Thalia’s POV "Thalia?" He whispered his tone gentle yet searching. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before speaking. “Before you say anything, I need to ask you something" I tried to keep my voice calm though questions burned on my tongue.His brows furrowed, concern etched into every line on his face. "Go on" he said turning me to face him. "Did you know who... who the man was, the one who broke into the house that night?" Alex's gaze faltered, and he sighed, nodding slowly “Yes, I did. Patrick told me before you left, I... I didn't have time to explain" His voice was low and filled with regret.I nodded, piecing his words together "I just met his 'dear friend,' Alex's entire body tensed."You met him? Here? Why were you out there alone?" "I just needed a walk" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady "It's a hospital and I thought it would be safe plus he didn't do anything...just approached me and gave me a hint for the riddle" His brows shot up, a flash of surprise i
Alexander's POV I walked down the hall, glancing around until I caught sight of Patrick leaning against the wall, arms crossed. That usual smug grin on his face as he spoke to Sierra. She was looking anywhere but at him, forcing a smile I could see was thin, uneasy. She turned the moment she noticed me, her eyes instantly avoiding mine. "I'll be with Thalia” she said quickly, brushing past me without another glance "Good news," Patrick drawled, drawing my attention back to him, he pushed off the wall, running a hand through his hair. "Brandon's Sphinx Project has failed miserably, and he’s lost two major partnerships already" He chuckled under his breath I kept my face impassive, though satisfaction flared within."I'm aware" I said casually, but Patrick raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my nonchalance. "Brandon had to face some consequences, I was done playing safe. Hiring people to torture information out of Thalia was a massive mistake on his part""Yes, because you're th
Thalia's POV Sierra slipped back into the room after leaving to speak to Patrick to try to persuade him to make their relationship official, although in secret."So what did he say?" I asked excitedly as she entered the room but she had a frown on her face "What did he say?" I asked again less excited this time as she sat beside me. "I couldn't speak to him. Alex and Father were there" She muttered groaning lightly. "Oh... then text him later and say you want to meet up" "I told him I had plans with Zach and Nolan, he's gonna find me for sure" She said confidently "Really?" I asked"Yeah, I let him tap into my phone, it's weird but letting him do that was what gave them a head start at finding us" "Hmm" I said thoughtfully "Seems possessive if you ask me but who am I to judge?" "He is possessive, but I love that about him" she said dreamily.And I smiled at her, I had found another little sister, not a replacement for Lilith of course. But I planned to love her the same "What
Thalia's POV I forced a small, bitter chuckle "I know, but it hurts because he's right, in a way, sometimes I feel like a walking bad omen" He shook his head firmly, his voice soft but steady"None of that, Thalia, you are as auspicious as they come, and I never want to be parted from you, no matter what" I let a small, grateful smile break through as I tightened my hand in his"Thank you, Alex. It means more than you know" I whispered, as we stepped into the elevator together. As the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, we were greeted by Sierra, Zach, and Nolan, each holding a cup of latte."Hey, we were just coming up to see you" Zach said grinning "And we were just on our way out" Alexander replied dryly, though I caught a smirk tugging at his lips "Where are you both headed?" Nolan asked, his brows raised"My place" I answered casually "Where?" Zach chimed in "The Asplundh Manor" Alexander clarified Sierra's face lit up with excitement "Oh, that's where you're goi
Thalia's POV I nodded, tracing the faded ink thoughtfully. Alex met my gaze and said "Looks like we're going to St. Augustine's" I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, this was the best moment of clarity I have gotten since all this hassle started. "Yeah, it looks that way” I murmured as I handed him the photograph "Hold this for me" I closed the box and thought about whether to take it, after a moment, I decided."I'm taking the box" I cast a quick look around at the other boxes scattered around the gallery "Is there another one you want to bring along?" he asked, noticing my glance.I shook my head "No, just this one will do." He passed the photo back to me, picked up the box, and together, we left the room, closing the door behind us. As we descended the stairs in silence, I noticed Gladys at the bottom, standing by the landline with a phone pressed to her ear.Her expression was tense and worried, she hadn't noticed us coming down until she saw me, and then
Thalia's POVAlex drove us through the close-packed trees until we finally reached a secluded stretch of beach, just as twilight began to settle over the horizon.We'd made a few stops at roadside diners for coffee and snacks, making it a long but peaceful drive, the hum of waves against the shore grew louder as he parked the car just off the sand. And I stepped out, my eyes immediately drawn to his 'humble abode' It was stunning: a modern beach house, with white walls that gleamed faintly in the dim light, balanced by large glass windows and blue edging that mirrored the sea itself. The house stood tall, strong yet unassuming, right on the point where the sand met earth."This is it?" I asked, the awe apparent in my voice as I glanced from the sea to the house.Alex smirked, catching my gaze "Yes, this is it, thought you could use a day away from everything"I chuckled, brushing off the soft feeling rising in my chest "Very considerate." Teasing him felt safe, and natural, yet some
