The weight of the moment pressed down like a stormcloud, suffocating the air between us. Thiago’s battered form was still tense, his fists clenched at his sides. Across the dimly lit room stood a figure that could have been his reflection, but something in the stranger's eyes—a darkness, a smirk that bordered on malice—set him apart.Thiago's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade. "What the hell are you doing here, Marcus?"The man tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Is that any way to greet your twin brother? You wound me."I froze, the words ricocheting in my mind. Twin brother? How had Thiago kept something like this from me? The thought of another Thiago—one so similar in appearance yet radiating danger—sent a shiver through me.Thiago stepped forward, his body shielding me instinctively. "You're supposed to be gone. You promised you'd never come back."Marcus chuckled, a low, sinister sound that made my skin crawl. "Promises, promises. But then again, you’ve always be
The weight of her words hit like a freight train. Thiago’s hand found mine again, his grip firm. “Let them try,” he growled. “They’ll regret it.”But even as he spoke, I could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. He was already calculating, planning—looking for the weak link in their chain.“We’ll meet you at the safe house in twenty,” Thiago said before ending the call. He turned to me, his expression resolute. “You stay here.”“No,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected. “We’ve been through too much for me to sit on the sidelines now. I’m coming with you.”“Bridgette, this isn’t up for discussion,” he snapped, frustration lacing his tone. “The Syndicate isn’t playing games. If they get their hands on you—”“Then I’ll fight,” I interrupted, standing my ground. “I’m not some fragile piece on a chessboard, Thiago. I’m in this with you, no matter how dangerous it gets.”For a moment, the tension between us was palpable, a battle of wills neither of us was willing to lose. Then, with
The safe house was no longer safe. The Syndicate's broadcast left us with no illusions about their reach or their intent. Sebastian’s battered face haunted me, but it was the image of myself, bound and helpless, that twisted my gut. The message wasn’t just a threat—it was psychological warfare, designed to break Thiago’s resolve.Raven paced the room like a caged predator, her fingers flying across her tablet as she pulled up surveillance feeds and encrypted communications. “They hacked our network,” she muttered. “But this wasn’t just about showing off—they wanted us to see this.”Thiago stood by the window, his silhouette rigid against the faint glow of city lights. His silence was unnerving, his usual controlled demeanor fraying at the edges.“Thiago,” I said softly, stepping closer. He didn’t turn, but his shoulders tensed at my voice.“We’re running out of time,” he finally said, his voice low and rough. “If we don’t move fast, they’ll kill him.”“They won’t,” Raven interjected.
The tension was suffocating as we returned to the safe house, now bolstered with additional security. Thiago didn’t speak much on the way back, his focus razor-sharp, but I caught the occasional glance he threw my way—each one laced with a mixture of worry and resolve.Inside, Raven had set up a makeshift lab, her equipment humming as she worked to crack the device’s encryption. Thiago paced the room, his movements restless and predatory, while I sat with Sebastian, tending to his injuries.“Do you think it’s real?” I finally asked Thiago, breaking the heavy silence.He stopped pacing, his eyes meeting mine. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’m not willing to bet lives on the chance that it isn’t.”His honesty was both comforting and terrifying. This was the man who never let his guard down, who always seemed to have a plan. Seeing him uncertain made the stakes feel even higher.Raven’s voice cut through the room. “Got it.”We all turned toward her as the device’s screen flickered to
Thiago didn’t let go of my hand as we ascended the stairs. His grip was firm, grounding me, even as my thoughts spiraled with fear and adrenaline. The Syndicate was no longer just a distant, malevolent force—it was here, closing in on us. Yet, with Thiago at my side, I felt an unshakable determination building within me.When we reached the roof, the cool night air hit me like a wave. The city stretched out below, glittering and oblivious to the danger lurking in its shadows. Thiago scanned the area quickly, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.“Over here,” he said, guiding me toward a corner where a makeshift ladder had been propped against the edge. It led to the adjacent building, lower and less exposed.“Is this part of the plan?” I asked, my voice tinged with sarcasm as I eyed the rickety ladder.His lips twitched. “Improvisation. You’ll love it.”I shot him a look but didn’t argue. Thiago went first, his movements swift and practiced, as if danger was his second nature. Once h
