LOGINTEYARA'S POV I was fully cognizant of how profoundly irrational my reasoning appeared in that particular moment. Contemplate it objectively. What manner of person deliberately jeopardizes their own existence to shield two individuals who have inflicted nothing but devastating emotional destruction? Jax had shattered my heart into irreparable fragments. Chloe, consumed by her own insecurities and perpetual confusion, had weaponized her vulnerability against me — though I found myself incapable of directing my fury entirely toward her.Nevertheless, irrespective of our turbulent history, I categorically refused to withdraw. I could not, in good conscience, permit innocent lives to be annihilated as collateral casualties in this grotesquely orchestrated war. That singular conviction was precisely why, in direct defiance of every rational instinct screaming within me, I elected to remain within the epicenter of danger. Brielle would inevitably return to gloat triumphantly about her late
TEYARA'S POV A tiny glimmer of hope kept me going. In an hour, maybe less, flashing blue lights might arrive outside. That was assuming the emergency dispatcher actually took my frantic call seriously and didn't dismiss it as some sick joke. If they ignored me, I was finished. I just had to hold onto that hope. Without it, I would completely break.The heavy door groaned on its hinges. Someone walked inside. From the heavy footsteps and the arrogant posture, I knew instantly it wasn't Brielle."Hey there, gorgeous," Adrian said, stepping into the dim light.One of the thugs had come in a few minutes earlier to tie me securely back to the wooden chair, ensuring I couldn't move an inch. Adrian was finally making an appearance. I guessed he had been out executing his boss's orders."What do you want?" I spat out, glaring at him with pure disgust."I missed you," he chuckled, leaning in close to my face. "I needed to see your pretty face. Brielle told me the hospital hit didn't go as pla
TEYARA'S POV I wanted to burst out laughing right then and there. The expression on Brielle's face was absolutely priceless. Her skin turned a deep, furious shade of red. She was utterly boiling with rage.A new detective — clearly a high-ranking officer on the force — had completely ruined her plan and saved Chloe. He hurried her back inside the building before I could see anything else on the video feed.Honestly, I didn't care about the details. The only thing that mattered was that Chloe and her baby were safe. I wouldn't have to carry the guilt of causing their deaths for the rest of my life."You look a little flushed, Brielle," I mocked, letting every single word drip with pure sarcasm. "Maybe you should go outside and cool off.""Shut your mouth!" she shrieked.Channeling all her violent anger, she swung her hand and slapped me across the cheek as hard as she could. My skin stung, but I didn't flinch."I need to fix this mess right now," she muttered to herself, pacing wildly
TEYARA'S POV What in heaven's name had I just done?I wished desperately to break free from her grasp and strike myself until I bled. I could not have chosen Jax over Chloe. I could not have made such a choice between two people.Brielle had merely been grating on my nerves, and I blurted out the first name that crossed my mind.Could her words have contained some fragment of truth? Why would I still consider saving Jax after all his wicked deeds toward me?Did some part of me still harbor feelings for him? No!I could not love someone like that! I simply could not! He had hurt me, betrayed me, shattered my trust.My family had deserted me. My friends had abandoned me. All because of him. There was no possible way I loved him. Frankly, I would rather end my own life than fall in love with Jax Mitchell.Yet that still did not answer the question of why his name had escaped my lips. Perhaps it was guilt for the pain I had caused him. I was so utterly confused.Now Chloe was in danger.
Inspector's POV I abandoned every case file on my desk, leaving them to gather dust for another day. My focus had narrowed to a single point—this murder investigation. I have never, in all my years of service, been so utterly consumed by a case.My first step is to examine the bullet casings. Once I have the names, I can narrow the search and bring the perpetrator to justice. Perhaps then I will finally find some semblance of peace. To mutilate a fellow human being's body is an act of unimaginable cruelty. Heartless. When I conclude this investigation, Mr. John will finally find the rest he deserves, wherever he may be.My patience was wearing thin. I needed those names now. My thoughts were spiraling, and I had to act quickly.As if responding to my mental demands, my officer carefully placed a sheet of paper on my desk.I lifted it, and four names were printed in bold letters:· Chloe, Recently became Chloe Mitchell.· Brielle· Teyara· Jax"Excellent work, Officer. Now, what do w
TEYARA'S POV My stomach rumbled loudly. It was clearly furious about being starved of food and water.If my math was right, I'd been locked in this dark room for about ten hours. Give or take.I still didn't understand my role in this twisted revenge plot of hers. If Brielle wanted me dead, why didn't she just tell Adrian to put a bullet in me? Why drag me all the way here? Maybe her plan was to torture me slowly until I died.Well, it was working perfectly. I already had a dead man on my conscience. My brain kept trying to rationalize John's death, but it was just too damn hard.I even caught myself thinking: if he'd just said no to the job, he'd still be alive. But no — I was the one who asked him to uncover the truth. I dragged him into this mess. Now I'd carry that guilt for the rest of my life.Speaking of Adrian, I wondered what scheme Brielle had him running now. I hadn't seen his face in hours.I needed to warn Chloe. She was in serious danger, her unborn baby was at risk, an
TEYARA'S POV Now that I was officially a part of the professional world, I had to freshen up early and head out to oversee the start of construction. I knew Jax and his corporate team wouldn't back down from a fight over this real estate. I fully expected his company to push back, and I was compl
TEYARA'S POV I peeked through the upstairs curtains. He was still there.Two agonizing hours had passed. Same spot. Same stubborn stance.After leaving Chloe's, I'd showered, climbed into bed, turned on a movie. I'd ordered pizza. When the doorbell rang, I figured it was delivery. Then I opened th
TEYARA'S POV My mind spun. If I did the math right, that baby belonged to Jax. They'd slept together barely a month after I'd packed my bags and fled the state. His final message echoed in my ears."I love you."A bitter laugh clawed up my throat. He'd written it so beautifully, apologizing, swea
TEYARA'S POV The plane landed a few minutes ago. I checked my watch and smiled. Right now, Jax was sitting at his board meeting, probably telling everyone that the real estate deal was done. He thought he'd won.He had no idea I'd already bought that land a week ago.All I had to do was find the r







