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 70: Silent PactsThe faint blue light from the laptop screen flickered across my face, casting shadows along the cracked walls of my room. Mimi sat beside me, legs crossed, clutching the edge of her oversized sweater like it would somehow shield her from the conversation we were about to have.Victor's face appeared on the screen, his dark eyes heavy with exhaustion. The scar running down his temple looked deeper under the dim lighting—like the weight of the clan had carved itself into his skin."Mia." His gruff voice filled the small space. "Mimi.""Victor." I nodded, keeping my expression neutral.Mimi mumbled a small greeting, eyes flicking between the screen and her fingers knotted together on her lap.I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees."How is everyone?"The silence that followed was answer enough.Victor's jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for half a second before he forced himself to meet my eyes again."Not good."I swallowed hard.I already knew that. I just
Chapter 69: Unseen BattlesThe training room was quieter than usual, the faint creak of leather dummies and the rhythmic thud of fists against sandbags filling the air. Only Mimi and I were here—exactly how I preferred it.No prying eyes. No whispered threats. Just the steady repetition of punches and the burn of tired muscles.I adjusted the wraps on my knuckles, the rough fabric biting into my skin. Across from me, Mimi was trying—and failing—to keep her form steady. Her small fists landed weakly against the worn-out dummy, frustration flickering in her brown eyes.“Breathe,” I reminded her softly. “You’re stiff.”Mimi exhaled sharply, setting her jaw as she struck again—slightly better, but not enough.It would take time. I knew that. But time wasn’t something we could afford in this place.The door creaked open behind us, breaking the fragile stillness. Instinct tightened my spine, muscles coiling beneath my skin as I shot a glance over my shoulder.Jared.I forced myself to relax
Chapter 68: Unwelcome Guest(Celeste’s POV)Mia should not be here.She should have left the moment she was strong enough to walk again. Yet here she was, still lingering in our clan like a parasite, acting as if she belonged. And worse—Dylan was letting her.I watched from across the training grounds as he stood beside her, his usual guarded expression softer than I had ever seen. His posture was relaxed, his words directed only at her, and for a brief, infuriating second, she smiled at something he said.I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.Dylan was mine.I had stood beside him long before she was ever a thought in his world. I had earned my place in this clan, bled for it, fought for it. And she? She was an outsider who had done nothing but take. Dylan had saved her. Fed her. Protected her. And she had the audacity to act like she deserved any of it.No. If she thought she could stay here without consequences, she was dead wrong.I turned on my heel, heading str
Chapter 67: Almost NormalI wasn’t used to stillness.For weeks, my body had been a battlefield—pain, exhaustion, frustration all warring inside me. But now, I could move. I could walk without someone hovering over me, sit up without feeling like my ribs would crack in half. I still wasn’t at full strength, but at least I could do things on my own. And that alone made all the difference.I was done being treated like I was fragile.Which was why I was currently sitting in Dylan’s dining hall, surrounded by his clan members, pretending like I belonged here.Spoiler alert: I didn’t.The dining hall was lively—filled with the scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and something rich and spiced I couldn’t quite place. It should have been warm, welcoming. But instead, the tension clung to the air like smoke, thick and suffocating.Conversations were happening, but none of them included me. People exchanged words in low voices, their gazes flicking toward me every now and then before snapping
Chapter 66: A Slightly Less Annoying BastardLiam was an insufferable, arrogant, pain-in-the-ass bastard.That much had always been a fact, a universal truth I held onto like a lifeline.Which is why the fact that I was looking at him differently right now was making me extremely uncomfortable.I didn’t know when it happened. Maybe it was when he pulled me out of the river. Or maybe it was before that—when he shoved me out of the way and took the hit meant for me. Or maybe—just maybe—it was when I caught him gritting his teeth through the pain, brushing it off like it was nothing, like he hadn’t just been stabbed trying to keep me from getting hurt.Either way, the damage was done.And I hated it.Hated that my brain was now trying to rewrite everything I knew about him.Hated that I was sitting beside him now, pressing a cloth to the wound on his side, instead of making fun of him for getting hurt in the first place.Hated that, for the first time since I met him, I wasn’t looking at
Chapter 65: Shocking Truth. I shifted under the blanket, trying to find the right words, but before I could speak, there was a knock at the door.Dylan’s expression darkened immediately. He stood, his movements fluid and controlled, and crossed the room in three long strides. When he pulled the door open, a familiar voice filled the space.“Well, you look like absolute shit,” Liam said casually, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.“You look dead." Dylan replied bluntly. I blinked.Mimi was on his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.Correction: one hand was gripping his hair like reins, her expression a mix of triumph and mild disappointment, like she hadn’t yet decided if she was going to spare his life or not.“Let go of my hair, gremlin,” Liam grumbled. “Your best friend's awake." Liam sighed through his nose, clearly regretting every decision that led him here. “You said you wanted to see Mia. You saw her. Now get down.”Mimi huffed but released him, sliding down h
Chapter 64: TruthsThe first thing I noticed when I woke up was the warmth.It pressed against my skin, unfamiliar yet oddly grounding. The second thing was the quiet—a thick, weighted kind of silence that settled over the room, only broken by the faint crackle of fire in the hearth.The air smelled of something faintly herbal, mixed with the lingering scent of worn leather and something undeniably familiar. It took me a second to realize what it was—him.I blinked, my vision adjusting to the dim glow of lanterns casting soft shadows against the stone walls. The mattress beneath me was firm yet comfortable, the blanket draped over me thick and heavy, as if someone had made sure I wouldn’t get cold.Slowly, I turned my head. And that was when I saw him.Dylan.He was sitting beside my bed, elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped loosely together. His usually sharp, calculating eyes were cast downward, unfocused, his entire posture weighed down by something I couldn’t quite name.
Chapter 63: GoneSomething was wrong.I felt it the moment I stepped into the infirmary.The air was too still. The faint scent of antiseptic clung to the walls, the sterile quiet pressing in from all sides. But it wasn’t the silence that put me on edge. It was the absence.She wasn’t here.Mia was gone.A slow, sharp breath pushed past my lips as my gaze swept the room. The bed was empty, the thin sheets rumpled but untouched for hours. The IV stand stood abandoned beside it, its tubing cut—not pulled, not yanked—cut.She hadn’t just left.She had planned it.A low growl rumbled in my chest as I turned sharply toward the door. The halls outside stretched into quiet emptiness, dimly lit by the soft glow of lanterns along the stone walls. No signs of movement. No lingering traces of her scent.She was weak—too weak to be wandering the estate alone. She had barely woken up. Her body wasn’t ready for this.And yet, she had vanished.A sharp voice cut through my thoughts. “Dylan?”I turne
Chapter 62: Where the Flowers BloomPain wrapped around me like a second skin. It wasn't sharp, not anymore—it had dulled into something constant, an ache that settled deep in my bones. My body felt heavy, my limbs stiff fro0m exhaustion, but something tugged at me, pulling me away from the comfort of sleep.I fought through the haze, forcing my eyes open. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a lamp casting long shadows against the walls. The scent of antiseptic hung thick in the air, masking the faint metallic trace of blood.I wasn’t dead.That should have been a relief. It wasn’t.I shifted slightly, my muscles protesting the movement. My arms and torso were wrapped in fresh bandages, the fabric pressing against the tender wounds beneath. Someone had taken care of me. Sarah, probably.A soft exhale left my lips.I should have stayed in bed. My body needed rest, needed time to heal. But the feeling in my chest—the pull—was too strong to ignore. It gnawed at me, restless and insi