Ehan’s POVEvelyn’s presence in the estate felt like inviting a fox into the henhouse. She sat in the living room, her sharp eyes darting between Nathan, Kiera, and me as though she were calculating every possible way to escape if things turned sour. She’d finally agreed to help us, but trusting her felt like walking a tightrope. “You’ve had time to think,” I said, sitting across from her. “Now, I need results.” Evelyn crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair, her calm demeanor betraying nothing. “You’ll get results, Ethan, but let’s not forget that this goes both ways. If I hand over Lucas’s secrets, I expect full protection.” “You’ll have it,” I said curtly. “But if you’re withholding anything—” “I’m not,” Evelyn interrupted, her tone sharp. “But Lucas doesn’t operate on trust. He’s built his network like a fortress. It won’t be easy to dismantle.” Nathan scoffed from where he leaned against the wall. “Then it’s a good thing we’re not afraid of a challenge.” Evelyn’
Emma POV Ethan and Emma was , sharp enough to cut through the stillness. Emma’s hands trembled slightly as she rested them on the edge of the table, trying to steady herself. Ethan stood across from her, his expression unreadable, though his piercing gaze was locked on hers.“You’re upset,” Ethan said, his voice low and controlled, though his calm demeanor was deceptive. Beneath it, Emma could sense the storm brewing.“Upset?” she replied, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. “You think that’s what this is? I’m tired, Ethan. Tired of the secrets, the manipulation, and the lies.”Ethan didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned against the edge of the desk, his stance casual, but the sharpness in his tone betrayed his composure. “Lies? I’ve told you nothing but the truth.”Emma scoffed, crossing her arms. “Your version of the truth, maybe. You twist everything to suit yourself, Ethan. That’s not honesty.”He straightened, his frame towering over her, and for a moment, his eyes softened.
Emma's POV Emma leaned against the edge of the balcony, the cold metal railing grounding her as she stared at the sprawling city below. Ethan’s estate was perched high above the chaos of the world, a quiet haven that offered a false sense of security. She could still hear the weight of his words echoing in her mind: *“Damian’s declared war, and he’s using you to do it.”* Her grip tightened on the railing as anger bubbled within her. “When does it end?” she whispered to herself. The answer, of course, was clear—it didn’t. Not with Ethan, not with Damian, and certainly not with the secrets swirling around her life like a storm. “Talking to yourself, Mrs. Blackwood?” Ethan’s voice cut through her thoughts, sharp and unyielding. Emma didn’t turn to face him. “I’m trying to figure out what kind of mess I’ve landed in this time.” The faint sound of his footsteps grew louder as he approached, stopping just short of her side. “This isn’t your mess,” he said firmly. “It’s mine, and I’
Emma's POV Damian watched me with the kind of twisted satisfaction that made my stomach churn. His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and his hands rested casually in his pockets as if this was all just a game to him. “You’ve got Ethan’s stubbornness,” he said, his tone amused. “But I wonder—does it run deep enough to save you?” “I don’t need saving,” I replied sharply, narrowing my eyes at him. Damian chuckled, the sound echoing in the hollow space. “Oh, Emma. You’re standing in a trap, and you don’t even know it.” “What do you want from me, Damian?” I asked, my voice as firm as I could manage. He stepped closer, the smile fading from his lips. “I told you. I want to send Ethan a message. And you’re going to deliver it for me.” “I’m not your pawn,” I snapped, my fists clenched at my sides. “Everyone is a pawn in someone else’s game,” he said simply. “The question is whether you’re smart enough to realize it.” ---Before I could respond, one of Damian’s men reached out, gri
Emma's POV Damian stood across from me, his gaze sharp and calculating, as if he could read every thought running through my mind. His men flanked him, their expressions impassive, but I could feel the weight of their presence. This wasn’t just a confrontation anymore. It was a battle—a battle for control, for power, for my future.“You’ve been quiet, Emma,” Damian said, his voice smooth, almost too calm. “What’s on your mind?”I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to let him see the unease creeping under my skin. “I’m thinking about how this ends, Damian. And it’s not going to end the way you want it to.”He chuckled, the sound echoing off the cold concrete walls. “You’ve always been a fighter. But it’s cute how you think you have any control here. I hold all the cards, Emma. And you know it.”I met his gaze without flinching. “You might have the cards, but I’m not the one playing this game anymore. Ethan is.”Damian’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, but it was enough
Emma's POV Ethan slammed the door to the study, the sound reverberating through the large estate. I stood by the window, arms crossed, waiting for him to speak. His frustration was palpable, but I wasn’t about to back down. “What were you thinking, Emma?” he snapped, his voice low but intense. I turned to face him, meeting his glare with equal fire. “I was thinking that sitting around and waiting wasn’t going to solve anything. I’m tired of being a bystander in my own life.” “You put yourself in danger!” Ethan shot back, pacing the room. “Do you have any idea what could’ve happened if Chloe hadn’t shown up when she did?” “I know exactly what could’ve happened,” I replied, my voice steady. “But if I hadn’t gone, we wouldn’t know half of what Damian is planning.” Ethan stopped pacing, his jaw tight as he stared at me. “You’re too reckless.” “And you’re too controlling,” I countered, taking a step toward him. “This isn’t just your fight, Ethan. It’s mine too. Whether you lik
