Semua Bab His Hired Lover: Bab 21 - Bab 30

SOFIA’s POVThe car rolled smoothly along the bustling streets of Makati, Manila, weaving through the late afternoon traffic. I pressed my face against the window, watching as towering skyscrapers gleamed under the dying light of the sun. Indeed, Rios had chosen a place known as the financial and business district of the country and home to upscale condominiums, luxury hotels, and corporate offices.When Kyle turned onto Rockwell Drive, my stomach flipped. The sight of the upscale residential towers made me shrink into my seat. I’d seen these buildings in magazines, their units owned by celebrities, politicians, and tycoons. I never imagined stepping foot in one, let alone staying in one.Kyle drove past the security gate, where a uniformed guard in a pressed blue uniform signaled for him to stop. He lowered his window, handing over his ID and stating our purpose. The guard glanced at me briefly before nodding and waving us through. Beyond the entrance, the driveway was lined with mani

Rios maneuvered his car through the winding road of the Alcaraz estate. Its interior loomed ahead with its grand façade unchanged by time. And yet, something in Rios’s chest tightened as he neared the entrance. It had been a month since his last visit, and the weight of expectation pressed against his ribs.He pulled into the garage, shut off the engine, and sat for a moment, fingers tightening around the steering wheel. He took a deep breath, then another. Finally, he stepped out, the morning air doing little to ease the tightness in his throat.Gardeners in wide-brimmed hats knelt in the soil, hands deftly tending to the ornamental plants that spilled over ceramic pots. The scent of freshly turned earth and roses clung to the air. One of the workers looked up, meeting Rios's gaze for the briefest moment before he turned away. Rios considered nodding, to offer even the smallest acknowledgment, but the pulse in his neck pounded too insistently. Instead, he strode forward, the familiar

SOFIA’s POV“It’s been such a lovely evening, darling.”Outside, the city hummed softly, headlights streaking across the pavement as we sat in his sleek car, parked several feet from my building.“This is a nice compound,” he mused, his fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. “Mr. Rios really prioritizes your well-being. Oh, and don’t worry, I’ve seen your files, so I know quite a bit about you already.”My smile faltered. “We talked about so many things tonight, and you never thought to mention that file?”Hugo exhaled a slow, indulgent breath, reaching into his coat pocket. A silver case flicked open in his hand, and he plucked out a cigar, rolling it between his fingers before lighting it. Smoke curled around his face as he spoke. “Darling, it’s nothing personal. It’s just me doing my job. Anyway, off you go now, girl. I’ll see you in two days.”I hesitated, gripping the door handle. “Are you sure you don’t want to come in? I have a coffee maker,” I added, my voice softer no

SOFIA’s POVI felt the slow drag of Rios’s fingers tracing lazy patterns along the small of my back. My head rested on his chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat filling the quiet between us. My private part still ached, though a deep, pleasant exhaustion settled into my muscles after being bound for what felt like forever. Two hours. I never imagined sex could last that long. My ex barely made it past fifteen minutes.Heat crept up my neck as flashes of the night surfaced; his mouth, his hands, the way his tongue worshipped every inch of me. The way he lingered between my thighs until I was a trembling mess. The way my wrists still tingled from the silk restraints, my body still sensitive from the relentless, intoxicating rhythm of him thrusting into me. Even now, with my legs entwined in his and my thighs pressed against his warm, solid muscles, the cold air in the room was nothing compared to the heat still simmering between us.“What are you thinking?” Rios’s voice sounded thick

Being dishonorably discharged from the Philippine Marines had left Valeria with deep scars and a resentment that festered as the years rolled by.She was 24 when they took everything from her. Now, at 36, she had spent her years in isolation sharpening her body and mind and preparing for the day she would walk free. It seemed that killing her superior hadn’t been enough. There were still names on her list. All were of people who had stolen her best years.She had spent a decade locked away in Camp Crame Maximum Security Prison, sentenced to Reclusión Perpetua, where she had to spend 30 years without the possibility of parole for murder. If Rios Alcaraz hadn’t pulled strings for her early release, she’d still be rotting in that cell.But freedom came with a price. She would be facing a different kind of imprisonment. But this time, it would be under the shackles of a Mafia Boss. And Valeria was sure the job would demand every ounce of her training and combat skills.“What do you need in