LOGINGenevieve’s POV“I have to say,” I told her, gesturing at the table, “you do take very good care of me.”Isadora’s gaze flicked over the spread — the scallops, the wine, the delicate lemon tart cooling on a silver stand. “Of course I do,” she said lightly. “I know how to take care of loyal family.”I almost laughed. Family. She’d always treated me like a real daughter, even more than she’s been a mother to her own son Damien. I lifted my wine glass to my mouth and took a slow sip. “You would’ve loved the look on Damien’s face last night,” I murmured, letting my tone go casual, sweet. “He thought he finally had me. Thought I’d rot in chains, dragged straight to Interpol like a captured animal. And now?” I spread my free hand. “Here I am. Sun, sea, and scallops.”“Mm,” she hummed, gliding into the room on quiet heels. “And here I am, getting the pleasure of your company again.”“Pleasure?” I tilted my head. “Is that what we’re calling it?”Her mouth curved. “We’ll get to that.”She cr
Genevieve’s POV“No,” I whispered. “No, no, no!”I hurled the phone. It hit the wall with a sharp, ugly sound and fell in two pieces. A vase went next — a beautiful, hand-blown piece in sea glass blue. It shattered spectacularly, scattering shards across the marble floor.“You bastard!” I screamed. “You filthy, thieving son of a—”The rest came out in a strangled noise, somewhere between a sob and a growl.The sea outside roared with me, waves crashing against the rocks below. I stumbled to the balcony, my fingers shaking as I gripped the rail, the wind whipping my hair into my face.Nico.He’d actually done it. Taken everything. Left me just fifty bucks, that asshole. Every drop of blood and sweat I’d poured into the Aurora Foundation. I pressed a trembling hand to my mouth. I couldn’t even feel anger properly yet — it came in waves, colliding with disbelief.He wouldn’t. He couldn’t.Because we were supposed to have a plan — our plan. After everything. After the nights in Marseille
Harper’s POVSunlight poured through the tall windows of Velvet & Vine, scattering across polished tables and the vines hanging lazily from the ceiling. It should have felt peaceful. It almost did.I swirled my spoon in the foam of my cappuccino, watching the tiny whirlpool collapse. “She’s not picking up again,” I said, lowering my phone.Michael looked up from across the table, brow creased but calm in that maddeningly steady way of his. “Maybe she’s still with Margaux. You know how she gets when she’s in work mode—phone buried somewhere under a mountain of fabric and sketches.”“Yeah.” I forced a small smile. “That or she left it on silent again.”He reached across, brushing his fingers over mine. “Hey. She’s fine. For once, we can actually breathe.”I wanted to believe that. I really did. Outside, the street was slow and ordinary—couples walking dogs, tourists with cameras, no sign of danger or sirens. The kind of day that begged you to pretend life was simple again.Michael lean
Celeste’s POVThe road tightened into a blur of trees and shadow. The ocean glimmered on one side — too close, too high — while the black sedan behind us refused to die, its headlights cutting through the dust like twin blades.“Faster,” I said, my voice trembling.Alain didn’t answer. His jaw was locked, eyes darting between the rearview mirror and the winding stretch ahead.Then, a flash — another car appeared in the distance, coming toward us from the opposite direction. Sleek. Dark. Controlled.My breath caught. “Alain…”“I see it.” His knuckles whitened on the wheel.The two vehicles closed in like wolves. The one behind roared louder, pushing us faster; the one ahead slowed deliberately, blocking the road.“They’re boxing us in,” I whispered.“Seatbelt,” he barked.My hands fumbled for the buckle just as the rear car slammed into us again. The impact threw me sideways, glass splintering in my hair. The guardrail screamed inches from the door.“Alain!”“I’m trying!” He jerked the
Celeste’s POVThe world narrowed to the pressure of cold metal against my ribs.Alain’s arm was around me—too tight, too practiced. To anyone passing by, we probably looked like a couple in a hurry, maybe a little quarrel, nothing worth a second glance. But the chill seeping through my blouse told a different story.He guided me down the sidewalk, his hand firm at my waist. “Keep walking,” he murmured. My heart slammed against my ribs. “You’re really doing this,” I whispered, disbelief scraping my throat raw. “You’re exactly what Damien warned me about.”He didn’t flinch. Didn’t look at me. His jaw flexed once, tight as steel.“Alain, whatever Genevieve promised you—don’t do this,” I hissed, forcing the words through the panic clawing up my chest. “She’ll destroy you too.”“Please,” he said quietly. “Don’t fight me. Not right now.”The “please” stopped me cold. It wasn’t the word of a man in control. It was… scared.The realization only made everything worse.“Where are you taking me
Genevieve’s POVWhen the van door slid open, the first thing that hit me was the air — humid, briny, alive. Waves crashed somewhere beyond the dunes, and the scent of the sea rolled in like an old friend.I stepped out slowly, boots crunching against the gravel. Morning light burned against the horizon, gold slicing through the haze. The men who’d rescued me — or, more accurately, answered the right price — formed a loose circle. All business. Faces hidden behind masks and mirrored lenses.One of them nodded. “You’re clear now, ma’am.”Damien thought he’d won. Thought he could parade me in front of Interpol like a trophy, chain me down like a monster caught in daylight. But monsters don’t die that easily. I’d always been better at surviving than anyone expected.Freedom once more.A slow grin spread across my face as the cuffs came off — the sharp bite of metal replaced by a dull ache around my wrists. I rubbed them, savoring the sting. It reminded me that I was still here. Still dang







