Julian's POV: The Santorini sun kissed Lexi's skin as we lounged on our private terrace, the Aegean Sea stretching endlessly before us. I couldn't take my eyes off her - the way her hair caught the light, the gentle swell of her stomach where our child grew. "What are you staring at?" Lexi asked, a playful smile on her lips. I pulled her close, my hands roaming her curves. "The most beautiful woman in the world," I murmured, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Our week in paradise had been nothing short of magical. Days spent exploring the island, nights filled with passion and whispered promises. I'd never felt more connected to Lexi, more certain of our future together. As I deepened the kiss, Lexi moaned softly, her body melting into mine. "Julian," she breathed, "take me to bed." I didn't need to be asked twice. Lexi's POV: Julian's touch set my skin on fire, his lips trailing a path of heat down my neck. We stumbled into the bedroom, shedding clothes as we went. "God,
Lexi’s Pov: The room was suffocating, thick with tension and fear. My pulse hammered in my ears as I stared at the man sitting across from my father’s desk. Giovanni Santino. His name alone made my stomach churn with dread. He lounged in the chair, far too relaxed for someone who had just issued a death threat. His eyes gleamed under the dim lights of the study, cold and calculating. “I’m a patient man, Ms. Thompson,” Santino said, his voice calm, almost casual. “But patience only goes so far. Your father owes me twenty million dollars, and I’m here to collect.” I swallowed hard. My father sat slumped in the corner, a near-empty glass of whiskey dangling from his fingers, his face ashen and hollow. He wouldn’t even look at me. Twenty million. How the hell were we ever going to pay that? The debt had started small,a few bad bets here and there,but it had snowballed into something monstrous. And now… now it was life or death. “Please,” I croaked, stepping forward to shield Kayla, w
Lexi’s pov: I woke up in a dark, cold room. My head throbbed, and my wrists were sore from the rough bindings that had left faint red marks. I tried to sit up, my body aching from being crumpled on the hard floor. “Help!” I screamed, my voice echoing off the walls. I waited for a reply, a sign that someone was nearby. Nothing. “Please, someone—help me!” My voice broke, but still, no one answered. I wrapped my arms around myself, curling into a ball as the reality of my situation sunk in. The mafia… Kayla… I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling tears welling up. I can’t break down. Not now. Time passed, minutes, hours, I couldn’t tell. I screamed until my throat was raw, but the only response was the eerie silence. It was suffocating. I felt trapped in my own thoughts, memories flashing of what brought me here. The threats. The fear in Kayla’s eyes. The suffocating grip of debts we could never repay. Finally, I heard the creak of a door opening, and I jerked my head up. Two men stepped
Lexi’s pov: Waking up to the piercing light spilling through the heavy curtains, and my head pounding as if I’d been hit by a freight train. The sheets beneath me were luxurious, far too smooth for what I could ever afford. Blinking rapidly, I tried to focus on my surroundings, an upscale hotel room. Panic gripped me instantly. Where am I? What happened last night? Sitting up too quickly, I clutched my head as a wave of nausea rolled over me. Bits and pieces of the previous night surfaced, drinking, dancing with that mysterious man, and then… nothing. Did I have a one-night stand? With who? I looked down and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that I was still fully dressed. But the fear hadn’t left. I needed to get out of here. Fast. I hurriedly grabbed my things and dashed out of the hotel room, praying no one would recognize me. The moment I got home, Kayla was already up. “Well, look who’s finally home,” she teased, raising an eyebrow at me. “Where the hell were you?”
