Dylan's POV. The echo of my footsteps was the only sound in the dimly lit corridor as I led the newcomer deeper into the clan's dungeon. The air was damp and thick with the metallic scent of blood, mixed with that faint hum of the fear that lingered like a permanent resident. The walls, lined with chains and archaic iron tools, bore the weight of history only whispered about. “This…" I said, my voice low and calculated, " is where we remind people of the consequences of betrayal.” my words were calm but the undertone carried the sharp edge of a knife. The man nodded rapidly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. His bravado from earlier had melted away the moment we descended those stairs. The dungeon had that effect—it stripped away masks, leaving people with nothing but their raw, trembling truths.Liam, my ever-annoying second-in-command, leaned against the rusted iron bars of one of the cells, a cigarette lazily hanging from his lips. “Really laying it on thick today, aren’
Dylan's POV. The private jet landed smoothly on the tarmac in Florence, Italy, the hum of its engines fading into the quiet night. This mission was critical—an opportunity to secure a deal that would expand our influence into Europe. A dangerous cartel had been encroaching on our territory, and tonight’s meeting was to remind them why crossing me was a mistake.Usually, I do this alone and not risk the lives of my clan members so recklessly, but they insisted, and I need them to be there in case shit goes sideways.“Ah, Italy,” Liam said, stepping out onto the runway with a dramatic stretch. “The land of wine, romance, and fucking crime. Think we’ll have time for sightseeing?”“Focus, you dickhead,” I muttered, scanning the surroundings. “This isn’t a vacation. After the mission, you can stick whatever is under your pants into whatever pussy you want.” “Harsh," he cries mockingly. “ But just thinking about it is making me a little excited." “Keep it in your pants.” I muttered not wa
Mia's POV. “Mia, you need to get laid.” In response, I wrap my lips around my straw and slurp my blueberry martini as deeply as my mouth would allow. Mimi, my best friend and second in command, eyes me, entirely unimpressed and impatient based on the quirk of her brow.I think I need a bigger mount. More alcohol would fit in better. I don’t say this out loud because I can bet my left ass cheek that her follow-up response would be to use it for a bigger dick instead.When I continue sucking on the straw, she reaches over and ripes the plastic from my lips. I've reached the bottom of the glass a solid fifteen seconds ago and have just been sucking through the straw. It's the most action my mouth has gotten in two years now. “Woah, personal space," I mumble, setting the glass down. I avoid Mimi's eyes, searching the bar stand for Danny to make another blueberry martini for me and maybe a glass of whiskey for Mimi to cool off. The faster I have the straw in my mouth again, the slower
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
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
Chapter 76: The Dawn of ReckoningThe passage was dimly lit, the only light coming from scattered emergency bulbs and the occasional flicker of neon from a distant bar. Here, the air was thick with dust and the bitter tang of oil, but it was our only sanctuary.In the cramped space, I could hear our attackers reorganizing outside. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at Mimi’s determined face. “We’re almost there,” I murmured, though every second felt like an eternity. The passage led to a side alley that opened up near the docks—a perfect spot to intercept Celeste before she could vanish into the maze.Emerging from the passage, we found ourselves at a crossroads of shadows and harsh light. The docks were spread out before us like an industrial battlefield: towering cranes, rusted cargo containers, and winding pathways that formed a network of escape routes for the desperate. I signaled for silence, and for a moment, everything was eerily still. Then, the enemy burst in from the
Chapter 75: Reckoning in BloodCeleste’s breath came in sharp, shallow gasps. Dylan’s grip on her wrist was iron, unyielding, and for the first time, I saw something resembling fear flash across her face. It was quick—so quick that if I hadn’t been watching her so closely, I might have missed it. But it was there. And that meant she knew she was cornered.I stepped forward, ignoring the way my own pulse pounded like war drums in my ears. My hands curled into fists at my sides. “Tell us who you’re working with, Celeste.”She scoffed, shaking her head with a forced smirk. “You think I’m just going to hand you a name? Just like that?”Dylan’s fingers flexed around her wrist, and she winced. “You don’t have a choice.”A beat of silence stretched between us. Then, with a quiet laugh that lacked any real amusement, Celeste lifted her chin. “You think I’m the only one who’s been playing a game here? You have no idea what’s coming.”My stomach twisted. The way she said it sent ice down my spi
Chapter 74: Regaining ControlI paced the small, cold prison cell, trying to keep my mind calm, but it was hard. Every inch of me was screaming with frustration and confusion. How had things gone so wrong so quickly? Celeste—always so calculating, so manipulative—had taken control, and now we were the ones paying the price.I could feel the bitterness between Celeste and me simmering beneath the surface, like it always did. I hated her, and she hated me. It wasn’t just personal; it was power. She wanted to take over, wanted to take what was mine, and now she was using me as a pawn in her game.Mimi sat on the edge of the cot, her eyes red from crying earlier, but she was trying to hold it together. I could see the fear in her eyes, but she wasn’t saying anything, just silently pleading for something to change. I felt helpless, completely trapped by a situation I had no control over.Then, the door creaked open, and I immediately stiffened, ready for whatever Celeste or one of her lack
Chapter 73: Surprise Lam walked alongside, who was chatting as always, our footsteps quiet on the forest path as we made our way back to the clan's estate. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the trees. We'd finished our mission a day earlier than planned, and I couldn't wait to return to the clan and share the news. The weight of the artifact in my pack was a constant reminder of our success.As we emerged from the forest, the estate came into view. Something felt off, though. The village seemed...different. The usual bustle of activity was missing, and an eerie silence hung in the air.My eyes narrowed as I scanned the woods around us. Maybe we were being followed and didn't notice or the clan had been under attack while we were away. "What's going on?" Liam asked, his voice low and cautious.I shook my head. " Don't know." We quickened our pace, our senses on high alert. As we entered the villa, I noticed that the guards were standing at attention, thei
Chapter 72: You're a Problem (Part 2)I didn't lower the knife.Jared's pale green eyes gleamed through the crack in the door, sharp and assessing. The kind of gaze that made your skin itch—like he was peeling back layers you didn't even know you had, searching for cracks to dig into.The kind of man who could tear you apart without ever lifting a finger.Too bad I'd been torn apart long before I ever stepped foot in this place."You always sneak into girls' rooms at night?" I whispered, keeping my voice steady.His mouth curved behind the black mask, slow and lazy."Only the ones worth watching."I squeezed the knife tighter, the rusty handle biting into my palm. He was trying to rattle me—poke at the edges until I slipped up.He'd have to try harder."You came to flirt or deliver a message?"Jared leaned a little closer, the faint scent of smoke and cold metal clinging to him."Both."His gaze flicked behind me—just for a second—to where Mimi slept, curled up on the thin mattress. M
Chapter 71: You're a problem.I didn't answer right away.My fingers gripped the windowsill tighter, the cold wood biting into my palms. The night air carried the faint scent of pine and damp earth—clean, untouched. A stark contrast to the rot crawling beneath the surface of this place.Tell him?The secret buried so deep inside me that I could barely breathe around it some nights.If Dylan knew what I was hiding... what we were hiding...He'd never let us leave.I glanced back at Mimi, her wide brown eyes reflecting the faint moonlight. She was waiting—patient in that quiet, heartbreaking way she always was. Like she'd already made peace with whatever answer I gave.But she shouldn't have to."Not yet." My voice was steady, even though my pulse hammered in my throat. "Not until I know he'll keep his end of the deal."Mimi's small face twisted, like she wanted to argue but didn't quite know how.Smart girl.I turned back to the window, eyes scanning the shadows stretched across the co
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