MAE“You have to knock when you enter a lady’s room.” I snapped, wrapping the towel tighter around my body. His reaction was weird, no words, just a look. No, not just a look, pure hunger.And oh, he wasn’t subtle. The bulge in his pants was as obvious as a neon sign, and his eyes? They practically removed the towel around me on the spot. If he were any more desperate, he would be drooling.I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the awkwardness. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “If you have got something to say, just spit it out and leave.”He didn’t answer. His dark eyes slowly raked over me from head to toe, lingering a little too long in places that made my skin heat up. A smirk played on his lips as he shut the door behind him, locking us in.“Are you trying to drive me insane, Mia Cara?” he finally said, his voice low. He slid his suit jacket off with ease, tossing it on the chair like he owned every inch of the room and me. “Standing there, looking like that… a man can onl
MAE“Fuck, what are you doing to me, Owen?” I cried out, feeling his lips against my inner thighs, leaving small, teasing kisses as he moved closer to my wet, throbbing core. He bit down gently on my thigh, his teeth grazing my skin just enough to make me shiver. I bit my lip hard, trying to suppress the moan that begged to escape. How long was he planning to keep me like this? His kisses moved lower, trailing from my thighs until he was so close to where I needed him. He placed another soft kiss on the inside of my thigh, his hands gripping and spreading me further apart. “You know exactly what I am doing, Mae,” he said, his voice low and rough, making me feel different emotions at that moment. “I am making sure you understand one thing, this is mine. You are mine.” He chuckled, the sound deep and vibrating against my skin, right before his lips brushed over my most sensitive spot. The flick of his tongue against my clit made me lose the battle i had been fighting to stay
OWENHow much longer could I hold myself back? Watching her spread out in front of me, vulnerable and perfect, was enough to destroy whatever control I had left. Her gorgeous, wet cunt had just been mine to feast on…I loved seeing her like this, her hair scattered across the pillow, some strands clinging to her sweat-dampened skin. Her chest rising and falling, her nipples hard and glistening, practically begging me to take them in my mouth. I couldn’t help it anymore. I needed to be inside her. I needed to feel her wrapped around my cock. I wanted to bury myself so deep inside her that she would scream my name all night until she forgot everything—her own name included. Watching her orgasm had been a masterpiece. she had drenched my fingers, her chest arching as she came so hard I knew she saw stars. Pure art. I dragged my fingers up her stomach, tracing the trail to her breasts, which were on full display for me. I grabbed them softly, just how I had imagined they would fe
MAEThis was insane….way too fucking insane. And all I could think about was how many orgasms my body could handle before it gave out completely. If this was punishment, then maybe committing a sin wasn’t such a terrible idea after all. The sound of our skin slapping together filled the room. My cheek was pressed against the soft mattress while my arms were pinned behind me with one of Owen’s strong hands. He slammed into me from behind, relentless and unforgiving while bended in a doggie position. "Ahhh, shit," I cursed, feeling every inch of him stretching me to the limit. My body jerked forward with every deep thrust, my ass bouncing against him. "Fuck, Owen!" I moaned loudly, my voice shaking as he delivered a snap on my ass. He gripped my hands behind me tighter, pulling me back into him as though I belonged to him and I didn’t mind. Not one bit. He picked up his pace, his thrusts growing rougher. His thumb found my clit mid-stroke, teasing it gently, making me gasp a
MAE“Um, what?” The question slipped out before I could even process it.I felt Owen freeze, like he was trying to figure out the right response. Girlfriend? Owen wants me to be his freaking girlfriend?How? When? How the hell did we get here? Was the sex that good that he thought we should be in a relationship?Okay, to be fair, the sex was good, divine even. I wasn’t sure if i would ever have a better experience with another man. But Owen?He had been with plenty of women. This shouldn’t mean anything to him. So what the hell was going on here?“I am pretty sure my mind is in the right place right now,” he said casually as I heard the shampoo squirt on my head.He massaged the lather into my scalp, slowly, almost like he was giving me a head massage. It felt… comforting.“Are you sure, Owen? I mean, this is out of character…” I admitted.He didn’t respond, just kept washing my hair, rinsing it off with gentle hands. My heart was racing, anxiety creeping in. I couldn’t process any
OWEN“Are you sure you’re searching right? Because there’s no way he just disappeared into thin air.” I said to Marco, raising an eyebrow as I watched him puff on his cigarette. He didn’t answer, his eyes showing he was in deep thought as the smoke curled around his face.“Funny, isn’t it?” Marco finally spoke, his voice low, almost thoughtful. “Somehow beat five of our men and escaped. I gotta admit, the little fucker’s actually strong, considering we had him beat to a pulp before his escape.”I rubbed my chin, trying to piece together what had just happened. It didn’t add up. But then Marco’s eyes narrowed, and he started staring at me like I was the one hiding something.“What?” I asked, confusion in my voice as I raised an eyebrow, noticing the way he was studying me.He didn’t answer immediately. Another drag of his cigarette. Then, he tossed out the question with a casual shrug. “Just wondering if you had to let him go for the redhead.”I froze. Surprised by his accusation. Mar
