ANYA I swallowed hard, barely daring to believe what I was hearing. “Would I really be free from him?” Evans’ voice softened. “As long as we get all the evidence, yes, you’ll get your freedom, Anya. I promise you, as your best friend, I won’t rest until I rescue you from the clutches of that old-fashioned monster.” Tears welled in my eyes. I pressed my hand to my mouth, trying to keep my sobs quiet. “But you need to be very careful,” Evans continued. “Don’t give him any reason to suspect you. Be obedient and calm for now. That way, you’ll have access to his bedroom and office without raising suspicion.” I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I... I’ve already been in his bedroom.” Evans’ breath caught. “What did you see?” I hesitated before answering. “There were guns... blood... hidden behind a cupboard in his room.” There was a pause before Evans spoke again, his tone grim. “It’s not enough, Anya. That’s bad, but not solid evidence. Considering how rich and power
ANYA I stayed in my room, staring at the ceiling, feeling both bored and anxious. My heart kept pounding as thoughts raced through my mind. What was Hunter planning to ask me to do? What if I messed up our plan? If I failed, Evans could be in danger. And Cross... would I ever get to be with him if things went wrong? There was a soft knock on the door. "Mrs. Hunter?" Marie’s gentle voice called out. "Lunch is ready." I didn’t move. "I’m not hungry," I muttered without opening the door. "Are you sure? I can make you something special if you’d like." "No, Marie. I’m fine." There was a long pause. I thought she had left, but then she spoke again. "Please, Mrs. Hunter, if your husband finds out you didn’t eat, he might fire me." That made me sit up. I hadn’t thought of that. "Just tell him I ate," I said, trying to reassure her. "He doesn’t have to know." Marie hesitated. "I can’t lie to him. Mr. Hunter hates lies. And... there are cameras in the dining room and kitchen.
ANYA My heart pounded as I stepped out of my room. Hunter was waiting just outside, leaning casually against the wall in blue silk pajamas. He looked so relaxed, but I wasn’t fooled....there was always something calculating behind those eyes. Dinner had been tense. I barely tasted the food. After he told me earlier that I couldn’t bathe with my clothes on, I’d bolted out of his room like my life depended on it. But instead of getting angry, he’d simply called after me, telling me to join him for dinner. I had no choice but to obey. The tension was suffocating as we sat across from each other. My hands felt clammy, and I tried to act normal, but it was impossible with Hunter watching me so intently. Halfway through the meal, a car horn outside caught my attention. Hunter’s eyes lit up. "It’s here," he said with a smirk. I followed him to see my new Porsche 911; a sleek, metallic gray sports car gleaming under the outdoor lights. It looked like something out of a movie..
ANYA When I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool air from the AC was a relief against my freshly cleaned skin. The earlier stifling heat had been replaced by a soothing chill. I felt calm for a second....until I noticed Hunter watching me. He lay on the bed, his head propped up by his hand, eyes sharp and unwavering, a small smile playing on his lips. I wondered how he stayed unaffected by the heat earlier. His expression hadn’t changed at all, as if he thrived in making me uncomfortable. I walked over to the bed and lay face down, pressing my cheek into the pillow. My eyes fluttered shut as I forced myself to breathe evenly, pretending to sleep. But I could feel his gaze, heavy and unapologetic, burning into me. Still, exhaustion finally pulled me under. The dream came swiftly, vivid and terrifying. Hunter was standing a few feet away from Evans, who was on his knees, hands raised as if pleading for his life. "I warned you to stay away from my wife," Hunter’s voice r
ANYA The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, warming the room as I stretched my arms lazily. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness. That’s when I felt someone's eyes on me. I turned my head slowly and nearly swallowed my tongue. Hunter stood near the window, hands casually tucked into his pockets. He was dressed in a sharp black suit that hugged his body perfectly. His hair was neatly styled, and he looked like he had just stepped out of a luxury fashion ad. His smile was slow and wicked. “Good morning, Cherie.” I swallowed and sat up, quickly rubbing my face as if that could wipe away the awkwardness. “Good morning, Hunter.” He took a few steps closer, his gaze warm and teasing. “How was your night?” There it was....that amused tone that could make anyone think he was harmless, but made me uncomfortable because I knew what he was capable of. The memories of last night hit me like a tidal wave—the nightmare, Hunter comforting me, his lips on m
ANYA I nodded and leaned closer to Hunter. My heart was racing like I’d just run a mile. I gave him a quick peck on the lips, hoping it would be enough to make him stop. He smiled, amused, as I pulled back and reached for the door handle. I twisted it, but it didn’t budge. I froze. The door was locked. I turned to him, frustration bubbling up in my chest as I thought, “Seriously, Hunter?” His grin widened. “I’m sure you can do better.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing whisper. “Come on, Anya. I taught you how to kiss last night, did you forget so soon? Close your eyes this time.” I stared at him, speechless. He was unbelievable. But before I could argue, his hands gently cupped my face, brushing my cheek. Something in the way he touched me made my nerves melt away. I closed my eyes. Slowly, I leaned in and kissed him again. This time, it was different. His lips pressed against mine softly at first, then deeper, more intense. His arms wrapped around my back
