BELLAI practically skipped down the stairs after changing into something more comfortable. My loungewear was perfect not just for relaxation, but for my main mission of bugging Lucas.But as soon as I reached the living room, I halted. He was nowhere to be seen. My brows furrowed as I scanned the space, expecting to find him sprawled on the couch. Instead, there was silence.How long would it take for him to get something to drink and come back?Ann emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. Over time, she had become more than just a familiar presence, she was a friend, even if our moments together were often brief.“Ann, where is Lucas?” I asked, my voice laced with confusion.She paused for a second before answering. “Two guards came and picked him up while you were gone.”Something about the way she said it made my stomach clench. “What do you mean, ‘picked him up’? Did he fall or something?” My brows knitted together.Ann shook her head. “I meant Don sent them to get
BELLA“When will you fucking learn?”Vincent’s voice was a razor-sharp snarl, his face inches from mine, eyes burning with fury. “When will you learn that I hate disobedience?”My blood boiled. My body trembled not with fear, but with rage.“I don’t give a fuck about what you want,” I spat, my voice shaking with defiance. “Just like you don’t care about my feelings, my opinions! You can take your so-called respect and shove it up your ass.”The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I had added oil to the fire.Before I could react, his hands were around my throat, cold and unforgiving. In one brutal motion, he spun me around and slammed me against the wall. Pain exploded across my back, but I barely had time to register it before his grip tightened.“What the fuck are you doing?!” I growled, thrashing against him. “You bastard, let me go!”His fingers pressed harder, stealing the air from my lungs. My vision blurred at the edges, my body screaming for oxygen. My hands clawed at his w
BELLA“No! Let me go, you bastard! You are a fucking molester. I’ll kill you!” I angrily yelled.“But your body is saying otherwise, Princess.” He moved his hand faster and the lewd sounds that filled the room made me burn in embarrassment.His voice was a low, sinful drawl against my ear. “Look at how tightly you’re wrapping yourself around me, how wet and welcoming your insides feel. Do you want to see just how much you long for me?”Vincent’s smirk was pure wickedness as he slowly withdrew his fingers from my aching hole. A shudder ran through me, the loss unbearable, but before I could even process it, he lifted his hand between us, his fingers glistening.Heat rushed to my face. I didn’t know if it was embarrassment, desire, or a dizzying mix of both. The air between us felt charged, thick with something dangerous and all-consuming.His grip tightened ever so slightly, holding me in place as his smoldering gaze locked onto mine. Without breaking eye contact, he brought his finger
THIRD POV“I told you she couldn’t be trusted,” Bianchi said, spreading a set of photographs across Vincent’s desk.“Take a look at this. That rat had the guts to do this right under our noses.” Bianchi pointed at a picture of Bella and Santiago in the school garden, his voice thick with disgust.“I just want to drag her here and get the truth out of her. What made her think she could betray us and still live comfortably with us? Look at her. So many different meetups, who knows how far she’s gone in executing whatever dirty plan that bastard hatched.” Bianchi seethed, his fingers curling into fists.Vincent didn’t say a word as he went through the pictures. His face was pulled into a deep scowl, his mind reeling. To say he was angry would be an understatement.There was nothing he hated more than betrayal. And the next thing was Santiago. He despised him, and everything that was connected to him. But he forced himself to think rationally, flipping through the images with a cold, calc
VINCENTSantiago chuckled, the sound low and mocking as he stirred his soup slowly. His indifference only fueled my rage.“You always did enjoy being dramatic Vincent,” he mused, lifting the spoon to his lips. “Tell me, did you rehearse that little entrance, or does your anger just make you naturally a comedian?”I slammed my fist against the table, rattling his bowl and making a few people glance our way. He didn’t even flinch. If anything, he looked mildly entertained.“Don’t test me, Santiago.” My voice was filled with warning. “You think you can use that bastard as a shield? That you can hide behind that flimsy excuse of a father and walk away unscathed?” I leaned in, my voice a low snarl. “You don’t get to slip away this time, I know your fucking plans and I suggest you drop it.”Santiago sighed as if I were an annoying child rather than a man ready to rip his throat out. He dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin before meeting my glare with a smirk.“And what exactly do yo
VINCENTSomething felt off.Bella had been talking nonstop since I started eating, filling the silence with rants and complaints about being stuck in the house. It wasn’t unusual, Bella loved to talk but there was something too deliberate about it. Like she was keeping me distracted.I eyed her suspiciously as she sighed dramatically. “I’m honestly tired of always being stuck in this house. I need to go outside, make friends, go to parties, and just do everything a college student should do.”I stabbed a piece of pancake with my fork. “I can take you out.” My tone was casual, dismissive.Bella snorted. “So I can end up getting kidnapped again? No, thank you.”She’s joking with me? I reminded myself. It’s Bella. She jokes about everything. Maybe she wanted to go back when we were comfortable just talking about everything while eating.“It’s not funny.” She gave me a pointed look. “I nearly died because you wanted to party. I wonder what would happen the next time you took me anywhere.”