Emma's POV The top floor of the high-rise felt like an arena, and Damian stood in the center, commanding the room with his smug presence. Ethan’s jaw tightened, his every movement deliberate and calculating. Chloe and I stood a few steps behind him, while Martin flanked the group, his sharp eyes scanning for threats. “Let me guess,” Damian began, his tone mocking. “You’re here to make some grand speech about justice, truth, and taking back control.” Ethan didn’t take the bait. “You’ve had plenty of chances to back down, Damian. This is your last one.” “Back down?” Damian scoffed, gesturing dramatically to the panoramic view of the city behind him. “Why would I back down when I’m on the verge of winning? Look around, Ethan. This city, this game—it’s mine now.” “It’s over,” Ethan said firmly. “We’ve got evidence tying you to everything—the bribes, the extortion, the sabotage. Walk away now, and maybe you’ll have a sliver of dignity left.” Damian’s smirk faltered, but only for
Emma’s POVThe suffocating silence of the penthouse pressed on me like a heavy weight. Ethan’s abrupt departure from last night’s confrontation at the dinner Party had left me in a whirlpool of confusion and anger. His words echoed in my mind: *“You don’t get to walk away from this, Emma.”*But I wasn’t the same naive girl he had manipulated months ago. The baby growing inside me served as a constant reminder of why I couldn’t allow myself to falter.Cassie’s warning replayed in my thoughts like a broken record: *“You need to decide if you’re fighting for yourself or this toxic relationship, Emma.”* It wasn’t just a question of survival anymore; it was about reclaiming my autonomy.Ethan’s footsteps announced his arrival. He entered the living room, his expression a mask of cold determination.“Pack your bags,” he said without preamble.I blinked. “Excuse me?”“We’re leaving for Aspen tonight,” he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “It’s time to get away from the chaos he
Emma’s POVI stared at the flash drive in my hand like it was a live wire.Lucas had said it contained everything—Damian’s investors, test subjects, financial trails, even blueprints. If it was real, this was the key to ending him.But I didn’t trust it. Not yet.I turned to Lucas, who leaned against the windowsill, eyes on the skyline. “How do I know this isn’t another trick?”He didn’t flinch. “You don’t. But I gave you the truth. What you do with it is up to you.”Ethan walked in from the hall, freshly showered, shirt hanging open. “Then we verify it.”Chloe followed close behind, still drying her hair with a towel. “I know someone who can check this without triggering alerts. She’s off-grid. Lives in a converted print shop two blocks from the train station.”Lucas nodded once. “Let’s go.”I slid the flash drive into a bag and zipped it shut. “No more delays.”Chloe’s POVThe streets were loud with early city buzz. Delivery trucks. Coffee lines. A couple arguing on the corner.We m
Chloe’s POVThe sun barely broke the skyline when I woke up.The city below us was just starting to stir. Horns echoed faintly in the distance, and light from streetlamps still flickered like they hadn’t gotten the memo that it was morning.The safehouse Lucas brought us to was tucked between two old warehouses in the industrial part of the city. It looked abandoned from the outside, but inside—it was wired. Cameras, sensors, reinforced walls. Someone had spent time turning it into a fortress.Emma leaned over the kitchen counter, coffee mug in hand. Her black tank top was wrinkled, her jeans from yesterday. But there was a new look in her eyes.Focused. Cold.Lucas sat across from her, tapping something into a tablet. “I pulled the data from the servers before the vault blew. Damian’s been experimenting on more people than we thought. Across three cities.”Emma didn’t flinch. “Can we trace the labs?”“Two are underground. The third?” Lucas looked up. “Right under a nightclub.”Of cou
Emma’s POVThe detonator at Chloe’s feet looked like it had been ripped from a war movie. Wires coiled beneath a thumb-sized button. I didn’t know whether to pick it up or kick it off the cliff.“What the hell is that supposed to do?” Chloe snapped, inching backward.Lucas didn’t blink. “It’s connected to charges I placed under the ridge days ago. If Damian’s men follow the path down, they’ll walk into a grave.”Ethan laughed coldly. “You expect us to believe you prepped this whole place… just in case?”Lucas’s jaw tightened. “Damian’s plans run deep. I’ve been one step behind him for years. I stopped trying to keep up. I started laying traps.”“You’re still on his leash,” I muttered. “You brought us here.”“I brought you here to end it.”The wind howled through the trees like it was warning us to leave. Below, the valley looked peaceful. But I could sense it—danger was close. Too close.Ethan kept the gun trained on Lucas. “You don’t get to make that call. We decide what happens next
