Tiffany and Jacob stepped outside into the cool night air, the music from the ballroom fading behind them. The excitement of the evening still buzzed in Tiffany’s veins, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her as they moved away from the chaos inside.“I can’t believe you won Prom King!” Tiffany exclaimed.“It’s all just bullshit, really,” Jacob replied, his smile infectious.“Whatever, you were reveling in that moment,” Tiffany said. “I could see your head blowing up like a balloon with pride.”Jacob chuckledJust then, a dark van pulled up beside the curb, its windows tinted and engine idling quietly. Tiffany’s smile faltered as she caught sight of the vehicle.Jacob’s expression shifted, his brow furrowing in concern. “What’s wrong?”Before she could answer, the side door of the van slid open, and two figures in dark clothing jumped out. Tiffany’s heart raced as a wave of panic washed over her.“Jacob!” she shouted, her voice high-pitched and laced with fear.Without a moment’
Jacob’s world spun as rough hands shoved him forward, the coarse fabric of a hood obscuring his vision. His feet scrabbled for purchase on the uneven ground, his heart pounding in his chest.“Watch it!” he snapped as he stumbled, nearly falling. A harsh laugh was his only response.Disoriented and angry, Jacob tried to focus on his other senses. The musty smell of decay filled his nostrils, and he could hear the echo of footsteps in what seemed to be a large, empty space.Suddenly, the hood was yanked off his head. Jacob blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. As his vision cleared, a chill ran down his spine.He found himself in what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse, its cavernous interior shrouded in shadows. Dust motes danced in the weak shafts of light filtering through grimy windows high above. The air felt heavy and oppressive.“Where am I?” Jacob demanded, his voice echoing in the vast space. “What do you want with me?”One of his captors, a burly man with a
River’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “You have no idea what I’m capable of, boy.”“I have an idea,” Jacob spat, wincing as he shifted his position. “Does Tiffany know about this?”River’s lips twisted into a snarl. “Stay away from my daughter. You’re not good enough for her.”“No, sir. I won’t stay away from her. I love her,” Jacob said plainly.Fury clouded River’s features, and without another word, he nodded to the two men waiting in the shadows. “Take him back upstairs. I want him to have some time to think about his decision… and the consequences.”River’s jaw clenched. “Love? What do you know about love? You are just a kid who is infatuated with her. What’s your deal, Jacob? What are you after? Money? Power?”Jacob met River’s furious gaze, his own eyes fierce and unwavering. “I’m not after anything but her,” he replied, his voice steady. “I don’t care about money, power, or whatever it is you think I’m after. I just…care about her. I’d do anything fo
River’s expression hardened, his earlier softness evaporating. “Do not use that tone with me, young lady. This is for your own good.”“My own good?” Tiffany scoffed, her hands trembling with rage. “You kidnapped my boyfriend! How is that for my own good?”River remained unmoved. “You’ll understand in time. Now, if you’ll excuse me-”“No!” Tiffany shouted, blocking his path. “I’m not letting this go. Tell me where he is!”River’s eyes narrowed. “Enough, Tiffany. This discussion is over.”As River brushed past her, Tiffany felt helpless. She watched him leave, her mind racing. There had to be another way.With shaking hands, she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number. “Uncle Antonio?” she said, her voice wavering. “I need your help.”“Tiffany?” Antonio’s gruff voice came through the line. “What’s wrong, kid?”“I need to know,” Tiffany took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Where does Dad usually keep his hostages?”There was a long pause. “Why do you want to know something li
Jacob groaned as he woke up again. Every inch of him ached, a painful reminder of the beating he’d endured. But through the fog of discomfort, one thought crystallized with fierce clarity: Tiffany.“I won’t give up,” he whispered, his voice raspy in the stillness. “Not on her. Not ever.”Jacob forced his eyes open. The cold seeped into his bones from the concrete floor, and he shivered.He had been in and out of consciousness for a while now, and he had no idea what time it was.“Your dad thinks he can keep us apart,” he said to the empty room, a hint of his usual cockiness creeping into his tone. “He has no idea what he is up against.”In his mind’s eye, he saw Tiffany’s face, worry etched across her delicate features. Jacob shifted, biting back a groan as he tried to find a more comfortable position.“I’ll endure anything for you, Tiff,” he whispered, his words a vow in the oppressive silence.Suddenly, a creak pierced the silence, the door’s rusty hinges groaning in protest. Jacob’
Jacob felt his stomach twist as he met River’s icy glare. He swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of the bruises and cuts that River had been responsible for not too long ago. But he held his ground, leaning against Tiffany.Tiffany’s hands tightened on his, and she shot her father a defiant look, her chin raised. “Daddy,” she said, voice steady, “you’re not stopping me from being with him.”River’s expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps regret or frustration—beneath his steely gaze. “Tiffany,” he said, voice low and controlled.“And I know you think you’re doing this to teach me some lesson or whatever. But Jacob is my boyfriend, and I care about him, so deal with it,” she said.Jacob tried to hold back his grin. Despite her prom dress and delicate appearance, Tiffany was a force to be reckoned with.“And if he breaks your heart?” River asked, raising an eyebrow.“Then I will deal with it. You will need to face the fact that I am growing up and can take care
