**NINA**Waking up felt like being buried alive.The sheets were satin, the air perfumed and still, but my chest was tight, lungs burning with panic. My hands immediately flew to my belly.Still there.Still safeMy limbs were heavy, too heavy. My thoughts lagged behind my body like they were trying to swim through mud. I sat up too fast. The room swam.And then I saw a woman.Seated in a high-backed chair at the end of the bed like a queen on her throne. Legs crossed, red lipstick perfect, a silk robe the color of blood pooling around her. Her nails were long, glossy, sharp. She didn’t blink.“Oh, good. You’re awake.”I scrambled back, one hand on my belly, the other gripping the sheets like I could somehow tear my way out.“Where am I?” My throat was dry. My words cracked.“Safe,” she said, smiling like a shark. “For now.”I scanned the room. No doors. No windows. Just a heavy curtain draped across one wall. Mirrors framed in gold. A tray of untouched food—fruit, cheese, something
KANEWe found the Sanctuary on a hill. It was built with steel and glass and had strong security and advanced surveillance systems.“She really went full Bond villain with this one,” Kendrick muttered beside me, crouched low in the tall grass just outside the perimeter fence.I didn’t reply.I was already scanning patterns—guard rotations, light sweeps, and camera angles. One mistake and we’d be spotted. And if we were spotted, Nina would pay the price.So we wouldn’t be.I flicked my wrist.Jammer—on.The cameras twitched, froze, blinked out. Fifteen minutes. We moved.Over the fence. Through the trees. Immediately, my foot hit the ground; I moved swiftly to my first victim. I crept towards the unsuspecting man's back and then his body trembled, shoulders jerking up a bit as he fearfully turned towards me, noticing my presence behind him. His mouth opened, ready to alert the other guards lurking in the distance, but it was already too late. My fist was already wrapped tightly aroun
**KANE** Miss Carie stood silhouetted against the storm-lashed sky, her black coat billowing like the wings of some great carrion bird. The guards flanking her were no ordinary mercenaries—they were hers, cold-eyed and still as statues, rifles locked onto our center mass. No twitch. No wasted movement. Professionals. And behind her— Nina.Tied to that damned chair, her bare feet dangling over the abyss. The rope around her wrists had bitten into her skin, leaving angry red marks. Her dress—the same soft blue one she’d worn the morning they took her—fluttered in the gale, the fabric snapping like a flag in the wind. But it was her eyes that cut deepest. The way they found mine, not with fear, but with a quiet, furious promise. I’m still here—alive. And that was all I needed. Miss Carie followed my gaze and smiled. “You always did have a type,” she mused, stepping closer to Nina. Her gloved hand trailed along Nina’s shoulder, possessive. “Soft. Sweet. Breakable. Do as I say, kneel
Epilogue 1: KANENine Months PregnantThe house was too quiet.Nina was curled on the couch, a thick knit blanket draped over her swollen belly. She had one hand resting there, thumb absently tracing little circles over the fabric of her shirt, while her other hand clutched a steaming mug of tea. Chamomile. Her favorite.I stood in the doorway, watching her.Nine months.Nine months since I carried her out of hell. Since I held her trembling body and promised I’d never let anyone hurt her again. And I hadn’t. Not once.She shifted, eyes catching mine. That soft, tired smile she gave me still hit like a punch to the chest.“Hey,” she said, voice rough with sleep and something warmer. “You’re staring.”“I do that sometimes,” I murmured, walking over. “Can’t help it.”She raised an eyebrow. “Because I’m huge?”“Because you’re mine,” I corrected, kneeling beside the couch. My hand slid beneath hers on her belly, and I felt the faintest kick against my palm.Our Son.“He's getting strong,”
Epilogue 2: NINA Two Weeks Later The nursery was quiet, except for the soft creak of the rocking chair and the faint, rhythmic breaths of the baby sleeping in my arms. My son. Our son. He was bundled in a gray blanket, his little fists curled tight near his face, his mouth puckered in that serious expression he wore even while sleeping—just like his father. I brushed my thumb over his cheek, still marveling at the fact that he was real. That I was still here. I almost thought that this was all a dream and that I'd wake up to find myself back in that rundown apartment, alone once again. His name was Ezra. Kane picked it. Said it meant “helper,” but when I’d looked it up and found out it also meant “protector,” I knew. Knew it was perfect. Because Ezra was both of us. The fire and the fight. The light after the dark. The door creaked open behind me, and I didn’t have to look to know it was Kane. His footsteps were always heavier—but quieter now, like he’d learned how t
NINAThe drive was calm and peaceful. Kane's hand rested over mine as we watched the city pass by, with golden sunlight stretching across the skyline. Ezra slept in his carrier behind us, and his soft, rhythmic breathing was the only sound we heard. “Kane,” I said for the third time, glancing sideways. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” His lips curved slightly. That smug look that always made my heart flutter. “You’ll see. We’re almost there.” I narrowed my eyes at him but let it go. The last few weeks had been a haze of diapers, midnight feedings, and deep, aching love for the tiny soul we brought into the world. I hadn’t had much time—or energy—to think about surprises. But when we turned down a quiet street I didn’t recognize, something shifted in the air. He slowed the car in front of a large gated property. The iron gates opened automatically as we approached, revealing a long stone-paved driveway flanked by blooming white rose bushes and tall, swaying cypre
