Mia's POV The morning sun was shining through the window of my office, casting a faint golden glow on the polished wooden floor. I sat behind my desk, the remnants of last night’s work scattered in front of me—a half-empty glass of whiskey, crumpled maps, and notes detailing our upcoming plans.It had been hours since Mimi left for the café, and my gut told me something wasn’t right. She never took this long, not without checking in. My calls went unanswered, and her phone went straight to voicemail; I wanted to go in search of her but held myself back, thinking she might have hooked up with someone. I ran my hands through my hair, the tension in my body palpable. "Where the hell are you, Mimi?" I muttered under my breath.A sharp knock at the door broke my thoughts. One of my guards, Marco, stepped in, his expression tight with worry.“Ma’am,” he said cautiously, “we’ve got a situation.”My chest tightened. “What is it?”He hesitated before stepping fully inside and handing me a sm
Mia's POV.The envelope felt heavier than it should have, even though it held just a single piece of paper. The audacity of the note had my blood boiling, the mocking tone of Dylan’s words ringing loud in my mind.“Had enough of this cat and mouse chase?”I crumpled the note in my fist, my jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Dylan Griffin wanted a confrontation, and I was going to give him one.“Marco,” I barked, my voice echoing through the war room.He was at my side in seconds. “Yes, boss?”“Get me a secure line. We’re contacting Dylan.”Victor tensed from across the table. “Mia, are you sure about this? You’re walking into his game. That’s exactly what he wants.”I turned to face him, my glare icy. “He already has the upper hand. The longer we play by his rules, the further away Mimi gets. If he wants me to meet him, then fine. I’ll meet him. But I’ll make sure he regrets it.”Marco didn’t waste any time, pulling out a satellite phone and setting it up on the table. Within moments, I w
Dylan's POV. The opera house was a masterpiece of decay, a perfect reflection of the chaos I planned to unleash tonight. I stood center stage, the crumbling grandeur around me illuminated by a single spotlight. My footsteps echoed against the dusty wooden floor as I paced, my thoughts sharp and focused.I had waited years for this moment. Watching her eagerly search the warehouses, her hope slowly slipping away was just worth the wait had been…. amusing. But Mia always knew this day would come. A storm doesn’t wait foreverWhen she pushed through the heavy doors and stepped inside, my heart skipped—not from sentiment, but from the sheer thrill of seeing her in person again. Mia. Fierce, unyielding, every step radiating that dangerous confidence she wore like armor. She hadn’t changed a bit, except now there was a feral edge to her, a sharpness that screamed she’d do anything to get her precious second-in-command back.“Right on time,” I called, my voice carrying through the empty hal
Mia's POV. “Are you out of your goddamn mind?” She shouted, rising to her feet so fast the chair nearly tripped backward. “You agreed to his conditions? You walked straight to his trap without a second thought.” I sighed, stepping forward into the room. “Mimi_” “Don't you ‘Mimi me’, Mia.” she snapped, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. It's hard to believe she was kidnapped for days and beaten almost to a pulp, yet she's still able to scream as loud as a chicken.The others stopped what they were doing, their eyes farting between us, but I raised a hand, signaling them to stay out of it. This was between us. “You think I didn't know it was a trap?” I said, my voice firm but calm. “ You think I didn't calculate every angle, every possible outcome? I did what I had to do to get you out of there.” Her hands balled into fists at her side. “ No, you did what he wanted you to do! You played right into his hands. Mia, Dylan's been Inside your head since day one, and you le
Mia's POV.Dylan’s smirk deepened, and his gaze sharpened as he leaned casually against the banister. “Oh, Mia. You misunderstand the nature of this visit. You don’t leave until I say so.”Mimi stiffened beside me, her fists clenching at her sides. “You son of a—”I placed a hand on her arm to stop her from lunging at him. “Enough, Mimi.” My voice was firm, steady, despite the anger boiling beneath my skin. “What’s your game this time, Dylan? You got what you wanted. We’re here. Now let us go.”Dylan descended the last step, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator circling its prey. “Oh, I think you misunderstand the terms of our... arrangement. This isn’t just about a visit, Mia. This is about trust. And trust, my dear, takes time to build.”“We’re not here to play your sick games,” I said, my voice sharp as a blade. “If you think for a second we’re going to stay here willingly, you’re delusional.”He chuckled, the sound low and dark. “Oh, but you will. Because you don’t have
Dylan's POV. I leaned against the control panel, my gaze fixed on the flickering monitor. The grainy feed didn’t do her justice, but even now, Mia’s presence radiated through the screen. She was pacing again, her movements sharp and deliberate, like a tiger caged by its own instincts.Mia always had this way of holding herself—unyielding, fierce. Even when the odds weren’t in her favor, she refused to bow. It was… admirable. No, it was infuriating.“Stubborn as hell,” I muttered under my breath, though my lips twitched into a faint smirk.Forrest sat across the room, trying his best to blend into the background. His unease was palpable, but I didn’t bother to reassure him. He wasn’t important right now—she was.Mimi’s voice blared through the speakers, cutting through my thoughts. “Can’t you just fucking accept defeat like a normal human being?” she snapped, her words laced with frustration.I chuckled softly, the sound barely audible. Mimi had no idea who she was dealing with. Mia d