“YOU BEAT A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD KID!?” Riley roared from across the table.River jolted back as if physically struck. “Jacob is almost eighteen, and I didn’t personally beat him. I merely used my men to…”“River Matthew Foster!” Riley cried and turned to Sky and Lucas. “Cover your ears while I talk to your father, kids.”Both Lucas and Sky put their hands on their ears without argument.Riley turned back to River. “What the fuck is wrong with you!?” She glared at him.Tiffany slowly chewed on her toast as she enjoyed Riley’s wrath against her father. He deserved it for hurting Jacob. “Oh, I can give you a very comprehensive list of things that’s wrong with him, Riley,” she said enthusiastically.River opened his mouth to defend himself, but Riley’s glare was as fierce as a storm, cutting him off before he could even begin. She crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently, daring him to explain himself further.“Riley, you don’t understand—” River began, trying to keep his voice stead
Tiffany paused before knocking on Jacob’s door, her heart beating fast. She remembered the kiss between them, and she felt a jolt of excitement run through her body.It was her first kiss.She wanted to kiss him again, to feel his lips on hers once more. But she knew she couldn’t do that in front of her father without the risk of getting Jacob killed.“What’s wrong?” her father growled behind her.Tiffany glanced over her shoulder at her father, masking her nervousness with a smirk. “Nothing, Dad. Just thinking about how you’re going to make this apology.”River narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “You sure that’s all you’re thinking about?”Tiffany rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. “Yes, Dad. Now, if you don’t mind…” She turned back to the door, hesitating again before finally knocking.A muffled voice called out from inside. “Come in!”Tiffany pushed the door open slowly, stepping inside to find Jacob propped up on his bed. His face lit up when he saw her, but the bruises and ban
Jacob returned Tiffany’s kiss with longing, his hands roaming down the slick skin of her back. Tiffany clung to him, pouring all her love and relief into the kiss.When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, Jacob rested his forehead against hers. “I love you, Tiffany. More than anything. And I promise, no matter what dangers come our way, we’ll face them together.”Tiffany smiled through the tears that pricked at her eyes, blending with the rivulets of water streaming down her face. “I love you too, Jacob. Always.”He kissed her again, soft and sweet, before reaching for the bottle of shampoo. With gentle hands, he began to wash her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp and working the suds through her long tresses. Tiffany leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, relishing the simple intimacy of the moment.As the water rinsed away the shampoo, Jacob’s hands drifted lower, skimming over her shoulders and down her arms. Tiffany shivered despite the heat, her skin tingling
Tiffany pushed past Marco without waiting for another word. Her mind raced as her feet carried her toward the front door. The thought of Jacob lying among the casualties tore through her like a blade, and she couldn’t bear the uncertainty.“Tiff, wait!” Riley called, hurrying after her.“I can’t,” Tiffany snapped over her shoulder, her voice tight with emotion. “I have to know if he’s okay.”River appeared at the end of the hallway, his face darkening when he saw the panic in his daughter’s eyes. “What’s going on?”Riley quickly filled him in, her voice trembling as she explained the situation. River’s jaw clenched, and he stepped forward, grabbing Tiffany’s arm to stop her.“Slow down,” he ordered. “Running in without a plan isn’t going to help anyone. You don’t even know what you’re walking into.”“I don’t care!” Tiffany shouted, tears welling in her eyes. “If something happened to Jacob—”River’s grip tightened just enough to keep her grounded. “And what if you get yourself killed
Tiffany studied the surveillance photos on her laptop again, studying each frame with a critical eye. There had to be something she missed, some clue that would unravel the mystery.As she zoomed in on one particularly grainy image, her breath caught in her throat.In the shadows behind Vincent and his sister was a figure, barely visible.Tiffany leaned in closer, squinting at the blurry figure. It was hard to make out the details, but there was something unmistakable about the shape, something familiar. The silhouette appeared to be tall, with broad shoulders—someone who was built like a fighter.Her heart pounded in her chest. The figure was too close to Vincent for comfort, and the way they stood, half-hidden in the shadows, made it clear they were trying to stay unnoticed. But why? And who was it?She snapped a screenshot of the image and adjusted the contrast, hoping to sharpen the details. The figure became slightly more visible, enough for Tiffany to catch a glimpse of a hand r
