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CHAPTER FORTY
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Thalia's POV The air was thick with dust as we stood in front of the old mansion, its crumbling stone walls rising against the dusky sky. Every instinct told me to turn back, to find any other way home, but there was nowhere else to go, Cassie's breath was shallow beside me as she stared up at the house. Sierra shifted uneasily, kicking a small rock off the path."What if we try going back the way we came?" Sierra whispered, her voice barely audible above the silence that seemed to envelop the place. Cassie wrapped her arms around herself "It's too far, and the road's practically a dust bowl, we’ll be exhausted" she murmured, glancing away as if the sight of the house itself unnerved her."I... I can't risk it" She paused a slight tremor in her voice.A frown creased my brow as I turned to her "What do you mean 'can't risk it'?"She avoided my gaze, focusing instead on Sierra's phone as she muttered "I'll try for a signal again”Her fingers tapped anxiously, but her face fell when
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Alexander's POV The car pulled up to the bar on Wall Street, where Patrick was already waiting, his security waved us in, directing us to the VIP section upstairs. As we entered, Patrick was at a large table, papers spread before him and his brother Callum worked attentively on his laptop in front of him. Four other men surrounded them, busy on their laptops, while one stood close to Patrick as they spoke quietly. It was clear they'd set up an emergency operations center. Patrick looked up his eyes narrowing"Finally," he muttered, pushing his papers aside and coming to us. "What do any of you know about Leo, the driver?" he asked "I hired him about six months ago through DuPont Security” I answered stepping forward.“That background checks out," he said "but his real name is Gerard Vogel. He came here from Germany with his family, under the alias 'Gibson'. He has two daughters and just now, the cops found his wife and kids dead in the basement of their home.” He paused then pulle
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Thalia's POV I stirred awake, feeling the weight of a warm beam of sunlight spilling over my face. I blinked adjusting to the light coming from the cracked window, and realized I was no longer tied to a chair.For a brief second, I thought I was free, but the metallic clink as I tried to move my arms brought me back to reality. My back was pressed into a wall, and both my wrists were chained, pulled just far enough apart to prevent comfortable movements. "Cassie? Sierra?" I yelled my voice shaky and hoarse, my words seemed to be swallowed up by the silence, I looked around the room, it was empty except for a table pushed to the far end of the room.Then the door opened, and a man stepped in, he looked disheveled, his blond hair messy and falling into his eyes. He closed the door gently, pausing as if to assess me, then crossed the room to come to me. He unlocked the chain around my left wrist. I pulled back immediately but he tightened his grip."Be quiet” he muttered, not even look
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Thalia's POV At that moment, a boy burst into the room, alarmed "Tanvi, come quick! Bertha's gone too far with the blonde girl, she's been hitting her and... she's bleeding, the other girl said she's pregnant"Tanvi's face fell and my heart twisted painfully "Cassie..." I whispered, Tanvi turned to me"Shut up" she snapped and then turned back to the boy "Tell Nash to call Mr. Dahl, he didn't mention that the woman was pregnant"The boy nodded "What do we do now?""Just go tell Nash what I said!" Tanvi yelled her voice tight.As the boy hurried out "Please... she needs medical help, she can't lose her child"Tanvi hesitated, her cold demeanor faltered, replaced by empathy"I'm not heartless, Thalia” she said and exited the room.As I slumped against the wall, my heart beat hard out of fear for Cassie. I yanked against the chain on my wrist, straining against them but the chain was unyielding. Helpless, I let out a sigh and muttered under my breath"Cassie, please be okay" Minutes pas
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Alexander's POV As we stood at the FBI headquarters, I clenched my jaw, glancing at my watch. It’s been fifteen hours since Thalia and the others disappeared, and Brandon was responsible. But he'd gone into hiding as expected, I would too if I were him. Liam and Zach had vanished after we left the mansion. And I hadn't heard from him since, until now. My phone vibrated with a text, it was Liam. He found them and he asked to meet him on the way "Did he mention how he found them?" Patrick asked flicking his cigar's ash into an ashtray.I shook my head "No details, just said he has their location" Patrick nodded, dousing his cigar out with his hand and tossing it in the trash. "He called in a favor, bet on it" he muttered under his breath.Before I could say anything Patrick's phone rang, he picked up, and his face fell as he listened. After a few silent moments, he ended the call and turned to me."Who knew Liam had ties with Elijah Wood?" Patrick said, his voice laced with a hint o
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Thalia's POV I stood outside Cassie's hospital room, pressed tightly against Alexander as he held me from behind. It was like he couldn't bear to let me out of his sight. His fingers traced gentle circles against my arm. Callum and Nolan had already left, likely to manage the police and FBI investigation still ongoing. Sierra sat silently with Patrick's arm draped around her, while Zach leaned back against the wall, with his arms folded. Liam was motionless on a chair near the door, his hands clasped between his knees. And his face lost to whatever pain he was holding inside. My heart twisted at the sight of him, usually so gleeful and confident, but now...broken.The door to Cassie's room remained closed, the doctor had said they suspected internal bleeding in her stomach. And now a team was working to stabilize her. The echo of hurried footsteps pulled us from our collective silence.Lorraine and Anthony hurried toward us, worry etched into every line on their faces. Lorraine's e
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POV I woke up the next morning in the hospital. None of us had wanted to go home, so Alexander had gotten us rooms for the night so we could all stay close. I slipped out of bed quietly, hoping not to wake him, and made my way down the hall to Cassie's room. She lay sleeping on the hospital bed, her hand entwined with Liam's as he sat beside her, both of them sleeping. For a moment, seeing them like this, they looked peaceful, but I knew better.I lingered at the doorway, not wanting to disturb them, then turned and went outside, needing some air. As I walked toward the benches facing the sunrise, my hand touched my stomach. Alex had told me that Cassie had already lost one child, a miscarriage. She hadn't even known she was pregnant, and here I was, once so quick to get rid of mine... Letting my hand rest lightly on my abdomen, I sighed. That child had been mine too, even if its father didn’t want it. But there was no use in sulking about it. The decision had been made, an
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
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
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY- FIVE
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
