Chapter 42: Gentle FlamesGarett’s PovThe soft light of the bedside lamp shone golden into the room and onto Thorne, who stood by the window. His shirt was loose on his lean frame, his hair tousled from his sleep. He was effortlessly beautiful, he usually was, but tonight, there was just something about him that cut a little deeper.I leaned against the doorframe, my gaze tracing every inch of him. There was no denying it: Thorne had become my haven, my source of joy, and my most significant vulnerability."Thorne," I whispered his name low.He finally turned toward me, his eyes locking on mine with this curious, tender expression. I moved closer to him, another step, until I could touch him. My hand reached out and gently cupped his cheek. He didn't pull away, just leaned into my touch and let the trust and the warmth of his wash away the walls I didn't even realize I was still nursing."You've given me so much more than I ever thought I deserved," I murmured, my thumb brushing agai
Chapter Forty-Three: In Search of AnswersThorne's POVThat confirmation of our relationship had brought a temporary sense of peace, the first glimmer of stability in my mind. Garrett's love felt like an anchor in the storm, but the gaping void of my past continued to torment me. I couldn't ignore it anymore. If I was to be his-to give myself to him fully-I needed to know who I was. Fully.But intertwined in that need to uncover my past was a bitter element: feeling guilty for keeping secrets from Garrett-for hiding my pursuit of answers from the man who'd been my one constant in this uncertain existence. Yet, as much as I loved him, with each passing day the questions just boomed louder in my mind.Garrett had been slackening the reins on me of late. Perhaps it was a sign that he trusted me, or perhaps he felt I needed to become autonomous; whatever the reason, I quietly set about finding. well, finding whatever I found.Contacting GavinGavin had once been a good, trustworthy friend
Chapter Forty - Four: A Dangerous FavorThorne's POV:The ring of the telephone had come too damn early in the morning, shrill as it sliced through my restless sleep. Rubbing my eyes to shake off the fogginess, remnants of a night plagued with nightmares, the sight of that unknown number flashing on the screen sucked a cold knot into my belly. I knew it wasn't good.Thorne ," I replied, trying to keep my voice from betraying the anxiety creeping up my spine.The voice on the other end was cold, impersonal, and unmistakably familiar; Donovan's subordinates."You want to prove yourself to the Cullen family, don't you?" the voice said, getting to the point without mincing words. "Donovan's been keeping a close eye on you. And if you want his approval-if you want him to support your relationship with Garrett-then you'll need to show your loyalty.My heart skipped a beat. This wasn't an offer; it was a condition. One I couldn't ignore, no matter how much I despised being manipulated by Don
Chapter Forty-Five: A Dangerous RescueGarrett's POV:I was pacing across the villa as my heart raced and the panic started to rise in me with every second that ticked away. It had felt like hours since I started searching for Thorne, and yet he was nowhere to be seen. The place was empty without him-a piece of me had gone, it felt like-and the sense of unease that gnawed in my guts was growing by the second. Where the hell was he?It wasn't until I saw the slight disturbance near the back door that it hit me: he had left the villa. I felt my heart dip, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. He was out there, all by himself. Without explanation, without a note. He hadn't told me where he would go. I called, but he went straight to voicemail.Panic clawed at me, but I pushed it down. Thorne was resourceful; he could take care of himself. Still, my instincts screamed at me to find him-fast.I tracked him quickly, my mind already working out where he might have gone. I knew Thorne well eno
Chapter Forty-Six: Tempests of MemoriesThorne's POVThe world had been a blur-a cacophony of muffled voices, a blur of lights-as I was rushed into the hospital. I could feel the chaos around me-hands holding my arms tight, voices issuing orders, the smell of antiseptic in sterile air-but it felt all so very distant, like it was happening to somebody else. My body felt heavy, unresponsive, while my mind certainly was not. It was a storm, an onslaught of visions and sounds, snatches of a life which was never mine from the very start.I saw glimpses of white coats and the frantic motions of nurses and doctors leaning over me. Someone was yelling orders, and I faintly recognized the words "stabilize him" before continuing even deeper into the fog. My body was no longer mine; I lay at its mercy, while my mind refused to give in.Nightmares started the moment I fell unconscious.They were not nightmares, actually-they were memories. Fractured, disjointed, and painfully vivid: running throu
Chapter Forty-Seven: Escaping the CageThorne's POVThe air in the hospital room felt unbearably stifling; the walls just seemed to close in on me with every passing second. Garrett's constant presence was comforting and oppressive all at once. His gaze followed me wherever he was, full of unspoken concern. Still, it wasn't enough to soothe the storm brewing inside me. The fragments of my past haunted me, and the questions that came with them had grown too loud to ignore.I couldn't dwell on anything else. I couldn't fully believe in Garrett, not with parts of my memory missing and this nagging feeling there was more to my past than he was letting on. And I couldn't afford complacency, not now that for the first time, I felt like I was getting closer to the truth. But Garrett's men were always outside my room, guarding and watching me like a hawk. It would virtually be impossible to do anything.Today was different, though.Garrett had left early that morning, muttering something abou
