re an even bigger fool if you think you can outrun your own legacy.”Something in my chest tightened, but I refused to let it show. I lifted my chin, forcing steel into my voice. “Watch me.”Javier just smiled. “Ah, mi pequeña tormenta,” he murmured. “We’ll see how long that defiance lasts when the world comes crashing down.”Before I could say an
The air in the car felt suffocating. My pulse pounded against my ribs, but I refused to let my panic show.Thiago's expression had turned to stone, his body tense beside me. "How does he know we're here?"Mateo shrugged, too casual. "Your father has eyes everywhere, Bermudez. Did you really think you could waltz into Madrid unnoticed?"Thiago exhaled sharply. His fingers tapped against his knee in a slow, calculated rhythm—a sign that he was thinking, strategizing.I forced my voice to stay steady. "What does he want?"Mateo tilted his head, considering me. "To see you, of course. He’s given instructions for you to be brought to him—immediately."Brought. Not invited. Not welcomed.My fingers curled into fists. "And if I refuse?"Mateo’s smirk deepened. "Then you already know what happens next, princesa."I swallowed hard.Thiago shifted beside me. "She’s not going anywhere she doesn’t want to." His voice was calm, but the edge beneath it was lethal.Mateo chuckled, but his eyes remai
Thiago watched me carefully, gauging my reaction. He was waiting for me to flinch, to back down—but I didn’t.Instead, I met his gaze head-on. “Fine,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Let’s do it.”A slow, satisfied smirk curled on his lips. “That’s my girl.”I ignored the way my pulse jumped at those words. “Do you have a plan, or are we just throwing ourselves into the fire and hoping we don’t get burned?”His smirk widened. “Oh, we’re the fire, princesa. And it’s time they learn that the hard way.”He turned, already pulling his phone from his pocket. “Pack a bag. We’re leaving in an hour.”I blinked. “Wait—what?”Thiago didn’t even look up as he typed out a message. “You wanted to go on the offensive. That means moving fast.”Panic warred with the determination burning in my chest. “Where are we going?”He finally met my gaze, and for the first time, I saw something beyond amusement and arrogance. I saw purpose.“To the last place they’d expect us to be.”A chill ran down m
Thiago’s entire posture shifted—controlled, calculating. His fingers tightened around his knife, but he didn’t move. Not yet.The blade against my throat pressed in just enough to sting. Not enough to cut. A warning.“Let her go,” Thiago said, his voice dangerously soft.The man behind me chuckled. “Now, now. You of all people should know how this works.”A shiver ran down my spine. They weren’t just some random attackers. They knew Thiago.I felt my captor shift slightly, his grip tightening. “Put the knife down, Bermudez.”Thiago’s jaw clenched. His knife hovered midair, hesitation flickering for just a second.Then, without warning—He threw it.Not at the man holding me.At the other attacker.A sharp cry echoed as the second man collapsed, the knife buried deep in his thigh.The split second of chaos was all I needed.I jerked my head back, slamming it into my captor’s nose. He cursed, his grip faltering.I didn’t waste time. I dropped, twisting free just as Thiago lunged.His fi
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep my expression neutral. If this was a test, then I couldn’t afford to let them see any hesitation. Lucia grinned, sensing my frustration. “Don’t look so tense, Bridge. You wanted in, remember?” I shot her a glare. “You’re enjoying this way too much.” Thiago, who had been silent, stepped closer. His presence sent a ripple of awareness through me, but I refused to react. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single item—an old-fashioned stopwatch. “You have sixty seconds,” he said, pressing the button. I barely had time to register his words before Lucia shoved me—hard. My balance wavered, and the next thing I knew, I was tumbling down a small incline, my arms scraping against rough earth as I hit the ground with a grunt. I groaned, rolling onto my back, but before I could get up, Thiago’s voice called down to me. “Fifty seconds.” Shit. I scrambled to my feet, heart pounding as I took in my surroundings. The woods stretc
The next morning, the training began.Lucia wasn’t gentle. She didn’t ease me into it, didn’t give me time to hesitate.“Again,” she snapped as I stumbled back from a sharp blow to my ribs.I gritted my teeth, lifting my arms to block her next strike. My muscles burned, my breath came in ragged gasps, but I refused to fall.“Sloppy,” Lucia muttered. “You’re thinking too much. Stop trying to predict—react.”Thiago stood in the corner, arms crossed, watching. He hadn’t said a word since we started.I hated that I wanted his approval.I lunged forward, aiming a punch at Lucia’s side. She dodged effortlessly, then swept my legs out from under me. I hit the mat with a grunt.“Better,” she admitted. “But not good enough.”I glared up at her. “You love this, don’t you?”She smirked, offering a hand. “A little.”I ignored her and pushed myself up.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thiago’s mouth twitch like he was fighting a smile.Lucia clapped her hands. “Alright, let’s move on. Time to ge
Lucia gripped the wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. “Somebody better start talking before I drive this damn car into a wall.”Victor ran a hand down his face, still tense. “Santiago attacked Bridgette. Thiago handled it.”Lucia’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, locking onto me. “You handled it, didn’t you?”I swallowed, my fingers still curled into fists. The weight of the gun’s grip still felt imprinted on my palm.“She shot him,” Thiago confirmed, voice rough.Lucia nearly slammed the brakes. “You what?”“He was going to kill me,” I snapped, defensive. “I didn’t have a choice.”Silence.Then Lucia exhaled, shaking her head. “Damn it, Bridge.”Victor, however, was focused on something else. “He’s not dead?”Thiago’s lips curled in something almost amused. “No. But he’ll wish he was when he wakes up.”Victor cursed. “We should’ve finished him off. Now he knows Bridgette isn’t just some pawn—he’ll come for her harder.”My stomach twisted. He was right. This wasn’t the ki
I took a step back, my breath coming too fast. I needed space. Air. Something solid to hold on to, but all I had were shifting lies.Santiago watched me, his smirk fading into something more dangerous—anticipation. Like he was waiting for me to break.I wouldn’t give him that.I forced my voice steady. “You don’t get to decide for me.”Santiago sighed, almost bored. “You think you have a choice?” He gestured lazily with the gun. “You were born into this world, hija. You don’t just walk away from it.”Victor stepped forward, his hand subtly shifting toward his jacket. “She’s not you, Santiago.”Santiago laughed. “And you still think you can save her?” His amusement vanished in a blink. “I’m giving her a way out. If she’s smart, she’ll take it.”My heart pounded. “And if I don’t?”His expression darkened. “Then you’ll regret it.”A flicker of movement. A breath of warning.And then Victor lunged.I barely had time to react before he was on Santiago, knocking the gun aside. A shot rang o