The elegant ballroom shimmered with chandeliers and buzzed with animated chatter as it was turned into a splendid venue for commemorating my father's real estate company's tenth anniversary. The hall was crowded, and people sipped their drinks while enjoying the music of a live band playing soft tunes in the background. A scene full of charm and elegance that somehow couldn't fill the void I felt deep inside me despite all the beauty and luxury around. Amidst the crowd, I found myself wandering aimlessly as my steps took me in no particular direction. A gentle smile graced my lips, concealing the fatigue that weighed heavily on me as I warmly welcomed my father’s guests. Meanwhile, I scanned the crowd but couldn't spot my husband, Derick, anywhere. It felt like he was intentionally distancing himself from me, especially ever since he learned about my struggle to give him the one thing he longed for the most—a child. It was distressing for me, but it became even more painful when
THE NEXT MORNING, the sound of my phone startled me awake. I squinted at the screen and groggly groped for it. The name flashing across it caused my blood to stop—Romeo, my Dad.Heart thumping, I jumped off the bed, fumbling to respond, but the ringing stopped just before I could swipe the screen. Two seconds later a text alert showed up.**COME HOME RIGHT AWAY** In all caps locked.There was no space for justification or explanation for his calling of me. Simply as usual, just an order.I hurriedly got up, still wondering why my father suddenly wanted me to go home right away. But what made me suddenly confused what what on earth was I even doing in an unfamiliar room?I was so certain, this wasn’t my hotel room. My head still hurts due to hangover but I know that I must get up and come home right away. And as my feet nearly tripped from the scattered clothes on the floor, that was the only time when everything else came flooding my memories about what happened last night.“Shit.” I
I skirted through the crowd of people in the ballroom while attempting to concentrate on my goal. It was a whirlwind of color and laughter. I had to look for someone who could assist me in securing my future. But my confidence started to falter as I looked around the room. Each of these men exuded confidence and elegance.What if I wasn't enough? What would happen if I was unable to find someone who could help me?My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a bartender’s voice, low and smooth. “You look like you could use a drink.”I turned to find the bartender standing before me, holding out a glass of wine and pouring me some. He was dressed impeccably in a black and white uniform.I forced a smile, taking the glass from him. “Thank you. I suppose I do.”He raised the bottle to pour some on my glass. “This might be quite hard on you”“I can manage,” I echoed, clinking my glass before taking a sip. The wine was crisp and cold, but it did little to calm the nerves fluttering in my s
Thiago didn’t let go of my hand as we ascended the stairs. His grip was firm, grounding me, even as my thoughts spiraled with fear and adrenaline. The Syndicate was no longer just a distant, malevolent force—it was here, closing in on us. Yet, with Thiago at my side, I felt an unshakable determination building within me.When we reached the roof, the cool night air hit me like a wave. The city stretched out below, glittering and oblivious to the danger lurking in its shadows. Thiago scanned the area quickly, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.“Over here,” he said, guiding me toward a corner where a makeshift ladder had been propped against the edge. It led to the adjacent building, lower and less exposed.“Is this part of the plan?” I asked, my voice tinged with sarcasm as I eyed the rickety ladder.His lips twitched. “Improvisation. You’ll love it.”I shot him a look but didn’t argue. Thiago went first, his movements swift and practiced, as if danger was his second nature. Once h
The tension was suffocating as we returned to the safe house, now bolstered with additional security. Thiago didn’t speak much on the way back, his focus razor-sharp, but I caught the occasional glance he threw my way—each one laced with a mixture of worry and resolve.Inside, Raven had set up a makeshift lab, her equipment humming as she worked to crack the device’s encryption. Thiago paced the room, his movements restless and predatory, while I sat with Sebastian, tending to his injuries.“Do you think it’s real?” I finally asked Thiago, breaking the heavy silence.He stopped pacing, his eyes meeting mine. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’m not willing to bet lives on the chance that it isn’t.”His honesty was both comforting and terrifying. This was the man who never let his guard down, who always seemed to have a plan. Seeing him uncertain made the stakes feel even higher.Raven’s voice cut through the room. “Got it.”We all turned toward her as the device’s screen flickered to
The safe house was no longer safe. The Syndicate's broadcast left us with no illusions about their reach or their intent. Sebastian’s battered face haunted me, but it was the image of myself, bound and helpless, that twisted my gut. The message wasn’t just a threat—it was psychological warfare, designed to break Thiago’s resolve.Raven paced the room like a caged predator, her fingers flying across her tablet as she pulled up surveillance feeds and encrypted communications. “They hacked our network,” she muttered. “But this wasn’t just about showing off—they wanted us to see this.”Thiago stood by the window, his silhouette rigid against the faint glow of city lights. His silence was unnerving, his usual controlled demeanor fraying at the edges.“Thiago,” I said softly, stepping closer. He didn’t turn, but his shoulders tensed at my voice.“We’re running out of time,” he finally said, his voice low and rough. “If we don’t move fast, they’ll kill him.”“They won’t,” Raven interjected.