Chapter 48Thorne's POVThe warehouse loomed ahead, a dark monolith cast long and wide by the faint streetlights. The air was thick with the metallic tang of rust, oil, and decay. Every step I took closer seemed amplified out loud in the stillness, the sound of my feet meeting the earth overloaded only by the pounding of my heart.I'd been on a trail, piecing together really the fragments of information I could dig up, and this was going to be-it felt like the turning point. This warehouse was big, something big was going down, and with the right move, it might unravel whatever secret dealings the Cullen family was hiding in the dark.As I came closer, I saw a group of men stood at the entrance, loose in stance, but their alertness was easy to realize. Their gaze cut in neat, exact cuts around them; their hands barely left the daggers each of them held.Among them, my eyes caught a figure that seemed so familiar. There was no mistaking him in the dim light-Dexter Cullen. He was the se
Chapter 49Thorne's POVThe knife was suspended above my mark, poised to fall, when I heard that voice."Thorne, it's me."My body froze, blade inches from its mark, as I turned to him. His features were indistinct, shrouded by the darkness, but there was no mistaking the desperation in his eyes. Without saying another word, he released me and gestured for silence.Follow me," he whispered, his voice commanding yet calm.A million thoughts flooded my mind. What was Gavin doing here? Was he working for Donovan? Was this some kind of trap? My instincts yelled at me to keep my guard up, but something in the way he sounded made me pause. I lowered the knife and nodded reluctantly.Gavin led me through the maze of crates and shadows, his movements definite and calculated to avoid the main pathways so that we were out of sight. My heart thudded in my chest as every step shook the faintly echoing voices and footsteps around us-the reminder of our danger.Finally, he stopped before a car tuck
Chapter 11”: The TrapLena’s POVThe silence in the room was suffocating. I stood frozen, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stared at Damian. His face was stone-cold, but his eyes burned with barely contained fury. Logan had just delivered the news—Bianca had taken someone.Someone close to me.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. My fingers curled into fists as I struggled to process it.“Who?” My voice came out hoarse.Logan hesitated, glancing at Damian before answering. “Mia.”A sharp pain shot through my chest. Mia. The only person who had ever been like a sister to me. The girl who had stayed by my side when no one else did. The thought of her in Bianca’s hands made my stomach churn.I took a shaky breath and turned to Damian. “We have to go. Now.”He didn’t answer immediately. His jaw was tight, his muscles tense as if he were barely restraining himself.“It’s not that simple,” he finally said.My eyes flashed with anger. “What do you mean? She has Mia! Are you seriously tell
Chapter One hundred and Nine : We DoThorne's POVThe hospital smelled of antiseptic and medication, something I'd gotten way too accustomed to in the last few days. But today didn't count. Today was special.Because today, I was taking Garrett home.I gripped the pen firmly in my hand as I signed the discharge papers. My hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but from something deeper—something that had been building inside of me since Garrett woke up.Relief.Sense of finality.New beginning.The nurse checked the papers from me, looking up with a warm smile. "All set. He can go home."I nodded, barely able to get the words out.I turned to confront the room, my heart pounding as I yanked open the door. Garrett sat on the edge of the bed, dressed already, his dark eyes fixed on me uncertainly."Sure you're ready to do this?" he asked, still a little raspy.I laughed a half-breathless laugh. "I signed the stupid documents, didn't I?"Garrett smiled. "Guess I shouldn't complain about
Chapter One hundred and eight : Hope Thorne's POVThe hospital room was quiet save for the constant beeping of the heart monitor. The dim light from the window gave a soft illumination to the bed, on Garrett's face—the face I had glared at for hours on end, full of anger, frustration, confusion. But now, I wasn't glaring at him with any of those emotions.Now, I was only full of hope.I had been sitting there for hours, my hands resting on the railing of the bed, my fingers occasionally brushing against his. He was warm, he was breathing, but he hadn't moved.Not yet.I breathed a shuddering breath and swept the hair out of my face, my muscles cramped from being in the same position for so long. I hadn't moved. Not even when the nurses told me I had to rest. Not even when my own exhaustion screamed at me to shut my eyes.Because what if I died, and he came around when I was gone?No. I wasn't going anywhere.My gaze wandered to his face—his hard face relaxed by sleep, his dark lashes
