LOGINMarcus and Isabella together was Valentina's worst nightmare made real.Over the next week, they became impossible to avoid. Marcus at the bookstore, asking pointed questions about Duke. Isabella at the clubhouse, touching Duke's arm, laughing at his jokes. Both playing innocent while sharpening their knives."They're coordinating," Axel said, showing Valentina and Duke photos on his phone. "Look. Marcus and Isabella having coffee. Yesterday. And again today."Duke's jaw clenched. "What are they planning?""To destroy us," Valentina said quietly. "Separately, they're dangerous. Together—""We're screwed." Duke pulled Valentina close. "But they're not winning. We won't let them."But it was hard to stay united when Marcus kept sending texts. When Isabella kept appearing at Duke's garage. When every moment felt like walking through a minefield.---The first crack came at a club party.Valentina was by the bar when Isabella approached, two drinks in hand. "Peace offering?""I don't want
Duke didn't come home that night. Or the next. Valentina called, texted, left voicemails. Nothing.Axel finally answered Duke's phone on day three. "He needs time.""How much time?""As much as it takes." Axel's voice was sympathetic but firm. "Val, he saw you kissing another man. That's not something you just get over.""I didn't kiss him. Marcus kissed me—""I know. Duke knows. But knowing and feeling are different things." Axel sighed. "Give him space."Valentina gave him space. What choice did she have?She threw herself into the bookstore's grand opening. The event was packed—townspeople, book lovers, curious onlookers. Valentina smiled, signed books, poured coffee. Pretended her heart wasn't breaking.Duke didn't show.As the crowd thinned, a woman entered. Tall, stunning, with dark hair and curves that made every head turn. She wore a red dress that screamed confidence and money.She walked straight to Valentina. "You must be the fiancée.""Can I help you?""I'm Isabella Romano
The nightmares started that night.Valentina would wake gasping, Marcus's hands on her skin, his voice in her ear. Duke would hold her, whispering reassurances she couldn't quite believe."I'm here. You're safe. He can't hurt you."But Marcus was hurting her. Every text, every appearance, every reminder that he knew her body's responses—it all chipped away at her sense of safety.Three days after the hotel incident, Valentina was closing the bookstore when her phone buzzed.*I have something you need to see. Come to the parking garage on Fifth. Level 3. Alone. Or I release the videos. - M*Her hands shook as she called Duke. "He wants to meet again.""No. We're done playing his games." Duke's voice was firm through the phone. "Let him release whatever he wants. We'll deal with it.""Duke—""Val, every time you go to him, it gets worse. He's escalating. Next time—" Duke's voice caught. "Next time I might not get there in time.""What if he has something? Something that could hurt us?"
Valentina stood outside the Grand Hotel, staring up at the fourth floor. Room 412. Where Marcus waited.Duke's hand tightened on her arm. "We don't have to do this.""Yes, we do." She showed him her phone—another text from Marcus with more photos, more threats. "He'll destroy us if I don't go.""Then let him try." Duke pulled her close. "We'll deal with it together.""He has videos, Duke. Photos. All taken out of context but damning enough." Valentina's voice shook. "He'll send them to the club, to your business partners, to everyone. He'll make it look like I'm cheating on you.""I know you're not.""But will they?" She touched his face. "I have to do this. Talk to him, figure out what he really wants, end this."Duke's jaw clenched. "I'm coming with you.""He said alone.""I don't care what he said.""Duke." Valentina kissed him softly. "He's expecting me alone. If you come, he'll know we're playing games. But—" She pulled out her phone. "Call me. Stay on the line. Listen to everyth
Duke knew Valentina was lying. She'd been different since yesterday—distant, distracted. When he touched her, she flinched. When he kissed her, she was somewhere else. By the third day, he couldn't take it anymore. "What did Marcus do?" Duke asked over breakfast. Valentina's coffee cup paused halfway to her lips. "What?" "At the bookstore. Two nights ago. Something happened." He leaned forward. "Talk to me." "Nothing happened." "Then why are you lying about it?" "I'm not—" "Val." Duke's voice was low, controlled. "I know you. I know when something's wrong. Tell me what he did." Valentina set down her cup, hands shaking. "He was there. At the bookstore. When I went back." Duke's blood went cold. "He was inside?" "The back door was unlocked. He said he wanted to talk." "And you talked to him? Alone?" Duke stood, pacing. "Why didn't you call me?" "Because I knew you'd react like this!" "Like what? Concerned that some stalker cornered my fiancée?" "Like you
The flowers sat on Duke's kitchen counter like a threat. Valentina stared at them while Duke paced, phone pressed to his ear."I need everything you can find on Marcus Reeves. Yeah, all of it." Duke glanced at Valentina. "I'll send you his photo. Just dig deep, Axel."He ended the call and tossed the phone on the counter. "Axel's going to run a background check. See what Marcus has been up to since college.""Duke, maybe we should—""No." He moved to her, hands on her shoulders. "He sent flowers to my place, Val. He knows where I live. He's not just watching—he's making moves."Valentina couldn't argue with that. The roses felt like a violation. Marcus was getting bolder."I have to open the bookstore," she said. "Grand opening is in three days. I can't hide.""Then I'm coming with you.""You can't babysit me every day."Duke's jaw set. "Watch me."---The bookstore looked perfect. Valentina had spent months getting it ready—shelves organized, café corner set up, reading nook by the w
The candles flickered in the wind, two dozen of them forming a path up the hill. Valentina followed the light, her heart already racing before she saw him.Duke stood at the overlook, silhouetted against the sunset. His leather jacket was gone—replaced by a black button-down that hugged his shoulde
Valentina couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Marcus's car disappeared around the corner, but his presence lingered like smoke.She forced herself inside, locked the door, leaned against it. Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone.Duke answered on the first ring. "Hey, I was just about to call—"
The call came at 2 AM.Duke's phone buzzed, jerking him awake. Valentina stirred beside him in his bed at the clubhouse, where they'd finally collapsed after the night's chaos."Yeah," he answered groggily.Sierra's voice, sharp with panic. "Connor escaped. During transport to federal holding. He k
The Riverdale Inn was quiet at eight in the morning. Valentina stood in the lobby, phone pressed to her ear, pretending to be on a call while Axel checked that Connor's Mercedes was gone from the parking lot.His text came through: *Clear. Move now.*Valentina pocketed her phone and headed for the







