Romane von Keoni

Mike's POVI stood by the window after Bree left, my hands gripping the frame so hard my knuckles turned white.The nightmare was still fresh in my mind. Olivia's face. Her lies. The moment I'd found her copying files from my computer, smiling like nothing was wrong."It's just business, Mike. Nothing personal."That's what she'd said.Like destroying me was just another transaction.I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, trying to calm my racing heart.Bree's voice echoed in my head. "I hope you stop having nightmares. Nobody deserves to hurt like that."She'd sounded... genuine.But so had Olivia. So had every person who'd ever lied to me.I turned away from the window and sat on the edge of my bed, head in my hands.The look on Bree's face when she'd found me having that nightmare... it hadn't been calculating or manipulative. It had been concerned. Almost... sad."Because Juliet drugged me!"Her words kept replaying in my mind.What if she was telling the truth?What if I'd

Mike's POVI stood in the foyer long after Bree had gone upstairs, my hands shoved in my pockets.Marcus was still there, waiting for instructions."How bad was it?" I asked."One photographer. Persistent but not aggressive. I made sure he didn't follow us." Marcus paused. "She was shaken though."I nodded slowly. "Thanks for taking care of it.""That's my job." Marcus shifted his weight. "Sir, if I may... she seems genuinely scared. Not of the photographer. Of everything."I looked at him sharply. "What are you saying?""Nothing." Marcus raised his hands slightly. "Just an observation. I've worked security for a lot of families. I know the difference between someone playing a role and someone who's actually trapped."He left before I could respond.I stood there, his words echoing in my head.Someone who's actually trapped.Was that what Bree was?Or was Marcus just another person she'd fooled?I walked to the bottom of the stairs, looking up toward the second floor where Bree's room

Mike's POVI stood in my bedroom, staring out the window at the long driveway where Brianna's car had just disappeared.My hands were still clenched into fists.That woman. That cruel woman.I'd heard stories about toxic family members. Seen them in business deals, at social events. People who used guilt and manipulation like weapons.But seeing it in person... seeing the way Bree had shrunk in on herself, the way her voice had gotten so small and broken... it had made something twist in my chest.Something I didn't want to feel.I'd told myself Bree was like Olivia. A liar. A manipulator. Someone who'd trapped me for money or status or whatever game she was playing.But Olivia had never looked like that. Olivia had never trembled or whispered or looked like she wanted to disappear into the floor.Olivia had been confident. Smooth. Always in control.Bree was... different.I pressed my palms against the window frame, trying to push away the thoughts crowding my mind.The way Brianna h

Bree's POVI was still shaking from last night's break-in when the doorbell rang the next afternoon.I was in the library, trying to read but mostly just staring at the same page over and over. The USB drive was hidden in my room, tucked inside the lining of my suitcase. The photos were backed up on my phone.Evidence. Finally.But I still didn't know what to do with it.The doorbell rang again, longer this time. Insistent.I heard footsteps in the hallway... one of the staff answering it.Then a voice I recognized immediately made my blood run cold."I'm here to see my niece."No.No, no, no.I stood up so fast the book fell from my lap and hit the floor with a loud thud.Aunt Brianna.What was she doing here?I rushed to the library door just as I heard her heels clicking across the marble entryway."Miss, if you could just wait..." the staff member was saying."I don't need to wait," Aunt Brianna's sharp voice cut through. "I'm family."I stepped into the hallway and froze.There s

Bree's POV"What did you tell him?" Mike demanded again, his voice sharper this time.I stood up from the window seat. "Nothing.""Don't lie to me." He took another step closer. "I saw how he looked at you. What did you say?""I didn't say anything!" My voice cracked. "He asked if I was okay. That's all."Mike's eyes narrowed. "And what did you tell him?""I said I was fine.""You're lying.""I'm not...""You told him something," Mike accused, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "I know you did. That's why he looked at me like I'm some kind of monster."My heart pounded. "Maybe he looked at you like that because of how you've been treating me."The words came out before I could stop them.Mike's expression darkened. "How I've been treating you?""Yes." I forced myself to stand straighter, even though I was trembling. "You blame me for everything. You won't listen. You won't even look at me unless it's to tell me I'm doing something wrong.""Because you ruined my life," he said

Bree's POVI was in the kitchen the next morning, staring at a cup of coffee I didn't really want, when the doorbell rang.I froze.Nobody just showed up at the Kings estate. Everyone who came here was scheduled, announced, expected.I heard footsteps in the hallway... one of the staff, probably... and then voices. Male voices.One I recognized as Mike's. The other was unfamiliar but warm, almost friendly.Curiosity pulled me toward the doorway. I peeked around the corner just as Mike appeared with another man.The stranger was tall, maybe early thirties, with sandy brown hair and an easy smile. He wore a casual button-down and jeans... completely different from Mike's usual sharp suits."I told you to call first," Mike was saying, his tone irritated."And I told you I don't need an appointment to check on my business partner," the man replied, grinning. "Besides, I wanted to meet the famous Mrs. Kings."My stomach dropped.Mike's jaw tightened. "Nathan...""Is that her?" Nathan's ey