ANYA Cross stared at me, his eyes wild with disbelief. "What? So the rumors are true? How could you? How could you marry someone else when you know how I feel about you, Anya?" His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt my throat tighten, but I forced myself to breathe. I turned away from him, staring blankly at the wall as I tried to find the right words. "It wasn’t my choice," I said softly. Cross's footsteps moved closer until I could feel his warmth behind me. "What do you mean?" His voice was softer now, filled with confusion and hurt. I closed my eyes, remembering every terrible moment. "Hunter showed up at my house the next day. He threatened to destroy my father’s company if I didn't marry him, Cross. He said he’d crush everything my father built. My dad almost had a heart attack. I couldn’t... I couldn’t let that happen." My voice broke, and I bit my lip to stop it from trembling. Cross’s hand gently rested on my shoulder. "Anya... I’m so sorry." I tu
ANYA I exhaled slowly and tucked my phone into my bag. My nerves felt frayed, but I didn’t have time to waste. I said goodbye to Cross and left the library quietly, keeping my head down as I walked toward the exit. Once outside, I pulled out my phone again and called Evans. He picked up after a few rings. "Anya? I saw you earlier but kept my distance. Is it safe to speak now and are you okay?" he asked, sounding concerned. "I’m going to Hunter’s office," I told him. "I have to talk to him... and I might not get this opportunity again. Perhaps I should go ahead and plant the cameras like you mentioned. The only problem is that there may be cameras in Hunter's office and bedroom. I don't want to get caught before our plan even begins." "About that....I thought of it and came up with something to take care of that." I sighed in relief, "Really, thank you so much, Evans." Evans was silent for a second. "You’re sure about this today?" "Yes. I shouldn't waste such a good opp
Ruby’s body ached in ways she had never known before. Her back throbbed, the pain radiating through every limb as she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she was disoriented. 'Where am I?' Then, it all came back. The cold, damp floor beneath her. The cage. The searing sting of Tara’s whip slicing through her skin. And Hector. That monster. She shuddered as she recalled the last thing he had said to her after she spit in his face. "You’re going to become my dog." A chill ran down her spine. Her fingers dug into the metal bars of the cage, her breaths coming out shaky. She wanted to believe it was just a threat—just cruel words meant to break her. But looking around the dimly lit room, she wasn’t so sure. The agonizing screams of another person reached her ears, pulling her attention. Don Gray. She turned slowly and saw him still tied, his body trembling violently. His wrists were raw and bloody, his feet. He was still naked. His head was slumped forward,
Camilla wiped her tears and forced herself to stand. Her legs were weak, her heart heavy with grief, but she had no time to break down. Ruby had no one except her. If her father was gone, then Camilla was all she had left. And no matter what it took, she would find her. With renewed determination, she marched out of the hospital, her mind racing with possibilities. She needed a lead....anything...to track Ruby’s whereabouts. Camilla’s first stop was a local technician. “I need you to trace a phone for me,” she told him urgently. The man adjusted his glasses and sat behind his desk, cracking his knuckles. “Alright, do you have the number?” She gave it to him immediately, tapping her fingers impatiently against the counter as he worked. Seconds stretched into minutes. Then, the technician frowned. “That’s strange.” Camilla’s stomach clenched. “What is it?” “There’s no signal. It’s like the phone doesn’t exist anymore.” Camilla’s heart pounded. “How is that possib
Camilla’s hands trembled as she clutched her arms tightly. The cold sterility of the hospital room did nothing to ease the growing panic inside her. She watched helplessly as the doctor and nurses worked frantically, their voices a blur as they fought to revive Ruby’s father. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor had long since become erratic, each sound a reminder of how close he was to slipping away. The defibrillator pads pressed against his chest, sending jolts of electricity coursing through his body, causing him to convulse slightly before falling still again. She held her breath. 'Please, please…' Another jolt. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. And then.....silence. The monitor’s flatline was deafening. Camilla felt her legs weaken. 'No… no, this can't be happening.' The doctor straightened, lowering his hands. His face was unreadable as he turned to Eduardo. "I'm sorry, but he is dead." The words shattered her. Camilla g
