Se connecterLia’s POVThe drive to the east cabin passed in a blur of dark trees and winding back roads, my heart still racing from the sudden chaos at the safe house and the way Kade had kissed me like the world was ending right before Damon pulled me away. When we finally arrived, Damon parked the car deep inside the attached garage. He led me quickly into the cabin, which turned out to be a surprisingly cozy but heavily secured place hidden among thick woods, far from any main roads.“Stay inside, Lia, no matter what you hear or see,” Damon said firmly as soon as we stepped into the living room, his eyes serious and watchful. “Lock the doors, keep the lights low if you need to, and do not go outside for anything. I have to head back now to check on Kade and make sure the police situation is really over. He’ll come for you as soon as it’s safe.”I nodded quickly, still trying to catch my breath from everything that had happened. “I’ll stay right here, I promise, Damon. I won’t move. Just… Plea
Chapter 82 NO WAY OUTKade’s POV“Open up, this is the police, open the damn door right now or we’re breaking it down,” the voice shouted from outside, loud and aggressive, followed by heavy banging that echoed through the entire safe house.My blood ran hot as I moved fast, heart pounding but my mind staying ice cold because I knew exactly who was behind this sudden visit. Selene. That treacherous woman had finally made her move, dragging the police into our world like she thought she could trap me. I wasn’t about to let that happen. Not today, not ever.“Damon,” I called sharply, my voice low but urgent as I burst into the bedroom where Lia was still sitting on the edge of the bed, looking startled and a little scared after everything that had happened between us. “We’ve got company. Police at the front, and I’m sure Selene is right there with them. Take Lia out through the hidden passage behind the study, get her to the second car and drive her to the east cabin, don’t stop for any
Lia’s POVKade stepped in wearing only black sweatpants. His broad chest, strong arms, and messy dark hair made my heart race. He looked powerful and hungry.“You’re awake,” he said. His grey eyes moved slowly over my body. “Good.”He crossed the room in two steps and pulled me into his arms. His skin was warm. He kissed my neck, then my lips, hard and deep. Heat flooded my body.“Kade… we should talk,” I whispered.“Later,” he growled against my mouth.He lifted me like I weighed nothing and carried me straight into the huge bathroom, my heart pounding wildly. Hot water poured from the massive showerhead the moment he turned it on, filling the space with steam. He set me on my feet and the sheet slipped off my body, pooling at my ankles. Before I could even catch my breath, Kade pushed me back against the cool tiles, his mouth claiming mine in a deep, hungry kiss that left me dizzy.His hands were everywhere at once, sliding over my wet skin with raw need. He cupped my breasts, his
Lia’s POVI lay in the big soft bed, my body still warm and tired from what we had just done. The silk sheets felt cool against my skin. The room was quiet except for our breathing. Kade’s strong arm rested across my waist, holding me close. His chest pressed against my back. I could smell his cologne – dark and woody.My mind would not stay quiet. I turned around in his arms so I could look at his face. His grey eyes watched me. They looked serious.“Why won’t you let me go?” I asked softly. My voice was still a little rough. “You are supposed to marry Selene. Your families have planned it for years. But you kidnapped me from the docks before I could leave with Julian. What is your plan, Kade? Keep me hidden here forever?”Kade did not speak at first. His fingers moved slowly down my back. It sent small shivers through me. He looked at me like he was thinking hard about what to say.“I am not marrying Selene,” he said in a calm, strong voice.I sat up quickly. The sheet fell to my wa
Julian’s POV“Where the fuck is she?!”My voice echoed through the sprawling penthouse like a gunshot. I stormed forward, fists clenched so tight my knuckles cracked. Selene sat there on her pristine white sofa, legs crossed elegantly, that signature smirk playing on her lips like this was all some amusing game.She took a slow sip of her wine, completely unbothered. “Julian, darling. You’re going to have to be more specific. Where is who?”“Don’t play dumb with me, Selene!” I roared, closing the distance between us. “Lia is gone. Her suitcase was dumped in the hallway. Her phone is switched off. She was supposed to meet me ten minutes ago so we could leave the country. Now tell me what the hell you did with her!”Selene arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow, setting her glass down on the marble table with a soft clink. “Lia’s missing? Oh no… how tragic.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “And you immediately assume I had something to do with it? That’s rather insulting.”I laughed bitterly
Julian’s POVThe city traffic had been kinder than usual, almost like the universe was finally giving us a break. I glanced at the dashboard clock—right on time. Ten minutes, just like I’d told Lia. My fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel as I pulled into the underground parking of her building, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the nerves twisting in my stomach.This was it. Today we were leaving everything behind. The drama, the danger, the shadow of Kade Vander that had loomed over us for far too long. A new country, a fresh start. Just Lia and me. I could already picture her beside me on the plane, her head on my shoulder, finally breathing easy for the first time in months.I grabbed the bouquet of white lilies from the passenger seat—her favorite—and headed up to her floor. The elevator ride felt longer than usual. When the doors opened, my smile faltered.The hallway wasn’t empty.Lia’s suitcase lay abandoned in the middle of the corridor, tilted on its side l
Kade’s POVGuests left the ballroom one by one, their murmurs fading like dying echoes when they walked out. But I could still feel their glare burning into my skin as I stood there with my jaws clenched tightly.All I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat—and Selene’s cries somewhere in the
Lia’s POVFor a moment everything stopped between us—the noise, the music, and the world itself.All I could feel was his breath on my lips and the wild pounding of our heartbeats against each other.I didn’t even think it through before coming here. One moment, I was standing in front of my house—
Lia’s POVJulian’s touch had vanished. The warmth of his body on me that had been fire a second ago felt like nothing now. I blinked, trying to understand what had changed in him as his body grew tense; his chest rose and fell too fast.“Julian?” My voice came out quieter than it should have. “What
Kade’s POVThe ballroom shines under the lights of the golden chandeliers, the sound of clinking glasses and laughter filled the air as cameras flashed from every corner, journalists whispering different things to themselves, socialites draped in wealth and power.Engagement party of the year, they