The weight of her words hit like a freight train. Thiago’s hand found mine again, his grip firm. “Let them try,” he growled. “They’ll regret it.”But even as he spoke, I could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. He was already calculating, planning—looking for the weak link in their chain.“We’ll meet you at the safe house in twenty,” Thiago said before ending the call. He turned to me, his expression resolute. “You stay here.”“No,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected. “We’ve been through too much for me to sit on the sidelines now. I’m coming with you.”“Bridgette, this isn’t up for discussion,” he snapped, frustration lacing his tone. “The Syndicate isn’t playing games. If they get their hands on you—”“Then I’ll fight,” I interrupted, standing my ground. “I’m not some fragile piece on a chessboard, Thiago. I’m in this with you, no matter how dangerous it gets.”For a moment, the tension between us was palpable, a battle of wills neither of us was willing to lose. Then, with
The weight of the moment pressed down like a stormcloud, suffocating the air between us. Thiago’s battered form was still tense, his fists clenched at his sides. Across the dimly lit room stood a figure that could have been his reflection, but something in the stranger's eyes—a darkness, a smirk that bordered on malice—set him apart.Thiago's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade. "What the hell are you doing here, Marcus?"The man tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Is that any way to greet your twin brother? You wound me."I froze, the words ricocheting in my mind. Twin brother? How had Thiago kept something like this from me? The thought of another Thiago—one so similar in appearance yet radiating danger—sent a shiver through me.Thiago stepped forward, his body shielding me instinctively. "You're supposed to be gone. You promised you'd never come back."Marcus chuckled, a low, sinister sound that made my skin crawl. "Promises, promises. But then again, you’ve always be
Thiago’s fists clenched at his sides, and I could feel the storm raging inside him. He glanced at me, his eyes softening for a brief moment. Then he turned back to Sebastian, his stance unwavering.“You want me? Fine,” Thiago said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “But let them go—everyone else. This ends with us.”“No!” I interjected, grabbing his arm. “You can’t just hand yourself over.”Thiago turned to me, his hand covering mine. “Bridgette, I’ve fought men like him my whole life. This isn’t just about me—it’s about keeping you safe.”His words sent a pang through my chest, but I refused to back down. “We’re stronger together. If you go alone, he’ll win. You know that.”Sebastian’s laughter interrupted our moment. “How touching,” he sneered. “But you’re running out of time.”Lila, who had remained quiet until now, stepped forward hesitantly. “Sebastian,” she said, her voice trembling. “There’s no need for this. You’ve already proven your point.”Sebastian turned
The estate fell into chaos, the echoes of the gunshot ricocheting through its halls. My heart pounded as I stood frozen in the control room, Thiago’s command to stay behind warring with the primal urge to follow him. The monitors in front of me flickered, showing Helena, Gabriel, and Thiago splitting up, each taking a different route to secure the house.I clenched my fists. “No. I can’t just stand here.”Ignoring my better judgment, I grabbed a small pistol from the table and slipped out into the dimly lit corridor. The storm outside roared, wind and rain battering the windows, as if nature itself sensed the brewing confrontation.I followed the faint sound of muffled footsteps down a side hallway. Rounding the corner, I found Lila standing over one of our unconscious guards, her face a mixture of guilt and resolve. She was holding a gun, her hands shaking as she stepped toward another door.“Lila!” I called out, aiming my weapon at her.She froze, her head whipping around to face me
Helena drove us to a secluded estate perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks below was almost hypnotic, a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart.“Inside,” Helena ordered, ushering us through a hidden side entrance.The interior was sparse but fortified, the air heavy with the scent of salt and steel. Gabriel immediately began checking the perimeter, while Helena secured the doors and activated a set of monitors displaying live surveillance feeds.I stood frozen in the middle of the room, my arms wrapped around myself. My thoughts were a whirlwind—Thiago’s face, his voice, the way he’d shielded me without hesitation.Helena approached me, her expression unreadable. “He’ll make it. Thiago always does.”“Do you even care?” I snapped, my voice laced with bitterness.Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of pain. “You think I don’t? He’s my brother.”“Then why did you leave him?” I demanded, tears streaming down my face.“B
The tunnel was suffocatingly narrow, the air thick with smoke and the echoes of Sebastian’s laughter still reverberating behind us. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of exhaustion and adrenaline threatening to buckle my knees. Thiago’s grip on my hand was firm, grounding me amidst the chaos.“Keep moving,” he urged, his voice a sharp command that left no room for hesitation.Gabriel led the way, his flashlight cutting through the murkiness of the passage. The flickering light painted ominous shadows on the walls, and every sound—every drip of water or distant creak—felt like an approaching threat.“Where does this lead?” I asked, my voice trembling.“To an access point near the docks,” Gabriel replied without turning around. “If Sebastian hasn’t already blocked it.”I swallowed hard, dread coiling in my stomach. The explosions, the relentless pursuit—it all felt too orchestrated, too perfect.“This is a trap,” I whispered, glancing back at Thiago.His jaw tightened. “Ma