“What the hell is going on here?” Ruby's stepmother suddenly walked in and demanded, glancing between Camila, Ruby’s father, and Eduardo. “I was at the church early, making sure everything was in place, but Ruby never showed up. Now I had to come back home, and I walk into… this?” Camila exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I don’t have time to explain right now. I need to get to the casino." Before she could rush out, Ruby’s father spoke quickly, his voice laced with urgency. "Ruby is in danger. Someone tricked her into withdrawing all the money from the company’s account and going to the casino to save Eduardo. But now, we’ve been informed that there’s been a massacre there." Ruby’s stepmother gasped, covering her mouth. "A massacre?" "I need to go there," he continued, his hands shaking. "I need to find my daughter." Camila placed a firm hand on his arm. "You shouldn’t. It’s dangerous. Let me go, and I’ll keep you updated." "No," Ruby’s father snapped. "My daughter’s lif
Selena gripped the steering wheel tightly as she glanced at Eduardo. The car was filled with tension but they both knew what had to be done. "Are you sure about this?" Selena asked, her voice tight with worry. Eduardo exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I have to be. If I don’t make a scene, we won’t go unscathed." Selena nodded, keeping her eyes on the road as she pulled up near her father’s house. Eduardo took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and stepped out. "Good luck," Selena murmured as he shut the door. Eduardo squared his shoulders, preparing for the performance of his life. Inside the house, Camila’s nerves were unraveling. She paced the floor, her phone clutched tightly in her hand as she redialed Ruby’s number for the hundredth time. "Come on, pick up," she whispered under her breath, but there was nothing. Just the same monotonous ring before it went to voicemail. Ruby’s father watched her closely, his eyes filled with growing suspicion. "Camila,
Hearing Ruby’s voice again, Hector’s expression darkened. He turned sharply toward Tara, his voice clipped. “Get the whip.” The air in the room became filled with tension. Ruby’s pulse spiked as she instinctively stepped back. “Listen,” she said quickly, desperation creeping into her voice. “I am... I’m not the one you’re thinking of. My name is Ruby and this old man......” Hector’s gaze was cold and unwavering. “For every word you spew out of your mouth,” he warned, “you will receive a stroke of the whip.” As the words left his lips, Tara went close with a long black whip coiled tightly in her hands. Ruby’s breath hitched at the sight of it. No. No, no, no… “Please,” she whispered. Then louder, “Just listen to what I have to say! I promise, after that, I won’t speak again!” Hector didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied her, his silence stretching into something unbearable. Then... “This is your last chance,” he said flatly. He turned his back to h
Cold water splashed onto Ruby’s face. She gasped, her eyes snapping open. The sharp sting of reality hit her before she even had a chance to process what was happening. Her body jerked instinctively, trying to push herself up. CRACK! A sharp pain shot through her skull as she struck her head against something solid. She cried out, clutching her forehead as her vision swam. As she blinked away the dizziness, her surroundings came into focus. Iron bars. A cage. Panic seized her chest as she scrambled back, her heart pounding. Her wide eyes lifted to see a woman standing in front of her, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression. The woman had fiery red hair, a dangerous glint in her eyes, and guns strapped to both sides of her waist. Ruby swallowed hard. At the far end of the room sat a man, his legs crossed in a relaxed posture. His face showed nothing but amusement, yet there was something about him.... something detached and dangerous. Her g
Hector began to approach Ruby, slowly, until he was barely a foot away from her. His eyes raked over her naked form, and he bit his lip as the sight of her gave him an erection. He cursed under his breath and wanted to pick up her dress on the floor, to cover her up. However, she threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest as her hands went around his neck. He cursed under his breath as desire surged through him. It had been years since he had gotten laid. Lifting her face, Ruby stood on her tippy toes and kissed him, her lips warm, soft and yet demanding. His hand went around her neck and he kissed her back before pulling away He gripped her hair tightly, forcing her head back as he turned her toward Don Gray. Ruby moaned, her desire for a man and the pain in her scalp both affecting her at the same time. She could hear Hector's voice and understood his words as well, but she could not help herself. “What would you do if I fucked your bitch right before
Hector sat in the back seat, his gaze fixed on the road ahead as his underling maneuvered the car through the streets. His heart pounded—not from fear, but from the raw, unfiltered rage that had consumed him for years.He would finally come face to face with the man who had taken everything from him. Don Gray. The name alone was enough to make his blood boil. Beside him, his stepsister, Tara reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. Her presence was a silent reminder that he wasn’t alone in this. "Everything is going to go according to plan," she reassured him. Hector let out a humorless chuckle. His jaw clenched as he stared ahead, eyes cold as steel. "It doesn't matter," he murmured. "Even if things don’t go according to plan, as long as I get him, I will be content." Behind them, a convoy of vehicles followed in tight formation. Every single one of them was filled with men.... his men. Armed and ready for war. This was not just a mission. It was a reckoning. Th