ANYA I sat in the living room, staring blankly at the wall, and my mind went back to Evans. The things I had said to him, the promises we had made, the secrets we shared....it all felt so distant now, like a dream slowly turning into a nightmare. My phone buzzed, jolting me out of my thoughts. Evans. His name flashed on the screen, and my heart clenched. I couldn’t face him. Not now. I let it ring, watching the screen until it went dark again. The plans we had made together felt like chains around my neck. With every passing second, they tightened, suffocating me. I stood abruptly, needing to do something....anything....to clear my head. I found myself walking toward Hunter’s room. My steps were slow, my thoughts louder than ever. The hidden cameras. Every single one I had placed there according to mine and Evan's plans. They had to go. Once inside, I started searching carefully. I knew every hiding spot, every angle I had chosen. One by one, I retrieved the cameras, yankin
ANYA The night was alive with music and chatter, but all my focus was on Hunter. As I sat on his lap, I moved to the beat of the music with deliberate purpose, swaying my hips sensually. His eyes were locked on mine, and for a moment, there was just silence between us before the faintest smile tugged at his lips. “You’re putting in so much effort,” he said, his voice almost inaudible over the loud music. “And is it working?” I whispered, leaning close. He hesitated, but his hands rested lightly on my waist. “You’re trouble, you know that?” “Maybe,” I said with a playful shrug, “but you seemed to be in need of a little trouble, tonight.” I let the rhythm guide me, letting my movements speak for themselves. Slowly, the lines on his face softened. He didn’t just smile...he laughed, his striking features making my heart flutter. By the time the tension in his shoulders melted away, I knew I had him exactly where I wanted. “You’re dangerous,” he murmured, shaking his head.
HUNTER I walked into my office, and saw her, just as I'd expected. Anya was standing with her back to me, searching my office desperately. She froze the moment she heard my voice. "Are these yours?" I asked, holding up the small cameras in my hand. Her head snapped up, her wide eyes locking with mine. The color drained from her face, and she looked as if the ground might swallow her whole. She didn’t answer immediately, and I felt a knot in my chest. I hoped this would make her come clean before me and bridge the gap between us. "I can explain," she whispered, her voice barely audible. I nodded, keeping my expression calm. "I know," I said softly. "That’s why I’m asking. Why don’t you sit down and explain it to me?" I moved past her, placing the cameras on my desk before settling into my chair. I gestured to the chair across from me, but she didn’t move. Her hands clutched the edge of the desk like it was the only thing keeping her upright. I waited, giving her time to
HUNTER Anya's confession left me raw, exposed, and burning all at once. She stood there, her love for me laid bare in the way her eyes clung to mine, the way her voice had shaken when she said, 'I want to be yours, completely.' The words were still echoing in my chest when I stood up and closed the space between us. I didn’t speak...I couldn’t. My hands found her waist, pulling her close, and I kissed her like I needed her to breathe. Her lips were warm and soft, parting against mine as a quiet gasp escaped her. Her fingers clutched at my shoulders, and I felt the desperation in her touch, the way she melted into me like she was surrendering everything. I kissed her harder, deeper, needing to taste every inch of her love. When I pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, her breathing shallow. She looked up at me with so much vulnerability it made my chest ache. “Hunter,” she whispered, her voice soft. I didn’t answer. Instead, I bent down, scooping her up into
CROSS I sat in the living room of the apartment I shared with my sister, the weight of the revolver familiar in my hand. I spun it lazily, the cold metal catching the dim light. My mind wasn’t on the gun, though...it was on the chaos I was about to set into motion. Across from me, Bernice sat in her usual spot, her sharp eyes fixed on me. She had that curious look on her face, like she was waiting for me to give her the next piece of the puzzle. “So,” she said finally, breaking the silence. “What do you plan on doing?” I smirked, the corner of my mouth curling just enough to make her lean in slightly, eager for an answer. “I’ve thought about it,” I said, my voice calm, almost casual. “For our plans to work, someone has to die.” Her interest was piqued instantly. “Who will it be?” she asked, her voice steady but with a hint of excitement. “Tell me.” I took my time, letting the suspense build. “Not Anya,” I said, watching her expression shift slightly. “Not yet. Don’t get ahead
CROSS Evans' hands trembling as I held his phone out to him. The barrel of my revolver pointed directly at his chest, a silent reminder of the consequences of defiance. “Unlock it,” I ordered, my voice cold and steady. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between me and the gun. “Now,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. His fingers fumbled as he obeyed, unlocking his phone with a shaky swipe. I leaned over him, scrolling through his contacts until I found the number I needed. Pressing it, I handed the phone back to him. “You’re going to make this call,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. “And you’re going to say exactly what I tell you to say. Nothing more, nothing less.” Evans swallowed hard, nodding quickly. His voice trembled as the line connected. “Hello? Hey, it’s me,” he said, following my instructions as he read from the paper I had given him. “I… I need you to take your phone to Anya. She's currently at the library. Please, it’s important. I n
