*Roanne’s POV*The memory of Marco's words slithered through my mind, "Watch out for Violet. She's weaving a web that's tangling us all, even you." His voice had been heavy. I couldn't shake the warning, the weight of it pressing on my chest as I watched Violet from across the room, her laughter tinkling like glass about to shatter.Members from the club were invited to a social outing, and it was at a secluded private garden, where we could enjoy some sun, some chatting, and all the privacy we wanted. It was a nice day out, I felt it worked perfectly before the gala tonight.After some days of me focusing on my studies, and Michael being protective and attentive, I felt things were finally finding a rhythm I could get used to. Normalcy seemed to settle in."Look at Violet," I murmured to Nina, feigning casual interest, "She's always been such an enigma to me.""Isn't that her charm?" she replied, sipping her drink, eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of weakness."Sure," I sa
*Aaron’s POV*I sat in my car across the street from the dimly lit venue. It was the kind of place where secrets were traded like currency, and tonight, I was investing heavily. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the familiar itch of impatience."Are we clear on what you're doing?" I asked the figure lounging in the passenger seat beside me. The man was nondescript, his face forgettable—a perfect shadow to slip through the crowd unnoticed."Crystal," he replied, his voice low and even. "Follow the girl, get you the information. You'll know who she's with, where she goes.""Especially tonight," I growled, the tightness in my chest constricting further at the thought of her with him—Michael."Jealous?" He smirked, and I shot him a look that could freeze hell over."Get it done," I snapped, tossing him a wad of cash. He caught it deftly and stepped out of the vehicle without another word.Left alone, I leaned back against the leather seat, my mind racing with images of Roanne—
*Roanne’s POV*The early morning light had yet to fully claim the sky, a dim blue that hinted at the day ahead. I was still wrapped in the cocoon of my sheets when the sound of a soft knock roused me from the edge of sleep. I managed to force myself to get up, and walked towards the main entrance. There, Michael stood at the threshold, his presence a silent yet commanding declaration, a breakfast tray in hand."Thought you'd like some fuel for the brain," he said, the corners of his mouth tilting up ever-so-slightly."Michael," I murmured, surprise lacing my groggy voice. He crossed the room, setting the tray down on the table with a gentleness that belied his stature. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of buttery croissants, waking me up quickly."Thanks," I said with a smile, sitting up and reaching for the steaming mug. My fingers brushed against his, a small gesture that would have made me pull back before, yet it was so natural now. Michael's eyes held
*Aaron’s POV*The musty scent of old books and the hushed whispers of conspiracy swirled around me in the club’s meeting room by design. I perched on the edge of a leather chair, its surface cracked with age, watching the members of the Revenge Club skulk between the towering shelves. Violet made them hunters in their own right, seeking out the weaknesses of their prey. The library, once a sanctuary of knowledge, now served as a war room.I had to admire her skilled manipulation, she was using them for her own purposes, without stopping to help them as well.I watched as one of the senior members, Nina, with her eyes hidden beneath a veil of raven hair, was hunched over a small vial, her fingers deft and sure. She'd always been reclusive from what Blake had told me before I entered, more at ease among beakers and chemicals than people. But here, she was a sorceress brewing something dangerous. It was her latest concoction that had everyone's attention - including mine."Subtle,"
*Aaron’s POV*The morning light bled through the blinds, casting shadows across the table where I sat, a half-eaten grapefruit before me. The tang of citrus lingered on my tongue, mingling with the bitter aftertaste of black coffee. My fingers were stained with newsprint; headlines screamed at me in stark, block letters as I picked up the paper. Front page. Professor Lee's mugshot stared back, his eyes hollow, the fall from grace immortalized in black and white."Drug scandal rocks campus – Arrest made amid allegations," read the bold type. My stomach churned. Each word was a hammer to my conscience. Arrested during the night. Anonymous calls. The club had stretched its tentacles far and wide, it seemed."Damn," I muttered under my breath, the syllables sharp as broken glass. Was justice served or had they become the very monsters they sought to punish? The question gnawed at me."Morning." Blake's voice cut through the silence, sudden and unwelcome. He stood in the doorway, a da
*Roanne’s POV*I was perched on the edge of the plush velvet sofa, legs crossed, fingers unconsciously tracing the tender skin around my wrist. The bruise felt like a burn every time I pressed it, a stark reminder of Damien's possessive grip. My heart still hammered with an undercurrent of fear, but in Michael's presence, I tried to show I was calm.Michael paced the room, his face etched with concern, the lines in his forehead deepening as Jonathan recounted the day's events. His voice, usually so composed and calm, now carried an edge of fury, "He got that close to you?" he questioned, glancing at me, his eyes searching for answers."Damien's unpredictable," Jonathan said, standing rigid, his posture speaking volumes of his readiness to defend. "It might be wise to tighten security around Roanne.""Follow her more closely?" Michael's tone was sharp, slicing through the tension hanging in the air."Exactly." Jonathan nodded, never once breaking eye contact with Michael.I shif
