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
This is dangerous, Jacob thought as Tiffany leaned against his chest, her warmth seeping into him like a fire.She was practically on top of him, her head tucked under his chin, her soft breaths brushing against his neck.Then there was her scent—sweet and subtle, like wildflowers, mixed with the faintest hint of vanilla. It was intoxicating, grounding him and pulling him under all at once. Every inhale made his heart beat faster as if her presence had claimed every corner of his being.Jacob closed his eyes and prayed that he didn’t get a boner.“Are you okay?” Tiffany asked as she nuzzled against the crook of his neck.He was not okay. He was far from okay. He was on the verge of attacking this sweet, innocent girl if she didn’t stop touching him like this.Jacob’s breath hitched, and he clenched his fists, trying to regain control.God, what is she doing to me? His pulse raced, blood rushing to places he couldn’t ignore.“I’m fine,” he said hoarsely, though his voice betrayed him,
Tiffany couldn’t help herself.Her eyes raked over Jacob’s bare chest, drinking in every inch of his exposed skin.Even bruised and battered, he was breathtaking - all hard planes and lean muscles. Not overly muscular but just right. Her fingers itched to touch him, to trace the lines of his abs, to feel the heat of his flesh against her palm.“Tiff…” Jacob’s voice was low, almost a growl, as he watched her through hooded eyes. “Are you…ogling at my body?”She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. What was she doing? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that seeing him like this, vulnerable and exposed, stirred something deep within her. A longing, a hunger, that she couldn’t quite name. She never felt like this before.“I am not ogling at you,” she said absentmindedly.Slowly, tentatively, she reached out, her fingertips grazing the bruised skin just above his hip. Jacob sucked in a sharp breath, his muscles tensing beneath her touch.Feeling more brave, she let her hand drift higher,
Tiffany settled back into the plush leather car seat, a secret smile tugging at the corners of her lips.Her cheeks still glowed with a rosy hue from her earlier conversation with Jacob, her mind consumed by thoughts of him. She couldn’t shake the image of his intense expression and the way his bare chest rose and fell as he spoke of touching himself.The memory sent shivers down her spine and made her heart race. Every detail of their conversation replayed in her mind like a vivid movie scene. Touching herself, touching him - it was all she could think about now.“How’s the boy doing?”John’s voice snapped her back into reality. “Hmm? Oh yeah, Jacob is still pretty banged up, but he seems better,” she said bitterly.“He will be okay. He is a strong kid and your father is very fond of him,” John said matter of factly.Tiffany wrinkled her nose. “Honestly. Dad needs to change the way he shows his ‘fondness’ of my boyfriend.”John chuckled darkly. “You are right about that.”“How long h
Lucas turned to Amy and smirked. “Well…”Amy raised an eyebrow. “Well?”Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Some date night, huh?”Amy let out a laugh that was half-exhaustion, half-hysteria. “Oh yeah. Kidnapping, gunfights, your sister going all James Bond on us. Is this really what your life is like?” she asked, sinking onto a nearby sofa.Lucas sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. “Not usually this dramatic.”“Says the man who kidnapped me the first time we met,” Amy pointed out.“That was a special circumstance,” he defended with a small smile.Amy leaned her head against his shoulder. “I should be running for the hills right now.”“Are you going to?” he asked softly.She turned to look at him, her eyes meeting his. “Not after your confession. Did you really mean it?”Lucas’s face. “I meant what I said back there, Amy. I love you.”Amy put her arms around him, drawing him closer. “When did you know?”Lucas leaned down and brushed his lips over hers
Taking a deep breath, Lucas reached for the bar. His hand hesitated for only a second before he pushed it.The door groaned open, and for a split second, neither of them breathed.No alarm.Lucas let out a sharp exhale and grabbed her hand. “Move.”They bolted outside into the chill night air, the sharp scent of gasoline and metal in the wind. The alley was empty, dimly lit by a single flickering streetlamp at the far end.“Which way?” Amy whispered, adrenaline surging through her veins.Lucas pointed left. “There’s a road a few blocks down. If we can make it there, we can steal a car or flag someone—”A gunshot cracked through the air, splintering the bricks near their heads. They both ducked instinctively, pressing themselves against the side of the building.“They know,” Amy gasped.Lucas clenched his jaw. “Run.”They took off, weaving through trash bins and broken crates. Another shot rang out, ricocheting off metal behind them.“STOP! Or I will shoot your head this time!” A voice
Lucas shifted in his chair, the zip ties digging into his wrists as he avoided her gaze. “Not exactly the most romantic setting for this conversation.”“I think we’re past worrying about ambiance,” Amy said dryly. “So?”He exhaled slowly. “I was going to say… I love you, Amy.”No one said anything for a while.“You… what?” Amy finally asked.“I love you,” he repeated, his voice steadier now. “Have for a while. It’s why I couldn’t stand seeing you with Asa. Why I acted like such an idiot.” He gave a short, self-deprecating laugh. “And now I’ve gotten you kidnapped by the mafia. Stellar boyfriend material.”Amy blinked rapidly, processing his words. “You love me.”“Yes.”“And your way of showing it was to tell me to kiss another man?”Lucas winced. “It was a stupid thing to say.”“So you stalked my date and then jumped me in a bathroom to prove it?” she asked, unable to hide her amusement. And her happiness.“When you put it that way…”“And now we’re tied to chairs in some abandoned war