VINCENT“Don! Wake up!”I felt hands gripping my shoulders, shaking me with a force that rattled my bones. A groan slipped past my lips as I weakly swatted them away.“Don! Vincent!”The voice cut through my drowsiness like a blade. It was familiar, urgent.“Bianchi?” I cracked one eye open, my vision blurring before slowly sharpening to the sight of my right-hand man hovering over me.My head pounded like a drum, heavy and sluggish as if my brain had been stuffed with cotton. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.“If you weren’t breathing, I would’ve assumed you were dead,” Bianchi muttered, scanning me with wary eyes. “What the hell happened?”I yawned, stretching out my stiff limbs before dragging myself up to rest against the headboard. “What are you doing here?” My voice came out rough, hoarse.“I’ve been calling your phone for hours no answer. I asked the guards if you’d stepped out, and they said you hadn’t left your room all day.”I frowned. “All day? Stop being dramatic, Bianc
THIRD POVSantiago’s jaw was clenched so tight it felt like it might snap. His fists curled at his sides as he paced the length of his office, his mind spiraling with anger. Vincent had stood right in his own home, his own territory, and dared to threaten him like he was nothing more than a disgusting street rat. The audacity of it burned in his chest like wildfire.The door to his office swung open, and he halted mid-step. His head snapped toward the intruder with a deep scowl on his face.Nathan stepped in, bowing slightly before straightening. “Boss,” he said, his voice calm despite the tension thick in the air. “What are you going to do now that Vincent knows about your plan to use Bella? He didn’t even seem fazed when he found out she went through his phone. It makes me wonder if there was anything valuable in there to begin with. What’s our next move?”Santiago’s frown deepened. Nathan had just voiced the very thoughts gnawing at his mind, but if there was one thing Santiago pri
BELLATo say I was shocked to see Vincent would be an understatement. My heart lurched as fear surged through me, and my phone slipped from my hands, hitting the floor with a soft thud.How long had he been standing there?Did he hear anything?I forced myself to breathe, my fingers trembling slightly as I looked up. His face was unreadable, with that calm aura surrounding him.“Are you okay?” Vincent asked, his tone gentle. I nearly exhaled in relief. There was no anger or suspicion. That was a good sign.“You scared me,” I said, trying to sound casual as I crouched to pick up my phone. “What are you doing here?”“I was just passing by and thought I’d check on you. What was that all about?” he asked, eyes narrowing just a fraction.I avoided his gaze. “How did you even get in here? I know I locked the door. And I told you last time to stop sneaking up on me.”“I didn’t sneak,” he said smoothly. “Your door was open. I got worried.”Open? My stomach sank. How could I have forgotten?“W
VINCENTAnn sat trembling on the cold floor, blood trickling down her forehead as her shaky hands tried to stop the bleeding. Her wide, terrified eyes met mine, and I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief.She thought she could come at me alone? Couldn’t even hold her balance, and yet she thought she could take me down? The audacity.“Care to explain why you drugged me and tried to stab me?” My voice was low, but every word hit like a slap. I watched her flinch, her breath hitching as fear took full control.I crouched, the metal of my gun cold against her skin as I pressed it to her forehead. “I don’t have all night. Talk or I’ll blow your fucking brains out.”She whimpered, shrinking away, her back hitting the wall with a soft thud.“Who sent you? Why use that weak-ass drug on me? Did you really think it would work on me? Did you even bother to do your homework before walking into the lion’s den?” I leaned in closer, and her entire body trembled.“I…I’m sorry! Just let me go, please
VINCENTI held my shoes in one hand as I walked the shoreline, letting the breeze work through the mess in my head. In the distance, the bonfire still crackled, laughter and music echoing faintly. The party hadn’t slowed down, but I was long past the mood for it. I just needed out. Out of that room. Out of my head.The wind brushed through my hair and I sighed, letting the salt air wash over me. It didn’t fix anything, but it dulled the edges a little. I sank into the sand, elbows resting on my knees, staring out at the dark horizon. I wasn’t thinking but I wasn’t free of thought either. Just somewhere in between.“Didn’t think I’d see you out here again.”The voice was soft. I turned to see Ann, a few feet away, her sandals dangling from one hand, dress fluttering with the breeze.“Can’t believe you ditched an epic party just to come here and sit alone,” she said, dropping onto the sand beside me.I glanced over at her. “What are you doing here? Thought you’d be living it up.”She ga
BELLAWho the hell does he think he is, walking up to me like nothing happened like he wasn’t just acting like a horny idiot with that girl?I stormed toward the lift, jamming the “close” button over and over again as if my life depended on it. The last thing I wanted was to be trapped in a box with him. Just seeing his face was enough to make my blood boil.“Bella,” Vincent called out, slipping his hand between the doors right before they could shut him out.“Why didn’t you wait for me?” he asked like he hadn’t just humiliated me five minutes ago.I let out a cold laugh. “Oh, I’m sorry. Should I have waited for you to finish tongue-fucking with her? My bad, I didn’t realize I signed up to be your chaperone.”He looked stunned like he genuinely didn’t get it. “Where is all this coming from?”I stared at his reflection in the polished door, refusing to turn around. I needed to get out before I said something I’d regret or worse, something I meant.“Can you just talk to me and stop bein
