~Roman's POV~A few minutes ago…I watched as Ruby walked away, the tension in her shoulders obvious even through the graceful sway of her gown. I had noticed her reactions during the conversation—how her polite smile faltered, how her eyes darkened every time Sarah touched me.I knew she hadn’t been enjoying a single second of it.Moments later, Helen excused herself, leaving me alone with Sarah. I turned to face her, my patience wearing thin.“What’s the meaning of all this, Sarah?” I asked, keeping my tone as calm as I could.Sarah raised a brow, feigning innocence. “The meaning of what?”I exhaled sharply. “You’re really going to play innocent now?”“Oh, come on, Roman.” She waved a manicured hand dismissively. “I was just telling the truth.”“The truth you chose to believe,” I countered, stepping closer.Sarah smirked. “You think so?”“I know so. And whatever game you’re playing, it’s obvious you’re trying to get on Ruby’s nerves.”“That’s definitely not what I was trying to do,”
~Ruby's POV~Helen and I sat at a small table near the balcony, glasses of wine in hand. The party carried on around us—laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses filled the air—but I barely heard any of it. My mind was elsewhere, stuck in a loop of frustration I couldn’t quite understand.Helen took a slow sip of her drink before turning to me. “Are you okay, Ruby?”I forced a smile, hoping to brush it off. “Yeah… I’m definitely fine, Helen.”She arched a brow. “Come on, Ruby. You know that doesn’t work on me.”I sighed, swirling the wine in my glass. “It’s just… nothing serious.”Helen studied me for a moment. “Is this about Sarah?”I hesitated, then exhaled. “I think so. I know I shouldn’t be bothered, and I have no reason to care, but… I don’t know why I can’t help it.”Helen didn’t say anything at first. Instead, she reached out and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.I looked down at the table, feeling ridiculous. “I sound crazy, don’t I?”Helen shook her head. “No. I to
~Ruby’s Pov~“Undoubtedly.”We laughed as I put my phone back in my purse and started to head back to the party. Just then, I looked up and saw Sarah heading toward the exit.Her heels made a sharp sound on the marble floor. The red dress fitted her figure perfectly, drawing attention, with a slit along her thigh that moved as she walked. She moved like a performer, aware that everyone was watching her. Even now, she acted as if she had an audience.She stopped a few feet away from me, turning slightly. A slow, honeyed smile curled her lips—practised, polished, and insincere.“I must say, Ruby,” she purred with a sweetness that felt more like poison, “I absolutely adore your work. The costumes, the venue’s design, even the choice of materials—it’s all exquisite. You have quite the talent.”I raised a brow, my expression neutral. “Thank you.”Sarah tilted her head slightly, studying me as if I were a painting she was debating whether or not to purchase. “You know, I have some powerful
~Ruby's POV~“Ruby, it’s not what you think,” Roman said, his voice laced with urgency.I tilted my head, raising a brow as I let out a small, nervous laugh. It wasn’t because I found the situation amusing, but because I needed to mask what I was really feeling—an unfamiliar, unwelcome sting of jealousy.“What I think?” I repeated, shaking my head with a tight-lipped smile. “Believe me, Roman, I’m not thinking anything at all.”He exhaled, running a hand through his hair as if trying to piece together the right words. “Ruby, I—”I cut him off with a casual wave of my hand. “Why should I think anything? You’re free to entertain whoever you like.” I forced a light chuckle, even though my chest felt tight. “Just… forget about it.”“Ruby, but—”“Don’t you have guests to attend to?” I interrupted again, nodding toward a small group of elegantly dressed women who were eyeing him from across the room.Roman barely spared them a glance. “That’s not what I meant, Ruby.”I lifted my glass, my f
~Damian’s POV~I held the phone to my ear, feeling frustrated as the dial tone kept ringing. When Ruby finally answered, her voice was calm and neutral."Good evening, Uncle Damien.""Good evening, Ruby," I said without wasting time on pleasantries. "Where are you?"There was a slight pause before she answered."Umm… I'm out of town presently."I clenched my jaw. So it was true."So you really left town without informing me?" My voice was firm, but I kept it measured."Informing you?" she countered, her tone shifting. "I wasn't aware I was supposed to report my whereabouts to you, Uncle Damien."I exhaled sharply. "Hmmmm."I knew how she was. Stubborn, just like her father."Moreover," she continued, "business held me down. I'll return soon, to make sure Aunt Jean's killer is found."Now, that was the part I wanted to hear."That is exactly why I'm calling," I said. "It seems we have a lead."Her voice perked up slightly. "Oh… really? That’s good."I nodded to myself. "We have intel t
~Damien's POV~Evan walked into my office, his presence filled with unsaid emotions.“I think everyone’s here, Damien,” he said, standing near my desk.“Are they all?” I asked, locking eyes with him.“Yeah… they’re waiting for us to join in.”I exhaled sharply, adjusting my sleeves. “Alright… let’s get this over with.”Together, we made our way to the meeting room.“I hope they have a damn good explanation for this,” I muttered, straightening my suit before reaching for the door handle.The room was filled with low murmurs, but the second I stepped in, everything went silent.I took my seat at the head of the table, scanning the room slowly, taking in the expressions—some neutral, some nervous, some unreadable.“Without wasting any more time,” I began, “let’s get straight to the reason for this gathering.”A few nods of acknowledgement. But before I could continue, I noticed an empty seat.“Who’s missing?” I asked, my tone sharp.The answer came before anyone could speak.“I am yet to
