Rei’s Point of View
After Salem and Onyx had gone to bed and Shiloh had disappeared into her room with a book, Grace offered to stay the night and watch a movie with me. Her kindness was appreciated but unnecessary. I assured her that I was handling things just fine on my own. Yes, I was disappointed, but I had endured plenty of difficult situations. This was a minor disappointment, nothing that was truly detrimental.
I was aware that Xavier had feelings for me. He called his friend who then told Sam, who eventually told me. That was more than just casual kindness; it was a boyfriend's behaviour. However, I wasn't naive enough to believe that Xavier and I were in a committed relationship. But it was reassuring to know that he had some level of interest in me. And to be honest, I definitely had feelings for him too.
I tidied up the kitchen, washing the few dishes we had used. When I reached Xavier's mug, I couldn't help but pause and smile. It hadn't been a full day since we hooked up, and he had already made a lasting impression on my life. Few people were allowed into our tight-knit circle. As a single mom, I fiercely protected the life I had built for my children and myself. Shiloh's reaction to his presence was understandable; I had never brought a man home.
I brewed myself a cup of herbal tea and settled onto the couch in the living room with a cozy blanket. I reflected on the chaotic events of my day, feeling grateful that Onyx's swelling had significantly decreased and he was back to his lively self, bouncing around without a care in the world. It was a massive relief for both of us; if his injury had been severe, our lives would have become much more challenging. I reminded both Onyx and Salem to walk down the stairs from now on and not slide on or jump over the railing. I hoped they would remember when neither their older sister nor I were keeping an eye on them.
Heading back to work tomorrow filled me with dread, knowing Mary would inevitably ask how my night had gone. How could I tell her the truth? She was like a detective, always prying for information. But at the same time, I knew she would never betray my trust by spreading gossip. Having such a loyal and caring friend amid a workplace filled with spicy and dirty-minded coworkers was comforting. Mind you Mary possessed a rather racy and uninhibited mindset herself.
I exhaled deeply and set my mug in the sink, deciding to deal with the dishes tomorrow. After double-checking that the security system was activated, doors were locked, and lights were off downstairs, I dragged myself up the stairs to my room. After a quick shower, I collapsed onto my bed. The day had been long and tiring, full of unexpected events.
I bent over to set the alarm for tomorrow and reached for my book. I have been engrossed in a collection of traditional fairytales with a mafia spin. They were captivating, and I cherished the quiet moments when I could indulge in reading them. Stephanie Swann was one of my favourite authors, and I loved the worlds she created in her books, especially the morally ambiguous male characters and fierce female leads. After devouring three chapters, I glanced at the clock and sighed in disappointment, realizing I would have to wait until tomorrow to read more.
As I drifted off into the unknown abyss of sleep, the idea of having an ever-present guardian watching over me brought a mix of emotions. It was simultaneously comforting and stifling, like being smothered by a warm blanket. The thought of constantly being monitored and protected left me feeling suffocated and stripped of my independence. How would it feel to have this vigilant protector, always ready to whisk me away from danger before I knew it existed? The mere notion filled me with both wonder and anxiety, causing my mind to race as I fell deeper into slumber.
***
“Rei, what are you thinking about?” Xavier's voice was a whisper in my ear.
I turned to him and grinned. This had to be a dream.
"What are you doing here, X?" I whispered back.
We were both leaning against his sleek motorcycle, admiring the sunrise again.
"I've missed you," X murmured and leaned in for a kiss.
His mouth was hot and seductive, luring me deeper into his embrace. At that moment, nothing else mattered except for the sensation of his lips on mine. I surrendered myself to the pleasure, letting our tongues entwine in a passionate dance fueled by desire.
X hoisted me onto his motorcycle, positioning me on the gas tank with my legs spread wide, wearing only a sundress and no underwear. Whose fantasy was this? Mine? My mind raced with anticipation as I waited for him to take control of my body. I knew he could see all of me, and that thought turned me on even more.
