Ryan sat in the back seat of the car, his headphones on, drowning out the world around him with the rhythm of Jayo’s "Often" pulsing through his ears. It had become his way of coping lately — losing himself in music, trying to block out the growing tension in his family. His brothers, Zack and Leo, were sitting in the front, quietly chatting about something, but he wasn’t paying much attention. All he could think about was the gnawing feeling inside him, the anger that never seemed to go away.They were supposed to have a "family day" today, without their dad, who was still recovering from his health scare. But even without him, the weight of the family’s troubles hung heavy in the air. It didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like family. Not without Elizabeth. Not without knowing where she was, what she was going through.He turned the music up, letting the beat hit harder, hoping it would drown out the nagging thoughts. But it wasn’t working. Nothing worked anymore. His mind kept dr
Mike sat by the window of the small, private plane, watching the clouds drift by as he thought about what was waiting for him back home. He hadn’t seen his family in months, not since he’d left for work. At least, that’s what he’d told them. His absence had been part of a much bigger plan, one he’d been orchestrating behind the scenes for far longer than anyone knew.He wasn’t just a businessman anymore, not just the successful older brother who seemed to have it all together. No, he was the one who had set the wheels in motion for Elizabeth’s disappearance, the one who had told Mr. Black to take her and train her. It had been a tough decision, one he knew would break his family’s hearts, but it had to be done.Elizabeth wasn’t ready. She wasn’t strong enough to survive in the world their family was tied to. Their father was too weak to prepare her, and their brothers were too caught up in the chaos of trying to keep the family together. Mike had watched from the sidelines, quietl
Sophia sat by the window in her room, her fingers tracing the smooth wooden surface of the desk. The mansion outside was eerily quiet, the usual rush of activity reduced to nothing but the distant hum of voices and footsteps in the hallways. It had been days since her last training session with Mr. Black, and she couldn’t stop thinking about it. The way he pushed her, the way he looked at her with those piercing eyes through the mask—it stayed with her, gnawing at the edges of her thoughts.But after that day, he had kept his distance. She wasn’t sure why, but something in the way he carried himself afterward told her it was deliberate. The intensity between them was palpable, a chemistry she couldn’t explain, but he seemed determined to put space between them.For some reason, it bothered her. She tried to tell herself that she didn’t care, that his opinion didn’t matter. After all, he was the one who had taken her, the one who had turned her life upside down. But the more she tho
Mike sat in his car, the engine humming softly beneath him as he stared at the rundown building in front of him. His uncle Nick always had a flair for the dramatic, choosing places that looked like they belonged in a crime movie rather than a real-life meeting spot. But that was Nick. Always on the edge, always unpredictable.And dangerous.Mike tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, his mind racing. He hadn’t wanted to involve his uncle in this mess, but Zack and Leo had insisted. They didn’t know Nick the way Mike did. They didn’t understand how deep his obsession ran—especially when it came to Elizabeth. Mike had warned them, told them to leave Nick out of it, but they didn’t listen. Now, things were spiraling out of control.He had to put a stop to it.Taking a deep breath, Mike opened the car door and stepped out, his shoes crunching against the gravel as he made his way toward the entrance. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made the hair on the back of his neck
Mike stood outside his father’s bedroom door, his heart heavy with the burden of what he was about to confess. He’d been putting this conversation off for as long as possible, trying to manage the situation himself, but now it was clear that his father needed to know. There was no hiding from it anymore.Taking a deep breath, Mike knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. His father, Alexander, sat up in bed, looking more tired and frail than Mike remembered. The years had not been kind to him, and the toll of their family’s struggles was evident in the lines on his face and the weariness in his eyes.“Mike,” his father greeted, his voice raspy but warm. “Come in, son.”Mike stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He could feel the weight of the truth pressing down on him, making every step heavier than the last.“How are you feeling, Dad?” Mike asked, trying to ease into the conversation.Alexander gave a weak smile. “Old and tired, but I’ll manage. What bring
Alexander sat in his bed, staring at Mike with disbelief etched across his face. The words that his son had just spoken hung in the air, each syllable echoing like a thunderclap in his mind. Mike had told him everything—about Uncle Nick, about Elizabeth, about Mr. Black. The web of secrets that had been spun around him, the family he thought he controlled, had unraveled in a single moment, leaving him feeling powerless. “You... you arranged this?” Alexander’s voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes locking onto Mike’s with an intensity that made his son flinch. Mike didn’t meet his gaze. “Dad, I did it to protect her. You’re not strong enough right now. We all saw how dangerous things were getting, and Uncle Nick... he’s obsessed with her.”Alexander’s heart pounded in his chest, his anger surging like a rising tide. Nick. His wife’s brother. The man who had been a thorn in his side for years. He should have known better than to trust him. Nick’s obsession with Elizabeth was well-kn
