Sarah tilted her head, her smirk widening. “Are you afraid I’ll leave you in the dust, Mr. Blake?”Alexander let out a low chuckle. “Afraid? No.” His gaze flickered over her, amused and predatory. “But I do love watching you try.”Sarah threw the blankets off, standing up in one smooth motion. “Then let’s go,” she said, heading straight for the door.Alexander raised a brow. “Right now?”She glanced over her shoulder. “You backing out already?”His lips curled into a slow smirk. “Careful, Sparrow. You’re getting cocky.”Sarah shrugged, eyes gleaming with mischief. “You’d be too if you knew you were going to win.”Alexander huffed a quiet laugh and shook his head, pushing himself up from the bed. “Let’s see if you can back up that mouth of yours.”They made their way downstairs, the tension between them a mix of challenge and amusement.The moment they entered the garage, Sarah beelined for the sapphire blue McLaren she had driven earlier.Alexander watched her, amused. “Didn’t even he
The engines purred like caged beasts, vibrating through Sarah’s bones as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel.The adrenaline thrumming beneath her skin was intoxicating, familiar.She’d spent years trying to forget this feeling, this wild, unrestrained rush of power, but now, with Alexander’s voice in her ear and his car beside hers, she embraced it like an old lover.Through the comms, his voice was all smooth arrogance. “You sure you don’t want a head start, Sparrow? Might help take the sting off when you lose.”Sarah scoffed, rolling her shoulders. “That’s adorable. You really think you stand a chance against me?”Alexander chuckled. “Confidence is sexy. But overconfidence? Dangerous.”She grinned, revving the McLaren’s engine in response. “Wouldn’t be any fun if it wasn’t.”The floodlights bathed the stretch of road in a harsh glow, cutting through the dark sky.Out here, on Alexander’s private land, there were no interruptions, no prying eyes, just the vast, open road an
Alexander stilled for half a second. Then he groaned low in his throat, his hands coming up to grip her waist, pulling her flush against him.The heat between them was instant, undeniable.His lips were demanding, fierce, and she met him with equal intensity.She could feel the adrenaline still thrumming in his body, matching her own.He deepened the kiss, one hand tangling in her hair while the other anchored her against him.It was wild, consuming, like the race itself, except this was a different kind of battle.Sarah gasped as he pressed her back against the car, his mouth trailing down to her jaw, then lower, his breath hot against her skin.Damn him.She wasn’t supposed to lose control like this.She tugged at his collar, nipping his bottom lip before whispering against his mouth, “Still think you could’ve won?”Alexander chuckled, low and rough, his fingers digging into her waist. “I think I won something better.”Sarah was about to retort when something in the air shifted.The
Gerald sat in his dimly lit study, the air thick with the scent of aged whiskey and the distant hum of security monitors flickering across the wall.His fingers drummed against the mahogany desk, his mind racing as the weight of the latest news settled over him like an iron shroud.Marcus was gone.Not just missing. Taken.And if there was one thing Gerald knew with certainty, it was that his nephew, Alexander Blake, had him.The confirmation had come through one of his informants buried deep within the underground network.A whisper.A hint.But it was enough.Alexander had been moving in the shadows for weeks, making plays that Gerald had dismissed as mere provocations. But now, the game had shifted.His nephew was no longer circling like a wolf waiting for the right moment to strike, he had drawn blood. And that meant war.Gerald exhaled sharply and leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the screens before him.His estate was a fortress, a behemoth of steel and
Upstairs, Sarah was just about to enter the bathroom when the door swung open behind her.Before she could react, Alexander was there, his presence filling the space as he caught her wrist and pulled her back against him.“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was low, edged with that dangerous smoothness that made her pulse race.Sarah huffed, feigning annoyance, though her body betrayed her as she leaned into his warmth. “To shower,” she said, attempting to pull away.Alexander didn’t let her. Instead, he turned her in his arms, pressing her gently against the doorframe.His fingers slid down her bare arms, igniting a trail of fire as he dipped his head, his lips finding the sensitive spot just beneath her ear.“Let’s continue where we left off,” he murmured against her skin, his voice sending a shiver down her spine.Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but the words never made it past her lips.His mouth moved lower, trailing hot, lingering kisses down her neckline, his breath
After a couple more minutes in the bath, Alexander gently shifted, cradling Sarah closer as he prepared to lift her once more.She let out a sleepy hum of protest, but he merely chuckled, brushing a kiss against her temple.“Come on, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice warm and soothing. “Let’s get you comfortable.”She sighed, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as he stood, carrying her effortlessly out of the tub.The cool air of the bathroom kissed her damp skin, making her shiver slightly, but before she could fully register it, Alexander was already wrapping her in a soft, plush towel.His touch was gentle as he patted her dry, his hands lingering just enough to make sure she was warm and comfortable.She watched him through half lidded eyes, still hazy from exhaustion, marveling at how much care he put into something so simple.“You’re fussing,” she murmured, a small, tired smile on her lips.Alexander smirked, his hands trailing down her arms before lifting her int