Emma’s POVThe silence between us stretched long and tense. Lucas stood in the middle of the road, his expression unreadable. His dark clothes blended with the night, but his eyes—sharp and calculating—never wavered from mine. I hadn’t seen him in years. And now, here he was, standing in our way like a ghost from the past. Chloe kept her grip on the wheel, her fingers twitching. “Who is he?” I swallowed. “My brother.” Ethan’s grip on the gun tightened. “You never mentioned a brother.” Because I never thought I’d see him again. Lucas tilted his head. “Are you going to introduce me properly, Emma?” I opened my mouth, but no words came. Chloe exhaled sharply. “We don’t have time for reunions. Move.” Lucas didn’t flinch. “I can’t let you pass.” Ethan lifted his gun. “Then you’re a problem.” Lucas remained still, his gaze locked onto mine. “Emma, tell them to lower their weapons.” I hesitated. Lucas had been gone for so long. Why was he here now? And more import
Emma’s POVThe cold night air hit me like a slap as we burst out of Damian’s estate. Shadows stretched across the vast grounds, and the moon barely offered enough light to guide our way. Our breaths came in sharp gasps, but stopping wasn’t an option. “We need a car,” Ethan said, his voice raw from exhaustion. Chloe scanned the area. “There.” She pointed toward a sleek black SUV parked near the garage. Footsteps thundered behind us. More guards. Emma grabbed Ethan’s arm. “Run.” We sprinted. Chloe reached the SUV first, yanking the driver’s side door open. She slid in, fingers flying over the dashboard in a desperate attempt to hotwire it. “Come on, come on,” she muttered. The guards were closing in. “Chloe!” I urged. A spark. The engine roared to life. “Get in!” she shouted. Ethan and I barely had time to throw ourselves into the car before she slammed her foot on the gas. The tires screeched against the pavement as we sped toward the gates. Gunfire erupted behi
Emma’s POVDamian’s smirk lingered as if he had already won. He expected me to obey without question, to betray Chloe without hesitation. He didn’t know me at all. “I need you to prove your loyalty,” Damian continued, pacing leisurely in front of me. “Bring me Chloe.” I forced myself to hold his gaze. “Why her?” “She has something I want.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “And if I refuse?” Damian’s eyes darkened, amusement vanishing. “Then Ethan suffers.” He gestured toward Ethan, still shackled, his lip split from the last hit. “You see, Emma, I’m a reasonable man. Do as I ask, and he lives.” Ethan groaned, shifting against his restraints. “Don’t listen to him. You know this is a trap.” I did. Damian was testing me. But I couldn’t let Ethan pay the price for my defiance. I needed a way out—fast. “I’ll do it,” I said, my voice steady. “But I need time.” Damian arched a brow. “Time?” “She won’t come willingly. I have to convince her.” He studied me for a moment
Emma’s POVThe forest was eerily silent, save for the heavy breathing of those around me. Marcus, Damian’s enforcer, stood tense and poised for violence, while Alexander’s unexpected arrival threw everything into uncertainty. Chloe shifted beside me, her hands subtly moving toward the small blade she carried at her waist. I could feel Ethan’s protective stance near me, his body coiled like a spring, ready to react. Alexander’s cold gaze flicked between Marcus and us. “Damian doesn’t want them dead,” he said sharply. “Not yet.” Marcus let out a low chuckle, his amusement sending chills through me. “That’s funny, because he didn’t give me any orders to keep them alive.” He rolled his shoulders, as if he was itching for a fight. “Besides, they’re already too much trouble. It’d be easier to end it now.” Ethan stepped forward slightly, positioning himself in front of me. “You should listen to Alexander, Marcus. If Damian wants us alive, you don’t want to be the one who disobeys.”
Emma’s POVThe crisp morning air stung my cheeks as I stood at the cabin’s doorstep, my thoughts drifting between Ethan’s warmth and the danger lurking beyond the trees. The snow was fresh, untouched, save for our own footprints from the night before. I couldn’t help but feel a shiver crawl down my spine despite the sunlight cutting through the forest canopy.Ethan stepped up behind me, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. “We’ll have to move soon,” he said, his voice steady.I nodded, forcing myself to focus. After everything Chloe revealed, it felt like the entire world was shifting under my feet. A powerful member of the council was helping Damian. The implications were terrifying. If the council itself was compromised, then nowhere was safe.Ethan pulled me close, his lips brushing against my temple. “We’ll figure it out.”Chloe joined us on the porch, her expression as tense as mine. “I’ve been thinking,” she began, crossing her arms. “We need more than just a plan to confron
Emma’s POVThe morning was calm, but my mind wasn’t. Bright sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting every corner of the room. I sat at the edge of the bed, staring out into the woods beyond the cabin. Snow glistened under the sun, making the entire landscape look peaceful. It was the kind of scene you’d expect in a painting, but peace was the last thing I felt. Behind me, Ethan stirred. The bed creaked as he shifted, his warm hand brushing my back. “Why are you up so early?” he asked, his voice low and husky from sleep. “I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted, my voice soft. He sat up, leaning against the headboard. “What’s on your mind?” “Damian,” I said honestly. “And whoever’s helping him.” Ethan sighed heavily. “We’ll handle it.” “How can you be so sure?” I turned to face him, needing answers. “He’s out there, plotting, and we don’t even know who else is involved. Chloe said someone in the council might be behind this. That’s big, Ethan.” “I know,” he said calmly,