OWENIs she really doing this? Playing this little game with me like I wouldn’t notice? Keeping my anger in check was harder than I expected. It was practically begging to be unleashed. I tipped back my glass, letting the alcohol burn its way down, then poured another. “You good, boss?” Ashtex asked, eyeing me like I was a ticking bomb. I didn’t answer. Just took another slow sip, there was nothing but silence in the room. My mind was too busy dissecting Mae’s little stunt. A bridesmaid? She even agreed to be a bridesmaid at my wedding? That was next-level audacity. So she was really okay with the idea of me marrying Amelia? And she was serious about this stupid space?And the worst part? She actually expected me to go through with this marriage like it was a real thing. Like I was some desperate man clinging to Amelia for her father’s power. Please. I didn’t need Don Paulo’s protection to handle the Castellanos. Hell, I didn’t need anyone.I am only marrying Amelia because
MAE POV“I need to talk to Don Castellanos. I knew he was a busy man, but this information was worth his time. No, more than worth it.”I typed the message quickly on my phone, inhaling deeply to calm my racing heart. If the Don agreed to meet, I would ask for more money. This was valuable information, and he would have no problem paying extra for it.And maybe, just maybe this could help me earn his trust.The moment my phone chimed, I read the message instantly."The boss is busy."Mike. His coldness practically bled through the screen. His usual way of shutting me down.I typed again, fingers moving fast. "It’s important. I swear it’s worth his time. I wouldn’t be wasting my own if it wasn’t, would I?"I hit send and waited. Nothing. No response. The silence only made my anxiety worse.Leaning back on my bed, my mind raced. Should I text him again? Call? Or would that only make me seem desperate?An hour passed before my phone finally chimed again. This time, it was from Mike. No
OWEN“What do you mean you lost her?” My voice was calm, but the fury in my eyes told a different story. Marco stood in front of me, head bowed, knowing he had fucked up.“Boss, I was right on her tail,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “She slipped into a store and never came out. I grabbed the store owner, shook him up a little. He swears she got a disguise from him and snuck out before I could catch on.”I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair as I sank into the chair.Rivera… I underestimated you. That was my mistake. I thought you were just another pretty face playing a game you didn’t understand. Turns out, you know exactly what you are doing. That makes things interesting.“What’s the plan, boss?” Marco asked. “She’s sharper than I gave her credit for. Should have known better than to fall for that innocent act.”I tapped my fingers against my chin, my mind already working. “From now on, she doesn’t take a single step without me knowing about it. I want eyes o
OWEN"You must either be a damn fool or a man with a death wish." I leaned back in my chair, my eyes locked on Joan Castellanos as I made myself comfortable. "I wonder what should be written on your gravestone ‘Here lies Joan Castellanos, unbelievably stupid, suicidally bold, and just dumb enough to walk into the lion’s den with a smile on his face’?"I smirked. "Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?"He chuckled, waving me off like this was a casual conversation over drinks. "Oh, come on now, there is no need for that."With an exaggerated sigh, he glanced around at the army of guns pointed at his skull. "Honestly, I don’t know why your men are so tense. I am just another customer at the casino, aren’t I?"Marco let out a scoff, folding his arms. His patience was running out. "We don’t have all goddamn day. Start talking." Marco saidJoan’s eyes flicked to him, and just like that, that slow, sadistic grin spread across his face.Cocky bastard."No need to interfere, little pupp
MAE"Ye deserve to be fucked in the arse by a man who knows how to do it proper!"That was Mr Marcello. He was not only a frequenter at the strip club where I was, but my father's former 'friend'. Their friendship which was built from going to the same gambling house sadly ended when my father decided to add him to the long list of people he owed.I forced a smile and took the old man's tip off his wrinkled hands, slipping the wad of dollar notes in my little bra with my eyes focused on his reddening face which was obviously due to his arousal.He grinned, flashing the best set of pearly whites I had ever seen in my direction. Obviously fake, but still beautiful… must have cost him a lot. "Two thousand for the night." He offered.I shook my head. "I only strip, Sir, nothing else. My colleagues here can take up your offer though, if you want.""Five thousand."His hand reached upward to feel my boobs which was only covered with a small, glittery, almost non-existent bra.I slapped his
MAEFilled with fear, I quietly took a few steps back and hurriedly texted Liam on my phone.He was online, thank God, I thought as I typed out my message.ME: He's here. The Owen Powers is here, in our house. He has my dad. I think dad is owing him some money. You need to come over.How could dad be owing the most powerful businessman in Houston, literally? He owed a lot of people, granted, but how the hell did he even get the guts to add this to the list?My heart thudded in my chest as I waited for Liam to read the text, then start to reply. Dad was groaning in pain as he took every hit, but I knew I had to finish making these plans with Liam before I could even think of heading downstairs.My eyes were transfixed on the screen, so much that I had not noticed how the entire place had grown dead silent.Liam's reply popped up on my screen,LIAM: Stall them. Stay where you are. I'll try to see if I can get backup. Please, Mae, don't fuck this up. I know my colleagues will not be wil
OWENI never hesitated during a kill.This was business. It was meant to be a smooth in and out. Probably cut off some hands, some toes, an ear… some slow torture before I called it a night.Nobody told me Miguel had a daughter—a redhead, to be precise.She sat there on the dirty floor, begging for her father's life, even if we both knew that it would be a lot easier for her to just let me put him down, to make sure she would not have more debts to clear in the future.Her answer to my question was, "He cares about me. He just has a bad drinking habit, we are working on it."I scoffed, thinking hard. Her offer was sensible.After all, what would I gain by killing off her father for nothing, when I could just take his daughter for myself, have her work for me as whatever I want for free.She was making a point. Maybe Miguel could live."Get up." I ordered and she hesitated, probably thinking of telling me that she could not, because of her hurt leg, but thinking against it in the end.
