*Aaron’s POV*I leaned against the cool marble of the balustrade, my eyes locked on Roanne as she stared at Michael. The air was thick with the tension between them, an almost palpable static charge."It’s your birthday, Roanne," Michael said, his voice a practiced purr of affluence. "This party... It's fitting for someone as special as you. Why don’t you just enjoy it? Stop this.""Thank you, Michael," she replied, though her words were edged with something brittle. “You organized a very good party, but you are still avoiding my questions.”I could see the effort it took for her to maintain composure, the way her knuckles whitened as she squeezed her hands in fists. My instincts screamed – something wasn't right. I needed to know what game Michael was playing."Maybe I just need to leave, you can continue the party for me," Roanne continued, deflecting. “You can tell them I was just too tired.”"Or we can go over there now," he insisted, stepping closer. His hand reached out,
*Roanne’s POV*Since Aaron came into the apartment and told us about Violet, Michael made one of the empty rooms his study. He wasn’t there all the time, but this morning he got himself inside and hasn't left since. What Aaron told me three nights ago, pushed my paranoia to new heights.Three nights ago many things happened, and Michael had been in his best behavior since, respecting my space, just small calls, placing things in his study, and working from there without interrupting me.The mahogany door of Michael’s private study was ajar, but it might as well have been a barricade. My heart thundered in my chest. I pushed it open with a trembling hand, the creak of hinges sounding like a scream in the silence."Michael," I said, stepping in. He sat there, settled in the leather chair comfortably."Roanne," he replied smoothly, as if we were nothing more than two old friends meeting for a casual chat. "What brings you here?""Michael," I stepped closer, my heels sinking into t
*Roanne’s POV*Aaron's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm against my back, his arm a band of warmth draped possessively over my waist. The dawn's light was a thief, sneaking through the blinds, fragmenting the darkness that had been our sanctuary."Ro," his breath fanned hot against my neck, even in sleep.I shivered, entangled not just in the sheets but in his arms, his words, but his history of manipulation wrapped tighter than the silk that caressed my bare legs. My mind filled with doubts. I should have known better, I wasn’t going to easily let go of all the past actions and lack of.Gently, I peeled away his arm and slid from the bed, my movements a ballet of silent desperation. The cold floor bit at my feet, a stark contrast to the heat we had generated just hours before. I needed to escape."Where are you going?" His voice cut through the stillness, he sounded half asleep. I couldn’t look at him, it would disarm me."Just... bathroom," I lied, whispering a prayer he
-Violet-Violet’s chest heaved with a silent, seething fury as she stood alone in the dimly lit corner of her private library. The shadows from the towering bookshelves danced across her sharp features, mirroring the dark thoughts that churned within her. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, the knuckles whitening with the grip of her rage."Those bastards," she whispered venomously, the words barely escaping her lips as if they were too dangerous to be fully unleashed into the world.The soft glow of her phone screen illuminated her pale face, casting an eerie light that made her green eyes flicker with malevolence. She scrolled through the encrypted messages, each one a confirmation that someone was prying, digging into the clandestine tapestry she had woven so meticulously around her Revenge Club.Her mind cascaded back to those earlier days, a rush of power and control flooding her senses. The flashbacks came in vivid bursts – the way the girls would look up to her, th
*Roanne’s POV*As I entered the old library for what I would hope to be one last time, I could see the dimly lit room was already in session with members moving around. The candlelight flickered, casting elongated shadows that reflected across the wine-colored drapes.The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, or perhaps it was dread; I came with one purpose only, and I intended to make it quick."Welcome, Roanne," Violet purred, the softness in her voice failing to mask the truth I already knew. "You're just in time."I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the decision clotting in my throat."Violet," I started, the words already heavy as they left my lips, "I came here to thank you for everything, I didn’t manage to get my ‘revenge’ on the one person who wronged me the most, but the missions here helped me grow, and I learned to move on. I just can't be a part of this any longer." My voice echoed in the room with the silence that followed.The club members' heads whipped to
*Aaron’s POV*The moment the words left Blake’s mouth, a cold chill coiled around my spine. "She quit the club," Blake's voice was a low growl over the phone, I felt it urgent and laced with an undercurrent of anger. I knew Blake didn’t like the club, but he saw its use and remained inside for long because of it."Tail her," I snapped back without a second's hesitation. "Roanne's in the crosshairs now."I could almost hear the nod on the other end, Blake's silent acquiescence a testament to the gravity we both felt pressing down on us. Ending the call, my heart beating fast, anger clawing at my nerves because she was still ignoring me, concern and dark thoughts that pulled at my very core.With the phone still in my hand, I dialed her number. I needed to hear her. She picked up after the second ring. “Roanne,” I started.“I am sorry,” she cut the words I wanted to say. I wanted to curse her and scold her for running away from me, for ignoring my messages and calls, but her first
*Roanne’s POV*The energy in the bar felt charged as I walked inside the dim interior. My heart raced faster, competing against the loud music pulsating through the cramped space. Exhaustion weighed on me after so many nights on the run from my past."Roanne, over here," Aaron called out gruffly when he noticed me. His tone left no room for argument. He commanded attention just by his presence alone. I inhaled sharply as our eyes locked. "Stop running," he said, fixing me with his intense stare.I struggled to speak. Aaron stood firm, an anchor in my unsteady world. "I haven't done much else," I admitted weakly."Come here," he beckoned, and something primal within me responded to his command. My feet moved of their own accord, closing the distance until I could feel his arms as he pulled me to him.I had to go through hell to get to this? It felt so good."Look at me, Roanne." His fingers tilted my chin upward, forcing me to meet his intense gaze. "You're exhausted. It ends no
*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