The echo of the gunshot hung in the air, sharp and jarring, before a thick silence descended on the cabin. For a moment, everything froze. Even my breath seemed to catch in my throat. Then, Thiago was moving, his presence commanding and immediate."Elias, cover the back entrance. Raven, keep eyes on the perimeter and take out anyone who gets too close."I glanced around, gripping the knife tightly. "What about me?"Thiago turned to face me, his expression unreadable, but his voice firm. "You stay low, out of sight. Do not move unless I say so."My heart pounded, frustration bubbling up. "I’m not hiding while you’re out there fighting for my life."His jaw clenched. But before he could argue, another shot rang through the cabin, shattering a window. Glass exploded across the room as Raven ducked behind a table, firing back through the broken pane."Decide fast, lovebirds," Raven called. "They’re moving in."Thiago’s gaze met mine, and he grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look into hi
The tension in the room was electric, but the spark of hope Raven had ignited burned brightly in my chest. Thiago was alive. Hurt, yes, but alive. It was more than I dared to hope for in the suffocating silence of the night.“What do we need to do?” I asked, my voice firmer now, resolve creeping into the edges of my words.Raven handed me a small notebook filled with hastily scrawled notes. “These are the leads Thiago’s been working on. We need to connect the dots and figure out Justin’s next move. If we can predict where he’s going to strike next, we can get ahead of him.”I flipped through the pages, my eyes scanning the messy handwriting. Locations, dates, names—it was a chaotic puzzle, but I could feel the threads tying it all together. “This is about more than just us. Justin’s operations run deeper than we thought.”Raven nodded grimly. “He’s been building his empire for years. Thiago’s been dismantling it piece by piece, but Justin’s desperate now. That makes him dangerous.”The
The sound of Thiago’s voice pierced through the chaos, cutting through the static of gunfire and shouts. My heart skipped a beat as I spun toward the source, desperately trying to locate him amidst the fog of smoke and the blinding flash of lights.“Thiago?” I called out, my voice raw with disbelief.There—amidst the shadows—he emerged, his figure framed by the flickering lights. He was bruised, his clothes torn, but he was alive. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause. The intensity of that moment, the relief and fear mixing in my chest, was almost too much to bear.But then, a shot rang out again.Thiago's face twisted in pain as the bullet grazed his side, sending him stumbling backward. My breath hitched. “No!” I screamed, adrenaline surging as I pushed through the haze of smoke, my body moving faster than I could think.Raven and Aiden were right behind me, but my focus was entirely on Thiago. I barely registered the firefight around us, my only tho
The ride back to the next safe house was suffocating. The flash drive in my grip felt like it could burn a hole through my palm. Thiago sat beside me, his head leaning against the window, his breath shallow from the pain of his injuries. Raven was focused on the road ahead, her shoulders stiff, her usual calm replaced with a tension I hadn’t seen before.Helena’s parting words echoed in my mind, relentless and haunting. Someone I trusted. Someone close. The seed of doubt she had planted felt like a poison, spreading with each passing second.“Helena’s bluffing,” Raven said suddenly, breaking the silence. Her voice was sharp, resolute. “She’s trying to shake you. Don’t let her.”I nodded, but I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. Was she bluffing? Or was she giving me the only warning I’d get before another betrayal? After everything we’d been through, the idea that someone in my circle might be working against us felt unbearable.Thiago groaned softly, and I turned to him, concern snap
The ground beneath us trembled again, sending a crack through the tense silence. Dust cascaded from the ceiling as the sound of engines and boots thundering against the pavement outside grew deafening. Raven grabbed the laptop, shoving it into her bag, her movements quick and precise.“Let’s go!” she barked, her sharp tone jolting us into action.Aiden motioned to a hidden door at the back of the room. “Through there. It leads to an underground passage.”Thiago stepped forward, his jaw set despite the weariness etched on his face. “I’ll bring up the rear. Go.”“No,” I said quickly, grabbing his arm. “You’re not in any condition to—”His eyes softened, a rare vulnerability shining through the usual hardness. “Bridgette, I’m not leaving you unprotected. Now move.”Raven had already disappeared through the hidden door with my father in tow, leaving only the three of us in the crumbling safe house. Aiden gave us a pointed look before following them, disappearing into the shadows.The rumb
The tension in the air was suffocating as the stranger’s gaze bore into me. His smirk widened, sending a shiver of unease through me. I clung to Thiago’s arm, my nails digging into his jacket as he stepped protectively in front of me.“Who the hell are you?” Thiago demanded, his voice low and dangerous. His body shifted slightly, placing himself between me and the newcomer.The man chuckled, a sound that was both chilling and infuriating. “So quick to forget, Bridgette. But I can’t blame you. It’s been years, after all.”Years? My heart raced as I racked my brain for any memory that could explain his familiarity. Nothing came to mind, yet his face…there was something hauntingly recognizable about him.“I don’t know you,” I said, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound firm.The man tilted his head, his smirk fading into something colder. “Oh, you will. Soon enough. But for now…” His eyes flicked to Thiago, assessing him with a predatory glint. “Your knight in shining armor look
The letter fell from my hands, landing on the floor like a ghost from the past that refused to fade. My knees buckled, and Thiago was at my side instantly, catching me before I could hit the ground. His arms wrapped around me, steady and unyielding, as my mind raced through a million questions and no answers.“Elijah…” I whispered, the name foreign and familiar all at once. “How can this be happening? He’s supposed to be dead.”Thiago’s jaw clenched as he scooped the letter from the floor, his sharp eyes scanning it again, as if willing the paper to reveal more than it did. “This doesn’t make sense,” he said, his voice a low growl. “But one thing is clear—he wants you to come to him.”“It's a trap,” Raven’s voice cut through the heavy silence. She stood at the door, her sharp eyes fixed on us. “He knows you’ll follow. That’s why he sent this.”Thiago nodded grimly. “She’s right. This isn’t an invitation; it’s bait. He wants Bridgette vulnerable, and he’s using her past to shake her.”