~Ruby's POV~"Are you sure you don't want one of us there with you?" Liam’s voice was filled with concern as he asked.I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head. "No, not at all, Liam. I got this."Helen folded her arms, studying me carefully. "Are you sure, Ruby?"I turned to face them both, offering a reassuring smile. "Come on, Liam, you've got work to do, and Helen, your CEO duties are waiting."Helen winced, realization dawning on her."And the kids are resuming school soon. I can't be the only one left out," I continued. "This is my duty. A duty I must attend to."Liam exhaled heavily. "Hmm… if you're sure about this.""I'm more than sure," I interrupted before he could argue."Alright then… if you say so," Liam relented.Little Ruby held onto Helen's hand, her bottom lip jutting out slightly. "We're gonna miss you, Mum."I smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh? Is that you admitting it?"Rhett and Little Ruby exchanged a look before lowering their heads. Their silence
~Ruby's POV~Kai stood there, casually leaning against the car as if he had all the time in the world. His usual smirk played on his lips, amusement twinkling in his eyes.“Good evening, Ruby,” he greeted, his tone smooth and composed.I forced a smile. “Hey, good evening, Kai. How are you doing?” I asked with a forced smile, trying to play along.“Nice to see you, Ruby,” he said, standing up a little taller, a playful look in his eyes.I glanced around, pretending to look for someone. “What a coincidence. Who are you waiting for?”Kai smirked. “Umm… a young lady. She just arrived.”I narrowed my eyes at him. Of course, he’s playing along.“May I have your bags then,” he said, stepping forward to take my luggage.“No, no… not at all, Kai.” I pulled my bags back.His smirk faded slightly. “Roman actually sent me, Ruby. He asked me to pick you up.” His tone was more serious now.I sighed. Of course, he did.“Nah, no worries, Kai. I can take care of myself.”“Umm… Ruby, he specifically a
ROMAN’S POVWeeks turned into months, but the thought of Ruby never left me. The girl I had cast out, humiliated, and tossed aside had taken root in my mind like an ache that wouldn't fade. I didn't know when it started—when guilt became regret, when regret became longing. And when longing turned into something I never thought I'd feel.I had fallen for her… even in her absence.But she was nowhere to be found.At first, I convinced myself she was hiding, waiting for things to blow over before she returned. But as time passed, that hope crumbled. She wasn’t at her uncle’s. She had no friends who would take her in. She had nowhere to go.So where the hell was she?Desperation clawed at me. I sent out word myself, asking anyone who might have seen her. I searched the city, turning over every stone, checking every street she might have wandered. But it was as if she had vanished into thin air.The thought that she might have wandered into the woods haunted me. I sent patrols out, ordere
~Romans POV~Seven Years Ago…The Pack House stood tall and intimidating, its walls filled with years of memories—some good, some bad. But today, I felt nothing but cold detachment. The air inside was heavy with judgment, and the smell of incense couldn’t hide the tension in the grand hall.I stood before the council, my face expressionless, my hands clenched into fists at my sides."You are no longer one of us."The words echoed in my mind, cutting deeper than any blade could. "You are dead to this pack, and if you return, it’s death."This moment—this exile—had started long before today. It had begun weeks ago, with a mistake, a misunderstanding, and a choice that had set everything into motion.******I stood in my bedroom, my hands sifting through his wardrobe. The scent of old fabric and polished wood filled the air as I searched for something to wear. My eyes sighted a small cloth, tucked away between neatly folded clothes.Ruby’s clothes.My chest tightened, memories of days a
~Roman's POV~Minutes ago…The hospital lights above me buzzed softly, their harsh glow doing little to ease the anxiety churning inside me. I clenched my phone tightly as I walked back and forth in the hallway, my thumb repeatedly pressing the screen in frustration. The call just wouldn’t connect. I dialled once more, my patience thinning with each unanswered ring.“What the hell was he thinking?” I muttered.“Calm down, Roman. Relax for a second.” Kai’s voice was steady, but I could hear the wariness laced beneath it.I turned to him, my glare cutting. “Don’t—don’t tell me to calm down, Kai.”Kai sighed, rubbing his forehead. He knew me well enough by now to understand there was no reeling me back once I got to this point.“This was between me and him,” I seethed, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. “No one else. He had no business dragging anyone into this.”Kai exhaled, arms crossed over his chest. “Helen was obstructing, I guess.”“No.” I shook my head. “Even if she wasn’t,
