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~ LAYLA ~He doesn’t move and I don’t let go, one hand clutching his shirt, the other gripping the towel that is soaked through, waiting for the shampoo to wash out when I feel his fingers in my hair. Massaging it soothingly as he combs out the shampoo.My heart hammers as I slowly open my eyes. Up close, I can see him properly. His green eyes burning into me.“I…”“I hope you have more to say, or I might just assume you stopped me from leaving the shower for an entirely different reason,” he murmurs, his gaze flickering to my lips.I’m not stupid, but I don’t understand what’s happening, and that’s why I want an answer.“Why now?”He cocks a brow as he brushes my hair completely back.“Why are you saying this now? Why didn’t you say anything when I was considering Logan?” I ask, masking the pain in my chest.Why are you making things harder for me now by giving me mixed signals?I dare not say that out loud.“Would you have wanted me to?” he asks, now looking me in the eye.I frown sl
~ QUADE ~She’s ready when I get there, and we leave within a few minutes. Julian is quiet, strangely quiet since usually he always seems to have something to say. Twenty minutes into the journey and I realise Layla is abnormally quiet, too. The only time she spoke was when she gave me the address to her old summer villa.An address she gave without any doubts or confusion. Whoever put that information in her head did an excellent job.“Is everything ok?”“Yeah, yes, it is. You know it’s just a lot has happened. Sometimes life can be unpredictable. I was just thinking about how things have changed.” She smiles gracefully at me, crossing her legs as she sits back.I nod. “Want to talk about it?”There’s something weighing on her mind, that’s for certain. Is it a coincidence that both Julian and her were oddly quiet this evening? Did she mention Nikita to him? Did he tell her something?“No, it’s alright, it’s nothing really.” She declines politely.“If you’re sure.”After we had left th
~ LAYLA ~Where’s the tree that was here? There was a huge row of oak trees that made the side up. The rail track is on the other side, so where have those trees gone? Did they cut them down?It makes me sad knowing that they got rid of those trees that were so old, and the memories I had of mother attached to them… I’ve not come here in years, Nadia kept advising that it would only hurt and she’s right. Not seeing those trees that we sat under, it stung.It feels like the recollections of my mother are being ripped away from me too. I stop in my tracks, staring at the dirt ground. The pond should have been here. There’s no way that it didn’t even leave any sort of sign, even if it was dried up or built over.Do I have the wrong place? No… I recognise parts of it, I wasn’t that young that I’d have imagined it.“Layla. What are you looking for?”I shake my head, not wanting to sound stupid. “I guess it's been so long that I can’t really recollect the location of the pond.”“That can hap
~ LAYLA ~“I saw it when I searched the location. I guess it did take a little browsing and searching a little deeper to come across it.”I’m not buying it… he’s smooth, almost as if he’s telling the truth, but I know for a fact he isn’t.“That’s a lie.”“Excuse me?” He cocks a brow.“I told you the address in the car, and you weren’t even on your phone for a minute even. You put the address in and voila, you saw it instantly? That isn’t what you’re saying now.”“That’s highly insulting, Layla. You’re blatantly accusing me of lying,” he replies, his voice quiet yet still calm.“I apologise if it comes off rude, but it is a lie.”“It isn’t. I did find it when I searched the location.”“Then show me. I mean, I told you the address just a little earlier, then I’m presuming you have the search history still fresh on your phone,” I counter swiftly.He rests his head back against the headrest and sighs. “Fine. You caught me.”“Excuse me?” I ask, my heart racing.“When you mentioned the villa
~ LAYLA ~I gaze out into the darkness, admiring the moon that shies away behind the clouds. But even if it’s mostly hidden, the warm glow from it casts a serene light over the deck and garden.After we had eaten, I showered and got ready for bed. It’s been a long day.Quade told me to take the main bedroom, the one that’s decorated. I now glance at the bed, smiling slightly at the petals that cover it. I walk over to the bed, ready to shake the sheet off when there’s a knock on the door, and I look up to see Quade standing there. He’s freshly showered, wearing light-coloured sweatpants and his shirt is left open as if he threw it on as an afterthought.“Are you headed to bed already?” he asks. My heart races as his eyes trail over me, lingering on my thighs. I’m wearing a satin slip dress with an extremely short gown wrapped over. Neither covers much of my legs.“I think it’s best I do?”“And why is that?” He enters the room as he walks over to the bedside table, placing his phone dow
~ QUADE ~I kiss her hungrily, wanting to do this for far too long, and if she refused me tonight, I would have gone crazy. Her tantalising kisses when she was drugged have been on my mind. Being around her fuels those feelings, and I’m a fucking man. And although we are not exclusive, ever since I saw her again, I want only her.I tighten my hold on her neck as I kiss her passionately. Her eyes are hooded with lust, that beautiful blue that reminds you of the ocean. I let go of her neck, wrapping my arm around her waist, the other cupping her face as I kiss her, carrying her to the bed. I place her down, my eyes raking over her as I climb between her legs and claim her lips in a kiss once more.She pushes my shirt down, tugging it off and dropping it onto the bed beside her as her hands roam my body. I can smell her arousal, that slight intoxicating scent that wants me to ravage her and never stop. I attack her neck again with kisses as I undress her swiftly, tossing the flimsy pieces
