LOGINThe front door cracked open, and Harper's breath caught in her throat. Andrei stepped in first, one arm looped firmly around Malakai's waist for support. Malakai limped heavily beside him, his face drawn with pain and exhaustion, but his other arm was wrapped protectively around Theo, holding their seven-month-old son close against his chest.Theo's face was buried in his father's shirt, his little fists clutching the fabric, still sniffling from the ordeal.Harper rushed forward without thinking. She reached for Theo first, gently lifting him from Malakai's arms. The baby whimpered, then immediately clung to her, burying his face in her neck with a soft sound."Shh, baby... Mama's here," she whispered, pressing kisses to his soft curls and rocking him instinctively. Her eyes filled with tears as she held him tight, breathing in his familiar baby scent.Andrei helped Malakai the rest of the way to the nearest armchair. Malakai sank into it with a low groan, his bad leg extende
Malakai stared at Maddison for a while, his mind temporarily wiped out by the absurdity of the situation. She wanted a date with him? After everything she had done?The laughter started low, rumbling from deep in his chest until it grew louder and sounded more and more unhinged by the second.Theo stared at his father, curious and confused. Maddison, on the other hand, was beginning to tremble with fury.He was mocking her.Malakai wiped at the tears that leaked from his eyes with unhurried movements."I'm sorry," he said in between laughs, his shoulders jerking. "I'm really sorry...but...that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," he said.Maddison tightened her grip on the knife, consumed by a fury so great it made her thoughts grow darker in a span of seconds."Do you not know where you are, Kai?" She demanded, her voice nearly a growl.He wiped at the tears clinging to his dark lashes, a smile tugging at his lips."Do educate me, Maddison dear," he said.She falte
Malakai's hand had just closed around the vibrating phone on the coffee table when the front door burst open with a loud bang. Sierra stumbled inside.She was crying hard, choking on gasping sobs that made her whole body shake. Her uniform was torn at the shoulder, one sleeve hanging loose. A dark bruise was already blooming across her cheekbone, and fresh blood ran in a thin, steady stream from a gash above her left temple, dripping onto the collar of her shirt and down the side of her neck.She saw Malakai and rushed towards him, her legs buckling halfway across the rug. Andrei shot up from the floor instantly."Sierra—”She caught herself on the arm of the couch, her fingers digging into the fabric."They took him," she choked out. "They took Theo."Malakai went absolutely still. The phone kept ringing in his hand, insistent.Sierra's knees gave out completely. Andrei lunged forward and caught her before she hit the ground, easing her down to sit on the rug. She clutched
Harper strolled into the familiar hospital corridor, her badge clipped, her hair pulled into a low ponytail. She hadn't slept more than two hours the night before. Reyes' voice kept looping in her skull.She rounded the corner towards the surgical floor and saw Tyson.He was leaning against the nurses' station with a chart in his hand, looking like he hadn't slept much either.There were faint shadows under his eyes, but he was upright. When he saw her, his shoulders loosened a little."Harper."She stopped. "Hey."He straightened, set the chart down and rubbed the back of his neck."I, uh... wanted to say thank you. For the other day. For getting me out of there."Harper managed a small nod."You don't have to thank me.""I do." He swallowed hard. "I was... I was scared. Really scared. And you walked in like it was nothing. It didn't look like you were afraid at all."She almost laughed. "I was terrified."He searched her face. "You didn't show it."She shrugged. "Habit, I gues
"Mr. Blackwell," a young man with dark hair spoke, he had the name badge Dr Rafael Cross attached to his white coat.Malakai turned his head slowly. "Yes?"The doctor glanced up, his expression composed, professional... and careful."We've reviewed your initial results," he said. "Along with your ECG and blood work."Harper didn't move. Malakai's fingers tightened slightly against the thin hospital sheet."And?" he asked.The doctor inhaled."You have signs consistent with cardiomyopathy," he said. "Specifically, a weakening of the heart muscle that's affecting how efficiently your heart pumps blood."The words seemed to land... and then just sit there.Malakai blinked."...No," he said automatically.It wasn't denial. It was confusion. His brain simply refused to process it. The doctor didn't react to the resistance."It explains the chest pain, the shortness of breath, and the episodes you've been experiencing," he continued gently. "Given your history, it's likely been dev
Harper's nails dug deeper into Reyes’ skin, and his lips brushed her temple. She recoiled immediately, goosebumps appearing on her skin from the absurdity of the situation. She hated how helpless she felt in this moment. So much that it brought tears to her eyes."You can't escape me, Harper," he whispered, and nausea rolled through her.He loosened his hand just enough for her to breathe properly. She gasped for air, her lungs greedily drawing in air."You came into my house," he continued softly. "You sat at my table. You challenged me."His fingers slid down, resting lightly at her throat.Her voice was hoarse when she spoke."...If you touch them—""I won't," he said. "I don't need to."His gaze darted towards the door. "Your ex-husband..." he said. "is very exposed right now."Harper's blood ran cold, her heart thumping faster. Cold fear slid in, crippling her."What did you do?" She croaked.Reyes smiled faintly."Nothing," he said. "Yet."Her stomach dropped."He's hooke