The world seemed to freeze as the image on the screen sank in. My father—helpless, bound, and surrounded by danger—looked straight into the camera with a defiance that mirrored his love for me. A shiver ran through me, and I clutched Thiago’s arm tightly.“I’ll kill him,” I whispered, my voice shaking with fury. “I swear, Thiago, I will end this.”Thiago handed the phone back to Raven, his expression dark and unreadable. “We don’t move without a plan,” he said, his tone commanding. “That’s exactly what Elijah wants.”Raven’s jaw clenched. “He’s escalating. If we don’t act quickly, he’ll force our hand again.”I pulled away from Thiago, pacing in frantic circles. “There’s no time! If we wait too long, he’ll—he’ll—” My voice cracked, the thought too painful to finish.Thiago caught my wrist, stopping me mid-step. His hands framed my face, forcing me to meet his steady gaze. “Listen to me, Bridgette. We’ll get him back. But you can’t let Elijah’s chaos control you.”His touch was groundi
The calm after the exhibit was short-lived. Bridgette’s triumph was celebrated in Monaco’s circles, her sculpture making waves beyond the event. But success had a way of drawing out old ghosts, and soon enough, whispers began to circulate—whispers that hinted at the return of someone neither of us wanted to deal with: Cynthia.It started with a simple call from Lucia.“She’s back,” Lucia said, her tone sharp. “I overheard her talking at a private luncheon. She’s been asking about you and Thiago.”Bridgette was seated across from me at our breakfast table, savoring a fresh croissant when I put the phone on speaker. Her relaxed expression turned icy at the mention of Cynthia’s name.“What does she want now?” Bridgette asked, her voice steely.“Leverage,” Lucia replied. “From what I gathered, she’s trying to position herself back into Victor’s favor—and that means dragging your name through the mud.”Bridgette clenched her jaw, her fingers tightening around her coffee mug. “She never kno
The days in Monaco had settled into a rhythm—a quiet lull before the baby arrived. Bridgette seemed more content, her fire still present but tempered by the anticipation of motherhood. Yet, our peace was interrupted one brisk morning when a knock on the door echoed through the penthouse.I wasn’t expecting anyone. Neither was Bridgette, who sat cross-legged on the couch, flipping through baby name books. Her head lifted, curiosity flickering in her eyes.“I’ll get it,” I said, moving toward the door.When I opened it, I was met with a face I hadn’t seen in years—Alonso Serrano, an old business rival. His polished suit and calm demeanor belied the sharp edge he’d always carried.“Thiago,” he greeted with a smooth smile. “It’s been a while.”“What are you doing here, Serrano?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral but guarded.“May I come in?” he asked, his gaze flickering past me, likely catching sight of Bridgette.I hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. Whatever this was, it wasn’
Bridgette was restless, pacing back and forth in the grand living room of the penthouse in Miami. The faint glow of city lights illuminated her determined expression. I leaned against the doorway, watching her silently. She was consumed by this—her father’s company, the stolen assets, the legacy she wouldn’t allow to crumble.“They’re not just thieves, Thiago,” she said, finally stopping to face me. “They’re parasites. Feeding off years of my father’s hard work and dedication.”“And you intend to hunt them down,” I replied calmly, stepping closer.Her eyes blazed with determination. “Yes. Someone has to. My father is too kind—too trusting. But I won’t let this slide.”I admired her fire, but I also knew it would take more than passion to solve this. “We’ll do it together. But we have to be smart about it. We’re not just dealing with thieves; we’re dealing with professionals.”We started by reviewing the financial records Bridgette managed to retrieve from her father’s office. Late nig
[THIAGO’S POV]Bridgette was scrolling through her tablet one quiet morning while lounging on the couch. Her relaxed demeanor suddenly shifted as she frowned at the screen, her fingers rapidly tapping to navigate through a series of news articles."Thiago," she called out, her voice tight with concern.I emerged from the study, coffee mug in hand. "What’s wrong, love?"She looked up, her face pale. "It’s my father’s company. There are reports of financial troubles. They might be on the brink of bankruptcy."I set my mug down and approached her. "Bridgette, I know this is worrying, but you’re in no condition to take on stress right now. Let someone else handle it."Her brow furrowed, and I could see the determination in her eyes. "No, Thiago. I need to go back to Miami and look into this. If the company goes under, it’ll ruin everything my father worked for."I sighed, already sensing where this was headed. "You’re pregnant, Bridgette. Traveling, dealing with business stress—it’s not s