NINA10:46PMI hummed softly as I padded toward our room with a mug of chamomile tea in hand, relishing the quiet for just a moment. The hallway was quiet and still, the kind of calm that only existed when Ezra was asleep and Kane hadn’t come up yet. I turned the corner—And stopped dead.There, halfway down the hallway near the guest room, Kendrick had Laila pinned gently against the wall, his lips on hers. Her hands were buried in his shirt, her body arching into his like this wasn’t the first time.I didn’t move. Couldn’t.What the hell?They didn’t see me at first. His head tilted slightly, deepening the kiss. Her fingers slipped into his hair like she knew every inch of him.Laila. My best friend.Kendrick. Kane's now closest friend.My throat tightened. Not from anger—but from the sheer weight of what the hell is going on and why didn’t I know?Then Laila opened her eyes.She froze, eyes locking with mine in pure panic.Kendrick turned, following her gaze, and when he saw me, h
Ava Clarke Doesn’t Give a DamnI walked into Professor Wolfe’s lecture like it was a goddamn catwalk—twenty minutes late, heels loud, dress short enough to start a fight. No apology. No eye contact. I just chewed gum and peeled off my sunglasses like I hadn’t just shattered his precious punctuality policy.The room went dead silent.Wolfe didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Just paused mid-sentence, chalk in hand, like someone had slapped the universe sideways.I chose the front row. Of course, I did.I slid into the seat slowly, thighs sticking to the wood, and let my skirt ride up even higher. Then I stretched. Arms over my head, back arched, skirt flipping just enough to flash the lace of my panties to the whole damn room.A few guys coughed. One dropped his pen.Wolfe turned around.And fuck me, he looked pissed.His sleeves were rolled to the elbows, tie loosened like it had tried to restrain him and failed. His jaw ticked once—just once—before he set the chalk down with a calmness so pre
The door slammed behind me, cutting off the noise of the outside world. I was home. I kicked off my shoes at the door, the click of them landing too loud in the silence. My father’s voice carried from the dining room, warm and inviting, as always.“Ava? Is that you?”I didn’t answer. I straightened my shoulders, took a breath, and walked to the dining room.The table was set, as always. The china gleamed, silverware polished. Everything was perfect. My father, in his crisp white shirt and black trousers, sat at the head, his hands folded in front of him. My mother was already seated, her gaze lifting from her phone as I entered, her smile warm.“Ava, how was your day?” my father asked, his voice as smooth and comforting as ever. The man was a saint in the eyes of the world, a respected figure. He had no idea what had just happened to me. What I'd done. “Fine,” I said, my voice too tight. “Quiet.”“Good,” he replied. “Good. I spoke with Director Johnson earlier. He said you’re doing w
I was still trembling when I came. My thighs quivered, clenching helplessly around Professor Damon’s cock as he emptied inside me, thick and hot. He groaned low in his chest, driving into me one last time, deep, possessive, marking me in every filthy, irreversible way.We stayed there for a moment—my back arched against the desk, his body covering mine, our sweat-slicked skin glued together, breathing ragged. The room was thick with the scent of sex, heat curling in the air even with the hum of the AC.But then—Knock.I jolted. My eyes flew open.Knock. Knock.And then a voice.“Professor Wolfe? Are you in there?”My heart plummeted into my stomach.That voice. That calm, familiar, warm voice.My father.Not just any man. Principal Clarke. Head of the school. Head of my home. And a highly respected pastor of our city's most powerful Catholic church.If he walked in and saw what had just happened-his daughter dripping with sex, the air heavy with sin, my professor still semi-hard from
“Think I didn’t notice?” he muttered, voice harsh and low. “Every time you crossed your arms under these tits in class. Every time you leaned forward while pretending to take notes. You’ve been asking for this.”I didn’t deny it. Couldn’t.My nipples tightened under his gaze, skin flushed with red palm print and hunger.“Beautiful,” he muttered, almost to himself.I pushed my tits together, and he thrust between them with a low groan. His cock slid through the soft swell of my cleavage, slick and hard, the head brushing against my chin each time he rocked forward.He gripped my shoulders and kept thrusting between my breasts, breathing heavy, hips snapping harder as his self-control frayed. The sound of skin on skin, our mingled breath, the wet slide of him through my cleavage—it was pure heat.“Open your mouth,” he growled.I did.The next thrust had the head of his cock brushing against my tongue, and I moaned at the taste of him—raw, masculine, overpowering. I flicked my tongue ove
