Novels by Sky_Ink

Lorenzo drove extremely fast, weaving through traffic with a recklessness that would have earned him a stern lecture from Michael, if he had been sitting beside him. But he didn't care right now as the fury simmering in his chest demanded speed and something to burn off the adrenaline coursing through his veins.Twenty minutes later, he pulled up outside a high-end bar tucked along the east side of the city, the kind of place with dim lighting, discreet valets, and private rooms meant for people who preferred their business, and their affairs, kept far from prying eyes.He tossed his keys to the valet without a word and strode through the entrance, ignoring the hostess who tried to greet him at the door. His eyes scanned the layout quickly, and he moved with purpose toward the back hallway, following the room number that had been included at the end of that infuriating text message.He found the door easily enough and pushed it open without bothering to knock.Inside, a woman sat cur

Lorenzo blinked, quickly shaking off whatever had momentarily clouded his expression. "It's nothing," he said, forcing his voice back to normal. "I'll send them over tomorrow morning. You should focus on resting today, Raina. You've had a long couple of days."Raina studied him for a second longer, noticing the slight stiffness still lingering in his shoulders, the way his jaw had tightened briefly before he answered. But exhaustion weighed heavily on her, pulling at her eyelids, making it hard to focus on anything beyond the desperate need for real sleep in an actual bed instead of a moving vehicle."Okay," she said simply, deciding to let it go for now. Whatever was bothering her brother, she could ask about it another time, once she wasn't running on fumes.Maxton, standing beside her, gently placed a hand on the small of her back. "Go on upstairs," he said softly. "Get some more rest. I'll have someone wake you when lunch is ready."Raina nodded, too tired to argue, and after one

The guards moved quickly, each grabbing one of Bailey's arms and hauling her up from the floor. She thrashed against their grip, her earlier spoiled attitude was completely forgotten now that reality of what was happening truly sank in."No! Wait, please!" she screamed, digging her heels uselessly against the marble floor as they dragged her toward the hallway. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it, please, someone help me! Maxton, please, I'm begging you!"Her voice grew more frantic with every step, echoing off the high ceilings of the sitting room until it finally faded down the corridor, swallowed by distance and the heavy doors closing somewhere in the back of the villa.Raina stood quietly through all of it, watching without a single word leaving her lips. She didn't feel the need to gloat, didn't feel the need to add anything to what had already happened. Bailey had dug her own grave with her mouth, and there was nothing left for Raina to say that would make the situation any more or le

The silence that followed Bailey's confession felt heavy, thick enough to choke on. But she mistook it for something else entirely. She mistook it for victory.A small, gloating smile crept across her face as she glanced sideways at Raina, her chin lifting slightly with false confidence. In her mind, nobody was shouting her down, nobody was throwing her out, and that had to mean something. That had to mean she had a chance.Raina simply stared back at her, unbothered, the same way someone might watch a clown stumble around a circus ring, entertaining but ultimately pointless. There was no anger in her expression, no jealousy, nothing that gave Bailey the reaction she was hoping to provoke.Emboldened by the lack of resistance, Bailey took another step closer to Maxton, closing the distance between them until she stood right in front of him, her eyes shining with desperate hope."I've always loved you," she said again, her voice trembling with emotion, though whether it was love or del

Raina was just a few inches away from the ground when Lorenzo caught her. He pulled her into his arms and his hands trembled slightly as he couldn't imagine what would have happened if she had fallen down.“Are you okay?” Maxton's anxious voice came from the side as he finally got to where they were standing.“I…. I'm…I'm fine” Raina stuttered as she still couldn't believe what just happened.She pulled out of Lorenzo's arms and buried her face in Maxton's chest. He held her and breathed deep breaths of relief.“Why would you run? What if you had actually fallen down? Did you even think of your safety and that of the baby's?” He asked her angrily after making sure she was really okay.Raina lowered her eyes and remained in his embrace without saying anything. She just kept quiet and Maxton sighed and hugged her again.“I didn't mean to yell at you..I was just worried about you” he whispered and she nodded.“Let's go inside, the weather is quite cold” Michael's voice came from the side

The knock on the door came gently at first, followed by a soft, familiar voice. "Raina. Wake up, love."Raina stirred slowly, blinking against the dim morning light filtering through the curtains. Maxton was already sitting up beside her, fully dressed, watching her with a tired but tender expression."It's still so early," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes."I know," Maxton said gently. "But we need to get moving. Come on, let's get you freshened up."He helped her out of bed, one arm supporting her gently as she found her footing, still groggy from sleep. He guided her toward the bathroom, waiting patiently outside the door while she washed up, ready to help if she needed him.A few minutes later, just as Raina finished changing into fresh clothes, a knock sounded at their bedroom door."Boss," Carlos's voice called from outside. "Everything's ready. The helicopter's fueled and waiting, and the cars are prepared for the rest of us.""We'll be right out," Maxton called back.He walked ov