VINCENTThe whiskey burned as I gulped it down, but the sting barely registered. My mind was too consumed by Bella. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. Watching her laugh and lean in, being all touchy with Miguel, made the air feel colder. Every giggle, every playful nudge, felt like a dagger to my chest.I had told myself I wouldn’t care. But why the hell did it feel like a goddamn firestorm every time I saw her so free with him?Frustration clawed at me. I threw my empty glass down on the bar, the sound sharp.“Get me a glass of your strongest drink.” My voice was tense, almost dangerous. The bartender looked at me, a brow raised in silent question.“Are you sure you can handle it?” he asked.I scoffed, letting the annoyance bubble up. “Make it two,” I snapped, not even caring how it sounded. Not when Bella was over there, laughing like I didn’t exist.Did she forget I was here as well? I felt like picking Miguel up and throwing him in the fucking ocean.The bartender didn’t argu
BELLAWe finished eating in complete silence. Not a word from Vincent. He didn’t need to say anything. I could feel the anger coming off him in waves.I was frustrated. And not because I cared, because I didn’t. Or at least I told myself that. His silence crawled under my skin and wormed its way into my thoughts. It irritated me how much it bothered me. Why did I care if he was pissed? Why did it matter if he wanted to act like a brooding asshole?He wasn’t my friend. He wasn’t anything. I hated him. I hate Vincent. He could drop dead and I wouldn’t flinch.By the time we got to my room, my patience had worn thin. I huffed. “Goodnight,” I muttered, not even sparing him a glance before I shoved the door open, stepped inside, and slammed it shut behind me.The moment I was alone, I exhaled sharply and dropped onto my bed, limbs heavy with tension.Of course, that peace didn’t last. My phone lit up, buzzing against the sheets. I frowned and grabbed it, flipping the screen toward me.Who
BELLA“Five more minutes,” I mumbled, curling deeper into the blanket as another gentle tap landed on my shoulder.“Princess, that’s the seventh time you’ve said that. Wake up, we’re here.” Vincent’s voice was soft, and coaxing, and I groaned, forcing my eyes open.“I thought you were excited to start our vacation?” he teased, tugging the blanket off me with a smirk.“I am but I’m also exhausted,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes.“I know, Princess. Come on.” Vincent took my hands, warm and steady, and pulled me up to my feet. My legs wobbled a bit, but he held me close, guiding me off the now-empty plane. Outside, the sun greeted us with a golden glow, and I spotted our guards already waiting with our luggage stacked neatly beside a sleek black car.I yawned again, and Vincent instinctively wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “You can go back to sleep when we get to the resort,” he whispered against my temple.But I shook my head. No way.How could I sleep now? I was finally
BELLAI gasped as Vincent slammed the door shut behind us, pressing me up against it with a hunger I hadn’t seen in him before. His hands were everywhere, urgent, searching as he pulled me into a kiss that stole the breath from my lungs.There was nothing gentle about it. This wasn’t the soft, tentative kind of kiss we’d shared before. This one was raw, full of want like he’d been holding back for far too long.I moaned into his mouth as his hands slid under my shirt, finding the curves he seemed to know like a map. His tongue tangled with mine, and I met him with equal intensity, clutching the back of his neck, grounding myself in his warmth.He broke the kiss only to trail fire along my skin, lips attacking my neck, finding that one sensitive spot he always seemed to zero in on first. I whimpered when he bit down gently, his hand moving in slow, tantalizing circles around my boobs that sent sparks shooting through me.“Let me see you,” he breathed, voice low and thick with desire. “
BELLA“What do you want to do this weekend?” Carmen asked, sipping her smoothie through a neon pink straw.“Nothing,” I said flatly, digging my fork into the slice of chocolate cake on my tray. “I’m usually stuck at home, so I doubt this weekend’s gonna be any different. Plus, it’s still three days away.”The rich sweetness melted on my tongue, and I couldn’t help but hum in satisfaction. I took another bite, letting the sugar work its magic on my mood.“I know,” Carmen said, undeterred. “But I want us to do something together.”“Like what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“We’ll figure it out,” she said with a shrug. “I just want us to go out, do something fun. You know, exist outside of school for once.”I paused. She had a point. Since I got back, we’d only hung out between classes or during lunch. It wasn’t for lack of effort on her part, either Carmen had tried. I just didn’t know how to convince Vincent to let me out of the house for something as simple as hanging out.But things h