LOGINShe moaned—soft, needy—fingers tugging my hair. I moved lower, kissing across her collarbone, down to her breasts. The lace was so thin I could feel her nipples hardening through it. I took one into my mouth, sucking gently through the fabric. She arched, whimpering, nails digging into my shoulder
LUCIEN’S POV I lay back against the headboard, hands folded behind my head, eyes closed. The sheets were cool against my bare skin, the room quiet except for the soft rustle of Adele moving around. We’d just put Andrea to bed—story read, kisses given, little arms hugging us both tight before his e
ROSE’S POV My stomach was doing flips so hard I thought I might actually throw up right there on the red carpet leading into the grand ballroom. The Valkar Group annual dinner was always a big deal—black ties, sparkling gowns, crystal chandeliers that probably cost more than most people’s houses—b
LUCIEN’S POV The blanket was spread out under the big oak tree, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and dancing across Adele’s hair. She’d packed everything—sandwiches, fruit, little juice boxes for Andrea, even a tiny picnic basket with a checkered cloth. Her idea, of course. She sai
DAMIEN’S POV Rose’s lips were still on mine, soft and warm, tasting like the little mint she’d popped earlier. I couldn’t stop smiling against her mouth. The way she’d just tossed Scarlett out like yesterday’s trash? Pure gold. My girl was a force, and I was the luckiest bastard alive. I pulled
DAMIEN’S POV A week had passed since that nightmare in the forest bunker, and every single day felt like walking on thin ice. Rose was healing—physically, at least. But I knew the real damage was deeper. Nightmares still woke her up in the middle of the night, heart racing, body slick with swea
The mattress dipped under his weight, the chains rattling above me as he climbed onto the bed. The sheer size of him made the air feel smaller, like there was no space left in the room for me to breathe. I jerked my head away, but his hand caught my jaw, firm and unyielding, forcing me to face him
Then he took a sharp turn, one I wasn't familiar with. His shoulder shifted beneath me. My pulse spiked. This wasn’t the way back to the quarters or his chambers. “Where are you taking me?” My voice broke, the edges sharp with panic. He didn’t answer. He didn’t even glance down at me. He just ke
The instant his words cut through the storm, my body rebelled. I turned on my heel and bolted, the mud sucking at my feet, the rain pelting so hard I could hardly see. My muscles screamed in protest, exhaustion clawing at me, but I didn’t care. I had one chance, one sliver of defiance left in me—and
The first thing I heard as I pushed the doors open was her whimper. Leaving her chained, trembling, aching like this might have been cruel, but cruelty was necessary. She had to learn. She had to understand that she didn’t get to put herself in danger, not when she belonged to me. If I had been







