Allison's POV.The next day, Rajesh was waiting for me at the entrance of one of the city's most exclusive boutiques. He looked every bit the part of a wealthy, powerful man, surrounded by a small entourage of bodyguards. I approached with a confident stride, dressed in a form-fitting red dress that brought out my figure, paired with designer heels. My hair was elegantly styled, and I wore just enough makeup to highlight my features without appearing overdone."Seraphina," Rajesh greeted me with a broad smile, his eyes lighting up as he saw me. "You look stunning.""Thank you, Rajesh," I replied, giving him a charming smile. "Shall we?"Rajesh led me inside, where the boutique staff immediately sprang into action, bringing us champagne and ushering us into a private section of the store. The next few hours were a whirlwind of luxury. Rajesh spared no expense, buying me designer dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. He seemed to delight in watching me try on different outfits, each
Williams POV.I sat in my office, my phone in hand, staring at Rajesh's number on the screen. I had to call him again. I had to know where we stood with the deal. More importantly, I had to understand why he was still so caught up in spending time with Allison, when there were enough women out there. I pressed the call button and waited, my heart pounding in my chest."Rajesh, it's Williams," I said as soon as he picked up. I tried to keep my voice steady, but the frustration seeped through."Ah, Williams," Rajesh replied, sounding annoyingly cheerful. "How can I help you?""I'm calling about our deal," I said, trying to remain calm. "We need to finalize it. What's the holdup?"There was a brief pause on the other end. "I'm quite busy at the moment, Williams. Let's give it a few more days."I clenched my fist, my knuckles turning white. "A few more days? We've been postponing this for days, Rajesh. What's going on?"Rajesh chuckled lightly. "I have some personal matters to attend to,
Allison's POV.Rajesh had arranged for a helicopter trip to show me around his empire, and I couldn’t help but be impressed by his audacity. The helicopter soared over the lush green landscapes and sparkling blue waters of his island. Through the headset, Rajesh pointed out various landmarks, describing his grand plans with an obvious excitement that almost made me forget why I was here.“That’s Rajesh Towers,” he said, his voice crackling slightly over the intercom. “It’s going to be the tallest building on the island. And over there, we’re developing a luxury resort—top of the line, nothing like it in the world.”I nodded, genuinely interested, which wasn’t hard given the scale of his projects. His passion for his work was contagious, and I allowed myself to be swept up in it, if only for a moment. I glanced at him, catching him staring at me like a lost puppy. His eyes were soft, his gaze unwavering. It was almost endearing.“You look cute like that,” I said with a smile, watchi
Allison's POV.The helicopter trip and dinner had gone perfectly according to plan. Rajesh was charmed, and I had him right where I wanted him. As we exited the restaurant, he took my hand, guiding me to one of his luxury cars with his guards following closely behind. "I want to spend the night with you, Seraphina," Rajesh said, his voice low and filled with intent. I knew exactly what he meant, and I kept my cool. "Lead the way," I replied with a seductive smile.We arrived at one of his top hotels, entering a private elevator that took us to the penthouse suite. I clutched my bag tightly, feeling the weight of the syringe hidden within. This was the moment I had been preparing for.As we stepped into the suite, staff moved around, bringing in refreshments and setting everything up for a perfect evening. The room was lavishly decorated, with plush furniture and a stunning view of the city skyline. Despite the grandeur, I only had one thing on my mind: the mission.I excused myself
Allison's POV.Rajesh and I arrived at TechFuture Innovations, his bodyguards trailing behind us. The building was sleek and modern, with large glass windows reflecting the morning sun. Fresh employees were around, keeping the place in immaculate order. The lobby was impressive, with a minimalist design that showed professionalism and ambition.I led Rajesh and his men through the building, my heels clicking confidently on the polished floor. "This way," I said, gesturing towards the elevator. "Mia and her partner are waiting for us."Rajesh nodded, looking around with an approving expression. "The place looks impressive," he remarked.I smiled, pressing the button for the top floor. "I knew you'd like it."When the elevator doors opened, we stepped into a spacious office with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. Mia and Viktoh, disguised under their aliases, were already waiting. Mia, now going by the name Elara, stood up with a welcoming smile, her dem
Williams POV.The day had started off rough, and it wasn’t getting any better. I had been trying to reach Rajesh for days now, anxious to finalize our $500 million deal. Today, I was determined to get answers. I dialed his number for what felt like the hundredth time. It rang a few times before a calm, professional voice answered. “Rajesh Patel’s office, how may I help you?”“This is Williams Luther,” I barked. “I need to speak with Rajesh. It’s urgent.”“I’m sorry, Mr. Luther, but Mr. Patel is currently unavailable,” the secretary replied, her tone maddeningly polite.“This is ridiculous! I’ve been trying to reach him for days. Put him on the phone now!”There was a slight pause, and then the secretary continued, “Mr. Luther, I regret to inform you that Mr. Patel is no longer interested in partnering with Montgomery Enterprise.”I felt my blood pressure spike. “What do you mean he’s not interested anymore? We were set to sign the deal!”The secretary remained unfazed. “Mr. Patel has