*Roanne’s POV*The keys of my laptop clacked in a frenzied rhythm, echoing the pounding of my heart. My mind was wrapped around sentences and citations, my soul poured into the academic prose that would determine my next grades. The paper was due tomorrow, and it had to be perfect—just like everything else I strived for in this Ivy League pressure cooker."Roanne," I murmured to myself, "just a few more paragraphs."Suddenly, my phone vibrated against the wooden surface of my desk, an intrusive tremor amidst my concentration. It was Violet. Her name alone sent a ripple of unease through me.‘Join me for coffee?’ The text was simple, but nothing with Violet ever was. I liked comparing her to a siren luring sailors to rocky shores with her charm and promises of power. I hesitated, thumb hovering over the keyboard. Coffee with Violet wasn't just coffee—it was always about something else, and I wondered if she had my last mission ready for me to prepare."Fine," I whispered, surrend
*Roanne’s POV*The neon sign of the diner buzzed like a nest of anxious wasps, flickering against the dawn's creeping light. I pushed through the door, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and buttery pastries hitting me with comforting familiarity. My eyes scanned the booths and found Lizzie, her hair a wild cascade of curls, laughing in a way that seemed to make the whole room brighter."Ro," she called out, waving me over.My heart thrummed with a mix of excitement and nerves as I slid into the booth opposite them. Beside Lizzie sat Anne Marie, the enigma that had captured my best friend's heart—a girl she'd mentioned with stars in her voice but never introduced until now. In fact, I only knew her name this morning, when I woke up to her message inviting me over for breakfast."Hey," I said, a small smile playing on my lips, "you must be Anne Marie."Her return smile was a sunrise, warm and promising. "Nice to finally meet you, Roanne.""Likewise." I took her in: the gentle ti
*Roanne’s POV*The trial was over, yet the fizzling remnants of Sebastian's presence haunted me. His shadow loomed in every corner of my life, and though I felt safe and protected, I could still sense there was never going to be complete peace in my life until he was found.Then, as if fate had finally given me a gift, the call came. Aaron’s words from the other end were a like a victory song: "Sebastian was apprehended—false papers." My pulse quickened, adrenaline flooding my veins.I asked Aaron to take me to the secure station where he was held. He agreed to it and an hour later we were heading there, he drove with confidence, but there was also something behind his eyes, satisfaction.The room was sterile, cold—like his gaze. He sat cuffed, a fallen and desperate man grasping at straws. Our eyes locked, and the world fell away, leaving only the intensity of this final encounter."Roanne, you bitch!" Sebastian lunged, his voice filled with anger and rage. "You've ruined me!"
*Roanne’s POV*My heart pounded as Aaron led me into a dimly lit room in his house, the anticipation of meeting Bianca Kingsley overwhelming my senses. There was a thick tension in the air and the room, and I could feel my body reacting to it, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through me."Roanne, meet Bianca Kingsley," Aaron said, gesturing towards the impeccably dressed woman sitting across the table. Her piercing gaze held mine, assessing me, and I couldn't help but shiver slightly in response. Aaron had told me about her, she was ruthless, a queen in the stand. It was the kind of woman we needed to lead the case against Violet."Nice to meet you," I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady. Bianca's eyes never left mine, her stare unyielding and intense."Likewise," she replied, her voice low and calm, I already admired her. "Now let's get down to business. We don't have much time to prepare your testimony against Violet.""Right," I agreed, taking a deep breath to stead
*Violet’s POV*The walls of my empire, once unassailable, were crumbling like a sandcastle at high tide. The realization was a cold blade twisting in my gut, and with it came the bitter taste of desperation. My corrupted networks, a web I had spun with such precision, now ensnared me in their collapse."Everything's falling apart," I muttered to myself, pacing the dimly lit room where I'd holed up. The shadows seemed to mock my predicament, whispering of betrayal and downfall.I tugged at my hair, once a mane to be flaunted, now a tangled mess reflecting my inner turmoil. My mind raced, thoughts sharp as shattered glass. There had to be a way out – one final card to play in this high-stakes game. And then it struck me, a plan as dark as the circles under my eyes. Roanne Mailen."Sweet, naive Roanne," I whispered, a serpent's hiss escaping through my clenched teeth. My lips curled into a smile devoid of warmth. She was the key, my bargaining chip, the ace up my sleeve. If I could ta
