MAE“Are you serious about that?” Owen asked, his tone suddenly changed. His eyes stayed locked on me, waiting, no, expecting me to take back my words.But I wasn’t going to.“Yes…” My voice trailed off as I said, “I know you might not want to consider the idea, but think about it. What do you have to lose?”“My freedom, that’s what.”I saw the anger flash across his face, his jaw clenched. He didn’t like my idea—not one bit—but I had to make him believe it was the right choice. The only choice.“What do you mean?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.Owen scoffed, shaking his head, but I pushed forward.“Look, I don’t mean to get involved in your business,” I continued, “but I can’t just ignore this. I am worried about you. The freaking Castellanos, Owen. Who knows what they are planning? While you are hesitating, refusing to make reliable allies for the battle ahead, they could be securing their own.”I paused, taking a slow breath before delivering the final blow.“Don Paulo is powe
MAEI gripped the table, my fingers digging into the wood as Owen picked up the pace. His good hand held me firmly, pulling me closer with every deep, punishing thrust. My breath hitched—caught between pleasure and something else, something darker, something dangerous.“Owen…” I gasped, barely able to get the words out. He filled me so completely, so overwhelmingly, I couldn’t think beyond the sensation of him stretching me open, claiming me in ways that made my heart race.The sound of skin slapping against skin echoed through the room, the raw, primal rhythm making everything feel chaotic, out of control.Owen groaned, his grip tightening on my hips. “You feel so fucking good, Mae,” he muttered, voice rough, desperate.God, I felt the same.I tried to steady myself, but there was no slowing down. He drove into me with relentless force, each thrust sending shivers down my spine. My body burned with need, but beneath the heat, beneath the pleasure, there was something else—something I
OWENI don’t know where Mae suddenly found this confidence, but I wasn’t about to complain. Without breaking our kiss, I guided her backward toward the bed, flipping her over with ease so she lay beneath me.She trembled beneath my touch, her breath hitching, her body pliant but still radiating the tiniest hint of resistance. I almost smirked. I hadn’t even started yet.Her wide eyes searched mine, hesitation flickering in their depths, but it was layered with something else. Need. Desire.“You’re shaking, kitten,” I murmured, dragging my fingers down her arm, leaving goosebumps in my wake. “Scared?”Mae swallowed hard. “No.”Liar.I reached for the clasp of her bra, undoing it with deliberate slowness. The second the fabric fell away, exposing her to my hungry gaze, she let out the softest gasp. My lips found her nipple, circling it with my tongue before sucking gently. Her back arched, a whimper escaping her lips as my fingers rolled and teased her other peak. She was already unrave
OWENMy men were back. They filed into Casa Eleganza like the victors they were, and I could see the easy smiles on their faces, an evidence that they had recovered from those killer drugs, even if not completely, but at least they had done a good enough job.Dave was the first to step in, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room like he was assessing a battlefield. He didn’t look much different, but there was something in the way he held himself—much like he wasn’t carrying as many ghosts as before. Grey entered next, his cigar lodged between his lips, and he was actually smiling, his eyes assessing the ladies in particular.Then there was Ashtex, my best sniper, the man who had held my empire together while I was gone. He smirked when he saw me, like he knew exactly what kind of chaos was about to unfold now that we were back. “The clan is back,” Ashtex said, his voice edged with something between excitement and nostalgia. “The top made men—the deadly three. Even your best sniper is
OWENAre 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. “You pretty sure you didn’t let him go to please your little girlfriend?”I froze. Surprised by his a
MAEThe silence between us was heavy. Owen leaned back against the couch, his sharp gaze locked onto me as I paced the room, my thoughts tangled into knots. I could still feel the weight of their stares—the shock, the unspoken judgment. Ashtex’s words replayed in my head like a haunting echo. ‘When you’re done with her, you should pass her over to me.’I swallowed hard, wrapping my arms around myself. “They don’t like me,” I said finally, breaking the quiet. Owen’s jaw tightened. “They don’t know you.” “They don’t want know me.” I turned to face him, meeting his gaze head-on. “Owen, I saw it in their eyes. They think I make you weak.” His brows drew together, his expression darkening. “I don’t give a damn what they think.” “But you should.” I took a step closer, hesitating before reaching out and touching his hand. His fingers twitched but didn’t pull away. “You’ve fought too hard for your place. You just came back, and they’re already questioning things. If they see you
MAE“It is not exactly easy doing what you want, but at least I am working on it,” I muttered into my phone, tucked away in a quiet corner I was sure had no CCTV. My eyes flicked back every few seconds, making sure no one was coming. “All you have to do is plant the devices we gave you in his bedroom and office. That shouldn’t be too difficult, should it?” Mike—Joan Castellanos’ assistant replied, his voice as cool and emotionless as ever. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling . “If I don’t do this carefully, I could get caught. And if I get caught, I am as good as dead.” I paused, letting that sink in before adding, “Right now, I am the only weapon you guys have against Owen. I don’t think you want to lose that.” There was silence on the other end before Mike finally spoke. “Mr. Castellanos wants to see you tonight. We will send you the address.” Then the line went dead. No chance to argue. No room for negotiation. I let out a slow breath, gripping my phone tighter. Bug
MAEIs this really how I die? Is this how my life ends, cornered and helpless? Marco? Of all people, why him? What kind of ill luck do I have? And how the hell did he know I was here? He must have been watching me. He never trusts me, not even for a second. I bet he has been keeping tabs on me, waiting for me to slip up. That’s how he found me here. This is bad. Really bad. “I asked you a question.” His voice was quiet, too quiet. The kind that sent a chill down my spine. He slipped a hand into his pocket, his eyes on me. “Who were those people, and why did you come all this way to see them?” I forced a breath, trying to regain control“Just someone who came by the boutique,” I said, keeping my voice light. “He was interested in me. Asked me out. I wasn’t interested, but he’s been… persistent.” It wasn’t the best lie, but it was the only one I had. Marco’s expression didn’t change, his eyes still on me. He didn’t believe me. Not one bit. I gulped and prayed he wouldn’t p
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