The younger officer shifted uncomfortably. “Sir, we...”“You have no evidence,” Alexander interrupted coldly. “No footage. No proof. Just the word of two women who have every reason to want to harm my wife. So tell me, officers, what exactly gives you the authority to drag her out of bed for something you can’t even substantiate?”The older officer cleared his throat again, clearly choosing his words carefully. “This is just procedure, Mr. Blake. If Mrs. Blake cooperates, it will make things easier...”“I don’t think you understand,” Alexander said, taking a slow step forward.The power in his presence was suffocating, his dark eyes cutting into them with an intensity that left no room for argument. “There will be no cooperation because there is no case. If you have a legitimate warrant, you can present it to my lawyers. Until then, this conversation is over.”His words were final, leaving no room for debate.The officers exchanged a glance, both clearly unnerved by the sheer force of
Gerald adjusted the cuffs of his crisp suit, his sharp eyes scanning the well manicured gardens of his estate as his convoy prepared for departure.He exhaled slowly, suppressing the anger that simmered beneath his carefully constructed facade.Marcus’s capture had thrown a wrench in his operations, and now, with Alexander likely moving against him, he needed to reinforce his control before cracks formed in his empire.He stepped out of his grand foyer, the clicking of his polished shoes echoing as he descended the steps toward his awaiting car.His security detail moved like shadows around him, silent, precise, lethal.Their presence was a necessity, now more than ever.“Any new word from the men at the Blake residence?” Gerald asked, sliding into the back seat of his armored vehicle.The door shut with a heavy thud, enclosing him in a bubble of calculated power.One of his top enforcers, sat in the passenger seat ahead of him, his dark eyes meeting Gerald’s in the rearview mirror. “
Meanwhile, as these thoughts consumed him, Liam found himself at a high end bar in downtown Manhattan, whiskey in hand, the low hum of music surrounding him.A brunette with a body that could turn heads slid into the seat next to him, her sultry smile laced with invitation.“Mind if I join you?” she purred, running manicured fingers along the rim of her martini glass.Liam barely glanced at her.He had done this before. Tried to force himself to feel something, anything, for someone else.She placed a hand on his forearm, leaning in slightly.That’s when it happened.The instant wave of disgust that rolled through him.He pulled back as if burned, jaw tightening as he exhaled sharply. “Not interested.”The woman blinked, clearly taken aback by his cold dismissal. But Liam didn’t care.He threw back the rest of his whiskey and signaled for the bill.Enough was enough.He wasn’t going to lie to himself anymore.Sarah Miller,Sarah Blake, was the only woman who had ever made him feel this
A little while later, freshly showered and dressed in a comfortable yet stylish ensemble, Sarah made her way downstairs.The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of breakfast.She stepped into the grand living area, spotting two of Alexander’s men stationed near the entrance.“Where’s Alexander?” she asked, running a hand through her still damp hair.One of the guards, a tall, broad shouldered man, inclined his head respectfully. “He left for the office earlier this morning, Mrs. Blake.”Sarah blinked. “The office?”“Yes, ma’am. The Blake Group headquarters.”Sarah scoffed, crossing her arms. “And he didn’t bother waking me up?”He hesitated. “Mr. Blake instructed us not to disturb you.”Sarah let out an irritated sigh, throwing her hands up. “Of course he did! That man wears me out to the point of exhaustion and then just sneaks off like some kind of business ninja?”The guards wisely remained silent.Sarah placed a hand on her hip, muttering under her
Gerald’s eyes darkened, but before he could respond, Alexander turned his attention to the rest of the board.“I built this company alongside my father before any of you had a say in its future. I bled for this empire, sacrificed more than any of you could ever understand. And you think I’ll sit back while you try to erase me?” He scoffed. “Think again.”A thick silence followed, the weight of his words pressing against every individual in the room.Then, in a voice sharp as a blade, Alexander added, “Remove me from my position, and I promise you this, you won’t just be dealing with a man in a wheelchair. You’ll be dealing with the one person in this company who knows exactly where all the skeletons are buried.”A flicker of unease passed through a few directors’ expressions.Gerald narrowed his eyes, his fingers tightening around the edge of the table. “Is that a threat?”Alexander’s smirk was slow, deliberate. “No, Uncle. It’s a warning.”For the first time that morning, Gerald had