~ LAYLA ~I sit up and flinch at how sore my pussy feels. I feel good though; I don’t remember the last time I’ve had such intense orgasms, or when I’ve moaned so loudly. Just the thought makes my core clench.I’m only wearing my gown, and it barely covers my thighs, the marks of our passion remain clear, and I reach for my glasses before putting them on and gazing down at the red marks that cover my thighs, mostly from where he had held me.Oh, he was good, and you aren’t meant to fuck your business partners. Yet, I did just that. But I have no regrets.I bite my lip, gazing outside at the moon for a moment before looking at the man who lies beside me. The sheet covers him from the waist down, his arms behind his head, his muscles bulging and his chest rising and falling. He doesn’t snore, that or he isn’t asleep.Sighing softly, I run my fingers over the mark where he had held my thigh as he fucked me remains; I blush, unable to suppress the small smile that crosses my lips. Julian’s
~ LAYLA ~“Come to me, Layla.”“Come to me.”“Come to me!”Why are there voices in my head? I look around, confused, as I stand at the edge of the pond.Winter’s fallen, and it’s all iced over. Why are we here in winter?Didn’t we only visit during warmer seasons?I tilt my head as my body moves forward and I walk onto the ice. This is dangerous. Why am I not stopping?“Layla!”Someone’s calling me in the distance, but I still go on, laughing as the ice cracks beneath my feet. Why am I finding this completely normal? Move!But my legs have a mind of their own.“Layla! Get back! That’s dangerous!”It’s that voice again…I try to turn but my body doesn’t move. Instead, I do a twirl on the ice, enjoying the cool air that rushes through my hair. The pinch of biting cold at the tip of my nose makes me smile.“Layla, Goddess! Layla, don’t do this to me. Come here, you know it’s dangerous.”“It’s not, live a little, Tray! Join me.”“Layla, I can’t come to you. I’m too heavy. Please come here.
~ QUADE ~Tyres screech, headlights blare and the sound of a horn screaming in warning fills the car as I am thrown into my window.I knew it all along, knew that he died saving Layla, but that was a secret I took with me, knowing I couldn’t tell anyone. He asked me to take care of her, and although I went in to get him; it was too late, and he was gone. Leaving behind the woman fated to be his.I grab the steering wheel, swerving to the right as we narrowly miss the oncoming lorry.“Get a fucking control of yourself!” I snarl as he blinks, his heart thundering and his face the colour of ash.“That’s not possible. Layla wasn’t there…”“I got her away from there,” I spit, not wanting to continue this conversation.“You lied.” There’s anger in his voice.“Don’t we all?”“WE had a right to know – wait, did Reagon know?”“No, he fucking didn’t. But it doesn’t matter. You three were so fucking devastated when he died, I didn’t want Layla to become the target of that hate,” I spit. “He would
~ JULIAN ~“Layla’s been kidnapped.”Those were the words Quade spoke on the phone as I lost my shit. How? How the fuck could he let this happen to her!? I had left instantly, only taking a little time to grab some weapons.This was my worst fucking nightmare.Every word that leaves Quade’s mouth isn’t only making me fucking insane with worry, but it’s also making my gut twist with dread.And the final nail in the coffin is when he says the name of the man who has taken her. A name that makes panic settle into the pit of my stomach, mixed with shock and worry.Reagon.He should be dead.He was dead.How is he here?“You fucked up by taking her somewhere you had shit security-” I snarl, watching the speed hit max on the car as I zoom through the highway.“I had fifteen men posted!” he cuts in. “I wasn’t predicting anyone but Logan or Drew to do something! My men are fucking dead!”“Who Reagon fucking killed! Shows what we’re fucking dealing with!”“Yeah, but he wasn’t working alone. I k
~ LAYLA ~“Ah, you’re awake.”My heart races as I look up, realising that I’m tied to a chair in a room that is lit with a sickly red light. One that is only making my already aching head spin. I don’t have my glasses either, which doesn’t help.“Who are you, and what do you want with me?” I ask. My throat feels rough.“What do I want? Relax. Be grateful you're alive,” comes the voice. It’s the man from the garden, the one I got into a scuffle with.My eyes flash, but although he’s not wearing his mask, with the dim red lighting casting shadows on his face and the fact I can’t see properly, I’m unable to make out his features from where he sits. But what I do know is he is watching me.“Who sent you? My uncle? The Dartmouths?”“The who? Your uncle? I never knew you had an uncle.” He chuckles grimly.“Logan then?”“You really are becoming more and more disappointing by the second.” He stands up and leaves the room.I take a deep breath, trying to focus on my surroundings. Where am I and