Lexi’s Pov : The weight of my decision crushed my chest as I stood outside the house that had once felt like home. It was now a monument to the disaster my family had become, my father’s mistakes, my sister’s safety hanging by a thread. I couldn’t breathe, but I had to hold it together. I had to. A black SUV rolled up to the curb, its tinted windows swallowing my reflection as the door opened. No turning back. My stomach twisted in knots as I slid inside, the smell of rich leather overwhelming my senses. The man behind the wheel didn’t say a word, didn’t need to, this was Julian’s world now, and I was about to be consumed by it. The silence in the car was suffocating. My mind replayed last night, Julian’s touch, the way his lips had brushed my skin, the fleeting gentleness that had surprised me. But the man who had been soft in the dark had vanished by the time I stepped into his office. Julian was already there, seated behind his polished, black desk, his eyes colder than ice wh
Lexi’s pov: The car’s engine hummed in the silence between us, but the tension in the air was deafening. I could feel Julian’s gaze on me, sharp and unwavering, as we drove through the city. I pretended not to notice, but my pulse quickened every time I caught a glimpse of him from the corner of my eye. “You didn’t have to handle it like that,” I finally spoke up, breaking the silence. Julian’s eyes flicked to mine, cold and unyielding. “I don’t do ‘maybe’s’ or ‘what if’s,’ Lexi. You’re mine now. No one threatens what’s mine.” The words were simple, but the weight of them made my stomach flip. The way he said it—like a command, not a suggestion—made me realize just how much control he had over me. The car came to a stop outside his penthouse, and Julian was already stepping out before I could unbuckle my seatbelt. I followed him into the building, my heart racing, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling that crawled up my spine. There was something in the air, something I couldn
Lexi’s pov: I couldn’t stop thinking about the message. It was burned into my mind. “Get out. Now. Before it’s too late. He’s not the man you think he is. Julian Blackwood will drain you.” “Lexi.” I looked up, meeting Julian’s eyes. They were sharp, assessing. “You’re quiet.” “Nothing’s wrong,” I said quickly, though my voice didn’t sound convincing. I shoved the phone in my pocket. He stepped closer. “Don’t lie to me.” “I’m not.” He didn’t believe me. I could see it in his eyes. “You’re shaking.” “I’m fine,” I repeated, but I could feel the panic bubbling under the surface. His gaze lingered on me for a long moment. He was waiting for me to crack. I didn’t. “Now remember, We’re leaving for Paris tomorrow,” he said, his voice cold. “I need you ready.” “Of course Julian, I will be ready “. The flight to Paris was silent. Julian barely spoke, his focus on his phone, the air thick with the kind of tension that always followed him. When we landed, I felt like I couldn’t b
Julian’s Pov: I had no illusions about who I was. My father taught me that power wasn’t given; it was taken. And when my mother decided she’d take his life to seize control? That only reinforced the lesson. “Julian,” she’d say, her voice like ice. “A man who shows weakness is a man who loses everything.” “Like you lost him?” I’d replied once, watching her face twist. After his death, I’d built myself into the man I needed to be—untouchable, unshakable. My name carried weight. My business? Thrived on fear and respect. Étienne and I worked with men who smiled at dinner parties and traded secrets in the shadows. Billionaires. Criminals. Often both. “You’re quiet today,” Étienne said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I’m thinking,” I replied, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “Thinking? Dangerous game, mon ami.” He smirked. “Maybe you’ve finally lost your edge?” I shot him a look. He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “Just saying, a man who spends this much time
Julian's POV: The Santorini sun kissed Lexi's skin as we lounged on our private terrace, the Aegean Sea stretching endlessly before us. I couldn't take my eyes off her - the way her hair caught the light, the gentle swell of her stomach where our child grew. "What are you staring at?" Lexi asked, a playful smile on her lips. I pulled her close, my hands roaming her curves. "The most beautiful woman in the world," I murmured, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Our week in paradise had been nothing short of magical. Days spent exploring the island, nights filled with passion and whispered promises. I'd never felt more connected to Lexi, more certain of our future together. As I deepened the kiss, Lexi moaned softly, her body melting into mine. "Julian," she breathed, "take me to bed." I didn't need to be asked twice. Lexi's POV: Julian's touch set my skin on fire, his lips trailing a path of heat down my neck. We stumbled into the bedroom, shedding clothes as we went. "God,
Lexi’s POV “Actually Lexi, I need to talk to you,” he said, his voice low. I forced myself to stay calm, even as my mind screamed for me to get rid of him. Julian’s in the shower. He can’t see him. Not now. “What is it, Liam?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Liam leaned back against the couch, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m sure you’ve been wondering about the pregnancy. About whose it is.” I clenched my fists at my sides, my breath quickening. “What do you mean?” Liam’s eyes softened for a second. “Lexi, you and I both know what happened that night. We got drunk, we made out, and things escalated.” He paused, watching me closely. “I’m pretty sure I’m the father of your baby.” “I’m here because I want to step up, Lexi,” he continued, his tone serious now. “I’m here to take responsibility. I want to be a part of your life, and I want to be a father to our child.” I took a step back, panic starting to take over. Julian can’t know about this. He’ll kill him. The