"You're such a naughty girl," X purred, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. "But you're all mine."
My body throbbed with insatiable lust. The thought of Xavier ravishing me with unbridled passion last night had my desire dripping down my thighs, yearning for more.
X traced a finger teasingly up my inner thighs, feeling for himself just how soaked I was and smirked like a devilish predator. His hands tantalized and controlled the desire bubbling inside me until it erupted in a frenzy, and I gasped for air, satiated but still craving more. I wanted him, all of him inside of me.
"What do you want, Rei?" Xavier's low and husky voice sent shivers down my spine. "It's just a dream, anything you want." He smirked, his gaze full of seduction and promise.
What did I desire? X's hazel eyes held a mischievous glint as he eagerly awaited my answer. In all of my dreams, he had always been the one to take charge while I followed along. But this time, for the first time, he asked me what I wanted.
“Fuck me on the bike?” I asked, biting my lip.
Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn't imagine his response. But X just grinned, his eyes sparkling with wicked intentions.
"Is this your own desire speaking, or are you trying to fulfill some fantasy of mine?" He taunted, sending shivers down my spine.
“Mine,” I whispered as I leaned close to him, my voice dripping with desire.
X exceeded all my expectations. He effortlessly spun me around, gripping the handlebars as I held on for dear life. The roar of the motorcycle was nothing compared to the sound of our bodies colliding in a frenzy of pleasure. And when I questioned how he managed to keep us from crashing, X only smirked and whispered something about his incredible balance and stamina.
Don Brzezinski’s Point of ViewXavier Wood's supervisor in the elusive government agency was my meeting companion. We didn't often interact with those on opposite sides of the law, but we had an unspoken understanding. Ethan Steele was a rare breed - a kind, unbiased and moral man. These qualities were hard to come by in either of our spheres of operation. Under different circumstances, it would have been a pleasure to meet with him. Unfortunately, today was not one of those.Ethan Steele was a master of balance, easily navigating between two opposing worlds. As a high-ranking officer in the covert government organization where Xavier Wood worked, he could feel the tension in the room, and his expression turned somber when I spoke so formally. This wasn't just a casual catch-up between old friends. Something serious had happened."I'm afraid my granddaughter has gotten involved with one of your agents," I said grimly.“Oh no, romantically?” Ethan groaned, apprehension creeping into his
Xavier’s Point of ViewIt looked like this assignment was going to take longer than expected. I ran my fingers through my short, dark hair in frustration. Our mission guidelines discouraged communication with people outside of our group unless absolutely necessary, but I felt it was needed in this case. Sam had thought ahead and given me Rei's number through Matt's text message. I just needed to figure out what to say when I messaged her.X-Biker Friend: Hi there, I wanted to let you know that I'll be unavailable for a while - more than just a few days. I won't be able to take any phone calls, and my responses to texts might be delayed, but I'll get back to you when I can. I enjoyed hanging out with you and am excited to see you again once I return.I didn't anticipate a reply, knowing Rei would probably be busy with work. I couldn't help but laugh as I pictured how her co-worker Mary would react when she found out about my interest in Rei and that the feeling was mutual. Maybe it was
Rei’s Point of ViewRei: Mary had a great time teasing me until the floor became busy. I've never been more thankful for having a lot of patients. Fortunately, there were no significant issues for anyone who came in tonight.Rei: Your texts meant a lot to me, though. Thank you for sending them.Before continuing, I paused momentarily, unsure how my messages would be interpreted. Deciding to take a break, I tossed my phone onto my bed and went to shower before heading downstairs to cook dinner and assist the kids with their schoolwork. They usually took the school bus if I couldn't drop them off or pick them up. Thankfully, Shiloh was responsible enough to watch her younger siblings until I returned home. Walking into the living room, I saw her engrossed in a book while her brothers played on their tablets until my daughter noticed me standing there.With a sweeping gesture towards the staircase and the railing that Onyx had attempted to jump over the day before, injuring himself in the
