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Jaxon’s POVI returned to the main hall of the gala, my thoughts clouded with frustration. The sound of conversation and the soft tinkling of glasses did little to distract me from the lingering heat of my argument with Riley. I couldn't get the image of his face from my head when he stood up to me.His defiance was like a knife stabbed in my chest, one I couldn’t seem to pull out no matter how hard I tried. Normally, I would have found such a behavior as hot and sexy, but now, it just irritated me and I had to fight this feeling of punching him.The memory of his sharp words and unwavering glare lingered, fueling the fire of my anger. He had a way of getting under my skin like no one else ever had, and it was infuriating. I wanted to fire him. God, how I wanted to fire him. To rid myself of his insubordination, his smug confidence, and the constant headache he brought into my life. But I couldn’t. Riley had managed to make himself indispensable. His connections, his intellige
Riley’s POVRyan and I walked side by side, leaving the louder parts of the gala behind. The atmosphere felt lighter away from the crowd, though the distant hum of conversation and occasional bursts of laughter reminded me we weren’t entirely alone. We turned a corner into a more secluded area of the hall, where the lighting was dimmer, and the energy of the party seemed to fade into the background. Just as I began to relax, my attention was caught by a couple standing near a column, locked in a passionate kiss, completely oblivious to the world around them. Ryan noticed them too, and we both froze for a moment before a shared glance broke the silence. “Well,” Ryan said, chuckling softly. “They sure know how to make the most of an event.” I laughed, trying to stifle the sound but failing miserably. “I guess keeping it simple isn’t their strong suit.” Ryan grinned, and the tension that had been lingering since our initial conversation melted away. “If anything, they’re a r
Riley’s POVThe ride back to the hotel was tense, the silence only broken by the sound of the car engine and the occasional click of Jaxon’s phone. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past, my thoughts circling continuously.Why would Ryan say Jaxon likes me?It made no sense. Jaxon didn’t “like” anyone—not in the way Ryan had implied, and certainly not me. If anything, Jaxon barely tolerated my existence, and I wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for him either. I shook my head, trying to shove the absurd notion aside. The reality was much simpler: Jaxon was a colossal asshole, and that was all there was to it. When we reached the hotel lobby, Jaxon’s sharp voice cut through my thoughts. “Natalie, make sure the papers for Ryan to sign are on his desk first thing tomorrow morning. I don’t want any delays.” “Yes, Mr. Steele,” Natalie replied obediently, typing something on her phone. “I’ll contact Ryan’s assistant tonight and ensure everything is set.”
Jaxon’s POVI tightened my grip around Riley’s waist as I half-carried, half-dragged him down the dimly lit hotel corridor. His feet barely stood, and his weight shifted unpredictably as he stumbled and swayed. I could feel my temper flaring with every insult that spilled from his mouth. “You don’t have to do this, you know,” he muttered, his words calm but venomous. “You’re not a knight in shining armor, Jaxon. You’re just… just a soulless bastard who probably enjoys this.” My jaw clenched as I resisted the urge to drop him right there and let him take care of himself. “Keep talking, Riley. It’s only convincing me to leave you laying in the hallway for housekeeping to find in the morning.” He let out a humorless laugh. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you? Just one more way to remind me how much you despise me.” Despise him? The idea danced in my mind, though I couldn’t quite bring myself to confirm it. Riley had a habit for pressing every button I had, and right now, it was ta
Riley's POVThe room felt like it was closing in around me. My body, warm and strangely light, seemed to hum in time with the erratic beat of my heart. Every thought in my head was scattered, dizzying—like the alcohol still moving in my veins was refusing to let go of me. But despite the fog clouding my mind, there was something incredibly clear in that moment: Jaxon. The way he was so close to me, the heat of his body pressing into mine, his breath a whisper on my skin. I should have pulled away, stopped, but all I could think was, "I don’t want this to end."Jaxon’s lips were on mine again, and this time, the kiss was fiercer, urgent. I didn’t understand why it felt so different, so consuming. My mind was fighting to catch up with the sudden shift, but my body... my body wanted more. I couldn’t deny that. My hands were on him now, pulling him closer, unable to find the distance I once thought was necessary. The world outside of this moment—the office, the building, the conse
Riley's POV The blinding sunlight creeping through the thin hotel curtains dragged me out of a restless sleep. I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head in a futile attempt to shut out the morning. My head pounded like a drumline, the hangover reminding me of last night’s reckless drinking. As I shifted, I felt warmth beside me. My body stiffened. Slowly, cautiously, I turned my head. Jaxon. Lying naked. In my bed. My heart stopped for a moment as I took in his broad shoulders and perfectly chiseled abs.What the hell was happening ?I couldn't believe he was lying next to me as if he wasn't the same person that I hated just a few hours ago.His face, relaxed in sleep, was almost peaceful compared to the sharp-edged scowls he usually wore. But that serenity didn’t do anything to calm the storm brewing inside me. "I honestly can't believe this" I muttered under my breath, my voice hoarse and dry. I pushed myself up on one elbow, wincing as the blanket slid off my equa
