The following week felt like a blur of late nights and early mornings as Thiago and I dived headfirst into salvaging his company. We poured over spreadsheets, analyzed market trends, and brainstormed marketing strategies to regain the trust of the investors who had pulled their funding. I couldn’t shake the anxiety gnawing at my gut. Every moment spent strategizing felt crucial, yet the weight of my father’s betrayal lingered like a dark cloud above us.
One evening, as I sat across from Thiago in his office, the atmosphere was tense. The glow from the laptop screen illuminated the deep lines of worry etched on his forehead. “What if we can’t turn this around?” he asked, leaning back in his chair, fingers interlaced behind his head. “What if the Zorich Group is just the beginning of our problems?”
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Jasper said, his voice smooth and confident. “I hope you’ve all had a chance to review the proposal Thiago and Bridgette put together. It looks promising.”Thiago shot me a sideways glance, and I could see the mixture of anger and determination in his eyes. “Thank you, Jasper. I believe we have a solid plan moving forward,” he replied, his voice steady, though I could hear the undercurrent of tension.As we launched into our presentation, I felt the stakes rise with each passing moment. Thiago presented his plan with fervor, outlining our strategies and how we intended to regain the investors' trust. I watched the investors' reactions closely, noting their shifting expressions.But when it came time for questions, Jasper was quick to put Thiago on the spot. “Thiago, considering the recent issues with the Zorich Group, how can you assure us that your company can deliver on these promises?”Thiago’s jaw tightened, and I could see the struggle within him. “Wha
As I stood outside Thiago’s house, grappling with the shock and heartache of what I had witnessed, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind. The betrayal cut deep, slicing through the trust and hope I had invested in our relationship. I couldn’t bear to confront them, to demand an explanation that might only deepen the wound.With a heavy heart, I stumbled back to my car, my hands trembling as I fumbled for the keys. The engine roared to life, but I couldn’t bring myself to drive away just yet. My mind replayed the scene over and over, each iteration bringing fresh pain and disbelief.What had I missed? How could Thiago have let this happen? Was there something between them that I had been blind to all along?The minutes stretched into eternity as I sat there, lost in a storm of emotions. Anger, sorrow, and a profound sense of loss warred within me. The future I had imagined with Thiago—the one where we rebuilt his company, faced challenges together, and emerged stronger—now lay sh
After that day, the office had become my hide out. Work had always been a means of escape from reality for me, but recently, it had transformed into an obsession. Since the incident with Thiago and Cynthia, I had buried myself under piles of reports and endless meetings. I always find myself staying late hours in the office. Lucia had to force me to go out most of the times when it was already passed office horse. It’s like my mind was sharp, but my heart was a mess. No matter how hard I tried to shake off the personal chaos, it always lingered in the back of my mind like some sort of pest that was festering me.I sat at my desk, typing furiously, my fingers moving so quickly over the keys that I barely had time to process what I was writing. I needed the distraction. I needed to keep my mind off Thiago and the unanswered questions between us. But just as I thought I was getting somewhere, the inevitable happened, or rather someone came unexpected.And it was Cynthia, who walked rig
The next few days after my encounter with Cynthia who boldly came to my office to threaten me, felt like a slow, suffocating descent into chaos. No matter how much I wanted to ignore Cynthia’s blackmailing, I simply couldn’t just shake off the feeling that the walls around me were closing in and it was leaving the feeling of intoxicating suffocation, as though I was trapped.At first, it began as just small—just rumors regarding the investors reconsidering their stakes for the Bermudez group. Following that, however, Marcus and I had been receiving a few emails flagged as “urgent” from Thiago’s financial team. At first, it seemed like a coincidence. But as it escalate further, it eventually turn into an issue that made me realize that Cynthia wasn’t joking around.Cynthia was dead serious about what she told me that time.Following that, my daily routine at the office felt tensed for the Bermudez Group. As I have feared, the Investors who pledged to cooperate with us were now pullin
After filing the divorce papers, my heart felt heavier than ever. I hadn’t imagined it would feel like this—so final, so utterly devastating. But I had made up my mind. Cynthia’s threats were real, and no matter how much it pained me, this was the only way to protect Thiago and his company. If I didn’t do this, everything he had built would crumble. I would not let that happen.It was a quiet drive back to the house, the document lying in the passenger seat beside me like a ticking time bomb. As I pulled into the driveway, my stomach churned with a mix of fear and dread. I didn’t know what to expect from Thiago, but part of me feared the worst. He wasn’t the type to give up easily, especially when it came to things—or people—he considered his. And that included me.When I opened the door to our home, the familiar scent of leather and wood hit me, instantly reminding me of everything we had built together. The memories of laughter, arguments, late-night talks, and stolen moments of inti
The moment Thiago’s hands found my waist, pulling me close, every worry, every sharp edge of doubt faded, leaving just us. His gaze was intense, holding a mixture of frustration, desire, and something deeper I’d never quite managed to name. The soft warmth of his breath brushed against my cheek as he pulled me closer, and the world outside ceased to exist.He leaned in, his forehead gently pressing against mine, and whispered, “Do you still think about divorcing me?”The question hung between us, pulling all the tension of the last days into one single, excruciating point. My pulse hammered as I looked up at him. “Thiago,” I managed, the word escaping me before I could overthink it. “You know what I must do.”His hands tightened slightly at my waist as if grounding himself, and his lips brushed mine—softly at first, then deepening into a kiss that held an edge of hunger. I felt his arms slip around my shoulders, steadying me as he leaned in even closer. When he pulled away, his eyes se
The room was draped in shadows, the dim light casting a warm, almost sinful glow across the crimson velvet walls. My pulse quickened as I slay there with those spread clips attached on my pussy, feeling the cool air against my clit, and waiting for his next move. Every little sound, every shift in the atmosphere seemed to amplify the anticipation that hummed through me, making my heartbeat produce a relentless rhythm within my chest.Thiago stood a few feet away, watching me in that way he had, his gaze as heavy as a touch. Thiago then removed the spreader bar and clips. After that, he pulled a rope in his hand then held tightly, his fingers gliding over it slowly, deliberately, as if he were savoring the feel of it. The sight made my breath hitch. I trusted him implicitly, yet it was the unknown—the waiting, the quiet promise in his eyes—that sent a thrill sparking down my spine.He finally approached, his eyes dark and unwavering, his presence filling the space between us. “Do you
THE FOLLOWING MORNING…The morning sun streamed through the curtains, its golden warmth tracing patterns across the bed where I lay tangled in the sheets, a quiet sense of peace settling over me. I could no longer how I ended up in our bed, perhaps Thiago carried me here from the forbidden room.Last night, Thiago had torn down my walls as he fucked me hard, breaking through all my defenses and I ended up yielding to his carnal calls. Thiago consumed every part of me in a passionate and rough sex I could have ever imagined I was capable of.His touch, his presence, had reminded me of the man I’d fallen for, the man who could unravel my resolve with a single look. Now, as I watched him sleep beside me, I couldn’t help but marvel at how someone could frustrate me to the point of madness, yet still make me feel complete.Thiago stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he looked over at me with a sleepy smile. “Morning, Wifey,” he murmured, pulling me closer as if he had no intention of lettin
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