Lexi’s POV The suitcase lay open on the bed, half-filled with carefully folded clothes. Excitement buzzed through me as I reached for another dress, my mind already painting images of the romantic getaway Julian and I had planned. We needed this—after everything, we deserved a moment to breathe, to just be us. I bit my lip, suppressing a smile. Julian was in the shower, and I could already picture his reaction when he saw my outfit choices. The thought made my heart race. Just as I zipped up the suitcase, a soft knock came at the door. “Ma’am?” A hesitant voice followed. I turned to find a young woman standing by the doorway, her hands neatly folded in front of her apron. I recognized her as the new maid Julian had hired after the last one was caught snooping. “What is it?” I asked, straightening up. “You have a visitor, ma’am,” she said, shifting uncomfortably. A visitor? My brows furrowed. No one was supposed to know we were here. “Who is it?” The maid hesitated before ans
Julian’s POV Pain. That was the first thing I felt. A deep, gnawing ache in my side, sharp and unrelenting. It dragged me back to consciousness, forcing my heavy eyelids to flutter open. The room was dimly lit, the beeping of machines the only sound breaking the silence. The sterile scent of antiseptics filled my nose, and it didn’t take long to realize where I was—hospital. I blinked, my vision adjusting, and then I saw her. Lexi. She was curled up in a chair beside my bed, fast asleep. Her head rested against the armrest, strands of her hair falling into her face. Her breathing was soft, steady, and for the first time in what felt like forever, there was peace in her expression. No tension. No fear. Just… peace. My chest tightened at the sight. How long had she been sitting there, waiting for me to wake up? I studied her face, memorizing every detail—the way her lashes rested against her skin, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way her fingers twitched slightly, as if
Julian’s POV I couldn’t hear anything over the deafening thrum of blood pumping in my ears. The pain in my chest was overwhelming, but there was no time to dwell on it. I couldn’t let her win. Not like this. Not after everything. I pushed forward, stumbling slightly, using the wall to steady myself as I moved toward her. I had to end this. It didn’t matter how bad I was hurt—I would finish this fight. “Stay down, Alexa!” I shouted, my voice rough, every word a struggle to push out. My grip on the gun was shaky, but my aim was steady. But Alexa didn’t seem scared. Her lips curled into that smug, dangerous smile of hers. “You really think you can win this? You’re too late, Julian.” She lunged forward in a blur of motion, catching me off guard. The blade flashed in her hand, and before I could even think, it sunk deep into my chest. I gasped, blood spilling from my mouth as the pain hit like a wave, knocking the air out of me. The world started to spin, but I gritted my teeth, refu
Julian’s POV I slammed my hand against the steering wheel, my mind racing. Every inch of my body burned with adrenaline as I drove through the streets, trying to calm the storm of anger that raged inside me. I couldn’t believe what I’d just learned—Alexa killed Etienne. The betrayal hit harder than any punch. I grabbed my phone, dialing the investigator’s number with shaky fingers. The line clicked before it even rang twice. “Julian,” the voice on the other end said, calm, collected, as always. “I’ve got the information you need.” “Tell me where she’s hiding,” I growled, not caring if my words sounded sharp. I was beyond caring. This had to end now. “She’s holed up in an old warehouse by the docks, Julian. It’s under heavy security. You’ll need to be careful.” “Understood. Just drop the location,” I snapped, my grip tightening around the wheel. He rattled off the address, and I hung up without saying another word. My fingers gripped the wheel tighter as I pressed the accelerato
Lexis pov “You should’ve told me,” he said, disappointment in his voice I didn’t know how to respond. My throat tightened, and I just stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. I had been so caught up in everything else—Alexa, the betrayal, the lies—I had forgotten to mention the most important thing. I didn’t want to complicate things further, but now, it was out in the open. “Well, yes,” I said, my voice quiet. “I didn’t bother to tell you because you were comfortable living with another woman.” The words stung, and I hated the bitterness in my voice, but it was the truth. Julian’s face faltered for a moment, and he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with regret. “I swear I never knew. I thought it was you, Lexi. I… I never would have done what I did if I’d known.” He sat down beside me, his hands reaching for mine. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable, and I felt a pang in my chest. He was sorry. And I could see it. “How many weeks?” he
Lexi The world felt heavy. My body ached, my mind foggy as I forced my eyes open. A dull beeping echoed in my ears, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling my lungs. The hospital. I was still alive. But then I saw her. Alexa. She stood near my bed, one hand idly playing with the oxygen tube beside me, her golden eyes gleaming with something twisted—something cruel. I tried to move. Tried to scream. Nothing. My throat was raw, my limbs weak, my voice trapped in my body. Alexa smirked, tilting her head. “You just won’t die, will you?” she mused. Panic shot through me. My heart pounded against my ribs as I struggled to move, but my muscles wouldn’t cooperate. Alexa traced her fingers along the oxygen tube, twisting it slightly. Not enough to cut off my air—but enough to make her point. “You should’ve stayed dead,” she whispered. “Do you know how easy it would be for me to finish this right now?” I willed my body to move. To do something. She leaned in, her breath brushing a
Julian I walked the hallway outside Lexi’s room, my mind racing. Elise sat nearby, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Neither of us spoke for a while. “She’ll be okay,” Elise finally said, her voice softer than usual. I dragged a hand through my hair, frustration clawing at my insides. “She shouldn’t have to be okay. This shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” Elise sighed. “We both know that’s not how life works.” I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening. Alexa had been right under my nose, pretending to be Lexi, and I hadn’t seen it. I had trusted her. I had lived with her. And now Lexi was lying in that hospital bed because of my blindness. Without another word, I turned on my heel and stalked down the hall. “Where are you going?” Elise called after me. I didn’t stop walking. “To end this.” Julian The fluorescent lights of the asylum buzzed faintly overhead, casting a sickly glow on the white walls. The air smelled like antiseptic and something stale—something