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
The Graduation Day.Tiffany’s eyes scanned the crowd until they locked onto Jacob’s, standing a few yards away. A conspiratorial smile tugged at her lips, matched by the mischievous glint in his eyes.Tiffany’s heart raced. “We actually made it,” she mouthed silently to Jacob, her chest swelling with pride and disbelief.Jacob nodded, his grin widening. He tilted his head slightly, gesturing towards the back of the crowd. Tiffany’s pulse quickened as she understood his meaning.With a quick glance to ensure no one was watching, Tiffany weaved through the throng of students and families. She could feel Jacob close behind as they slipped away from the bustling gymnasium.The noise faded as they ducked behind the bleachers. Tiffany turned to face Jacob, her breath catching at the intensity in his gaze.“I can’t believe this is really happening,” she whispered, her fingers toying nervously with the sleeve of her gown.Jacob stepped closer, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek. “Believe i
Jacob wasn’t sure whether he should trust Tiffany’s dad or not. He was so hot and cold. But as soon as he felt Tiffany reaching out and holding his hand, all of his doubt disappeared. Who cares if her dad acted confusing? He had Tiffany now. Jacob smiled at her. They were at some expensive restaurant, celebrating graduating high school. He could’ve never dreamed of being at a place like this if he hadn’t met Tiffany’s family. Her mother didn’t even remember it was his graduation day today. Jacob glanced around the lavish restaurant, feeling out of place. The clinking of crystal glasses and the soft hum of conversations surrounded him, but his focus remained on Tiffany. She sat beside him, her hand warm and steady in his. She looked over, catching his gaze, and offered a reassuring smile. “You okay?” she asked softly, leaning closer so only he could hear. “Yeah,” Jacob replied, squeezing her hand. “Just… not used to all this.” Tiffany’s brow furrowed slightly. “You deserve this,
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