~ QUADE ~“There’s no sign of her, Alpha. She may have left town,” Eddie says, massaging his temples. “What was with that website?”“That’s none of your concern. Focus on Nikita. We’re talking about a psychotic maniac. She doesn’t just show her face for no obvious reason. There’s a reason she came back.”“Well, you did say she took something of yours. Maybe that’s what she wanted? And since she got it, she’s bailed.”I shake my head. “No. She could have done that without me noticing if she really wanted to. She made herself known for a reason. I just don’t know why. Keep searching for her. I find it hard to believe that she’s actually gone.”He nods and I frown. After enjoying Layla earlier, I want nothing to ruin my mood tonight.“Well, we won’t stop looking.”Maybe I could ask Julian… I don’t know… “Alright, just stay on alert, I’m going-”I pull out my earpiece. I’m sure I heard something. I pause for a second, listening carefully, a frown creasing my brow.“All ok, Alpha?” Eddie as
~ LAYLA ~I scan the trees and bushes that line the tall brick wall that lines the bottom of the garden, feeling certain I saw movement in the far corner. But when I squint, wishing I was wearing my glasses, I don’t see anything. I walk backwards to the bedside table and grab my glasses. The feeling of being watched only intensifies.Frowning, I move to the glass door that is on the other side of the window, my eyes stuck outside. I hesitate before I unlock it and step outside.“Who’s there?” I call, a small frown on my face as I scan the garden again. I look around when I catch something moving from the corner of my eye. I turn sharply, certain something moved behind the trees.I see the shadowed outline of a person.There!“Hey!” I call as I break into a run. The person moves fast, as if not wanting to be caught. My eyes blaze as I speed up, my bare feet silent on the stone paths. I jump over the low wall and look around.Where have they gone? Fuck!I should call Quade.I turn, ready
~ LAYLA ~“Come to me, Layla.”“Come to me.”“Come to me!”Why are there voices in my head? I look around, confused, as I stand at the edge of the pond.Winter’s fallen, and it’s all iced over. Why are we here in winter?Didn’t we only visit during warmer seasons?I tilt my head as my body moves forward and I walk onto the ice. This is dangerous. Why am I not stopping?“Layla!”Someone’s calling me in the distance, but I still go on, laughing as the ice cracks beneath my feet. Why am I finding this completely normal? Move!But my legs have a mind of their own.“Layla! Get back! That’s dangerous!”It’s that voice again…I try to turn but my body doesn’t move. Instead, I do a twirl on the ice, enjoying the cool air that rushes through my hair. The pinch of biting cold at the tip of my nose makes me smile.“Layla, Goddess! Layla, don’t do this to me. Come here, you know it’s dangerous.”“It’s not, live a little, Tray! Join me.”“Layla, I can’t come to you. I’m too heavy. Please come here.
~ LAYLA ~I sit up and flinch at how sore my pussy feels. I feel good though; I don’t remember the last time I’ve had such intense orgasms, or when I’ve moaned so loudly. Just the thought makes my core clench.I’m only wearing my gown, and it barely covers my thighs, the marks of our passion remain clear, and I reach for my glasses before putting them on and gazing down at the red marks that cover my thighs, mostly from where he had held me.Oh, he was good, and you aren’t meant to fuck your business partners. Yet, I did just that. But I have no regrets.I bite my lip, gazing outside at the moon for a moment before looking at the man who lies beside me. The sheet covers him from the waist down, his arms behind his head, his muscles bulging and his chest rising and falling. He doesn’t snore, that or he isn’t asleep.Sighing softly, I run my fingers over the mark where he had held my thigh as he fucked me remains; I blush, unable to suppress the small smile that crosses my lips. Julian’s
~ QUADE ~I kiss her hungrily, wanting to do this for far too long, and if she refused me tonight, I would have gone crazy. Her tantalising kisses when she was drugged have been on my mind. Being around her fuels those feelings, and I’m a fucking man. And although we are not exclusive, ever since I saw her again, I want only her.I tighten my hold on her neck as I kiss her passionately. Her eyes are hooded with lust, that beautiful blue that reminds you of the ocean. I let go of her neck, wrapping my arm around her waist, the other cupping her face as I kiss her, carrying her to the bed. I place her down, my eyes raking over her as I climb between her legs and claim her lips in a kiss once more.She pushes my shirt down, tugging it off and dropping it onto the bed beside her as her hands roam my body. I can smell her arousal, that slight intoxicating scent that wants me to ravage her and never stop. I attack her neck again with kisses as I undress her swiftly, tossing the flimsy pieces
~ LAYLA ~I gaze out into the darkness, admiring the moon that shies away behind the clouds. But even if it’s mostly hidden, the warm glow from it casts a serene light over the deck and garden.After we had eaten, I showered and got ready for bed. It’s been a long day.Quade told me to take the main bedroom, the one that’s decorated. I now glance at the bed, smiling slightly at the petals that cover it. I walk over to the bed, ready to shake the sheet off when there’s a knock on the door, and I look up to see Quade standing there. He’s freshly showered, wearing light-coloured sweatpants and his shirt is left open as if he threw it on as an afterthought.“Are you headed to bed already?” he asks. My heart races as his eyes trail over me, lingering on my thighs. I’m wearing a satin slip dress with an extremely short gown wrapped over. Neither covers much of my legs.“I think it’s best I do?”“And why is that?” He enters the room as he walks over to the bedside table, placing his phone dow