Ghost’s smile widened as he raised his weapon, but before he could strike, the hotel room’s window exploded inward in a shower of glass. Jackson Hayes crashed through, landing in a controlled roll between James and the assassin.“Get down!” Jackson shouted, shoving James behind an overturned table as gunfire erupted from outside. Ghost dove for cover, his own weapon barking in response.“What the hell is going on?” James demanded, his heart hammering against his ribs.“Your sister’s baby wasn’t an accident,” Jackson said, keeping his eyes on Ghost’s position. “It’s part of something bigger.”Across the room, Ghost’s laughter cut through the chaos. “The Hayes boy himself. How convenient – two birds, one stone.”“It’s over,” Jackson called out. “Our people have the building surrounded.”“Your people?” Ghost’s voice dripped with mock concern. “You mean the ones in the lobby? Such a shame about all that gas they inhaled. Serena thinks of everything, you know.”Jackson’s face paled. “You’r
The private dining room at Le Blanc sparkled with calculated opulence. Serena Blackwood had chosen this venue specifically for its exclusivity – and the photographers she’d arranged to “accidentally” catch them leaving. Every detail mattered when orchestrating a public spectacle.“The merger will benefit both our companies immensely,” Edward Jones, Veronica’s father, raised his crystal glass. The candlelight caught the deep amber of the aged whiskey, casting warm shadows across the pristine white tablecloth. “To family.”“To family,” Serena echoed, her smile perfectly measured. Beside her, Damian sat quietly, his once-sharp eyes dulled by the cocktail of drugs flowing through his system. She’d increased his dose slightly for tonight – just enough to keep him compliant without appearing completely absent.Veronica, dressed in a designer gown that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary, reached for Damian’s hand. “I’m so happy we’re finally making this official, darling.”
The morning sun filtered through the hospital window, casting long shadows across Elara’s bed. She hadn’t slept, couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those photographs – Damian with Veronica, smiling that empty smile she didn’t recognize.James burst through the door, his face flushed with anger. He was clutching a newspaper, his knuckles white against the crisp pages. “Have you seen this? The nerve of them, parading around like...”“I saw,” Elara cut him off quietly, her voice raw from crying. “On the news last night.”Rose, who had refused to leave her daughter alone, shot James a warning look. “Maybe we should focus on getting you well enough to leave the hospital, sweetheart. The new doctor said—”“The doctor said I can go home today.” Elara pushed herself up, wincing at the physical and emotional pain radiating from her core. “And I think... I think it’s time I stopped hiding.”Both Rose and James stared at her. “What do you mean?” James asked carefully.“Seren
The orderlies had just reached the mansion’s grand foyer with Damian when the first window shattered. Glass exploded inward as three masked men in black tactical gear burst through. The security alarm blared, its shriek mixing with Serena’s surprised scream from the study.“What is the meaning of—” One of the orderlies started to protest, but a swift punch to his jaw cut him short. The second orderly released Damian, reaching for what appeared to be a concealed weapon, but another masked figure was faster. In seconds, both medical staff lay unconscious on the marble floor.Damian, still groggy from the sedative, could barely process what was happening. Through his drug-induced haze, he registered rough hands grabbing him, a black bag being pulled over his head. Someone was shouting – his mother, he thought – and there were sounds of struggle.“No!” Serena’s voice cut through the chaos. “You can’t take him! Do you know who I am? I’ll have you all—”“Shut up,” a gravelly voice commanded
The safe house was a rustic cabin deep in the mountains, far from the city’s reaching fingers. Jackson watched as Damian thrashed in his sleep, his hand instinctively moving to his left shoulder where a faded scar remained - the place where Serena’s bullet had struck him nine months ago.“Don’t... the papers...” Damian muttered, sweat beading on his forehead. “Not my mother... never was...”Jackson pressed a cool cloth to his friend’s forehead, guilt and anger warring in his chest. He should have acted sooner, should have realized something was wrong when Damian suddenly stopped calling. But Serena’s web of lies had been masterfully spun— even he had initially believed the story about Elara abandoning Damian at a point.“How’s he holding up?” Chen, one of Jackson’s most trusted team members, appeared in the doorway, his military training evident in his alert stance.“Still fighting the drugs,” Jackson replied, checking Damian’s pulse. “But he’s remembering. That’s something.”“Mmm.”“
The morning dawned cold and gray over the city, a fitting backdrop for the day that would shatter the foundations of one of its most powerful dynasties. The first news alert came at 6:47 AM: “BREAKING: FBI RAIDS BLACKWOOD TOWER.” By 7:15, every major network had camera crews positioned around the gleaming skyscraper that had long stood as a monument to Serena Blackwood’s power.They were all there to witness her fall.Inside her penthouse office, Serena stood perfectly still as federal agents swept through the room, methodically dismantling the careful façade she’d maintained for thirty-one years. Her signature pearls – Elizabeth’s pearls, really – lay in an evidence bag, along with the contents of her private safe: passports, birth certificates, and a single, faded photograph of two sisters smiling on a Swiss mountainside.“Sarah Winters,” the lead FBI agent read from her warrant, “you are under arrest for identity theft, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud...”The list continued, but
