*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
*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
*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
*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*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