Allison's POV.Rajesh arrived alone at my apartment early in the evening, carrying several luxurious gift bags and looking genuinely remorseful. I opened the door, pretending to be surprised, and let out a small gasp. “Seraphina, please,” he began, his voice thick with regret. “I am so sorry for what happened. I had no idea my wives would come here, let alone humiliate you like that.”I stepped aside, allowing him to enter, but my expression remained cold. I made sure to keep my eyes slightly red and puffy, as if I had been crying.“Rajesh,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “You lied to me. You never told me you were married. I had to find out in the worst possible way.”He placed the bags on the coffee table, opening one to reveal a stunning diamond necklace. “I know, and I’m deeply sorry. I brought these as a way to make it up to you. Please, Seraphina, believe me when I say that I care about you.”I glanced at the necklace and then back at him, crossing my arms. “You think gif
Williams POV.Jonathan ushered the woman into my office, her infant daughter cradled in her arms. For a moment, a pang of regret hit me hard in the chest. If it wasn’t for my carelessness, I might have had a baby with Allison by now. The thought was almost too much to bear, but I pushed it aside. This wasn’t the time for weakness. I had a plan, and it required absolute focus.The woman looked nervous, her eyes darting around the room. She was young, probably in her mid-twenties, with tired eyes and a thin frame. The baby girl in her arms was barely a few months old, her tiny fingers grasping at her mother’s shirt. I could see the desperation in her eyes, the willingness to do whatever it took to secure a future for her child.I leaned back in my chair, studying them both for a moment. Jonathan stood by the door, his usual stoic expression in place. He knew better than to question my decisions, but I could sense his curiosity. This plan was unconventional, even by my standards, but
Allison's POV.Two months had passed since that nightmare, and Jessica was finally where she belonged: back in prison. Turns out, she had escaped with the help of her five-star general brother, James. But justice had a way of catching up to people like her. She was given more life sentences, no chance of parole this time, and James? Stripped of his rank, kicked out of the military, and sentenced to 15 years behind bars. The news was the most satisfying thing I’d heard in a long time.And Viktor Romanov? He couldn’t take the heat. The torture got to him. He’d ended his own life rather than face more of what was coming to him. It was hard to feel anything for him, knowing what he’d done to me, but at least that chapter was closed.I was still healing, but at least I was on my feet again. Viktoh had given me a six-month leave, after everything I’d suffered, and I wasn’t about to argue. I needed the time away. Time to breathe, to heal, to focus on what truly mattered.And today, it was ti
Allison's POV.My chest tightened, but I forced myself to sit up straighter. She shouldn’t be here. "You’re supposed to be in prison," I said, my voice steady despite the flood of memories—memories of how she had turned my life upside down, destroyed everything I had with Williams, and left me broken in more ways than one.Jessica’s smile only widened, her eyes gleaming with malice. "I got out." Her tone was casual, like she was discussing the weather. She stepped closer, and I could feel the venom between us. This woman… she had ruined everything. She had turned Williams against me, manipulated him, and made sure I lost our baby that night when I ran through the rain, heartbroken. That accident had ripped my world apart, and Jessica’s hands were all over it.And even after I came back, stronger and more dangerous than before, Jessica hadn’t stopped. She had tried to kill me more times than I could count. The desperation in her had reached insane levels, trying to trap Williams with
Allison’s POVThe steady beeping of the machines was the only sound filling the room, but I couldn’t focus on it. The sharp scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, making the sterile hospital walls seem even colder. My body ached in ways I hadn’t known were possible, but I was alive. I was here.The door creaked open softly, and I turned my head. It took a second for my eyes to adjust, but then I saw him—Williams, standing in the doorway, looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite place. Was it relief? Concern?He stepped inside, his movements tentative, like he wasn’t sure if he should be here. His gaze swept over me, taking in the IVs, the bruises, the bandages. I could tell he was trying to hold it together, but the tension in his jaw gave him away.“Williams,” I whispered, my voice was shaky and low. I watched as he came closer, his eyes scanning my face. There was something in his expression I hadn't seen before—a softness, a vulnerability. When he reached my bedside, I
Jessica's POV.“Jessica?”I smirked as his voice rang through the office, laced with confusion. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t expected me. I slowly pulled back the hood of my jacket, revealing my face. His eyes widened, disbelief washing over his usually composed expression."Surprised to see me?" I asked, my voice light, teasing. I watched him carefully, savoring every second of his stunned reaction. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing at first, his sharp gaze piercing into me like daggers."I was released last week." I gave him a coy smile, stepping further into the office, the click of my heels sounding in the silence. His office was just as I remembered it—cold, impersonal, like the man who sat behind the desk. But I wasn’t here for the decor.Williams’s face remained hardened, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—anger, or maybe it was disgust. Either way, I had expected it.“What do you want, Jessica?” His voice was firm, devoid of any warmth or welcome.
