One evening, thiago suddenly asked me to join him for dinner on the terrace. The table was set with candles and flowers, the soft sound of waves in the distance creating a romantic ambiance.“You went all out,” I teased, taking in the sight.“Only the best for my wife,” he said with a smile, pulling out my chair.The dinner was perfect—delicious food, easy conversation, and the glow of the setting sun painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. But as dessert was served, Thiago grew quiet.“Bridgette,” he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “There’s something I need to say.”I looked at him, my heart skipping a beat.“When we first met, everything between us was... complicated. Contracts, deals, and obligations clouded what should have been simple. But through it all, you showed me something I didn’t know I needed. You showed me love—real, unconditional love.”Tears filled my eyes as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.“I don’t want contracts or co
I woke up the next morning with my phone in hand, the screen still lit up with our chat from last night. Licht’s name stared back at me, his last message lingering in my mind:"Sleep well, Cassie. Sweet dreams. Maybe dream of me?"A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. I hated how easily he could make me feel this way, but there it was—that stupid fluttering in my chest that I couldn’t seem to shake. Before I could second-guess myself, I opened the Finder app and shot him a reply."Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not that easy."Not a minute later, a reply came in."Oh, really? You’re chatting with me first thing in the morning. Seems like I’m on your mind, Cassie."I rolled my eyes, but a chuckle escaped my lips."You’re unbelievable."His response came almost instantly."And yet, you’re still talking to me. Admit it—you’d miss me if I stopped."I didn’t bother denying it, even to myself. Instead, I leaned back against my pillow, a blush creeping across my cheeks as I typed back
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
The man and I moved our conversation to a more secluded place away from the loud noise of the ball. And before I knew it, I found myself already escorted inside his hotel room. “I have about three questions before we begin with our deal.” He suddenly uttered, pushing me against the long, creamy white bed.I was certain that if my eyes were shut now, then I was probably dreaming.There was no other possible explanation for the way my body tingled, the way my breath hitched in my throat, and the way my mind raced with thoughts that I had never dared to entertain before.It all seemed so too good to be true, as the man lurred his body before me. He was like a walking, breathing embodiment of desire. His dark, tousled hair framed a face that could have been chiseled by the gods themselves, his piercing eyes a shade of blue that bordered on ethereal.He was close, too close, his presence consuming the air between us. His broad shoulders seemed to block out the rest of the world, leaving o
When I opened my eyes again, the room was already bathed in the warm embrace of morning light, as if the sun itself had been waiting patiently for me to join the world. My head pounded slightly, fragments of what happened last night lurking just beyond my memory's grasp. Yet, the first thing I did was quickly check my clothes. And I felt some sort of ease knowing they were still intact, although messy from lying on the bed all night. Some relief washed over me—I guess nothing had happened with that blonde stranger and me again. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed to make another escape, but the door creaked open just as I was about to do so. My heart skipped a beat. There he stood—the same blonde from the night before was walking in, carefree and undressed in just a bathrobe that hung loosely, revealing his toned abs and chest, and a towel tied around his waist. He didn’t seem surprised to see me awake."And where do you think you’re going, damsel?" he asked, a smirk playi
The event at the auction had been nothing short of chaotic. The tension in the room was so thick it felt like I could slice through it with a knife. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat reverberating in my ears as I tried to make sense of everything that had just happened. As the event organizers attempted to calm the storm, Thiago leaned in close to me, so close that I could feel his breath against my ear. “We need to leave. Now,” he whispered, his tone urgent, almost desperate. “Before your former family decides to do something against us.” The way Thiago had spoken to me, the intensity in his gaze—it left me reeling, completely off-balance.A shiver ran down my spine at the urgency in his voice. Without a second thought, I followed him, my mind racing with a million questions. Who was this man, really? Why had he kept silent for so long about his connection to Cynthia, my former mother-in-law? And what was it about Thiago that made my father speak to him as if they were old a
I woke up the next morning with my phone in hand, the screen still lit up with our chat from last night. Licht’s name stared back at me, his last message lingering in my mind:"Sleep well, Cassie. Sweet dreams. Maybe dream of me?"A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. I hated how easily he could make me feel this way, but there it was—that stupid fluttering in my chest that I couldn’t seem to shake. Before I could second-guess myself, I opened the Finder app and shot him a reply."Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not that easy."Not a minute later, a reply came in."Oh, really? You’re chatting with me first thing in the morning. Seems like I’m on your mind, Cassie."I rolled my eyes, but a chuckle escaped my lips."You’re unbelievable."His response came almost instantly."And yet, you’re still talking to me. Admit it—you’d miss me if I stopped."I didn’t bother denying it, even to myself. Instead, I leaned back against my pillow, a blush creeping across my cheeks as I typed back
One evening, thiago suddenly asked me to join him for dinner on the terrace. The table was set with candles and flowers, the soft sound of waves in the distance creating a romantic ambiance.“You went all out,” I teased, taking in the sight.“Only the best for my wife,” he said with a smile, pulling out my chair.The dinner was perfect—delicious food, easy conversation, and the glow of the setting sun painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. But as dessert was served, Thiago grew quiet.“Bridgette,” he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “There’s something I need to say.”I looked at him, my heart skipping a beat.“When we first met, everything between us was... complicated. Contracts, deals, and obligations clouded what should have been simple. But through it all, you showed me something I didn’t know I needed. You showed me love—real, unconditional love.”Tears filled my eyes as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.“I don’t want contracts or co
The days of chaos felt like years, but it all came down to this—a final showdown with the Syndicate that had haunted our lives. The safe house was silent as we prepared, each of us locked in our own thoughts. Thiago stood at the window, his gaze hard as steel, while Raven briefed the team on the plan.“We’ve isolated the Syndicate’s main server,” Raven said, her voice steady. “It’s housed in an underground facility beneath their headquarters. We take it down, and their entire operation collapses.”“And the leadership?” Thiago asked without turning.Raven hesitated. “They’ll be there. If we’re lucky, we can take them alive.”“No,” Thiago said firmly, his eyes finally meeting hers. “We’re ending this for good. No loose ends.”The room fell silent. No one dared to challenge him.I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the tension. “What’s my role?”Thiago turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “You’re staying back. This is too dangerous.”“No,” I said, my resolve unwavering
The ride was silent, save for the hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of the radio. I kept my gaze fixed out the window, watching the city blur past us like a living, breathing entity. But even as the streets unraveled, my thoughts remained tethered to Thiago.His hand rested on mine, grounding me, yet his tension was palpable. He was deep in thought, his jaw clenched and his eyes fixed ahead as though he could see past the horizon and into the Syndicate’s next move.“Thiago,” I murmured, breaking the quiet.He turned his head slightly, his attention snapping to me. “What is it?”“I just...” I hesitated, unsure how to voice the maelstrom of emotions swirling inside me. “I don’t know how you do this—carry the weight of everything and still keep going. It feels... impossible.”His lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s not about feeling ready or capable. It’s about knowing there’s no other choice.” He paused, his gaze softening. “And now, it’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