Thalia's POV A tremor ran down my spine as I swallowed, understanding the weight of what he was offering.“Because, Thalia" he murmured, his voice dipping lower, threading through my very bones "I want to take you and make you scream my name, to feel you begging me to make you come" His words sent shivers down my spine, leaving me breathless.So that's it, Alexander had a kink, something he hadn't dared voice before, but I was more than willing… no I was eager, to dive into anything with him, my pulse pounded as I drew in a shaky breath, locking my gaze on him."Anything else?" I asked, my voice barely steady He looked at me searching my eyes, his expression both inviting and devilishly promising. "You'll know along the way" I bit my lip, summoning my courage before speaking "Then take me—however you want. Please, Alex"Any restraint he'd held snapped in a millisecond, his control shattering in an instant. He cupped the back of my head, his mouth crashing into mine with a fierc
Thalia's POV I woke up the next morning to soft sunlight seeping through the curtains, the streaks of warmth creeping into the room. Alex's arm was draped around me, his hand resting on my waist. I turned slightly, finding him still asleep, his features softened in slumber. The strong line of his jaw was relaxed, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His hair fell messily across his forehead, and I smoothed it back.The blanket tangled around us, and we were both naked beneath it, reminders of last night still vivid in my mind. We had been at it all night long, and true to Alex's words, the bed broke, forcing us to move to another room, all while he was still inside me. I gave into exhaustion after having an absurd amount of spine-curling orgasms.Alex wasn't kidding when he said he had a lot to explore, and his kink made it the more exciting. I never knew I would enjoy this type of intimacy, raw, intense, and unapologetically rough ones. But alas you never know until you
Thalia's POV The car slowed to a stop. The crunch of tires against gravel, the only sound as I peered out the window, my breath caught in my lungs. This wasn't the church Four hours, I had spent nearly four hours driving into oblivion with Andrei, convinced we were headed to the church, only to end up here.I stared at the house, a chill creeping down my spine, it wasn't the eerie quiet of the place or the way the thick trees surrounding it cast gawky shadows over the house.No. It was the familiarity of it. The house sat near a lake, its surface shimmering faintly under the golden light of a lamp outside, the cobblestone path leading up to the house was bordered with moss and wildflowers, creating a somewhat scenic look."This isn't the church" I snapped at him. Andrei parked the car a few feet away from the house and turned off the engine, he didn't look at me as he replied "I know" Before I could question him further, he got out of the car. I hesitated for a moment, then I ope
Thalia's POV I sat stiffly in my seat, silently fuming, my arms crossed tightly, as I glared out the window. We had been driving for over thirty minutes now, and the once-crowded streets had given way to long, deserted paths. It was just us and the seemingly never-ending road. "I can't believe you didn't let me talk to him," I snapped, finally breaking the silence. My words hung in the air, but Andrei didn't flinch. He kept his eyes on the road, one hand casually resting on the steering wheel. The first driver came down from the car a few minutes back."He knows where you're going either way" he replied dryly, his tone bored. "Whatever" I shot back, trying to sound more confident than I felt "He must be worried" Andrei blinked, then let out a sharp, humorless chuckle "Worried?" He repeated, "You're the least of his concerns right now. At best, he might send someone to follow us, but he has far bigger problems to deal with—problems I'm sure you're aware of" I narrowed my eyes at
Alexander's POV We reached the elevator, and I pressed the button, the wait feeling like an eternity as my thoughts churned. Elijah's words replayed in my mind, grating on my every nerves.Thalia's trust, her vulnerability... it was a dangerous combination, but one I'd become bound to protect, I am doing what I have to, and he'll be damned if I ever let her find out.Liam crossed his arms, leaning back as we waited. "She's gonna want to resume the office soon". The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside."She mentioned it, I was able to convince her against it" I replied finally, eyes fixed ahead as the doors closed.Liam tilted his head thoughtfully "Hmmm" he murmured, but the elevator chimed, announcing our arrival on the ground floor, as we stepped out, he finally spoke up, his voice low and direct."Patrick told me about your conversation this morning". I shot him a look. Of course, Patrick had told him, the stupid fucker was determined to prove a point! "And?" I repli
