For the first time since being kidnapped, Riley felt fear. Real fear.It wasn't the abstract, distant fear of what might happen, or the fear she'd managed to keep at bay with defiance and bravado. This was a cold, visceral terror that gripped her heart and sent a chill down her spine.Her breath hitched as River leaned down some more. So close she could feel his breath on her cheek, the cruel smile on his face making her pulse quicken. He suddenly seemed much larger than he initially looked, towering over her like that, covering her body. She pressed herself back against the wall, her body tense, as if trying to melt into the plaster and disappear.The room felt smaller, the walls closing in on her as her mind raced. She'd been so sure of herself, so convinced that she could outsmart him, that her father would come through, that somehow she'd escape this unscathed. But now, facing River's cold determination, the reality of her situation crashed over her like a tidal wave."You need
Alexander Torres paced back and forth across the polished hardwood floor of his lavish study, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence. The grandfather clock in the corner ticked away the seconds, each one like a hammer blow against his nerves. His mind raced with dark thoughts, consumed by worry for his daughter Riley's safety.She was out there somewhere, in the clutches of that vengeful madman River Foster. Alexander was no weakling, but he knew that River wasn't someone to be trifled with either. Especially now that he is the brother-in-law of Antonio Costello, Alexander's sworn enemy.Alexander clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He had to get Riley back, no matter the cost."Giovanni!" Alexander barked, his voice sharp with urgency. "Get in here, now!"The door opened and Giovanni entered with hurried steps, his face etched with concern. "You called for me, boss?""I need an update on Foster. Tell me you've found something, anything, about why he took my daughter."
"I want to talk to my dad again," Riley demanded.River narrowed his eyes. "I don't take orders from my hostage."Riley rolled her eyes. "Mr. Kidnapper, Sir. Could I please speak to my father? Pretty please with a cherry on top?" she asked again, her voice dripping with mockery.River glared at her. "That mouth of yours will get you killed one day.""That's nice. Will you allow me to talk to him or not?" she barked.River looked thoughtful. But then, he handed her the phone. "Go ahead and call him."She snatched it from his grasp, her heart pounding against her ribcage like a caged bird desperate to break free. Steadying her shaking fingers, she punched in the number, each digit a lifeline to her father.The line crackled to life. "Dad?" Her voice was steady, belying the desperation clawing at her insides."Riley? Thank God you're still alright. I've been-"She cut him off, the words tumbling out in a frenzied rush. "Why haven't you done what he asked? Why are you just sitting there w
River sat at the dining table, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge, his mind churning with the weight of the decision before him.Alexander didn't seem to be cooperating so that meant deciding what to do with Riley.River's jaw clenched as he considered his options, each more distasteful than the last.He could not bring himself to kill Riley despite the leverage it would give him over Alexander.He had killed numerous men before. But an innocent like Riley? Never. Riley was an innocent girl, and he figured that out. No matter how strong she acted, how much attitude she gave him, he knew she wasn't a tainted soul like him.He couldn't violate her either. The very thought made his stomach turn. He was a father to a fourteen-year-old girl, for fuck's sake!Ellie's face also flashed through his mind, her kind eyes and gentle smile a stark reminder of the man he used to be, the man she had loved. He could not betray her memory, could not cross that line and become the very monster h
River’s mind was a storm of fury when he thought of his children in danger. It pushed him to the brink of his control, but he forced himself to remain composed.This was war, and he couldn’t afford to lose his head now.As River made his way to the car, he couldn’t help but think of Ellie. She had always been the one to keep him grounded, to remind him of the man he wanted to be, not the man he had to be. But Ellie was gone, and all that remained was her memories.He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. Antonio’s place was only a short drive away, but every second felt like an eternity as they sped through the darkened streets. River’s mind was racing, calculating every possible outcome, every potential threat.When they arrived at Antonio’s estate, the scene was chaos. The front gate had been blown open, and smoke billowed from the burning wreckage of a car. River’s heart pounded as he jumped out of the car, his pistol at the ready. The sound of gunfire echoed thro
Riley tried her best to escape. She really did.It wasn’t her fault that the stairs got in the way and made her trip!She touched her ankle again and groaned as sharp pain shot through her body, intensifying with each step she took. She gritted her teeth and fought through the agony, determined to break free at any cost.But then, she was greeted by another locked door.“Fuck my life!” she screamed at the door as she jiggled the doorknob.Riley’s heart pounded as she frantically twisted the doorknob, willing it to turn, but it wouldn’t budge. The pain in her ankle was unbearable, each throb a cruel reminder of her failed escape. She leaned her forehead against the cold metal door, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Tears welled up in her eye.“Come on,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Please, just open…”But the door remained stubbornly locked. Riley slammed her fist against it, her anger bubbling over. She felt so powerless, so trapped.She limped back to the center of the room,
River carried Riley through the grand entryway of his sprawling mansion, her eyes widening as she took in the marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and expensive artwork lining the walls. “Admiring the decor?” River asked, his deep voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. “It’s…quite the house,” she mumbled, avoiding his penetrating blue gaze. The intensity in his eyes unnerved her, hinting at a barely contained rage simmering beneath the surface. She had no doubt this man was capable of terrible things in his quest for vengeance. But right now, it felt good being carried by him like a princess. River’s lips twitched, but there was no humor in it. “Amazing what blood money can buy, isn’t it?” He walked toward a room. Riley’s heart hammered in her chest as dark thoughts swirled in her mind. Was he leading her to another prison to lock her away in? Would she still be tortured for information about Alexander and his organization? She swallowed hard. “Where are you taking me?” Her voice soun
"I will not watch my mouth." River couldn't believe the audacity of this girl. What would it take to show her that she is still in danger and that defying him would only make things worse? "You have no idea what I'm capable of," he threatened, hoping it would help her realize. "Oh? Are you capable of cooking? Because I am starving," Riley announced. He heard Tiffany giggle behind him, and his anger flared even more. River's jaw tightened. This girl had a nerve, that was for sure. He was accustomed to dealing with people who were afraid of him, not those who taunted him outright. The thought of her sitting there, so calmly demanding food, while his world was falling apart, made him seethe. "Fine," he snapped. "I'll have something brought up for you. But don't think for a second that you're in any position to make demands." Riley's lips curved into a small, triumphant smile, but she said nothing more. River turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind h
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