I clutched the note tighter, its cryptic message echoing in my thoughts."You’re not safe with them. Watch your back."The words were scrawled in hurried, jagged handwriting, almost as though the author had been trembling while writing.Who could have left it? And why?Sevi’s lighthearted voice floated in from the kitchen, humming a melody as he prepared breakfast. Thiago’s deep timbre echoed from the hallway as he finished a phone call, his tone sharp and commanding. The tension between the two men had escalated so much that I felt like I was walking on eggshells around them.And now this?The note had thrown me into a new spiral of doubt.I stuffed it into the pocket of my cardigan and headed toward the kitchen. I needed answers, but more than that, I needed to stay calm.“Morning,” Sevi greeted me with a warm smile. His carefree demeanor was in stark contrast to the chaos unraveling in my mind. “Hungry? I made pancakes.”“Thanks,” I muttered, forcing a smile.Thiago appeared moment
The house was eerily quiet when we returned. The confrontation in the park left a lingering tension that none of us could shake off. Sevi stormed to his room without a word, and Thiago, who looked more somber than usual, stayed behind in the living room, his jaw tight as if suppressing a storm of emotions.I stood at the base of the stairs, my heart thudding in my chest. That note. Those men. Thiago’s cryptic warnings. It all felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, and I was desperate to figure out what it all meant.But right now, I was stuck in this suffocating mansion, surrounded by tension and unanswered questions.I climbed the stairs to my room, my thoughts spiraling. Once inside, I locked the door behind me. I needed time to think, to process everything.Slipping my hand into my pocket, I pulled out the note again, my fingers trembling. The words seemed darker now, more menacing in the dim light of my room."You’re not safe with them. Watch your back."Who had written it? And h
The morning sun spilled through the curtains, bathing my room in a soft golden glow. Despite the light, my mind was clouded with uncertainty. The weight of everything—the accusations, the note, the men at the park, and Thiago’s evasiveness—pressed heavily on me. I knew I couldn’t let this continue unresolved.After dressing quickly, I went downstairs, bracing myself for whatever awaited. Dina, thankfully, was nowhere in sight, but Sevi sat at the dining table, his fingers tapping anxiously against his mug.“You’re up early,” he said, his tone guarded.“Couldn’t sleep,” I replied, grabbing a cup of coffee.Sevi stood abruptly, blocking my path. His eyes searched mine with a mix of concern and guilt. “Bridgette, about yesterday… I’m sorry.”I stared at him, taken aback. Sevi rarely apologized, his stubbornness a near-permanent fixture of his personality.“It’s not just about yesterday, Sevi,” I said, my voice softer than I expected. “Something is going on, and I feel like I’m stuck in t
The weight of the last few days sat heavily on my chest as I scrolled through my phone at Thiago's safe house. The tension between Sevi and Thiago still lingered like a storm waiting to break, and I felt caught in a whirlwind of secrets, danger, and conflicting loyalties. Just as I was about to give up on finding clarity, a news notification flashed across my screen, stopping me cold.“Romeo Martinez, influential businessman, reportedly falls seriously ill. Sources say family is at his bedside.”The words sent a chill down my spine. My father—my stubborn, invincible father—was sick? Panic and dread tightened my throat. For all our differences, I couldn’t imagine him weak, let alone at the mercy of anyone else. And Marlene…I stood abruptly, startling both Thiago and Sevi, who had been seated across the room, locked in another silent standoff.“I have to go,” I said, my voice trembling.“What’s wrong?” Thiago’s voice softened instantly, his sharp gaze fixed on me.“It’s my father,” I re
The tension in the car was thick as Thiago drove us back to the city. His sharp eyes stayed on the road, but I could feel his worry radiating off him. My cheek still stung from Marlene’s slap, but the adrenaline coursing through me dulled the pain.“Why didn’t you let me handle her?” Thiago asked, his voice tight with restrained anger.“Because it’s my fight,” I replied, staring out the window at the passing lights. “Marlene has been a thorn in my side for years. I can’t let her think she can push me around.”Thiago’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “You’re right, but that woman is dangerous, Bridgette. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants. And if that means hurting you, she won’t hesitate.”I turned to him, his expression as hard as stone. “I won’t let her win. She’s already taken so much from me, from my father. It ends now.”For a moment, Thiago didn’t respond. Then he glanced at me, his eyes softening slightly. “You’ve got more fight in you than most people I know. J
The next morning, I sat in Thiago’s office, watching as he coordinated his team. His sharp, commanding tone cut through the room like a knife, and I could see why people both respected and feared him.“I want every hospital, clinic, and private care facility within a 100-mile radius checked,” Thiago ordered, his voice unyielding. “Romeo Martinez didn’t just disappear. Someone had to sign the transfer papers. Start with the ones Marlene has ties to.”As his team dispersed, he turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “We’ll find him, Bridgette. She can’t hide him forever.”I nodded, gripping the edge of my chair. “I just… I can’t shake the feeling that this is bigger than just Marlene being vindictive. Why would she go to such lengths? What is she hiding?”Thiago leaned against his desk, arms crossed. “Marlene is cunning. She wouldn’t risk this kind of exposure unless she had something to lose.”The thought made my stomach churn. What if my father’s illness wasn’t as sudden as i
Everything seemed to reel continuously, like a flashback of my earlier memory before I knocked out within my head. It was crisp and clear as though it were not flashback.One of them grabbed me, their grip like steel. Thiago lunged forward, but another intruder blocked him, raising a weapon.“Let her go!” Thiago shouted, his voice filled with fury.The intruder holding me leaned close, their voice low and menacing. “You were warned, Miss Martinez.”Before I could respond, a cloth was pressed to my face.Everything went black.When I woke up again, it was because of the sound of faint murmurs and the sensation of cold steel against my wrists. My head throbbed as I tried to move, only to realize I was restrained to a chair. The room was dimly lit, with a single bulb swinging overhead, casting eerie shadows on the walls.“Finally awake,” a deep voice drawled.My eyes snapped to the source—a tall figure standing near the door, face obscured by the dim light. His tone was calm, but the men