Amy and Lucas were marched across the parking lot toward a black SUV with heavily tinted windows. Two more men in suits opened the rear doors.“Ladies first,” Scar-face sneered, shoving Amy forward.“Touch her again and I’ll kill you,” Lucas growled, the threat so cold and certain that even the thug hesitated.“Big words for a man in zip ties,” Baldy laughed.They were forced into the backseat, the leather cool and buttery soft against Amy’s bare legs. The door slammed behind them. The bearded man slid into the passenger seat while Scar-face took the wheel.“Where are you taking us?” Amy asked, her voice steadier than she felt.No one answered.Lucas shifted closer to Amy, his bound hands awkwardly seeking hers. When their fingers touched, she clung to him, drawing strength from the contact.“I’m sorry,” he whispered, so quietly only she could hear. “I never wanted you involved in this.”“Involved in what, exactly?” she whispered back.Before Lucas could answer, the bearded man turned
Amy knew she should stop this madness. They were in a public bathroom, for God’s sake, with her date sitting just outside. But Lucas’s fingers were working magic, and rational thought was rapidly abandoning her.“This doesn’t change anything,” she gasped as he slid one finger inside her, her hands still fumbling with his zipper.Lucas smirked against her neck. “Doesn’t it?”“No,” she insisted, even as her body arched into his touch. “You can’t just—oh!—show up and expect me to—”He curled his finger just right, and whatever argument she was building dissolved into a soft moan.“What was that?” he murmured, adding a second finger.“You are insufferable,” she managed to say, finally getting his zipper down.Lucas chuckled, the sound vibrating against her skin. “And you’re still on a date with the wrong man.”He entered her in one smooth thrust, swallowing her cry with his mouth. The feeling of fullness, of rightness, was overwhelming. Amy clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulde
“Oh, Hi, Harpy,” Lucas said casually as he leaned against the closed door.He drove as fast as he could to get there, and he would not leave until he got a real answer from Amy. He was tired of playing games.“Lucas. What the actual fuck? You can’t be here. This is the women’s restroom,” Amy hissed.“Actually. This is a unisex bathroom,” Lucas declared.“It doesn’t matter!” she screeched.Lucas moved fast, and soon, he was towering over her, pressing his palm to muffle her voice. “Shh…you want us to get caught?”Amy’s golden hazel eyes widened above his palm. She pried his fingers away from her mouth.“Caught?” she whispered fiercely. “You’re the one barging into bathrooms like some deranged stalker! How did you even know I was here?”Lucas ran a hand through his hair. “I had someone watch you.”“You had someone—” Amy closed her eyes briefly. “You are insane.”“How could you kiss him?” Lucas asked abruptly, his jaw clenching.Amy stared at him, incredulous. “Are you kidding me right n
Asa paused before getting in the car and looked at Amy, a small smile teasing his lips.“What?” Amy narrowed her eyes and asked.“You’ve got something in your hair,” Asa said, reaching out to pluck a tiny piece of confetti from her curls. “Looks like the victory fountain at the eighteenth hole got a little enthusiastic.”Amy touched her hair self-consciously. “Is there more?”“No, just that one.” His fingers lingered near her temple for a heartbeat longer than necessary.Amy felt a flutter in her chest that had nothing to do with the strange man who’d been following them. “Thanks for getting it.”“No problem,” he said. “I’m having a really good time,” Asa said, his voice genuine.“Me too,” Amy said.“I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a while.”“You have?” Amy couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.“Since the day you helped me carry groceries up the stairs when the elevator broke. You were wearing paint-splattered overalls and complaining about your sister borrowing your car wit
“What are they doing now, Jimmy?” Lucas texted the man he hired to spy on Amy and Asa.Lucas stared at his phone as the message sent, his fingers tapping impatiently against the edge of his desk. His thoughts churned, the irritation growing with every passing second.His phone buzzed with a reply.Jimmy: They’re still on the mini golf course. No sign of anything strange. They’re just playing, talking, looks like having fun. She seems relaxed.Lucas narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.Lucas: Keep watching. I want to know if they kiss.Jimmy: They are on the last hole now. Looks like they’re finishing up. Could be wrapping up soon.Lucas: I want to know everything. Stay close, don’t miss anything.He stared at the screen, watching the little dots indicating Jimmy was typing. The delay felt agonizing, each second stretching longer than the last. Finally, the message came through.Jimmy: They are finishing up now. No kiss yet, though. She’s laughing at something he said. Looks like a prett
Amy paced across the bedroom.Seventeen steps to the window, pivot, fifteen steps back to the mirror. Her new sundress swished around her knees – impulse purchase, one size too optimistic. Twenty-seven minutes until he arrived. Twenty-six, actually. The clock on her microwave was fast.“You are a grown woman,” she told her reflection, which stared back with unconvinced eyes. “You’ve been on dates before.”“Why am I so nervous?” she asked herself in the mirror. “It’s just Asa, your nice neighbor.The sundress was yellow – “Daffodil Dream” according to the tag – with tiny white flowers scattered across the fabric like stars on a summer night.She’d spent forty-three minutes and all her remaining dignity in the fitting room deciding between this one and a blue number that made her look like a corporate retreat brochure. The yellow won because it didn’t take itself too seriously. Amy wasn’t sure she could say the same about herself right now.Amy paused at the window, fingers fidgeting wi