I walked into my apartment, and Constantine followed behind. He closed the door softly. "April—" he began, but I ignored him, heading straight to the bathroom and slamming the door shut. I pulled off the dress and threw it in the hamper. I'm never wearing that again. I stepped into the shower, the hot water cascading over my frozen bones, but I was too tense to enjoy it. I needed a few minutes to get my thoughts in order before I confronted him, or else I knew with my temper and his, it would lead to a screaming match. As I screwed my eyes shut, trying to relax, the events of the past week flashed before my eyes—a relentless, chaotic nightmare. Rain warning me about him, Constantine threatening a man in the middle of his living room, making all those threats against me and my family, and then tonight... Who was I really dealing with? He knew too much—about me, about the people I loved. He knew how to find me tonight. I wanted not to care about who he was, but I was afraid
Constantine insisted I take the week off, and I didn’t argue. The nightmares had stopped, but the guilt? That lingered like a shadow I couldn’t shake. I thought I had processed everything, but every time I closed my eyes, the weight of it pressed down. So, I turned to painting again. It was the only thing that eased the pressure, even if just for a moment.It started simple—a three-dimensional orange from a side profile. But as if something inside me snapped, the brush began to move on its own. Before I knew it, the painting morphed into a face, sharp and unfamiliar, dark and unsettling. I’d never painted anything like it before, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. There was something in this darkness that drew me in, a release I didn’t understand but craved.Then, my phone rang, shattering the trance. I dropped the brush, hands trembling as I wiped them clean. "Hey, honey," Evan’s face lit up the screen."Hey," I forced a smile."Are you painting?" His voice was soft, curious."Yeah... si
"Remember, it's the only way to keep her from meddling for now. It's safer for her this way," Carlisle said, his words settling over me like a suffocating weight. "I know, it's just hard to do. She's my sister." "Having family in this line of work is tough. Especially when you can't ensure they will be protected." My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, but I forced myself to stay composed. I had got Constantine to agree not to harm them but what if someone else like Chen happened to find Rain. Carlisle left, and I sank into the couch, the silence wrapping around me like a vice. I knew what I had to to do. I had to push Rain away so that she didn't get involved in all of this. I door handle turned and Rain walked through the door. Bewilderment alight in her eyes. Before she could say anything I hardened my expression. "Firstly, I think it's extremely rude for you to be in my business," I said sharply, barely holding my voice steady as she walked into the ap
Soft, natural light streamed through large windows, illuminating the elegant room. Above, a statement chandelier casted a warm glow, adding a touch of sophistication. The walls were adorned with minimalist artwork, complementing the neutral tones of the room, while a plush rug anchored the space, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Potted plants at the corners of the room brought in a touch of nature. The elite mingled with the ease of old money and newer fortunes alike. The men wore tailored tuxedos and suits, their cufflinks catching the light from the chandeliers above, each one polished to a gleaming perfection. They spoke in hushed, confident tones about private jet purchases and distant island getaways, barely acknowledging the waiters who drifted silently by with trays of champagne.The women, draped in silk gowns and adorned with diamond jewelry that could pay for small homes, held themselves with practiced poise. Their conversations floated between rare art collections, ex
"Fuck," I groaned, rolling over in bed. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I picked it up to see half a dozen notifications from my family lighting up the screen. "Shit..."A sharp knock on the apartment door startled me. I checked the security camera on my phone—just the delivery guy. Groaning again, I shuffled to the living room to see what the guy wanted, only to find Constantine lounging on my sofa."What the hell are you doing here?" I yelled, glaring at him, mostly because he scared the living jeebies out of me and I almost let loose of my full bladder."Answer the door before you start yelling at me." His voice was calm, infuriatingly so. But I didn't miss a flash of a small quirk of his lips in amusement. I opened the door, coming face-to-face with the delivery man. "Delivery for April Danielle.""That's me." He handed me a form and I signed quickly and took the package, walking it to the kitchen and placing it on the counter. My phone beeped, and Evan’s name flashed on
After seven torturous hours in the air, the plane finally landed. The descent had been rough—turbulence shaking the cabin—and I was grateful to be back on solid ground. The sun was harsh against the runway as we stepped out, the afternoon heat wrapping around us like a heavy blanket. It was one o’clock, but the day felt never-ending.A sleek black car awaited us, the driver standing by with military-like precision. Constantine’s expression didn’t change as he slid into the backseat, leaving me to follow. As the car pulled away from the airport, I watched the city blur past, vibrant and full of life—a sharp contrast to the cold silence between us.The drive to the hotel was short, but every second felt stretched, heavy with the words we weren’t saying. When we arrived, the hotel loomed over us, a glass and steel tower that glittered under the sun. It was the kind of place that radiated wealth and power—just like Constantine.As we walked through the grand lobby, my footsteps echoed on
We ate in silence, but it wasn’t the tense kind. Instead, it was a quiet, comfortable lull, like we were both trying to figure out what this strange shift between us meant. The air wasn’t heavy—it was thoughtful, filled with unsaid things neither of us were ready to face."We should probably head back now," Constantine said, breaking the silence."Yeah, we should." I cleared my throat, forcing myself to sound casual. The waiter dropped the bill off, and Constantine handled it without a word.We both stood at the same time, an awkward sort of synchronization that made my heart skip. He gestured for me to walk first. I was surprised with how gentlemanly he was being now.As I made my way to the car, I glanced back and saw him lingering by the restaurant door, staring at his phone with a furrowed brow. “Let’s take a walk,” he called out, his voice cutting through the quiet street. I turned to him, a little taken aback.“You’re a strange man,” I said with a smile that felt too easy, too f
Constantine’s voice called after me, but I didn’t stop. My heart was pounding in my chest as I burst out into the cool night air. I couldn’t process everything happening inside me—the painting, the emotions, the vulnerability. It felt like too much. The streets of Paris, usually calming in their beauty, now felt overwhelming, closing in around me.I turned a corner, trying to put some distance between us, but I couldn’t escape the weight of his words, the way he looked at me, the painting he had gone through so much effort to bring here. Why did he care so much? What was I supposed to do with all of this? I felt my emotions spiraling, the night around me a blur.I ducked into an alleyway, resting my hands on the cool stone brick wall as I tried to catch my breath."April!" His voice was closer now, and I stiffened, my hands pressing into the brick. I didn’t turn around, too afraid to face him. Footsteps approached, stopping just a few paces behind me. I could feel him there, his presen