Mike sat in the corner of the hospital room, his head in his hands, unable to bring himself to look at his father lying there, hooked up to machines that beeped and whirred quietly. His father, Alexander, the man who had always been the pillar of strength in their family, was now reduced to this fragile state—a mere shadow of his former self.The accident had been sudden and brutal, and now the doctors had given them a chilling prognosis: a 50% chance of him waking up. Mike’s chest tightened as he replayed the events in his mind, over and over. It was his fault. If he hadn’t made the decisions he had, if he hadn’t kept things from his father—if he hadn’t involved Mr. Black or Nick—his father wouldn’t be in this bed, fighting for his life.His brothers, Zack, Leo, and Ryan, stood around the room in silence. They, too, couldn’t seem to grasp the reality of what was happening. Their father—their leader, the one who always had all the answers—was now vulnerable, teetering on the edge be
Sophia had been feeling it for weeks. The eyes on her, the constant shadow she couldn’t shake. Everywhere she went—whether she was walking down the hallway, sitting alone in her room, or training in the gym—she felt it. It wasn’t paranoia. No, she was sure of it.Mr. Black was watching her. All the time.At first, she thought it was just his usual overprotective nature. After all, he had been the one to take her under his wing, to train her in this life she hadn’t chosen for herself. He was tough, almost impossibly so, but she had figured it was just his way. Mr. Black didn’t coddle, and she didn’t expect him to. But this… this was different. His eyes followed her like a hawk tracking its prey, never straying far, always lingering just long enough to make her feel like she was being monitored. Even when he wasn’t physically present, Sophia felt like he knew exactly what she was doing, where she was, at all times.She wasn’t a child. She was capable, determined. She’d been working ha
Elizabeth's Point of ViewAs the car pulled up in front of the house, a smile spread across my face, lighting up my entire being. I could barely contain the excitement bubbling inside me. After everything—after the surprises, the time spent in Paris, the love from Black, and everything else in between—I was finally going back home.Home.There was something so comforting about returning to the familiar, the place that had once felt so chaotic but now felt like a refuge. I couldn’t wait to see my dad and my brothers again. They’d all been so supportive, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they had planned for my birthday.It felt surreal, knowing that I was about to turn twenty. Two decades of life, with all the ups and downs. But this moment—this was the best birthday I could have ever asked for.I stepped out of the car, holding my puppy gently in my arms, and walked toward the door with a skip in my step. Each footstep brought me closer to the people who mattered most in my life. Th
Elizabeth's Point of View"Everything ready?" Black asked me as I snuggled my new puppy closer to my chest, feeling her little body warm and soft against my skin.It’s been a month now since we left everything behind and went on our little escape to Paris. The memories we made here were unlike any other, and I cherished each moment. The Eiffel Tower, the cafés, the romantic walks under the Parisian sky—it had all felt like a dream. But all good things must come to an end, and now, it was time to go home.“Yeah, everything’s packed,” I replied, walking around the room to double-check that nothing was left behind. I couldn’t help but smile. It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing that this chapter was closing. But I was also eager to get back to my family.Home was waiting, and it was time to reunite with them after everything that had happened. My father had called earlier, telling me that Mr. Black was trying to take me away from him, and it made me laugh. I knew how possessive my dad c
Rose’s Point of ViewThe air felt warmer than usual as Mike’s car hummed softly along the road. My fingers twisted nervously in my lap, the soft fabric of my dress bunching between my fingertips. I glanced at Mike every few moments—his calm expression as he drove, the faint smirk he wore like it was second nature, and the way his strong hands gripped the steering wheel.I didn’t understand him.“Why?”The word slipped out before I could stop myself.Mike glanced at me briefly, his voice soft as he replied, “Why what?”“Why are you being so kind to me?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady. I didn’t dare look at him now; instead, I focused on the houses blurring past outside the window. “You’ve been like this since the first day we met.”For a second, there was silence—just the soft hum of the car and the faint music playing from the radio.Then he said it.“Because I like you, and I want to take you on a date.”His voice was so casual, so matter-of-fact, that for a moment I though