Chapter 107 : Desperate For A Chance Thorne's POVThe corridor of the hospital felt chillier than usual. Or maybe it was me—my body heavy, my heart heavier.Gavin stood before me with his face expressionless. There was no anger, no disappointment, just a calm resignation, as if he had already heard my response even before he asked me the question.I should have talked—talked to soften the rejection, to dissipate the tension. I had nothing.Gavin released a gentle breath, rubbing the nape of his neck. "I see," he said. "You don't have to tell me any more."I opened my mouth, hesitated, then closed it.But just as he turned to leave, he hesitated. His fist curled loosely at his side before he spoke once more finally."There's something you should know, though."His tone was level, but there was something in his eyes—a glint of something black, something that twisted my stomach into a knot of anticipation."Which?" I hedged.Gavin's eyes met mine. "The night I saved you… Garrett called
Chapter 106: By His SideThorne's POVI didn't leave Garrett alone. Ever.The hospital room was cold, too white, too clean. The machines beeped softly in the quiet, a reminder he was still here, still breathing. But he wasn't awake. He hadn't moved since the operation, and that terrified me more than anything.I sat beside his bed, watching. His face was pale, lips dry. Bandages on his chest protruded from the hospital gown, harsh reminder that the bullet meant for me found home in him.I grasped his hand, hesitating before encircling it with my own. Cold to the touch, his skin seemed, and yet there was a warmth beneath, a testament that he clung on.You'd better wake up soon," I growled, my throat rough. "You can't just leave me like this."I pinned his hand down firmly, but he didn't react.The guilt was crushing.I had spent so much time hating him, blaming him, repelling him. And now that I should have protected myself, Garrett had stepped in front of that bullet.It ought to have
Chapter One hundred and five : Thorne's POVThe prison gates slam shut behind me with a ringing crash, the sound echoing in my head as a final warning. I shuffle down the dimly lit corridor, my steps leaden, my mind reeling. Donovan's words still replay in my head, each one cutting deeper than the last."It was me. My intentional goading. I made sure you remembered."I flexed my fingers as I stepped outside, the crisp night air slapping my face. I set my teeth and breathed in deeply, but it did not help. Nothing would.I had despised Garrett for so long. I blamed him for everything—for my stolen past, for my confusion, for my suffering. But now? Now I realized the truth. Garrett had never actually been my enemy. He had been there, on the periphery of the Cullen family's crimes, but he was not like Donovan. He was not a monster.And yet, I had treated him as if he were.Guilt weighed on me like a leaden collar around my neck as I went to my car. My hands shook as I opened the door and
Chapter 104: Secret RevealedThorne's POVThe prison was cold. Not just from the thick concrete walls or the lack of sunlight coming in through the small, barred windows, but from what this place represented. It was where the damned resided, where the people who had crossed a boundary they could never return from. And now, Donovan was there.I trudged down the lengthy corridor, my boots clanging off the stone floor. Stagnant air, perspiration, and rusting metal greeted me as I passed cell after cell of inmates, ignoring the prisoners who yelled or slammed against their doors. I wasn't there for them. I was there for him.I halted when I reached his cell.Donovan sat on the metal bench, his hands resting casually on his lap. The moment he saw me, a smirk curled at his lips. He didn’t look like a man who had lost everything. If anything, he looked amused—like he had been expecting me.“Agent Thorne,” he greeted, his voice smooth, relaxed. “I was wondering when you’d come.”I didn't sit.
Chapter 103: Plan To ResignThorne's POVBlood. Too much blood.It oozed on my hands, saturated the fabric of my clothing, and ran on the unforgiving earth below me. I pressed tightly against Garrett's wound, but the blood streamed on through my fingers, searing and uninterrupted. My respiration was small, gaspy.This couldn't be happening. It was happening."Get him into the car! Now!" Donovan shouted above the bedlam, stern and urgent.His usual cockiness was gone. His face was pale and his eyes wide with something I never would have thought I would ever witness: fear. Donovan, never before, looked lost, like he had no control over anything. That alone made my stomach twist. If Donovan was scared, things were more terrible than I could have ever thought.The guys rushed, scooping Garrett's slumped body into the back seat of the black SUV. I climbed in behind them, holding on tight. My hands were wrapped around his wound, holding as much pressure as I could. His breathing was sporadi
Chapter 102: Feelings Thorne's POVGarrett dropped in front of me, his form crashing onto the ground with a nauseating crunch. Time slowed down as I stood there rigid, observing the crimson pool of blood spreading on the ground, the dark red staining the pavement like a jesting reminder of all that had transpired to lead to this. My lungs froze as I breathed in, my body unable to move.I had waited years for this—to finally kill Garrett and to bring an end to the Cullen family.But now, standing over him, watching his blood seep into the ground, I felt no victory. No victory at all.Only a burning, intolerable pain.Garrett's breathing was shallow, his chest rising and falling in slow, irregular motion. His lips trembled as he tried to talk, and I found myself leaning forward, straining to hear what he would say."I'm sorry…"His voice was barely audible, little more than a whisper.I bristled.His eyes, cold and sharp as ever, were unfocused, filled with something indistinguishable.