As Bridgette's pregnancy progressed, I became increasingly worried about leaving her alone while I went to work. Though she insisted she was fine, I knew better. She was stubborn but vulnerable, and I wasn’t about to take any chances.So, I decided to hire someone to look after her—a personal maid who could help with errands and chores, making Bridgette’s life easier while I wasn’t around.The morning I introduced the new maid, Clarisse, things didn’t exactly go as planned.When I brought Clarisse to the house, I was all smiles. "Bridgette, this is Clarisse. She’ll be helping out around here so you can rest more."Bridgette’s eyes narrowed as she took in Clarisse, who, admittedly, was strikingly beautiful. Tall, blonde, and perfectly poised, Clarisse looked like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine.Bridgette’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don’t need a maid.""It’s just to help you," I said, trying to ease the tension. "She’ll handle everything—cleaning, errands, cooking—
It was another busy morning at the office, the kind that used to consume me from dawn until well past dusk. But now, everything was different. I glanced at my watch for what felt like the tenth time in the past hour."Mr. Bermudez?" My secretary, Sofia, peered into my office with a stack of documents. "You’ve been glancing at that watch all morning. Big plans later?"I looked up, signing the last page of a contract with quick strokes. "Yes. I’m heading home early today."Sofia raised an eyebrow, setting the papers on my desk. "Again? That’s the third time this week.""And it won’t be the last," I replied with a smirk.She chuckled, folding her arms. "Let me guess—it’s the joys of being a first-time father?"I leaned back in my chair, a genuine smile forming on my face. "You could say that. I just… I can’t get enough of them. My wife, my baby—they’re my whole world now. I don’t want to miss a second."Sofia smiled warmly, her tone softening. "It’s good to see this side of you, Thiago.
The next day began with sunlight streaming through the curtains. Bridgette was still curled up in bed, her hair a cascade of soft waves across the pillow. I slipped out quietly, determined to make her morning special.In the kitchen, I found myself chopping fruit for a smoothie—mangoes, strawberries, and a hint of mint, just the way she liked it. Cooking was never my forte, but for Bridgette, I’d learned.As I brought the tray into the bedroom, she stirred, her eyes fluttering open.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I said, placing the tray beside her.She blinked at me, then at the tray. “Breakfast in bed? What did I do to deserve this?”I grinned. “For putting up with me, mostly.”Her laughter was the sweetest sound.Later in the afternoon, I had a surprise planned.“Where are we going?” she asked as I led her outside.“You’ll see,” I said, guiding her to the car.We drove to a property just outside Monaco, where I’d been secretly working on something special—a nursery designed specifical
That evening, the house was calm, the kind of peace I’d come to treasure lately. Bridgette was curled up on the couch, flipping through a baby name book with a focused look that could rival any boardroom negotiation. I was in the adjacent study, catching up on work while keeping an ear out for her.Suddenly, I heard her gasp, a sharp intake of breath that sent me bolting out of my chair.“Bridgette?” I called out, rushing into the living room.She was clutching her belly, her face pale and tense. “Thiago, I—I think I’m having cramps.”My heart stopped for a second before surging into overdrive. I dropped to my knees in front of her, my hands hovering near hers as panic crept into my voice. “Cramps? How bad? Where exactly?”“It’s... not unbearable, but it’s sharp,” she said, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what’s happening. Is it normal?”“I’m not taking any chances,” I said, grabbing my phone. “We’re going to the hospital. Now.”The drive to the hospital felt like an eternity, even
As I blended the mangosteens with the coconut milk and honey, I couldn't help but glance toward the living room where Bridgette sat, looking like a curious child waiting for her treat. Her swollen belly peeked out slightly from under her shirt, and a small smile played on her lips despite the tear stains on her cheeks.The sound of the blender roaring to life made her jump slightly. She leaned over the back of the couch to watch me.“You really flew all the way to Thailand for this?” she asked, her voice soft with disbelief.“Would you expect anything less?” I replied, pouring the smoothie into a glass. “When you married me, you didn’t just get a husband. You got a personal butler, a chef, and apparently, a world-traveling fruit hunter.”She giggled, her mood already lifted. “You’re ridiculous, Thiago.”I walked over and handed her the smoothie. “Taste it and tell me if it was worth it.”She took a small sip, and her eyes lit up immediately. “Oh my gosh, this is exactly how I remember