Jaxon's POV The morning was already unbearable, and the weight of my frustration wasn’t helping. I stood in the hotel lobby, running a hand through my hair as a bellboy carried my bags toward the waiting car. He almost let one fall and I turned to look at him with bloodshot eyes."Will you be careful with that" I snapped. "One of those bags cost more than you're worth, believe me."He apologized immediately then continued making his way to the car.My jaw tightened when the receptionist handed me the final bill for the three rooms we’d used, a reminder of just how chaotic this trip had become. I shoved my credit card into the reader with more force than necessary, my mind replaying last night like a broken record. Riley. Fantasizing about Eric while we were—I couldn’t even finish the thought without wanting to smash something. In all my years of having sex with different people, I’d never encountered such an absurd situation. It was disrespectful and degrading to me."Your r
Riley's POV The sound of the airport swirled around me as Eric and I stepped into the bustling arrivals hall. People moved in every direction, dragging suitcases, hugging loved ones, or rushing to catch their next flight. Amidst the chaos, Eric’s smile was as bright as ever, his excitement contagious. It felt good being back, returning to my normal daily routine, but there was something in my gut that just made walking this close to Eric not feel as good as it felt before.However, I knew I had to keep up a smile on my face, even though it was forced. I didn't want Eric to start worrying about me the first day I arrived in town after traveling.“Riley, I can’t believe you’re back!” he said, his hand brushing my arm as we walked through the crowd. “How was the trip? Was it horrible? Did anyone try to bore you to death in a meeting?” I chuckled softly, though my mind was elsewhere. “It was... eventful. I got to see many beautiful things and also meet great people” I replied and m
Riley's POV The car came to a smooth halt in front of the restaurant, its glowing elegance an extravagant display of glass and lights. The sheer elegance of the building was enough to make anyone feel out of place, but I was used to this now—Jaxon’s world of wealth and sophistication had become familiar territory. Before I could reach for the door handle, it swung open, revealing one of Jaxon’s bodyguards standing tall and imposing. His movements were precise, almost rehearsed, as he stepped aside to let me out. “Thank you,” I said politely, stepping onto the almost busy driveway. “Please let the driver know to stay ready. I won’t be too long.” The bodyguard nodded respectfully, his deep voice steady. “Understood, Mr. Matthews" he said.I adjusted my jacket, smoothing down the runples and took a moment to take in the sight of the restaurant. The evening air was delicious, the faint scent of sweet and expensive perfume being carried through the breeze. A valet hurried past,
Jaxon's POV The first thing I became aware of was a soft, persistent voice pulling me from the suffocating depths of unconsciousness. It wasn’t sharp or startling, but it was there—gentle and warm, like a light tug at the edges of my mind. “Jaxon… Come on, Jaxon. It’s time to wake up now.” Alexis. I’d recognize her voice anywhere, even in this hazy void. She was the only one that could annoy me to wake up.I tried to respond, to open my eyes, but my body felt like it was filled with something heavy.My limbs were tight, my chest tight, and even my eyelids refused to cooperate. Still, her voice didn’t falter. “You’re stronger than this,” she said, her tone firm but encouraging. “Riley needs you, Jaxon. We all do. So, wake up already!” That name—Riley. It sparked something in me, like a fire lighting in full force.Slowly, painfully, I willed my eyelids to move. The room around me came into focus, and the first thing I saw was Alexis’s face hovering above mine, her eyes wide
Riley's POVThe quiet of my apartment was a welcome change after the constant hum of the hospital. I didn't have to deal with the relentless beeping of the machines connected to Jaxon and I have to admit, I felt relived that I didn't have to listen to it, even if for just a few moments.It honestly wasn't easy living without Jaxon and I couldn't believe I had become so close to him, so much that I couldn't imagine how my life would have been if we never met.I guess that's what happens with someone takes a bullet for you.I set my bag down and pulled out my phone, intending to check the time, but a text notification caught my eye. It was from Chloe. "Hey, Riley. How’s Jaxon doing?" She asked and I could feel her concern just from reading her short message.I sighed, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before I finally typed out a response. "He’s still in the coma. The doctors don’t know when or if he’ll wake up" I replied, almost feeling like these words have become some kind of