Dylan's POV. “Weird.” " What?” Liam asked, with a mouthful of popcorn, turning to look at me.“It's been three days since I took both Mia and Mimi hostage but I haven't heard anything from her clan or her father's, nor has she tried to escape. It's just so fucking weird and suspicious. Don't you think?” “What do you mean? Aren't things going the way you planned it? Both Mia and Mimi are trapped here; her clan got a crippled message that they had some business to handle with us, and Ray got a message that his daughter was with us but is quiet ....” Liam said, realization dawned on him. " Ohh, now I see it too. What should we do?” " Do what I originally planned,” I replied, standing up from the chair; I walked towards the balcony, letting the cool, even air blow on my face as I stared down at the clan I built from scratch. All the ups and downs I faced before finally getting to this level. “Dude, what the fuck do you mean by, ‘what you originally planned?’ if this wasn't the first
Chapter 18. Dylan.Mia's POV. “Dylan, you bastard. I hope you get hit by a truck and die so I don't have to do it myself!" I yelled as I felt another wip on my bare back. “I guess you have some energy left to curse at Dylan.” She said coldly as she whipped me a few more times until her hands felt numb. Dylan? I didn't know his clan members could call him by his name. How fascinating.The red-haired lady, with light brown eyes and a slender body. One could think she was too frugal to be part of the Mafia, but her grip on the wip end was strong, and every stroke she gave me stunned like I was bitten by fifty bees at once. I still couldn't understand why she was glaring at me like I stole her man, her eyes spitting daggers at me wishing they could kill me. Who in their right mind would tie a helpless—both my hands and feet are tied—young lady like myself tied like a circus clown on a fuckin wheel and start sipping them on their bloody back? Oh, wait, I know who—this red-haired bitch o
Chapter 85: The Truth Beneath the SurfaceMimi finally spoke, her voice quiet. “I had no idea.” She met my gaze, something like guilt flickering in her usually confident eyes. “About your father, I mean. My father’s group… they destroyed a lot of lives. But I never knew yours was one of them.”I studied her for a moment, then shrugged. “It’s not like you had anything to do with it, you were just a toddlar like I was.”She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded anyway.Dylan tilted his head slightly. “So? Now that you know, what are you going to do with it?”I thought about that. About Ray, about my mom, about how knowing the truth didn’t change much—but at the same time, it changed everything.Then, I smirked.“Nothing,” I said easily. “Just thought you two should know.”Dylan let out a quiet chuckle. “Typical.”I stretched, letting the weight of the conversation settle. And then, because I couldn’t resist, I added, “Though, there is one thing.”Mimi raised a brow. “What?”I grinned, m
Chapter 84: The Truth Beneath the SurfaceI checked my phone for the third time, pressing the call button and holding it close to my ear. The silence in my room was absolute, the soft hum of the city beyond my window the only background noise. No static, no strange interruptions.No one was listening.I took a deep breath and dialed.The call barely rang twice before my mother picked up."Mia?"Her voice was the same as always—warm, steady, familiar. It made me think of childhood memories filled with home-cooked meals and gentle lullabies. But there was also something else now, an underlying concern."Yeah, Mom. It's me," I said, settling onto my bed, pressing my back against the headboard."Is everything alright?"I hesitated. How was I even supposed to start this conversation? But I needed answers, and she was the only one who could give them to me."Yeah, I just… I wanted to ask you something."A pause. "What is it?"I swallowed, glancing at my locked bedroom door as if expecting s
Chapter 83: The Dawn Before the StormThe morning arrived quietly, as if it were the soft prelude to an overture that had yet to unfold. In the dim light of early day, I found myself awake in a solitude that felt almost sacred —a pause before the crescendo of events that would later alter the course of my night. Every minute of that morning carried a sense of both anticipation and introspection, a tender space where memories of yesterday blended with the elusive promise of what was to come.I lay in bed, cocooned in the faded linens that had borne witness to many restless nights, and listened to the gentle hum of the city beginning to stir. Outside, the first hints of daylight crept over the horizon, casting long, gentle shadows across the worn wooden floorboards. The quiet was profound, filled with the unspoken possibilities that only early morning can hold. It was a time when the world seemed to be holding its breath, awaiting a signal to burst into life.As I slowly sat up, the