In the days following Serena Blackwood’s arrest, the city seemed to hold its breath, awaiting each new revelation that would shake the Blackwood empire to its core. The carefully crafted public image Serena had cultivated for decades had crumbled, and now the full extent of her crimes was being laid bare.At the center of the unfolding scandal was Detective Morrison, the man who had worked tirelessly to bring Serena down. As the FBI sifted through the trove of evidence seized from Blackwood Tower, Morrison began piecing together the connections that would ultimately unravel Serena’s web of deceit.One name kept surfacing in the financial records and encrypted files— Travis Blackwood, Richard’s younger brother. “We always suspected there was more to Travis’s role than simply being Richard’s brother,” Morrison told reporters, his stern expression betraying none of the triumph he surely felt. “But the depth of his involvement in the Blackwood family’s downfall is staggering.”According to
After the trial, the city of Blackwood experienced a sense of relief, as if it had finally escaped the shadow of the Blackwood dynasty. The streets, once under the family’s influence, were now vibrant with a renewed energy and hope for a brighter future.Damian, driven by his own painful past, assumed leadership at Blackwood Industries, spearheading a transformation with Elara and their loyal allies. Together, they tackled the challenging mission of rooting out the long-standing corruption within the company.“It’s going to take time, but we’re committed to making this right,” Damian told a gathering of employees, his voice steady and resolute. “Serena’s crimes may have shattered the Blackwood name, but we’re going to rebuild it - piece by piece, if necessary - into something this city can be proud of once more.”The road ahead was not an easy one. Restoring the company’s reputation, repairing the damage done to its financial standing, and regaining the trust of both customers and sha
Six Ten years. Ten fucking years of blood, bullets, and brotherhood.I stared at the ornate ceiling of Don Vicenzo's study, counting the cherubs painted in some long-dead artist's vision of heaven. Ironic, considering the hell that transpired in the room below them."You understand what you're asking, Six?" The Don's voice carried the weight of tradition. Of rules written in blood. "La fratellanza is for life."I kept my expression neutral, years of training holding my features in check. "I understand, Don Vicenzo. But I've served faithfully. I've never asked for anything before."The Don's fingers drummed against his mahogany desk – the same desk where I'd pledged my loyalty a decade ago. A frightened kid with blood on his hands and nowhere else to go. Now I was his best enforcer, the shadow that kept La fratellanza's enemies awake at night."The number six," he mused, "has become quite the legend. Our rivals whisper about it. The police have entire task forces dedicated to it." A wr
Five years had passed since the tumultuous events that had reshaped their lives. The world of Damian and Elara had transformed, each piece falling into a complex but harmonious puzzle of success, love, and calculated revenge.Jackson and Tessa’s relationship had blossomed into something unexpected and profound. What had begun as a professional connection had gradually evolved into a passionate romance. Jackson, now known for his cold, calculated approach to business, had found a softness in Tessa that he never thought possible.She brought light to his structured world, her carefree spirit balancing his intense personality. They had married a year after Damian and Elara’s epic wedding - a celebration that had been the talk of high society.That wedding - Damian’s grand gesture to Elara - had been nothing short of spectacular. He had spared no expense, transforming an entire historic estate into a breathtaking venue. Thousands of white roses lined the pathways, crystal chandeliers hung
Elara stood at the doorway, waving at Tessa until her car disappeared down the driveway. A soft smile lingered on her lips, but it quickly faded as she turned back to the house, her thoughts drifting back to Damian.His presence always left her both breathless and overwhelmed, and the way he had looked at her this morning stayed imprinted in her mind. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.Walking back inside, she passed a few maids tidying up the living room. They greeted her with polite smiles, and she returned the gesture before heading to Ace’s nursery. She found him sound asleep, his tiny hands curled into fists. Elizabeth had decorated the nursery in soft pastels, filling it with warmth and love. Elara stood by the crib, watching her son’s chest rise and fall.***The concrete walls of the women’s correctional facility felt cold and unforgiving. Elizabeth walked with measured steps, her elegant demeanor unchanged despite the stark surroundings. Her purse was carefully