HUNTER I was buried in paperwork, my desk cluttered with files and my phone buzzing intermittently with emails. I was on the verge of signing a very important deal and didn't trust anyone to handle it better than I would. It kept me so focused until a message notification broke my concentration. I picked up my phone, glancing at the screen, and froze. 'Please help me, I'm in danger, someone wants to kill me. He kidnapped me, took me to an abandoned school in the outskirts of town and I just managed to send this message to you. I don't want to die. Please save me, Hunter.' The message was from Anya. My heart stopped for a moment, then began to pound so hard I could feel it in my ears. I reread the message, hoping I’d misunderstood, but the words didn’t change. Danger. Someone wanted to kill my wife. I tried to steady my breathing, gripping the phone tightly. Who would dare? I was sure no one would ever touch her. No one had that kind of nerve—not in my city. I’d cut off my
HUNTER The sight of Anya’s phone lying on the ground suddenly caught my attention. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared at it, questions flooding my mind. "Why is her phone here? What’s happening?" I was about to force Evans awake and ask him when a scream shattered the silence. Anya. Her voice made my heart skip a beat, raw and terrified. I looked up quickly, my breath catching when I saw her. Relief washed over me, so powerful it almost knocked me to my knees. “Anya!” I exclaimed, sprinting toward her, my hands still covered in Evans’ blood. She stopped in her tracks, her wide eyes locking on me for the briefest moment before she rushed past me. My arms reached out instinctively, but before I could even think of hugging her, she shoved me aside and ran straight to Evans. “Evans!” she cried, collapsing onto the floor beside him. Her hands trembled as she touched his face, her voice cracking with panic. “No! No, no, no! Evans, wake up! What happened? Who did this to y
The silence in the room stretched for minutes. Hector sat on the edge of the bed, watching Ruby carefully. Then, without a word, he picked up the plate. He held out a spoonful of food. “Eat.” Ruby hesitated, shaking her head. “I meant what I said...I really don’t have much of an appetite.” Hector didn’t budge. “I’m not asking, Ruby. Just eat a little. You’re going to break down if you keep this up.” She sighed, looking away. He exhaled. “You know, I left an important meeting for you. I don’t do things like this. I don’t sit by anyone’s bedside and care for them. But here I am.” She looked at him, eyes soft. “Thank you.” His jaw clenched. “I don’t want your thanks, Ruby. I want your honesty.” His gaze locked onto hers. “Are you still hurt by Don Gray’s death?” She frowned. “No.” “Were you in love with him?” She stiffened at the question. Then, without hesitation, she swore on her life. “I despised that man, Hector. With a passion. And now that he’s dead?” Sh
Hector had barely been gone an hour when Ruby stirred from sleep. She sat up slowly, hugging her knees to her chest. She felt a sadness so deep, so consuming, that it left her breathless. She didn't know how long she stayed like that, curled up on the bed, lost in thoughts. But then a soft knock came at the door. The housekeeper entered, carrying a warm smile. “Good, you’re awake,” she said gently before turning to leave. A few minutes later, she returned with a tray of food. The aroma filled the air, rich and inviting, but Ruby barely glanced at it. "I don’t really have much of an appetite," she murmured. The housekeeper placed the tray in front of her and gave her a knowing look. "You should try it. It’s nice.” Ruby sighed, feeling too tired to argue. "Thank you," she said quietly. She picked up the spoon and had a taste. And then a memory hit her. She was sick. Feverish. Weak. She had been lying in bed, waiting for the family doctor to arrive. At that ti
After watching Don Gray’s body disappear, Ruby turned and walked away. She didn’t look back. She made her way to Hector’s room. Hector followed her, his sharp gaze fixed on her back. He expected something....a reaction, a flicker of emotion. But she was quiet. Too quiet. Hector prided himself on understanding people. He could break them, twist them, strip them down to their very core and know what made them tick. But her? She was an enigma. What was she thinking? Was she disturbed by Don Gray’s death? Did she regret anything? He hated this uncertainty. Hated that he even cared. In the past, he would have used pain to get the answers he wanted. A knife. A whip. A gun to the temple. But now? The thought of hurting her made him sick. The realization burned inside him like a slow fire. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak. "Are you okay?" Ruby looked at him, her expression calm. “I’m fine.” A lie. But he didn’t push. Instead, he changed