Thalia's POV I considered her words, pieces of the riddle aligning in my mind. "Alex and I figured out that the building was a church" Sierra's eyes widened with the realization "A church! Yes! What could be more sacred than that? And a gate—it all fits!" I nodded slowly, the solution forming. "So there's a well in a church, with a bell above it and a tree nearby, maybe even above it" Sierra let out a delighted squeal "We've solved the riddle!" "But which church? There are millions of them" Arabella pointed out.I smiled faintly, picking up my phone "I know the one, St. Augustine's Church, and..." I checked the map on my phone as the location confirmed itself "It's about a two-hour drive from here" "Well, let's go" Sierra suggested eagerly “It's still early in the morning, we can make it back by evening.”"Oh, can I tag along?" Arabella asked, her eyes lighting up. I hesitated, my mind racing through recent events, the memory of the last time Sierra, Cassie, and I went out toge
Thalia's POV Another moan echoed, this one followed by a few grunts "Oh...fuck" came a voice. There was a sharp intake of breath, a murmured "Yes" followed by a chorus of muffled moans.The shelves behind the makeshift door rattled, vibrating against the wall.Who on earth would have sex in a library? I thought, horrified by the sounds I was hearing.The noises quieted, replaced by a soft giggle and a man's low voice murmuring something I couldn't make out, panic flared up in me. I had intruded on something, and I needed to leave before they realized I was there. Just as I turned to leave, ready to vanish before either of them noticed, I froze at the sound of my name."Thalia?" A female voice called out, laced with surprise... I knew that voice. My heart skipped, I turned, and there stood Sierra, looking equally stunned, her lipstick smudged, her cheeks flushed, her hair was tousled and although her clothes were in place, she looked...dishevelled, standing just behind her was Patric
Alexander's POV I entered Elijah's office, the scent of aged whiskey and leather hanging thick in the air, Liam and Elijah were both seated, sharply dressed, their gazes fixed on me as I stepped inside.Liam's face was blank as ever, while Elijah's sharp eyes glinted with interest, he swirled the amber liquid in his glass, watching me closely."To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Elijah's voice was smooth, laced with a mock-curiosity.I ignored the greeting, settling into the leather chair opposite them. "Let's skip the pleasantries" Elijah raised a brow, smirking as he took a sip from his glass."Straight to the point, smart as always" Liam leaned back, his gaze calculating, but didn't say a word, the room was dim, the only light coming from a tall, arched window casting shadows on Elijah's mahogany desk.Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with classical books and a few ominous-looking artifacts that only Elijah would find fascinating. I leaned forward,"I need a full backgro
Thalia's POV Some five later, we pulled into the parking lot of Romero Gabe Library, Alexander parked with swift precision, then turned to me, his voice low."Let's go" I nodded and slipped out of the car, following closely as he led the way.Inside, the receptionist, a stern-looking woman in her forties, gave Alexander a curt smile, which he returned with a brief nod before heading straight past her, we made our way through rows of towering shelves and then climbed the staircase, the air-thick with the scent of old paper.At the top level, we finally reached an area filled with tables, in the far corner, I spotted Zach and Nolan, seated with a blond man and a red-haired woman I didn't recognize. The woman sat beside Zach, her eyes flicking from him to us as we approached. "Alex?" Zach greeted as we reached the table, eyebrows lifted in mild surprise."That was quick" Nolan added, getting up to meet us halfway, his face was tight with focus, mirroring Alexander's."Is everything I a
Thalia's POV Alex sensed the shift in the atmosphere as I spoke about Brandon, he tightened his hold on me and continued speaking."Do you remember your father mentioning an assistant he had a falling out with?"I let out a shaky breath, thinking back to a man named Justine Davis whom my father disliked speaking about."He was more than an assistant Alex, he was his best friend, but he grew greedy, and he wanted to go dirty. Father stood his ground and decided he didn't want any stain on Asplundh. It didn't matter to him. Running a clean business came first, and his friend Justin became furious and quit" "What was his name again?" "Justine... Justine Davis, last I heard he was bedridden" I muttered but Alexander grew quiet he stilled his movements "Alex?" I whispered, his silence irked me"Did he have any children?" He said his voice utterly serious now "Yes, he did, he had a son" Alexander made a grumbling sound and he ran a hand through his hair, seemingly frustrated "What's
Thalia's POV I woke up the next morning to soft sunlight seeping through the curtains, the streaks of warmth creeping into the room. Alex's arm was draped around me, his hand resting on my waist. I turned slightly, finding him still asleep, his features softened in slumber. The strong line of his jaw was relaxed, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His hair fell messily across his forehead, and I smoothed it back.The blanket tangled around us, and we were both naked beneath it, reminders of last night still vivid in my mind. We had been at it all night long, and true to Alex's words, the bed broke, forcing us to move to another room, all while he was still inside me. I gave into exhaustion after having an absurd amount of spine-curling orgasms.Alex wasn't kidding when he said he had a lot to explore, and his kink made it the more exciting. I never knew I would enjoy this type of intimacy, raw, intense, and unapologetically rough ones. But alas you never know until you