A FEW MINUTES EARLIER…MAE'S POV“Liam, if you get this message, call me back. We need to talk.” I hit send, my fingers tightening around my phone as I stepped into my room. I needed to know if he was alive. If he was safe. But I knew the chances of him replying were slim. After all, I was screwing Owen while Liam was probably being tortured. Or worse. I felt a sick feeling in my stomach. Did Owen kill him? Did he and his men cover it up, make it look like Liam ran away? I hated that I was even considering it, but I couldn't stop the thought from creeping in. Still, Owen wouldn’t lie to me. He had no reason to. Right? “Oh, nice. You are here.” Eli’s voice cut through my thoughts the second I stepped inside. I barely looked at him as I sank in to the bed, letting out a slow, tired breath. At least I didn’t walk in on the usual horror show—Eli screwing some random man like his life depended on it. Small mercy. “Apparently,” I muttered, rubbing my temples, trying to e
MAEI barely listened to their back and forth, just stood there wordlessly until Owen pulled me away and we walked into a room together. He turned me to face him, “She’s nothing. Do you understand? I should have married her, but not anymore.”I nodded. I really, really wanted to explode but I honestly did not know if we were like that yet. He seemed to want that reaction though because he pulled me closer,“Tell me what’s on your mind, Mia Cara.”But before I could say anything, the loud sound of a gunshot pierced the air. It was followed by another, and then more.I jumped back, eyes wide. "What the hell—?"Owen grabbed me by the arm, pulling me closer to him. "Stay quiet. Stay close."What the hell was happening? "I need to go see what’s happening," Owen said, already moving toward the door. Panic shot through me so fast it made me feel funny in my stomach. I grabbed his hand, shaking my head frantically. "No…" My voice shook as the relentless gunfire outside sent a series of
OWENI was not supposed to be in Casa Eleganza tonight, but then Marco called and told me he was looking for her.Mae Rivera.Apparently, Carter had caught her making a sneaky phone call and before he could get evidence, she ended the call and threatened to lie against him if he tried to expose her. She ran off, too. Not that I fully trusted this Carter or a guy, but this awfully sounded like something that woman can do; especially after all she had been through lately.I could have left Marco to find her and teach her a lesson… or even any of my snipers could do that, but I had a surprise for her, so I could not do that.As I drove, I tried to shake off the nasty feelings I had that kept screaming in my ear about the fact that she had gone through so much. She should have thought of that before crossing me. I do worse to others, I thought. Why was it a bloody big deal with her? I did not have an answer to that, of course.Finally, after what seemed like years, I parked my car in fron
MAEThe text came an hour later.OWEN: Come to the club. Now.No explanation. No details. Just an order.I stared at the message, my pulse already picking up. He didn’t use words like that with me—not unless something was wrong.I grabbed my jacket and slipped out of my apartment, moving fast. The city blurred past as I caught a cab, my mind racing the entire way.Did Joan make a move?Did Eric?Was I already too late?By the time I reached the club, the bouncer barely spared me a glance before stepping aside. I pushed through the main floor, ignoring the pounding music and the lingering stares as I headed straight for the back offices.Owen was waiting.He stood behind his desk, his back to the door, one hand braced against the edge. He didn’t turn when I entered, didn’t acknowledge me right away.But the tension in the room was suffocating.I closed the door behind me. “What happened?”Owen’s head lifted slightly, but he still didn’t look at me. “Eric met with Javier Castelleno.”A
OWENI had watched Mae leave my car that night, her frustration hanging in the air like cigarette smoke. She hadn’t looked back.I should’ve let it go. Should’ve turned the key in the ignition and driven off, let her work through her anger alone.But I didn’t.Instead, I sat there, gripping the steering wheel, jaw locked so tight it ached.She wanted me to give in. To cross that invisible line we’d been toeing for weeks. And fuck, I almost had.Mae had no idea what kind of self-control it took to pull away. To tell her to go home when all I wanted was to drag her into my lap and kiss her until she forgot about Joan, about Eric, about the game she was playing with fire.But I wasn’t a man who made decisions based on want.I made them based on survival.And right now, Mae’s survival depended on her staying out of this mess.Which meant keeping my hands off her.At least for now.Tonight, I pulled out of the alley, steering the car toward the warehouse. Scar and Marco were already waitin
