River’s kiss was fierce, almost punishing, as he claimed Riley’s mouth with a hunger born of grief and rage. His hands roamed her body possessively, igniting a fire beneath her skin despite the turmoil swirling inside her.Riley’s mind screamed at her to push him away, to stop this before it went too far. But her body betrayed her, responding to his touch with a desperate need she couldn’t control. A whimper escaped her lips as River’s mouth trailed down her neck, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin.“River, please…” she gasped, unsure if she was begging him to stop or to never stop.He growled against her throat, his hands tightening on her hips. “You want this, don’t you?” he accused, his voice rough with desire. “You want me to fuck you.”Shame flooded through Riley at the truth in his words. Even as her mind rebelled, her body arched into his touch, craving more.River’s hands slid up her ribcage, his thumbs brushing the undersides of her breasts. Riley shuddered, her nipples tig
Riley's eyes fluttered open as she felt herself being lifted off the plush comfort of River's bed. Confused and disoriented, she tried to piece together what was happening.Her body was being moved without her consent, but surely River wouldn't kick her out of his bed like this? Was it morning already? Had he finished with her and now wanted her gone?God...he could've at least waited until morning.Her arms wrapped tightly around his strong neck, pulling her closer to him as he carried her with ease. She could feel the heat radiating off of his bare skin, warming her own naked body. Despite the soreness and aching all over, she couldn't help but relax into his embrace.Through the haze of sleep, Riley tried to clear her mind, but it was like swimming against a thick current. As River carried her, she buried her face in the curve of his neck, taking in his scent - a blend of musk and pine that was both familiar and intoxicating. It calmed her racing thoughts and somehow made everythin
A few hours later, Riley moved toward the garden where Tiffany and Lucas were, according to Mrs. Caldwell. She could hear their laughter as soon as she opened the back door, and her mood lifted."Can I join you?" she chirped as she saw them playing catch.Tiffany's eyes sparkled with delight while Lucas' grin spread wide beneath his freckles. "Sure!" they chimed in unison, welcoming her into their circle.The air was alive with the sound of their laughter as Riley slipped seamlessly into their game. She scooped up the ball with surprising grace, muscles coiling and releasing with each throw, her athletic build finding its purpose in the simple joy of the moment."Wow! You are so good at this!" Tiffany exclaimed."I played softball in high school." Riley giggled. "I was very good at that."As the ball exchanged hands, zipping from Riley to Tiffany, then rocketing towards Lucas.River watched from the patio, and his eyes softened at the sight. But the warmth that flickered in his chest
The door slammed shut with a deep thud, the force of it shaking the entire room. Riley's angry footsteps could be heard as she stormed into River's room."Riley," he growled through gritted teeth on the other side of the door."Go away, River. I am not leaving," Riley retorted, her voice laced with fury and determination.River jiggled the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. The door was locked. "Open this damn door, Riley," he commanded."No," she spat back."Open it or I'll break it down," River threatened, his voice low and dangerous."Don't even think about it. This door is solid oak," she challenged."Try me," River said, his tone daring her to test him.The door flew open, and River was met with Riley's tearful face. "You can't make me go with Frank."River's eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and something softer, more conflicted. He took a deep breath, trying to control his anger as he looked at Riley, who was standing defiantly in front of him."Why are you so stubborn?" Riv
River held Riley tightly against his chest, their bodies still tangled together. As they both tried to catch their breaths, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. His cock remained buried deep inside her, and the warmth of her skin against his was both comforting and electrifying, and he never wanted to let go."If you want me to leave, you will have to let go, River," Riley whispered and brushed her lips against his.River's grip tightened instinctively at her words, a low growl rumbling in his chest. The thought of letting Riley go, of not having her in his arms, sent a sharp pang through his heart.But he slowly let her down and backed away, allowing her to gather herself."Yeah. Your saintly fiance must be going crazy out there," he said through gritted teeth.Riley grinned at him. "For someone who wants nothing to do with me, you sure can't keep your hands off of me," she said.River's eyes flashed with irritation. She was teasing him, pushing his buttons
Riley's heart twisted as she saw her father, Alexander, standing there with open arms. His face lit up with a smile, genuine relief evident in his eyes. For a moment, she hesitated, guilt gnawing at her insides. She felt like she was betraying him by even being in the same room after everything that had happened with River.But she forced a smile and stepped forward, allowing herself to be enveloped in her father's embrace. His familiar scent, a mix of expensive cologne and the faintest hint of cigar smoke filled her senses, bringing with it a sense of comfort she hadn't realized she was missing."My little girl is home," Alexander murmured, holding her close. His voice was filled with emotion, the tough exterior he usually presented to the world softening as he held his daughter.Riley closed her eyes, letting herself be comforted by the warmth of her father's embrace, even though she felt like she didn't deserve it. "I'm home, Dad," she whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears.A
River didn't speak for a few moments.Marry Riley? What the hell was Alexander Torres thinking suggesting that?"You want me to marry your daughter?" he repeated lamely."Yes.""You want me to become your son-in-law?" River stammered, his voice filled with disbelief and confusion. It seemed like an impossible scenario, one he never would have imagined in a million years."Trust me, I am not so thrilled about it either," Alexander suggested."Then why did you suggest that?" River mused.Alexander sighed heavily, the weight of his words settling over the phone line. "Because my daughter loves you, Foster. And despite everything that's happened between us, I want her to be happy."River ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. The idea of marrying Riley, of becoming a part of the Torres family, was surreal. He couldn't deny the pull he felt towards her, the way she had managed to get under his skin and make him feel things he thought he'd never feel again after losing Ellie. But th
Riley stood in the bridal suite, her heart racing as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She wore a long white gown, what she considered her dream wedding dress. Her hair had been pinned into soft curls, a veil draped lightly over her shoulders. She looked the part of a bride, but inside, she was anything but calm.Her heart pounded so loudly she thought it might burst from her chest. She took deep breaths, trying to still the anxious tremble in her hands. This was it. Today she was marrying River Foster—the man she’d fallen for, the man who had haunted her thoughts, and yet, a man surrounded by so much grief and darkness. The reality of it all felt surreal, as if she were caught in a dream she couldn’t wake from.Riley turned away from the mirror, her gaze falling on the bouquet sitting on the table beside her. It was a beautiful arrangement of white roses and lilies, delicate and perfect."You okay?" Valerie asked gently, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.Ril
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