LOGINARIELLA Asher stepped slightly in front of me, not enough to block me, but enough to make a statement—a boundary. The older man greeted him with practised ease, and Asher responded in the same tone, controlled, respectful, but distant enough to remind him exactly where he stood. “It’s so nice t
ARIELLA I could feel it in the tension of his body, in the way his eyes kept shifting toward the exits, the entrances, every moving piece in the room. Always alert. Always calculating. Always ready..... Making sure no one tried anything. Still… I found myself listening to the speeches, to the cau
ARIELLA Asher, being Asher, made sure he stole a kiss from me, ruining my makeup all over again, before we even got out of the car. I barely had time to protest before he was already stepping out, adjusting his tie like nothing had happened, then coming around to my side and opening the door for
ASHER I wanted to devour her. To take her apart piece by piece and still want more when I was done. “Heaven,” I muttered against her lips, my voice rough as my mouth moved over hers again. My tongue chased hers, slow at first, then deeper, tasting, learning, claiming every inch like I had no in
ASHER I’m coming from my office, already running a few minutes late, heading to get my wife before we leave for the ball. I don’t want us to arrive late... not tonight. But the moment I step into the foyer, I stop. My posture straightens instantly as my eyes lift and follow the length of the stai
ARIELLA Today was the day. Leon and his dad had gone on their usual run and now they had upgraded it to something more intense. And I had to admit… Leon was changing. He looked sharper these days, Stronger and Taller. There was something about him now that made him seem older than he really was.
ASHER I had hoped that giving my brother power would make him see me, really see me. I thought it would bring us closer, maybe even make him turn away from this ridiculous plan he had with Dinara. I believed, foolishly, that if he felt valued, if he held something of his own, he would let go of th
ASHER The second shot tore through the air, a hot, sharp sting across my shoulder. Pain flared, but I didn’t falter. My instincts kicked in before my mind could process. I spun, gun raised, and caught the glint of Dinara’s weapon aimed directly at me. Her eyes were unflinching, burning. The chaos
ASHER When the flight landed back home, I was tired and a little frustrated, but I was also determined, determined to fulfill the promise I had made to Ariella and Leon. I had to work fast. I had to be diligent. I had to be careful. On my way there, I watched the cameras at home. I just wanted to
ASHER I sit straighter, my pulse quickening. “And I told myself, I was going to tell you, and you were gonna help me.” She shakes her head. “And they told me the hard truth, opened my eyes, Asher.... That you weren’t Don yet. He was just teaching you the ropes by then. And you didn’t really have a