Xavier’s Point of ViewAs I read Rei's messages, a smile spread across my face. I never expected her actually to reach out to me. But there it was, in front of me: concrete proof that she cared enough to message me. It may have been a simple gesture, but it meant the world coming from someone like Rei. I wanted to respond but needed to figure out what to say. Unfortunately, I couldn't reveal my whereabouts or current activities. Frustrated, I ran my hands through my hair and closed my eyes, trying to come up with the right words.X-Biker Friend: I'm so happy to hear that. 😊 Talking to you is the highlight of my day and means a lot to me, too.I switched off my phone and set it aside, trying to clear my mind. The current assignment had consumed all my thoughts, and I couldn't seem to focus on anything else. I wished it would be over soon, but I knew that was unlikely.Our team's director, Ethan Steele, had paid a surprise visit to our secret government branch and met with our superviso
Aamon’s Point of ViewI observed the children playing at the park: Onyx and Salem expertly maneuvering on their skateboards while Shiloh swayed gently on the swing, lost in her music. I have been a silent guardian over them, always careful not to draw attention to myself while watching them. Our family and its connections have always strived to give Rei and the kids their independence while keeping them safe. I often volunteered for duties like this because it allowed me to catch a glimpse of Grace. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. My ex will always be my "home", even if we can't be together.Today, my grandfather wanted Ethan Steele to talk to Xavier Woods. He wanted to give him a choice: continuing his relationship with Rei would mean transitioning from one dangerous environment to another. But the world that the Brzezinski family operated in was far more perilous.My grandfather had warned the director of the secret government agency that he needed to be
Grace’s Point of ViewEach time I crossed paths with Aamon, his last words to me haunted my thoughts. I never understood why he paid me to befriend Grace, and even after I left our mutual employer - the one Lillianna had recruited me for - Aamon still watched my dear friend. He had trained me in the art of awareness and self-defence, skills that came in handy during my assignments infiltrating and befriending others. But when it came to Rei, there was no need for deception. My only task was to ensure she made connections. It was a strange job, but it paid well and unexpectedly brought us together. Yet, looking back now, I can't help but wonder if things could have turned out differently if I had known the truth behind Aamon's actions.I could never comprehend Aamon's fascination with Rei Draven, or the entire Brzezinski family, for that matter. She was such a gentle soul, raised in a strict household that ultimately abandoned her once she married Greg. We all received messages from Rei
Xavier’s Point of ViewThe anticipation of seeing Rei again was overwhelming. Choosing to be with her was never difficult for me; she was always my top priority. My actions, even when I stayed away, were driven by my love for her. She had captured my heart, and I hoped she would someday feel the same way about me.I had romantic plans to impress her, starting with dinner at a cozy Italian restaurant and then a scenic drive under the starry sky. Rei agreed but also suggested bringing a backpack with extra clothes in case it rained. She assured me that Shiloh had agreed to babysit her brothers and knew Rei would return quite late. My mind swirled with possibilities, picturing us returning to my place and indulging in our desires together.When I contacted Matt and Tom also to let them know of my impending return, they eagerly shared their conquests with Rei’s friends and boasted about their sexual exploits. I cringed, listening to them, thinking that it sounded immature. I probably would
Lillianna’s Point of ViewI texted Alex as soon as I was home. His response was kind and caring, urging me to rest and reach out if I needed anything. It would be awesome if I could feel even a shred of affection for him. But he paled in comparison to Xavier, the only one who could ever truly understand me. As my heart ached with longing, I cursed the intense love that bound me to my best friend, an all-consuming force that left no room for anyone else in my life.I still had the key to his apartment, and a sudden thought crossed my mind. I could surprise Xavier with some of his favorite snacks, and we could spend the evening playing video games like we used to. Or, we could binge-watch something on his streaming service. I checked the time; it was still early in the evening. Hastily, I grabbed my purse and made my way to the door. Before I could step out, my phone started to ring, and a smile spread across my face when I saw Xavier's name on the screen. Excitedly, I answered the call.