~Ruby’s POV~The room was quiet, with only the soft hum of the laptop filling the space. On the screen, surveillance footage from eight different angles showed the attack happening in real time. I felt a knot in my stomach as I watched it all unfold.The front door burst open first—five masked men storming in like they owned the place. Helen was the first to react. She fought them off or at least she tried to, but she was outnumbered. One of them struck her hard across the face. She staggered but didn't fall. Another one lunged at her with a knife. Helen dodged once, twice—then pain shot across her face as the blade found its mark from behind.I gripped the edge of the chair.I barely heard my own breathing over the frantic pounding of my heart. The glow from Kai’s laptop screen bathed our faces in cold blue light, but nothing about this moment felt real. Roman, Kai, and I sat frozen, watching in horror as the nightmare unfolded before us.Rhett grabbed the nearest thing—a lamp, m
~Ruby’s POV~As soon as Roman and I stepped into the house, a suffocating weight settled over me. The silence wasn’t just empty—it was wrong. Heavy. It crawled over my skin, sinking into my chest, making it hard to breathe.My breath caught, my chest tightening as my eyes darted wildly over the destruction before me. The couch lay overturned, shattered glass crunched beneath my boots, and streaks of blood—dark, smeared—marred the walls like something, or someone, had been dragged.A cold shiver clawed up my spine. My stomach twisted into knots.And then it hit me.The kids.I sucked in a sharp breath, my voice breaking as I called out. "Helen? Rhett? Ruby?"Nothing.No footsteps. No voices. Just the eerie stillness of a house that should’ve been filled with laughter, with noise, with life.Panic gripped my throat, making it hard to breathe. I moved without thinking, pushing through the mess of broken furniture and accidentally knocking over a lamp in my desperate search. My heart rac
~Roman's POV~Abel’s voice carried through the speaker in a manner that was both smooth and taunting. "Good evening, little bro."I tightened my grip on the phone, jaw clenching. "What do you want, Abel?" I went straight to the point. No need for games—not that he ever played fair.“A little greeting won't hurt.” He mused. “I have no time for such.” I countered. “Christ, ever serious. Put the phone on speaker. I’m sure you’re not alone."Ruby's voice was soft but filled with suspicion as she shifted against me. "What’s he saying?"I raised a finger, signaling her to wait.Abel chuckled. "Oh, Ruby's there too? Nice. Go on, Roman."Damn it. Of course, he heard. He always did. I set the phone down on the table, hitting speaker.Abel’s voice filled the space around us, casual but laced with arrogance. "Figured you’d all be together after that little stunt you just pulled."Everyone exchanged glances but remained silent."You thought you were in control, didn’t you?" Abel continued, then
~Ruby’s POV~The basement was poorly lit, the single hanging bulb casting long, wary shadows along the damp concrete walls. The air was thick with the scent of rust, sweat, and something more metallic—blood. It clung to the space, making the atmosphere suffocating.Roman and Damien towered over the two men tied to the chairs, their faces revealing nothing as they contemplated what to do next. The men were restrained in worn metal chairs, their wrists and ankles firmly secured with heavy-duty zip ties.Their clothes were torn, blood seeping through the fabric where Roman and Damien had already introduced their fists.One of them, a stocky man with a split lip, glared up at Roman, his breathing heavy but controlled. The other, leaner with dark, piercing eyes, had a smirk despite the cut above his brow.Roman cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the silent room. “Who do you work for?”The stocky man didn’t answer. He only winced, his jaw tightening in defiance.Damien let out a shor
WARNING: GRUELSOME AND A BIT BRUTAL FOR SOME PEOPLE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION~Roman’s POV~The port had a salty, rusty smell mixed with something more foreboding—the scent of a deal about to go down. The waves gently hit the docks, creating a tense atmosphere. Flickering overhead lights cast long shadows between the stacked shipping containers.I adjusted the lens of my camera, angling it just right to capture the blurry figures exchanging briefcases. Each soft click of the shutter sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. This wasn’t just some shady deal. It was bigger—dangerous. And I could feel it in my gut.Beside me, Damien shifted restlessly, his fingers twitching near the concealed weapon at his side. His eyes scanned the scene, always watching, always ready."Standing here beside me isn't of any help," I muttered, focusing on getting the best shot."You think so?" Damien replied in a low voice."Obviously. And you know that.""I'm actually watching your back while you take the shots
~Ruby's POV ~Damien’s office was still as I last remembered—perfectly lit, a little too neat, and carrying that ever-present scent of leather and expensive cologne. It was the kind of place that made you feel like you were either about to be recruited into something dangerous or interrogated for something you didn’t even know you did.The tension was already thick before we even stepped inside. Roman entered first, with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed posture, but his eyes were alert. Kai came in right after him, unusually quiet and not his usual talkative self. I stayed by the doorway, feeling nervous.Damien sat on the edge of his desk, arms crossed, watching us as we filed in. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes flickered with curiosity—no, scrutiny. He barely let the silence settle before speaking. "Glad you could make it. Thought you’d have a change of heart."I met his gaze, unfazed. "We should be the ones worried about that."He let out a low chuckle. "Be res