VICTOR. Sitting in my mother’s darkened, dusty cottage, grief grips me like a vise, squeezing the air from my lungs. It’s been days since Nicole was taken from me. She was the only pride I had in this godforsaken world. I swirl the drink in my hand, letting the bitterness numb me. The whiskey is m
JASON. “That son of a witch!” I grip the burner phone tightly while Victor's voice echoes in my ears. The cabin Kane gave out as Victor's current location is empty save for this cursed device. Victor clearly wants to play a deadly game with his own rules… But this will not end well for him!
STACY. The night air bites into my skin, cold and relentless, as I sit on the porch steps, staring into the pitch-black streets. My arms are wrapped tightly around myself, but it does little to stave off the chill—or the fear inside me. Liam is out there somewhere, and every second that passes fee
Daniel shakes his head, his expression grim. "No. Every trail leads to a dead end. Victor and his men planned this too well." His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and the faint hope I’d been clinging to slips further away. My heart sinks, the weight of fear and helplessness pressing down on me
JASON. “This is a dumb idea, by the way,” Kane says, but no one responds. The drive is already oppressive, every second dragging on under the weight of whatever we might walk into. Daniel sits in the passenger seat beside me, arms crossed tightly over his chest. I can practically feel his glare
Her eyes glisten in the dim light, but she doesn’t speak, letting me continue further. “I can’t change the last few hours, Stacy. But I promise you, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Liam's back and safe. Even if it costs me everything.” She exhales slowly, her breath visible in the chilly
STACY. Jason and I slip into the building unnoticed while Daniel and Kane create a diversion. The oppressive silence is only broken by the faint creak of old wooden floors beneath our feet while my heart pounds as I catch a whiff of Liam’s scent—faint but unmistakable. I grab Jason’s arm, my breat
Victor’s grin widens, and he gestures to his men. “Let’s see you keep that promise.” My stomach churns as the rogues step forward, but Jason doesn’t flinch. His determination shines like a beacon in the dark, and for the first time, I dare to hope. “When I say run, you run,” Jason commands softl
HANNAH. "Uh-uh, no, not today" Stacy says the moment her eyes land on Margaret. "Please, just hear me out," Margaret pleads, standing in a simple deep red dress suited for her age. She looks… hesitant, so unlike her usual self. Gone is the cold authority, and the condescending stare. Instead, he
HANNAH. (Hours later) Dinner is tense, the air thick with an unspoken rivalry that neither Roxanne nor I are willing to acknowledge outright. The dining room is dimly lit, with the scent of roasted chicken filling the air, but I can barely focus on the food. My attention is solely on Daniel and
She ends the call and turns to me, practically glowing with excitement. "Great news. That was an old friend of mine who owns a bridal boutique. I asked for a favor earlier, and she’s sending over a selection of dresses, ones you’ll actually like." I let out a breath of relief, shaking my head. "Th
ANNAH. (An hour later) I sit cross-legged on the couch, flipping through a bridal magazine Stacy came home with while she scribbles notes in a planner. The coffee table between us is littered with fabric swatches, floral arrangements, and sample wedding invitations. The scent of fresh roses fr
"You’re a damn tease," I snap. Daniel only smirks before lowering his mouth to my breast, his tongue flicking over my nipple before sucking it between his lips. "Mmm," I murmur, arching my back to press my breast further into his mouth. My body is on fire, every nerve ending alive under his touc
HANNAH "You want proof that you are the only woman I love? Fine. I'll show you proof," Daniel says while locking the bedroom door behind him. I frown slightly as my pulse quickens. "What do you think you are doing?” He doesn't respond to my question but walks toward me with the grace of a leop
She nods faintly, leaning against me as we walk. But just as we reach the steps, Roxanne stumbles. I react instantly, catching her before she can fall. Her hands grip my shoulders for support, and as I pull her upright, our faces end up dangerously too close even for my own comfort. Her breath bru
Roxanne doesn’t react immediately. She just studies me, her eyes flickering with something I can’t quite place. I don’t offer more because that’s the truth. Hannah isn’t perfect. But with her, I don’t feel the weight of politics, alliances, or expectations pressing down on me. She makes me feel al
DANIEL. (Meanwhile on the side of the pack) The quiet hum of the air conditioning fills Roxanne’s hotel suite, but it does nothing to cool the unease settling in my chest while I sit on the couch with my fingers tapping absent minded against my knee as I stare at the untouched glass of whiskey on