Ruby watched in silence as Don Gray's screams faded into nothing. His body twisted and convulsed in agony until the fire consumed him completely. His last movement was a desperate, futile roll across the floor....then stillness. The room smelled of burning flesh and smoke. Hector took one last glance at the charred corpse, then waved his hand. “Dump him in the river,” he ordered, his voice devoid of emotion. The men moved at once, hauling what was left of Don Gray away. But Camila was not there to witness it. She sat in her bathtub, submerged in warm water, yet feeling no warmth at all. Her mind was miles away, trapped in the past. She saw it again...the gun in her hand, her finger pulling the trigger, Hector flinching as the bullet grazed his hand. She had tried to stop him. Tried to save Ruby. But then Ruby had fallen at Hector's feet begging to be his dog, just to spare Camila. Camila squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the edges of the bathtub as nausea threate
A few hours later, Hector straightened his cufflinks and glanced at Ruby. “It’s time,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of excitement. "Get ready." Ruby could tell this was important to him. The sharp suit. The polished shoes. The way his men stood straighter when he spoke. She dressed quickly, slipping into one of the red dresses he had given her. Almost all of them were red. She didn’t bother to ask why. She tied up her hair and stepped out. The same men from the last execution attempt were present and four more, with the exception of the dead ones were there as well. The air in the room was humming with silent anticipation. But this time, something had changed. Ruby was not thrown into a cage. She was not told to sit on the floor like an animal. Hector pulled out the chair beside him and motioned for her to sit. The men exchanged glances. They noticed. They understood. Ruby’s place in Hector’s world had shifted. No speech. No grand declaration. Hector simp
After they left the torture chamber, Hector led Ruby back to his room. He stood by the door, watching her for a moment before speaking. “Get enough rest,” he said. “The time for Don Gray’s execution will arrive very soon.” Ruby’s lips curved into a small smile. “You already agreed that I would do the honors.” Hector smirked, shaking his head. She never forgot anything, did she? “I did,” he admitted. Then, for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he added, “Is there anything you want?” Ruby blinked. “I feel like I still need to do something for you,” Hector continued, crossing his arms. “For putting your life on the line for me.” The words felt strange on his tongue. Since when did he care about repaying people like Ruby so much? More than that, why was he being so... considerate toward her? He knew he was attracted to her, but he wasn’t the kind of man who was unnecessarily kind to women. The idea alone made him uncomfortable. Still, he waited for her answer. Ruby
As Ruby pulled away from their embrace, she looked at Camila with a soft but determined gaze. “Hector cares about me, Camila,” she said. “I can see it.” Camila shook her head. “Ruby...” “No, listen to me.” Ruby held her hands firmly. “Apart from the misunderstanding in the beginning, Hector isn’t a bad person.” Camila scoffed, crossing her arms. “Are you even hearing yourself?” “Try to see things from his side,” Ruby insisted. “Don Gray destroyed his family. He killed his parents right in front of him.” Camila’s lips parted slightly. Ruby’s voice lowered, filled with emotion. “Who could bear that?” She took a deep breath and met Camila’s eyes. “Look at me, Camila. Imagine if someone was responsible for your father's death. Wouldn’t you want revenge?” The words hit Camila like a blow to the chest. She gasped softly, suddenly understanding. But she still shook her head. “Ruby… revenge is dangerous. You’re playing with fire.” Ruby gave a small, knowing smile. “Tru
Camila paced her small room, her stomach twisting in hunger. The untouched plate of food sat on the ground, mocking her. She stole another glance at it, but the knot in her chest made it impossible to eat. Then, the door creaked open. Her head snapped up, and she froze. Standing in front of her was Ruby. She looked… different. Dressed in a flowing white dress, her face soft and calm, Ruby seemed untouched by the nightmare they were trapped in. But Camila saw beyond the surface. She saw the sadness in her friend’s eyes, the weight she carried. Tears burned Camila’s vision, and before she could say a word, Ruby ran toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Camila clung to her, holding on as if she would disappear. Behind them, Hector stood in the doorway, watching in silence. For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and shut the door, leaving them alone. Camila pulled back slightly, her hands gripping Ruby’s arms. “Are you okay?” R
Ruby sat still, her mind racing. She had begged Hector countless times before, pleaded with him to let her go. Yet, every time, he refused. So why now? She raised her head, meeting his gaze. “Why the sudden change of heart?” Hector’s fingers curled into a tight fist. His jaw clenched, but he kept his voice steady. “Why are you questioning me?” Because it didn’t make sense. That’s why. Ruby stayed quiet, watching him. Hector exhaled and turned his back to her. Anger swirled in his chest...not at her, but at himself. If only she knew how hard it was for him to send her away. Still, she pressed. “I just want to know why, Hector. You were so sure before. What changed?” He turned around slowly and walked toward his chair, sinking into it. His eyes locked onto hers. “I have a rule,” he said finally. “A life for a life. You’ve probably heard it before,” he went on. “Since you were willing to give your life for mine, I can’t let anything happen to you. That’s why I’m setting you