Mike’s Point of ViewI leaned back in my office chair, exhaling a long breath as I scrolled through my phone. My sister Elizabeth’s picture popped up—her smiling face glowing brighter than the Parisian lights in the background. She looked so happy, holding that tiny white puppy in her arms, Mr. Black standing proudly beside her.She looked like Mom.That smile, those eyes—they reminded me of the mother we lost far too soon. I set my phone down with a quiet sigh, my fingers brushing over the stack of papers on my desk. No matter how chaotic life got, seeing Elizabeth happy always brought me a strange kind of peace.“Mr. Mike?”I turned my head toward the soft, almost hesitant voice coming from the door. Rose stood there, her small hands fiddling nervously with the hem of her dress. Her wide eyes peeked up at me shyly, and I couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips.“Yeah, Rose?” I said softly, leaning back in my chair.She hesitated for a second before speaking. “Um, today
Elizabeth’s Point of ViewThe sunset cast streaks of gold and pink across the Parisian skyline as I stood by the balcony, staring at the Eiffel Tower. The view was breathtaking—unreal, almost—but nothing felt as dreamlike as this moment.Behind me, the faint rustle of fabric caught my attention. I turned to see Mr. Black walking toward me, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his tailored slacks. He had changed into a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his strong forearms, and his top two buttons left undone.It wasn’t fair how effortlessly handsome he looked.“You’re staring,” he teased, his lips curving into a slow smile.I blushed and turned back toward the balcony, pretending to focus on the view. “No, I’m not.”“Liar,” he murmured.I felt his presence behind me before he touched me—a soft warmth that sent a shiver down my spine. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me gently against him, and rested his chin on my shoulder. I melted int
Elizabeth’s Point of ViewWarm lips pressed against my cheek, then my nose, and finally my forehead, stirring me awake. I giggled, scrunching my face and swatting lightly at the culprit.“Stop it,” I murmured with a laugh, trying to push Mr. Black’s face away as he hovered over me, peppering me with kisses.“Good morning to you too,” he teased softly, his voice deep and smooth like melted chocolate. “You didn’t complain last night when I was being this affectionate.”I blushed at his words and shoved him playfully. “You’re insufferable.”He grinned that roguish grin that always did something to my heart, sitting back slightly so I could sit up. I stretched, the soft sheets pooling around me as I blinked, trying to take in the elegant room we were in.Paris. We had arrived in Paris.Two hours ago, we stumbled into this hotel room after a long trip, too tired to do much more than crash onto the bed. But now, the light pouring through the balcony windows revealed the beauty I had missed
Alexander's point of View The shots echoed through the building, sharp and final. I didn’t need to be there to know what had happened. Victor Hale was dead, and my boys had finally done what needed to be done. I leaned back in the chair, a slow exhale slipping past my lips.It wasn't exactly. More like relief—the kind of relief that settled deep in your bones after years of carrying a weight too heavy to bear.Adrian sat next to me, his fingers drumming idly on the armrest. He looked calm, but I knew better. Guilt sat heavy on his shoulders, and no amount of time could erase it.“Where’s my little Elizabeth?” Adrian’s voice broke the quiet. He smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.I let out a low chuckle. “Not so little anymore. She’s off with that man—Mr. Black.”Adrian’s brow furrowed slightly, but the smile returned. “And you’re fine with that?”“She’s in love with him,” I replied simply, a smile tugging at my lips. “He makes her happy. That’s all I care about.”M
Mike’s Point of ViewThere was a kind of satisfaction that came with this moment—a deep, twisted feeling of triumph as we stared at the man who’d torn our family apart. It wasn’t the kind of happiness that lit up your soul; no, this was darker. Sharper. A vengeance that burned in our veins.Victor Hale. The man who’d orchestrated our sister’s suffering, who’d sent our mother into an early grave, all because of jealousy. My mother’s sister Amanda had fallen into his trap years ago, and in her delusion, she’d joined him. But Victor… he was the mastermind. The cancer that ate away at our family until nothing was left but pieces.And tonight, we were finally going to end him.The room stank of sweat, blood, and concrete. Leo was the first to go at him. Every punch he landed echoed against the walls, and Victor grunted with each impact, his face swelling more with every blow. But the bastard… he was still smirking, as if he wanted to die.With every punch, I felt something inside me come
Adrian's Point of ViewThe dim light from the single hanging bulb flickered as I leaned against the chipped wall, staring at Victor Hale. Beaten, bruised, and bound to the chair, he still managed to look smug. His lip was cracked, his face swollen, but his arrogance hadn’t disappeared.“Your biggest nightmares are coming,” I told him, my voice low and cold.Victor let out a short, bitter laugh, his bruised face twisting into a smirk. “They’re finally coming, huh? Took them long enough. Must be a family reunion.”His words grated on me, but I didn’t let it show. Men like Victor thrived on getting under people’s skin. He wanted a reaction, something to latch onto so he could twist it into his favor.“I don’t think you understand what’s coming for you,” I said, pushing off the wall. My boots echoed against the cracked concrete floor as I stepped closer. “You sold my niece, shattered her life, and sent my sister—your precious Amanda—down a road she’ll never come back from. You’re going to