Vincent’s eyes widened slightly, but his expression remained composed. “Boss, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”Tiffany slid a printout of the transcript across the desk. “Don’t play dumb with me, Vincent. I have proof of your little late-night chat. Start talking.”He glanced down at the paper, his brow furrowing as he read the words. When he looked back up, his gaze was steady. “It’s not what it looks like.”“Then enlighten me,” Tiffany said, leaning back in her chair. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’ve been feeding information to our enemies.”Vincent shook his head. “No, boss. I swear on my life, I would never betray the Red Vipers.”Aria, who had been silently observing the exchange, stepped forward. “Then who were you talking to, Vincent? And why all the secrecy?”Vincent licked his lips nervously, his eyes darting between Tiffany and Aria. “I was talking to my sister. She’s in trouble, mixed up with the wrong crowd. I’ve been trying to help her get out
Tiffany sat in her office, contemplating what to do next. A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts. “Come in,” she barked, composing herself.Marco, one of her most trusted men, entered. His usual swagger was muted, replaced by a nervous energy that set Tiffany’s teeth on edge.“You wanted to see me, boss?”Tiffany’s eyes narrowed. “The Rossi deal. How did our competitors know the exact terms?”Marco shifted his weight, not quite meeting her gaze. “I… I don’t know. Maybe someone overheard something?”“Bullshit,” Tiffany snapped, her patience evaporating. “That information was need-to-know. So either you’re incompetent, or you’re a rat.”Marco’s face flushed. “With all due respect, Ms. Foster, I’ve been loyal to this family for fifteen years. I would never—”“So, you have no idea how it could’ve happened?” Tiffany’s laugh was sharp and bitter. She had been doing some digging and something about Marco was off these days. And now with John dying suddenly…She advanced on Marco, her voice d
River looked up from the papers scattered across his desk, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers.“Tiffany,” River said. He gestured to the leather armchair across from him. “How are you holding up, sweetheart?” he asked.She moved woodenly, sinking into the chair. Its softness felt wrong, too comfortable for the weight of sorrow pressing down on her shoulders.“Not great, Dad,” she said.River nodded, his silence an invitation for her to continue. But the words wouldn’t come. They stuck in her throat, choking her with their intensity.Tiffany’s hands clenched in her lap, her nails digging crescents into her palms.“It has been hard on all of us. John was a valuable member of our family.” River’s voice was gentle, understanding.Tiffany nodded, a single tear escaping to trace a path down her cheek. She brushed it away angrily, hating the weakness it represented.“I should have been there,” she said, the words tumbling out in a rush.River’s eyes softened, a flicker of pain crossing his
The drive home was a blur of streetlights and racing thoughts. Tiffany pulled into her driveway, the familiar sight of her family’s sprawling estate doing little to calm her nerves. She needed to talk to someone, someone who always understood.“Riley will know what to do,” she muttered, heading towards Riley's room.She knocked on her door, but no one answered.“Um…Miss Tiffany.”She turned around and smiled at their housekeeper. “Yes, Alison?”“Miss Riley went to the dentist with Sky. She won’t be home for a few hours. Is there something you need?” Alison asked.“No. Where is Dad?” she asked.“Mr. Foster went out of town to take care of something.”“Where is John?” Tiffany asked.“I hadn’t seen him since he went to the pool house this morning,” Alison said.Tiffany headed toward the pool house, where her longtime bodyguard and driver, John, was staying. He had helped her through her transition to take her father’s position, so whenever she needed advice, he was always there for her.T
Tiffany stared at her reflection in the vanity mirror, her jaw set with determination. Vargas’ words echoed in her mind, fueling a fire within her.“I’ll show him,” she muttered, clenching her fists. “I’ll show them all.”The encounter with Vargas had shaken her, but it had also awakened something - a fierce resolve to prove herself as a leader within the Red Vipers. Tiffany took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.“I’m not just some princess,” she told her reflection. “I’m River Foster’s daughter. This is my birthright.”But even as the words left her lips, doubt crept in. Was she really cut out for this life? Could she handle the weight of leadership, the constant danger?Tiffany shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. She had to stay focused.Standing from the vanity, Tiffany moved to her closet and selected a sleek black dress. As she slipped it on, Tiffany felt confident.“You’ve got this,” she whispered, smoothing down the fabric. “Just remember what Dad taught you.”Her
Vargas’s grin widened, his amusement deepening as he leaned back in his chair and clapped his hands twice. The sharp sound echoed in the room, and a moment later, the door behind him creaked open.Two burly men dragged in a scrawny, disheveled figure who looked terrified.The man was dumped carelessly on the floor. Vargas gestured lazily toward him.“Meet the Rat,” Vargas said, his tone almost casual. “His name’s Eddie. Loyal to your family for years—or so you thought.”Tiffany’s gaze flicked to Eddie. She felt a twist in her stomach, but she forced her expression to remain cold and detached. This was a test, she reminded herself. She couldn’t afford to show weakness.Eddie’s bloodshot eyes widened as they focused on her. “Miss Foster,” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Please, I didn’t mean to—”“Shut him up,” Vargas snapped, and one of the men delivered a swift kick to Eddie’s side, silencing him with a pained grunt.Tiffany turned her attention back to Vargas. “You wan