The SUVs surrounded us like predators circling their prey. The glare of headlights cut through the night, casting eerie shadows against the trees lining the deserted road. My heartbeat thundered in my chest as Thiago tightened his grip on my hand."Marcus," Thiago said with steely calm, "be ready to get us out of here if I say the word."Marcus nodded, his jaw set as he shifted the car into reverse. But as we started to inch backward, another SUV appeared, blocking the escape route."They were expecting us," Marcus muttered, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.Thiago leaned forward. "Keep the engine running. Don’t make a move unless I say."He turned to me, his gaze intense but reassuring. "Stay here, Bridgette. No matter what happens, do not get out of this car.""But Thiago—""Promise me," he interrupted, his voice firm. "I can't protect you if you don't listen."Swallowing hard, I nodded. "I promise."Thiago stepped out of the car, his tall frame radiating authority even in t
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
The old pier stretched before me, silent except for the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the wooden posts. A single lamplight flickered above, casting long shadows across the damp planks. My heart pounded as I scanned the area, my breath visible in the night air.I checked my phone again. Midnight. I was a few minutes early, but whoever had sent the message wasn’t here yet.Or maybe they were watching.A gust of wind sent a shiver down my spine. I crossed my arms, not just against the cold, but against the gnawing uncertainty clawing at my insides. This could be a trap. Thiago could have sent the message, luring me here to force a conversation I wasn’t ready for. Or worse—someone else, someone more dangerous, could be behind it.I turned, about to leave, when I heard footsteps. Slow. Measured.I spun back, my pulse skyrocketing as a shadow emerged from the darkness.It wasn’t Thiago.Victor.His sharp features were cast in half-light, his expression unreadable as he stepped towar
Thiago kissed me like he was trying to brand himself into my soul—like he could erase every doubt, every betrayal, with the heat of his mouth.And for a moment, I let him.For a moment, I kissed him back, gripping his shirt like it could anchor me to something real.But reality crashed in just as fast.I shoved him away, breathless, my lips still tingling from the force of him.His chest rose and fell, his dark eyes locked onto mine with a heat that burned straight through me.“No,” I said, voice hoarse.Thiago’s jaw tightened. “Bridgette—”“No,” I repeated, stepping back. “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to lie to me, manipulate me, and then kiss me like I’m supposed to forget everything.”His hands curled into fists at his sides. “I wasn’t lying to you.”“Really?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Then why do I feel like I just walked into a trap?”Thiago exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”I crossed my arms.
I forced myself to meet Santiago’s gaze, schooling my expression into something unreadable. If he was here, breaking into my penthouse in the middle of the night, it wasn’t just to chat.He wants something.I wasn’t going to give it to him.“You have about ten seconds to explain why you’re here before I call security,” I said, gripping the wine bottle so tightly my knuckles ached.Santiago smirked, the kind of lazy, self-assured grin that made my stomach twist. He took a slow step forward, completely unfazed by my threat. “Security?” he mused. “Mmm… You could call them. But we both know they won’t get here in time, mi amor.”His voice was smooth, practiced, laced with the kind of confidence that came from knowing he held all the cards.I refused to let him see the flicker of unease tightening in my chest.“I don’t have time for games, Santiago.”“I know,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “Which is why I’ll get to the point.”In one fluid motion, he reached inside his suit jacket. I
His lips moved against mine with a slow, deliberate hunger, as if he was savoring every second of my surrender. I should have pushed him away. I should have turned and walked out of this penthouse, out of his life, like I swore I would.But the second his hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, every ounce of resistance melted away.Thiago knew my body too well. He knew exactly how to unravel me with a single touch, how to make me forget logic and consequences. His fingers trailed down my spine, sending a shiver through me, his kiss deepening until I was breathless.I tore away, gasping, my palms flat against his chest. “Thiago—”His forehead rested against mine, his breathing just as uneven. “Don’t tell me you don’t want this.”My fingers curled into his shirt, torn between desire and the storm raging in my mind. “It’s not about what I want.”He exhaled, a humorless chuckle escaping him. “Then what is it about, Wifey?”That nickname. The way it rolled off his tongue like a promise
The hallway felt too small, too suffocating with both men standing there—Victor rigid with frustration, Thiago exuding that quiet, commanding presence that had always been my undoing.I should tell him to leave. I should push past this moment and pretend my heart wasn’t beating too fast, that I wasn’t already losing this battle.But I didn’t.Instead, I met Thiago’s gaze head-on. “What do you want?”He tilted his head slightly, studying me, before stepping closer. Too close. The scent of him—expensive cologne, faint whiskey, something distinctly him—wrapped around me like a noose.Victor shifted beside me, his tension palpable. “You’re wasting your time, Bermudez. She’s done with whatever game you’re playing.”Thiago let out a quiet chuckle, his eyes never leaving mine. “That so?” His fingers twitched at his side, like he was resisting the urge to touch me. “Because she hasn’t told me to leave yet.”Damn him.Victor exhaled sharply. “Bridgette.” His voice was low, a warning.I swallow
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