MAEThe door slammed shut behind me, and I stood in the alley for a moment, breathing in the cold night air. My hands clenched at my sides, nails pressing into my palms. I should’ve felt relieved. I’d walked away. I had my space.So why did I feel like I was suffocating?I forced myself to move, stepping out onto the sidewalk. The city hummed around me—cars passing, voices carrying through the night. Normal life, oblivious to the storm raging inside me.I needed a drink.And I needed a plan.Eric’s name sat heavy in my mind. If Joan truly believed he was a traitor, then this wasn’t just a warning. It was a test. One I couldn’t afford to fail.But Owen had given me his answer.You don’t touch him.That was easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one standing in front of Joan, balancing on a knife’s edge, trying to prove she belonged. I’d spent weeks playing my part, earning trust. Now, one wrong move could rip everything apart.And Owen expected me to stand back and do nothing?I exhaled sh
MAE"You really do not look okay. Are you sure you can still work?" Eli asked me, smacking his lips after applying lipgloss."I have to." I simply replied, going across the room to pick up more stuff. I was really tired—both mentally and emotionally, but I knew I would just be calling more punishment to myself if I simply laid down here."How? Scar is really nice. I mean, everyone here is. I do not feel like anyone here is being forced to do anything. I like the fact that everything is so transparent, even." He went on, and I almost scoffed out loud.He sounded like an excited little kid. He had not the slightest idea of what was actually going on, and though it was dangerous for him, it was a little cute. Better to be oblivious than be traumatized like I was.I got ready quicker, then hurried off to the stage. I did not shut my eyes throughout my performance, because every single time I did, I saw her. I had my eyes wide open as I danced, willing the images to go away.The moment I s
MAEI barely made it up the stairs to my apartment before I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.My body still felt wired, every nerve on edge. Owen’s voice echoed in my head.I shouldn’t have wanted to go back and see if he’d really lose control.I shoved the thought away, locked my door, and leaned against it. I needed to focus. I had bigger problems than the way Owen made my skin feel too tight. That could be handled later.Joan wanted Eric dead.Tomorrow, I’d have to walk into a job knowing I was either going to betray the man who trusted me or end up dead myself. And no matter which way I spun it, I couldn’t see a way out.I dropped onto my bed and pulled out my phone.No messages. No calls.I didn’t know why I thought he’d check in. He’d told me to go home. Told me to sleep. Like it was that easy.I tossed my phone aside and squeezed my eyes shut.Maybe, if I tried hard enough, I could pretend his hands hadn’t felt so damn good on me.Maybe I could pretend I had
MAE"Your father is in the backseat of my car. Tonight, you will either tell me what's going on with you, or he takes a bullet to his head. I'll keep killing everyone you love until you decide if this secret you are keeping from me is really worth losing so much." Owen whispered, just as his big hand released my ass, going up to my hip instead.I pushed his hands off me completely, shock taking over my features. "Wait. What did you just say?""The exact same thing you heard. Get dressed and come with me."I did not have to be told twice. I rushed into the closet and just threw on a shirt like nightgown that stopped just above my knees then some lace panties.I had just stepped out of the closet to meet Owen leaning by the door when he thundered,"Get back inside and wear something else. I did not ask you to come with me so you can strip for your father." I opened my mouth and closed it like a fish, then looked around in search of anything I could just throw on."But it's covered…" I
MAEI didn’t let myself think until I was back in the car.Amelia drove in silence, her grip tight on the wheel, knuckles white. She hadn’t said a word since we left Joan’s estate. Maybe she was waiting to see how I’d react. Maybe she was testing me just as much as Joan was.I didn’t give her anything.Eric.The name burned in my head.He was one of Owen’s men—trusted, loyal, someone who had been by his side for years. If Joan had put him on that list, it meant one of two things. Either Eric was playing both sides, or Joan only thought he was.Either way, this was a problem.A big one.And Owen needed to know.I reached into my jacket pocket, fingers brushing against the earpiece Owen had given me. A reminder of his voice, the way he had told me to be careful. I wanted to use it, to hear him tell me he had a plan, that he already knew, that he would fix this before I had to.But I couldn’t.Not here. Not now.Amelia’s sharp eyes flickered to me. “You alright?”I nodded once. “Yeah.”S
MAEThe moment I stepped out of the car, the air felt different.Colder. Heavier.Amelia stood by the entrance, her arms crossed, face blank. No warmth, no hesitation—just business. She barely looked at me before turning on her heel. “Follow me.”I did.My pulse was steady, but my hands weren’t. I curled my fingers into fists to stop them from shaking. Owen’s words played over in my head. If anything feels off—get out.I didn’t plan on getting out. Not yet.We walked through a back entrance, the air thick with cigarette smoke. Joan’s men were everywhere. Some played cards. Others leaned against the walls, watching me like I was already a ghost.I kept my head high, my steps even. Fear would get me killed here.We reached the main hall. Joan was sitting at the center table, a glass of whiskey in one hand, a knife in the other. He was carving something into the wood, deep, slow strokes. He didn’t look up.“You’re late,” he said.Amelia stiffened beside me. “Traffic.”Joan finally glance