*Aaron's POV*The coldness of the night seeped through the windows, a stark contrast to the heat that boiled within me. Roanne was huddled on my couch, her body still not recovering from the memories that haunted her. That fucking Sebastian."Hey," I murmured, sitting down beside her, "I'm here for you." My voice was a promise. Her eyes, wide and vulnerable, flicked up to meet mine. She was not only mine, claimed, but she was also someone I cared for."Everything... it's just too much," she whispered, her voice quivering as if each word took her a lot of effort to make. I could feel the weight of her pain.She wasn’t like us, like Lizzie, Michael, me. We were born with silver spoons and parents that molded our personalities, detachment hardened our spirits. I felt I was on top of the world on a daily basis, but I was only half way there. Roanne was the piece of my puzzle missing."Shh," I soothed, pulling her close, wrapping my arms around her. "You're safe here with me." My heart
*Roanne's POV*I sat on the edge of Lizzie's futon, knees to my chest, the fabric scratching against my bare skin. The air in the apartment was thick with tension and the remnants of fear, a stench that clung to us, unwelcome but impossible to shake.“Aaron, I am so happy to hear your voice. Is Blake ok?”I heard a grunt of pain, followed by Blake's voice. “I am sort of, ok.”I felt the relief of hearing him safe, it meant all went well. “Blake! You are well! I am so happy to hear that!” A shuddering breath escaped me, relief washing over in waves. I relayed the news to Lizzie and Anne Marie, their faces showed the same relief I felt."Thank God," Lizzie whispered, sinking into the couch, her nervousness evident as she scooped another mouthful of ice cream, the spoon clinking against the bowl."Roanne," Aaron's voice crackled through my phone, it was distant yet brimming with urgency. "Lock yourself in the house, Violet escaped, and now Sebastian is heading your way,”My pulse h
*Aaron's POV*I had two hours left before Violet's deadline, and the clink of ice against crystal in a dimly lit room was the only sound that accompanied my entrance. Mr. Henderson, his silver hair slicked back, eyed me with suspicion. Mr. Atwood, his fingers steepled and eyes sharp, nodded slightly. Mrs. LeCroix, draped in silk, regarded me with an unreadable expression."Evening," I said, voice low, the word hanging heavy with implication."Cut the pleasantries, Aaron," Mrs. LeCroix's voice was dangerously soft. "What's this about?"I slid the documents across the mahogany table, their contents splayed like a gambler's final hand. My father had given them to me just a moment before my entrance, his aid making the difference. He had everything to lose if Violet managed to get control over the other families, including ours.They flinched as they recognized their own secrets, intertwined with Violet's scrawled treachery. The air thickened, tension coiling around us."Mutual enemi
*Roanne's POV*The dim glow of the computer screen was the only light in the room, casting shadows across Caleb's concentrated face. My heart was beating fast and hard against my ribs as I watched him, his fingers dancing over the keyboard. He was an expert, knew what to look for and how to find it."Got it," he growled, and the satisfaction in his voice was exciting. He turned to me, eyes glinting with triumph. "They had you bugged six ways to Sunday, Roanne. But don't worry, I've just neutered their spyware."His hands moved over my phone and laptop with a deftness that was invasive but needed, deleting lines of code that had lurked unseen, monitoring my every move. With each keystroke, I felt a piece of myself being returned to me, mixed with an unsettling vulnerability. How much of my soul had they peered into?Violet managed to get deep into our lives in ways I never thought possible. If it weren't because Caleb asked if he could check the room we were at to catch bugs that wo
*Roanne’s POV*The cold bite of the autumn air clawed at my skin as I stepped out onto the pavement, Jonathan gave me his scarf and we walked and the remaining steps. He managed to balance his life while still watching over me, and I did my best to try and coordinate with him when I was going out alone, so he could keep an eye on me.“Be nice to him, remember he worried enough for you to hire me,” Jonathan said as he started to stay behind, becoming a watchful shadow. I tilted my head to look at him and nod with a smile.Michael had texted me earlier in the morning, and asked us to meet. I felt like I owed it to him, and to us. He became a very important part of my life during the last couple of weeks, making it so I could mature, grow, and overcome my past.I reached the corner and there he was, Michael Morgan, leaning against the black iron railing that bordered the café terrace. His silhouette cut a sharp figure against the dimming sky, the last rays of sunlight glinting off h
*Aaron’s POV*It was needed, and I had no remorse using all the influence my father left in the safe in order to get what I wanted. I called upon the most important names on his list and it took them less than 12 hours to coordinate and make it to our meeting spot.It was impressive. The room reeked of old money and older secrets, the dark mahogany panels swallowing light and whispers alike. Shadows clung to corners where power was brokered silently, fiercely. Was this what my father was used to? How far did he planned to keep me in the dark about the shady dealings he made for a living?I stood at the head of the long table, heart pounding like a drumbeat in my chest, my father's steely gaze fixed on me from the other end."Violet Flanagan is not just a thorn," I began, my voice steady despite the tempest brewing inside, "she's a goddamn poison ivy wrapping around us all."Murmurs rippled across the room, the heads of elite families that made it shifting in their leather chairs