Chapter 82: Crossing the Line I needed air.The party was loud—too loud. The mingling of voices, the clinking of glasses, the occasional bursts of laughter—it was all starting to press in on me.Or maybe… maybe it wasn’t the party at all.Maybe it was the way Dylan had been looking at me all night.I’d felt it the moment I walked in. That flicker of something unspoken, something sharp. It wasn’t the usual annoyance or rivalry that colored our interactions. This was different.And it was driving me insane.I needed space.I turned to slip out of the room, but before I could take more than a few steps, a familiar voice stopped me."Leaving already?"I froze. I knew that voice.Dylan.I turned, finding him standing just behind me, drink in hand, his expression unreadable. But his eyes—they were intense, locked onto me like they saw right through every excuse I was about to make.I lifted a brow. “Just getting some air.”He tilted his head slightly, like he didn’t quite believe me. “Mind
Chapter 81: Beneath the Starlit SkyThe party was suffocating. The music was loud, the laughter even louder, and the air felt thick with conversation and movement. The celebration was meant to bring both clans together, a rare night of peace and unity. But for some reason, I felt restless.And I wasn’t the only one.Liam had been watching me for a while, his gaze flickering toward me between sips of his drink. When I caught his eye, he leaned in just slightly, his voice low enough for only me to hear.“Want to get out of here?”It was an offer, not a demand. A choice.I hesitated for only a second before nodding.We slipped out quietly, unnoticed by the rest. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the warmth of the crowded hall. Neither of us spoke as we walked, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. It was… easy.I didn’t ask where we were going, and Liam didn’t say. But when the trees thinned, and the familiar sight of the lake came into view, I let out a small breath I hadn’t
Chapter 80: Unspoken ChangesIt started subtly.A joke here, a lingering glance there. Nothing obvious, nothing that screamed pay attention, yet somehow, it became impossible to ignore.Liam and I had never been particularly close. We worked together and fought on the same side but beyond that? He was Dylan’s right hand, and I was just another piece in this ever-moving game of survival. I never thought much about him outside of strategy meetings and battle formations.But something had shifted.It wasn’t anything drastic. There was no grand moment, no sudden realization. Just a series of small changes that built upon each other until I found myself second-guessing everything.Like now, for example.We were in the middle of a supply run at one of our storage units near the southern border. The air was thick with the scent of dust and aged wood, crates piled high as we took inventory. Liam and I were supposed to be focused, but instead, we had somehow started bickering—again.“That’s th
Chapter 79: Reforging DestinyBy the time the last echoes of battle faded into the still morning air, the docks lay in a state of uneasy silence. The victory over Celeste had been hard-won, but it was far from the end. In the days that followed, our clan worked tirelessly to rebuild—not just the shattered structures, but the fragile trust that had nearly crumbled under betrayal and bloodshed.Each morning, I walked the perimeter of the docks, letting the salty sea breeze fill my lungs. The once-bustling harbor, scarred from the battle, bore the weight of our past struggles. Charred wood, collapsed buildings, and bloodstains still marked the pavement, a silent testament to the fight that had nearly cost us everything. Yet, amidst the destruction, there was a sense of renewal. Every scar, every crack in the weathered walls told a story—one of resilience, sacrifice, and survival.Despite our victory, we knew peace would be fleeting. Intelligence reports had confirmed what we feared most:
Chapter 78: Ashes and AscensionDawn painted the sky in muted shades of gold and gray, casting a solemn glow over the ruined docks. The scent of blood and gunpowder clung to the air, mingling with the salty breeze from the sea. The battle was over, but the weight of it lingered. Bodies lay motionless across the cracked concrete, a stark reminder of the price we had paid.Celeste had surrendered. Her once fierce eyes were hollow now, devoid of the fire that had driven her. She had dropped her weapon without a word, letting it clatter against the debris-strewn ground. I had given her a choice—to live, to face the consequences of her actions, to see if redemption was even possible. Yet as she sat slumped against the cold metal of a shipping container, I wondered if she had already accepted her fate.Dylan and Liam moved with quiet efficiency, securing what was left of Celeste’s forces. The chaos had faded into an eerie silence, broken only by the murmurs of survivors and the distant cras
Chapter 77: The Last ReckoningDawn’s first light glimmered on the horizon, its red and gold hues cutting through the lingering darkness of the docks. The cacophony of battle had subsided to a simmering murmur as smoke curled upward from the debris. I stood amid the ruins, every breath heavy with the weight of what had transpired and what was yet to come. Celeste was cornered. We had reached the climax of our war, and in that raw, suspended moment, I knew that destiny was within my grasp.I stepped forward slowly, the gravel crunching underfoot, each step echoing like the beat of a war drum. Around me, the battered forms of our foes lay scattered, and the acrid tang of spent gunpowder filled the air. Every piece of shattered metal, every scar etched into the concrete, bore silent witness to the blood that had been shed in our struggle for freedom.Celeste remained at the far end of the open space, her back pressed against a rusted container. Her eyes, wild and unyielding, were fixed