Allison's POV.I blinked against the sterile light filtering in through the window, the room coming into focus in slow, painful waves. My body ached, every inch of me reminding me of what I had been through. But the confusion in my mind was worse. I didn’t know where I was, or how I had gotten here. The hospital.The smell of antiseptic, the steady beeping of machines—it was unmistakable. I was in a hospital bed, covered in bandages, weak and barely able to move. I tried to piece together how I’d ended up here. The last thing I remembered was Viktor, his cold, merciless eyes glaring down at me as his men... My stomach twisted at the memory. The torture, the pain. It was all too vivid, too raw.How did I survive?I shifted slightly, wincing as the pain flared across my ribs. That’s when I noticed Mia, fast asleep in the chair beside me, her head resting awkwardly on the armrest. She looked exhausted, her hair messy, dark circles under her eyes. “Mia?” My voice came out hoarse, barely
Williams POV.The world outside the ambulance blurred as we sped toward the hospital. My heart was pounding, faster than it ever had before. Mia sat across from me, her eyes wide and focused on Allison’s frail form, but all I could do was hold her hand, feeling the warmth slowly fade from her skin.“Allison, hold on,” I whispered, more to myself than to her. Her chest barely moved, her breaths shallow and ragged. I gripped her hand tighter, my throat burning. I was losing her.Mia’s voice cut through the suffocating silence, soft but steady. “She’s strong, Williams. She’ll pull through.”I didn’t answer. The weight of everything bore down on me like a heavy stone pressing against my chest. Her bruised face was a reminder of what they had done. Of what I couldn’t protect her from. Every bump in the road felt like a countdown.As we reached the hospital, paramedics rushed to pull her stretcher out, shouting medical jargon I couldn’t understand. My legs felt weak as I at my side, but my
Williams POV.The smell of blood and gunpowder filled the air. The gunfire was deafening, bullets ricocheting off the metal walls of the factory. I could barely hear Viktoh shouting orders to the team, but my eyes were locked on one thing. Her.Allison.She was barely seen through the smoke and chaos, slumped in a chair in the middle of the room, her body bound and battered. Blood stained her clothes, her face was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. It was as if someone had taken all the light out of her. My heart stopped.Viktor Romanov and his men were hunkered down, exchanging fire with Edward and the rest of the team. Edward was pushing forward with calculated aggression, taking out one of Viktor’s men before he had a chance to reload. Viktoh's men moved in, flanking the room, trapping Viktor’s crew.“Take them down!” Viktoh shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.Romanov’s eyes flicked to me for just a second, a twisted smile playing on his lips. He knew what he had don
Williams POV.Five days. Five long, agonizing days since Allison disappeared. And now, I was standing in warehouse next to the one man I despised more than anything—Edward Blackwood. The fact that I even agreed to work with him felt like a betrayal of my own pride, but this was about Allison, not me. I reminded myself of that, over and over.Allison.She was out there, somewhere, in Viktor Romanov’s hands. And if anyone could survive what that monster was capable of, it was her. She was a fighter. I knew it. But as each day passed, doubt began to creep into my mind.I looked at Edward out of the corner of my eye. His jaw was clenched so tight, I could see the muscles twitching in his face. The man was a damn brute, always had been. But there was no denying he was useful in moments like these. He didn’t just sit back and wait for things to fall into place like most people. He took action, even if that action was reckless.Right now, we needed that recklessness."Tell me what you know,
Allison's POV.The pain had no beginning or end. It was everywhere, all at once. I couldn’t tell if my heart was racing or if it had stopped altogether, but I felt the rhythm of agony pulsing through every nerve in my body. My wrists were raw from the ropes that bound me, and I could feel blood pooling beneath me where the chair had already cut into my skin. I barely registered the cold, metallic floor beneath me anymore; all I could feel was the endless, burning pain.Viktor’s shadow was over me, the twisted grin on his face searing itself into my memory. He wasn’t done. I knew it. He was just getting started. Every time I thought I couldn’t take more, he found a new way to make me suffer."Bring her back," he commanded, his voice sharp and cruel. He gestured to one of his men with a flick of his wrist. "I want to hear her scream."A ragged breath left my lips, a pitiful sound I hated myself for making. I tried to prepare myself, tried to push the pain away, but when I saw what the m