Ava Clarke Doesn’t Give a DamnI walked into Professor Wolfe’s lecture like it was a goddamn catwalk—twenty minutes late, heels loud, dress short enough to start a fight. No apology. No eye contact. I just chewed gum and peeled off my sunglasses like I hadn’t just shattered his precious punctuality policy.The room went dead silent.Wolfe didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Just paused mid-sentence, chalk in hand, like someone had slapped the universe sideways.I chose the front row. Of course, I did.I slid into the seat slowly, thighs sticking to the wood, and let my skirt ride up even higher. Then I stretched. Arms over my head, back arched, skirt flipping just enough to flash the lace of my panties to the whole damn room.A few guys coughed. One dropped his pen.Wolfe turned around.And fuck me, he looked pissed.His sleeves were rolled to the elbows, tie loosened like it had tried to restrain him and failed. His jaw ticked once—just once—before he set the chalk down with a calmness so pre
NINA10:46PMI hummed softly as I padded toward our room with a mug of chamomile tea in hand, relishing the quiet for just a moment. The hallway was quiet and still, the kind of calm that only existed when Ezra was asleep and Kane hadn’t come up yet. I turned the corner—And stopped dead.There, halfway down the hallway near the guest room, Kendrick had Laila pinned gently against the wall, his lips on hers. Her hands were buried in his shirt, her body arching into his like this wasn’t the first time.I didn’t move. Couldn’t.What the hell?They didn’t see me at first. His head tilted slightly, deepening the kiss. Her fingers slipped into his hair like she knew every inch of him.Laila. My best friend.Kendrick. Kane's now closest friend.My throat tightened. Not from anger—but from the sheer weight of what the hell is going on and why didn’t I know?Then Laila opened her eyes.She froze, eyes locking with mine in pure panic.Kendrick turned, following her gaze, and when he saw me, h
NINAThe drive was calm and peaceful. Kane's hand rested over mine as we watched the city pass by, with golden sunlight stretching across the skyline. Ezra slept in his carrier behind us, and his soft, rhythmic breathing was the only sound we heard. “Kane,” I said for the third time, glancing sideways. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” His lips curved slightly. That smug look that always made my heart flutter. “You’ll see. We’re almost there.” I narrowed my eyes at him but let it go. The last few weeks had been a haze of diapers, midnight feedings, and deep, aching love for the tiny soul we brought into the world. I hadn’t had much time—or energy—to think about surprises. But when we turned down a quiet street I didn’t recognize, something shifted in the air. He slowed the car in front of a large gated property. The iron gates opened automatically as we approached, revealing a long stone-paved driveway flanked by blooming white rose bushes and tall, swaying cypre
Epilogue 2: NINA Two Weeks Later The nursery was quiet, except for the soft creak of the rocking chair and the faint, rhythmic breaths of the baby sleeping in my arms. My son. Our son. He was bundled in a gray blanket, his little fists curled tight near his face, his mouth puckered in that serious expression he wore even while sleeping—just like his father. I brushed my thumb over his cheek, still marveling at the fact that he was real. That I was still here. I almost thought that this was all a dream and that I'd wake up to find myself back in that rundown apartment, alone once again. His name was Ezra. Kane picked it. Said it meant “helper,” but when I’d looked it up and found out it also meant “protector,” I knew. Knew it was perfect. Because Ezra was both of us. The fire and the fight. The light after the dark. The door creaked open behind me, and I didn’t have to look to know it was Kane. His footsteps were always heavier—but quieter now, like he’d learned how t
Epilogue 1: KANENine Months PregnantThe house was too quiet.Nina was curled on the couch, a thick knit blanket draped over her swollen belly. She had one hand resting there, thumb absently tracing little circles over the fabric of her shirt, while her other hand clutched a steaming mug of tea. Chamomile. Her favorite.I stood in the doorway, watching her.Nine months.Nine months since I carried her out of hell. Since I held her trembling body and promised I’d never let anyone hurt her again. And I hadn’t. Not once.She shifted, eyes catching mine. That soft, tired smile she gave me still hit like a punch to the chest.“Hey,” she said, voice rough with sleep and something warmer. “You’re staring.”“I do that sometimes,” I murmured, walking over. “Can’t help it.”She raised an eyebrow. “Because I’m huge?”“Because you’re mine,” I corrected, kneeling beside the couch. My hand slid beneath hers on her belly, and I felt the faintest kick against my palm.Our Son.“He's getting strong,”
**KANE** Miss Carie stood silhouetted against the storm-lashed sky, her black coat billowing like the wings of some great carrion bird. The guards flanking her were no ordinary mercenaries—they were hers, cold-eyed and still as statues, rifles locked onto our center mass. No twitch. No wasted movement. Professionals. And behind her— Nina.Tied to that damned chair, her bare feet dangling over the abyss. The rope around her wrists had bitten into her skin, leaving angry red marks. Her dress—the same soft blue one she’d worn the morning they took her—fluttered in the gale, the fabric snapping like a flag in the wind. But it was her eyes that cut deepest. The way they found mine, not with fear, but with a quiet, furious promise. I’m still here—alive. And that was all I needed. Miss Carie followed my gaze and smiled. “You always did have a type,” she mused, stepping closer to Nina. Her gloved hand trailed along Nina’s shoulder, possessive. “Soft. Sweet. Breakable. Do as I say, kneel