Gerald adjusted the cuffs of his crisp suit, his sharp eyes scanning the well manicured gardens of his estate as his convoy prepared for departure.He exhaled slowly, suppressing the anger that simmered beneath his carefully constructed facade.Marcus’s capture had thrown a wrench in his operations, and now, with Alexander likely moving against him, he needed to reinforce his control before cracks formed in his empire.He stepped out of his grand foyer, the clicking of his polished shoes echoing as he descended the steps toward his awaiting car.His security detail moved like shadows around him, silent, precise, lethal.Their presence was a necessity, now more than ever.“Any new word from the men at the Blake residence?” Gerald asked, sliding into the back seat of his armored vehicle.The door shut with a heavy thud, enclosing him in a bubble of calculated power.One of his top enforcers, sat in the passenger seat ahead of him, his dark eyes meeting Gerald’s in the rearview mirror. “
The younger officer shifted uncomfortably. “Sir, we...”“You have no evidence,” Alexander interrupted coldly. “No footage. No proof. Just the word of two women who have every reason to want to harm my wife. So tell me, officers, what exactly gives you the authority to drag her out of bed for something you can’t even substantiate?”The older officer cleared his throat again, clearly choosing his words carefully. “This is just procedure, Mr. Blake. If Mrs. Blake cooperates, it will make things easier...”“I don’t think you understand,” Alexander said, taking a slow step forward.The power in his presence was suffocating, his dark eyes cutting into them with an intensity that left no room for argument. “There will be no cooperation because there is no case. If you have a legitimate warrant, you can present it to my lawyers. Until then, this conversation is over.”His words were final, leaving no room for debate.The officers exchanged a glance, both clearly unnerved by the sheer force of
After a couple more minutes in the bath, Alexander gently shifted, cradling Sarah closer as he prepared to lift her once more.She let out a sleepy hum of protest, but he merely chuckled, brushing a kiss against her temple.“Come on, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice warm and soothing. “Let’s get you comfortable.”She sighed, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as he stood, carrying her effortlessly out of the tub.The cool air of the bathroom kissed her damp skin, making her shiver slightly, but before she could fully register it, Alexander was already wrapping her in a soft, plush towel.His touch was gentle as he patted her dry, his hands lingering just enough to make sure she was warm and comfortable.She watched him through half lidded eyes, still hazy from exhaustion, marveling at how much care he put into something so simple.“You’re fussing,” she murmured, a small, tired smile on her lips.Alexander smirked, his hands trailing down her arms before lifting her int
Upstairs, Sarah was just about to enter the bathroom when the door swung open behind her.Before she could react, Alexander was there, his presence filling the space as he caught her wrist and pulled her back against him.“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was low, edged with that dangerous smoothness that made her pulse race.Sarah huffed, feigning annoyance, though her body betrayed her as she leaned into his warmth. “To shower,” she said, attempting to pull away.Alexander didn’t let her. Instead, he turned her in his arms, pressing her gently against the doorframe.His fingers slid down her bare arms, igniting a trail of fire as he dipped his head, his lips finding the sensitive spot just beneath her ear.“Let’s continue where we left off,” he murmured against her skin, his voice sending a shiver down her spine.Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but the words never made it past her lips.His mouth moved lower, trailing hot, lingering kisses down her neckline, his breath
Gerald sat in his dimly lit study, the air thick with the scent of aged whiskey and the distant hum of security monitors flickering across the wall.His fingers drummed against the mahogany desk, his mind racing as the weight of the latest news settled over him like an iron shroud.Marcus was gone.Not just missing. Taken.And if there was one thing Gerald knew with certainty, it was that his nephew, Alexander Blake, had him.The confirmation had come through one of his informants buried deep within the underground network.A whisper.A hint.But it was enough.Alexander had been moving in the shadows for weeks, making plays that Gerald had dismissed as mere provocations. But now, the game had shifted.His nephew was no longer circling like a wolf waiting for the right moment to strike, he had drawn blood. And that meant war.Gerald exhaled sharply and leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the screens before him.His estate was a fortress, a behemoth of steel and
Alexander stilled for half a second. Then he groaned low in his throat, his hands coming up to grip her waist, pulling her flush against him.The heat between them was instant, undeniable.His lips were demanding, fierce, and she met him with equal intensity.She could feel the adrenaline still thrumming in his body, matching her own.He deepened the kiss, one hand tangling in her hair while the other anchored her against him.It was wild, consuming, like the race itself, except this was a different kind of battle.Sarah gasped as he pressed her back against the car, his mouth trailing down to her jaw, then lower, his breath hot against her skin.Damn him.She wasn’t supposed to lose control like this.She tugged at his collar, nipping his bottom lip before whispering against his mouth, “Still think you could’ve won?”Alexander chuckled, low and rough, his fingers digging into her waist. “I think I won something better.”Sarah was about to retort when something in the air shifted.The