They rested for a while before Elara stood up.“I need to bathe,” she said, rising to her feet.“Are you sure?” Damian asked, noticing her legs trembling slightly.“Yes,” she replied. She knew she needed some space from him; otherwise, he might take her again. “I’ll be back.” With trembling legs, she carefully made her way to the bathroom. Under the spray of the shower, she sighed contentedly, still feeling the lingering warmth of Damian’s affection on her skin.She quickly washed herself, then reached for a towel to dry off. Wrapping it securely around her, she walked back to the bedroom. At the nightstand, she found her moisturizer and began applying it to her skin. Her body trembled under Damian’s intense gaze, which followed her every movement.“Stop looking,” she said, glaring at him.“Why should I? I can never get enough of you.”A blush crept onto her face as she turned away. “Don’t say that,” she whispered.“I won’t get tired of saying it, honey. You’ll just have to adapt.”Ela
The first light of dawn gently filtered through the sheer curtains of the penthouse, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. Outside, the world was slowly waking up, but inside their bedroom, a peaceful stillness enveloped them, as if time had paused.Elara was nestled against Damian, her head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His arm was wrapped around her, his hand gently tracing circles on her bare shoulder.Damian stirred, his eyes fluttering open to find Elara already gazing at him. Her soft smile greeted him, and for a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the serenity of her presence.“Good morning,” she whispered, her voice still husky from sleep.“Good morning, love,” he replied, his voice deep and warm. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if savoring the simplicity of the moment. “Did you sleep well?”Elara nodded, her fingers tracing the defined lines of his chest. “I always sleep well when you’re here.”A
“She’s finished,” Jackson said quietly, his voice filled with grim satisfaction. “There’s no coming back from this.”Damian nodded, though his mind was already elsewhere. “She made her choice.”Jackson glanced at his friend, studying the hard lines of Damian’s face. “And Daniel?”“He won’t get far,” Damian replied, his voice low and confident. “By the time he realizes his escape route is compromised, it will be too late. The authorities will handle the rest.”For a moment before Jackson spoke again. “Do you think she meant it?”Damian arched a brow. “Meant what?”“When she said she loved you.”Damian’s lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. “Love?” He scoffed. “Vera doesn’t know the meaning of the word. What she feels isn’t love. It’s an obsession. An insatiable need to possess what she can’t have.”Jackson exhaled softly. “I guess I always knew. I just hoped…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter now.”Damian’s gaze softened briefly. “You deserved better, Jackson.
Vera stumbled backward, her legs shaky beneath her as the walls of her reality closed in. Her heart raced, and her mind screamed for a way out, for a lifeline, but none appeared.The calculated calm she once wielded like a weapon was shattered, leaving only the raw, frantic fear of a woman cornered.“You... you don’t know anything!” Vera spat, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. “You’re bluffing.”Jackson’s smirk only deepened. “Am I?” He leaned against the edge of the mahogany desk, arms crossed, watching her unravel with an almost clinical detachment. “Let me guess, you’re thinking of running, aren’t you?” His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Trying to calculate how far you can get before we catch you?”Damian’s cold gaze remained fixed on her, unyielding and unmerciful. “You’re not going anywhere, Vera. Not until you answer for your sins.”“I’ve committed no sins!” she shouted, her voice cracking under the pressure. “You’re just trying to pin your failures on me. Y
“Jackson.” Vera’s voice echoed through the silent room. She had been called by him, and now she stood in his study, surrounded by towering bookshelves and the lingering scent of old paper.She smiled as she walked around, her fingers trailing along the spines of leather-bound volumes, searching for something she couldn’t quite name. The late afternoon light filtered through heavy curtains, casting long shadows across the Persian rug.She was still searching the room when Jackson walked in. His footsteps were nearly silent on the thick carpet, but something in the air changed – a shift in pressure, perhaps, or just the weight of his presence.“You’re here.” His voice startled her, making her stop immediately. She rose to her feet, trying to compose herself. “Vera.” His tone was cold, like ice, as he walked toward her.“Yes,” she replied with a smile. A smile she knew Jackson always looked forward to. “You called me here? Is something wrong?” She placed her hand on his chest as Jackson
The sterile lights of Damian’s penthouse cast a cold, artificial glow across the room, but the atmosphere between him and Jackson was anything but sterile. It buzzed with an undercurrent of controlled chaos, the final pieces of a counter-plan falling seamlessly into place.Damian leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his sharp gaze locked on Jackson. “You’ve done well, Jackson. Vera and Daniel need to know who they were planning for. I will make them suffer and regret ever thinking of hurting me or my loved ones.” His voice was calm, but the satisfaction lurking beneath it was unmistakable.Jackson met his gaze with equal confidence. “She underestimated me. So did Daniel. They thought I was nothing more than a pawn.”Damian’s lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. “You’ve proven otherwise.”Jackson appreciated the rare acknowledgment, but his mind was already on the next move. “Daniel will act soon. His pride won’t let him sit idle. He’s desperate, and despe