Riley's POVThe steady hum of the machines filled the hospital room, a cruel reminder of Jaxon's fragile state. I sat beside his bed, my fingers holding his hand tightly, as if my touch could somehow bring him back to me. I couldn't deny it, I was actually hoping something like that would happen and finally end this nightmare once and for all.His face was pale, almost as pale as the clean hospital sheets, and the rhythmic beeping of the monitor was the only sign that life still flowed within him. It had been weeks—weeks since he’d taken that bullet meant for me, weeks since he’d fallen into this coma, and weeks since my entire world had come to revolve around this quiet, suffocating room. I sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead. “Jaxon,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the machines. “You have to wake up. Please. I don’t know how much longer I can do this without you.” There was no response, just the rise and fall of his chest, fixed and unchangin
Riley's POV The moment Jaxon hit the floor, my entire world shattered. I pleaded with him not to go into the light but as I knelt beside him, I could feel his life draining slowly.“Jaxon please don't leave me!” I screamed, holding his head and trying to get him to stay awake. His shirt was soaked with blood, the red stain spreading fast across his chest. My hands trembled as I pressed down on the wound, desperate to stop the bleeding. His eyes fluttered open for a moment, glazed with pain, and he gave me the faintest smile. “Riley…” “Don’t you dare,” I said, my voice breaking. “Don’t you dare leave me, Jaxon. Stay with me.” His breath hitched, shallow and ragged, as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. I pressed harder on the wound, my hands slick with his blood. The warm, sticky sensation made my stomach churn, but I couldn’t afford to think about that now. Arthur stood a few feet away, his face pale and eyes wide with disbelief. He stared at Jaxon as though u
Jaxon's POV The world seemed to tilt on its axis the moment my father pulled the gun from his jacket. Since when did my father carry a gun? This was entirely new to me and I tried my best to process fast what exactly I was stsriiat: the barrel of a loaded gun.Growing up, I have always looked at my father as a man of power, control, and manipulation. He didn’t need weapons—his words alone had the sharpness of blades. But there he was, holding a gun, his face twisted in fury, and the cold metal glinting under the dim light. “Drop the gun, Dad,” I said, my voice calm despite the storm of emotions raging inside me. “This isn’t you. This isn’t how we do things.” His grip tightened around the gun, his knuckles white. “Don’t lecture me, Jaxon. You have no idea what I’m capable of.” Riley’s voice trembled behind me. “Arthur, please… put the gun down. You don’t need to do this.” Arthur’s eyes darted to Riley, his hatred so palpable it felt like a physical force in the room. “Y
Riley's POV The air in the room was suffocating, thick with tension and the undeniable scent of danger. My chest tightened as I glanced around, the four guards surrounding us like wolves circling their prey. My hands trembled, and my legs felt like they might give out at any moment. I had faced enough trials in one day and I was already too tired to even continue another confrontation.I instinctively grabbed hold of the back of Jaxon's shirt as I leaned in closer to him, feeling the intimidating stares from the bodyguards that surrounded us with their huge, muscular bodies."Don't worry, Riley. I've got you. I'll keep you safe" I heard Jaxon say despite the huge amount of tension he was under.I looked at Jaxon as he remained standing in front of me, his broad shoulders squared and his head held high. His body was a solid wall of defiance and determination, shielding me from the menacing gazes of the guards. Although I could feel his intention to protect me, I could tell our s
Jaxon's POV The cold night air felt sharp against my skin as I parked my car far from the house and stepped into the shadows. I kept my eyes on the road ahead to make sure I was a safe distance from where Riley was being held by my father.I checked my phone once again to make sure the tracker signaling Riley was still up ahead was still working despite being a considerably distance from town.I sent Chloe a text, updating her of where I've gotten and told her to be on standby because I had a feeling I might need her.I couldn't tell just how this rescue operation might go and I didn't want to take the risk of putting Riley's life in more danger than it already was.The safe house stood in the distance, surrounded by tall trees and an eerie silence that settled heavily in the atmosphere that almost made me shudder.I took quiet steps as I surveyed the environment to look for a good entry point where I was sure I won't be seen or detected by my father's goons.Thanks to all the James
Riley's POV I laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my fingers brushing against the worn fabric of the blanket beneath me. My mind churned as I tried to piece together where I was and why Arthur Steele would have a place like this. Arthur didn’t seem like the type to hide away in secret locations. He was a man who dominated every room he entered, a master manipulator who controlled people and situations with ruthless efficiency. So why have a place like this? And more importantly, why bring me here? I rubbed my temples, the silence of the room amplifying the questions in my head. My thoughts spiraled, shifting to Jaxon. Was he looking for me? Did he know where I was? The idea that he might be out there, searching for me, gave me a small sliver of hope. My train of thought was interrupted by the abrupt sound of the door unlocking. I sat up, heart pounding, as one of Arthur’s bodyguards entered the room. He was the taller of the two, the one with the annoyed face.He thre