MAEAfter what he had said to me, I pretended to remain calm. But the moment dad was deposited beside me, I got an idea.I could escape.There was another man in the front, seated beside the driver's seat. I heard dad mutter from beside me, "Mae, don't do anything stupid, please.."Knew me so well, and well enough to know that I would still do whatever I wanted no matter what he said. How could I still trust that this man would spare our lives after watching him kill Liam like that? Kill those men without batting an eyelash?As soon as the car slowed slightly to navigate a sharp turn, I lunged. My hands shot forward, grabbing the driver's arm and yanking it hard to the side.The car swerved violently, tires screeching as the driver yelled, "What the fuck?!" The guy beside him twisted around at once, struggling to get a hold of me."Stop the car!" I screamed, clawing at the driver's arm. He cursed, his elbow slamming into my ribs while he struggled to maintain control over the car.D
OWEN"You must either be a damn fool or a man with a death wish." I leaned back in my chair, my eyes locked on Joan Castellanos as I made myself comfortable. "I wonder what should be written on your gravestone ‘Here lies Joan Castellanos, unbelievably stupid, suicidally bold, and just dumb enough to walk into the lion’s den with a smile on his face’?"I smirked. "Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?"He chuckled, waving me off like this was a casual conversation over drinks. "Oh, come on now, there is no need for that."With an exaggerated sigh, he glanced around at the army of guns pointed at his skull. "Honestly, I don’t know why your men are so tense. I am just another customer at the casino, aren’t I?"Marco let out a scoff, folding his arms. His patience was running out. "We don’t have all goddamn day. Start talking." Marco saidJoan’s eyes flicked to him, and just like that, that slow, sadistic grin spread across his face.Cocky bastard."No need to interfere, little pupp
OWEN“What do you mean you lost her?” My voice was calm, but the fury in my eyes told a different story. Marco stood in front of me, head bowed, knowing he had fucked up.“Boss, I was right on her tail,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “She slipped into a store and never came out. I grabbed the store owner, shook him up a little. He swears she got a disguise from him and snuck out before I could catch on.”I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair as I sank into the chair.Rivera… I underestimated you. That was my mistake. I thought you were just another pretty face playing a game you didn’t understand. Turns out, you know exactly what you are doing. That makes things interesting.“What’s the plan, boss?” Marco asked. “She’s sharper than I gave her credit for. Should have known better than to fall for that innocent act.”I tapped my fingers against my chin, my mind already working. “From now on, she doesn’t take a single step without me knowing about it. I want eyes o
MAE POV“I need to talk to Don Castellanos. I knew he was a busy man, but this information was worth his time. No, more than worth it.”I typed the message quickly on my phone, inhaling deeply to calm my racing heart. If the Don agreed to meet, I would ask for more money. This was valuable information, and he would have no problem paying extra for it.And maybe, just maybe this could help me earn his trust.The moment my phone chimed, I read the message instantly."The boss is busy."Mike. His coldness practically bled through the screen. His usual way of shutting me down.I typed again, fingers moving fast. "It’s important. I swear it’s worth his time. I wouldn’t be wasting my own if it wasn’t, would I?"I hit send and waited. Nothing. No response. The silence only made my anxiety worse.Leaning back on my bed, my mind raced. Should I text him again? Call? Or would that only make me seem desperate?An hour passed before my phone finally chimed again. This time, it was from Mike. No
OWENIs she really doing this? Playing this little game with me like I wouldn’t notice? Keeping my anger in check was harder than I expected. It was practically begging to be unleashed. I tipped back my glass, letting the alcohol burn its way down, then poured another. “You good, boss?” Ashtex asked, eyeing me like I was a ticking bomb. I didn’t answer. Just took another slow sip, there was nothing but silence in the room. My mind was too busy dissecting Mae’s little stunt. A bridesmaid? She even agreed to be a bridesmaid at my wedding? That was next-level audacity. So she was really okay with the idea of me marrying Amelia? And she was serious about this stupid space?And the worst part? She actually expected me to go through with this marriage like it was a real thing. Like I was some desperate man clinging to Amelia for her father’s power. Please. I didn’t need Don Paulo’s protection to handle the Castellanos. Hell, I didn’t need anyone.I am only marrying Amelia because
MAE“Hmmm, congratulations… I guess.” The words scraped against my tongue like sandpaper, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I stood still, my body refusing to move, my lips sealed shut after that forced statement. I felt a small pain in my chest, but I swallowed it down. Why did it hurt? This was what I wanted. What I pushed for. So why did it feel like someone had taken a hammer to my ribs? There was no reason to be upset—no reason at all. Amelia’s lips curled into an evil smile. “You call that a congratulations? You sound like you are choking on it. Come on, try again, put some heart into it.” “She is right,” Owen finally spoke, his voice interrupting my thoughts. I almost forgot he could talk. “If you are going to say it, at least make it believable.” My fingers twitched at my sides. Was he enjoying this? Playing some twisted little game with me? I sucked in a slow breath, my nails digging into my palms. Fine. If they wanted a show, I would give them one. "Co
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
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
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
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