Mag-log inRachel POV
The big lecture hall was already filling up by the time I slipped inside. Students shuffled into their seats one by one, chatting, laughing, living their normal lives. Meanwhile, I was still dying inside from Eli’s rejection. My cheeks burned with the memory as I walked toward the back. I sat down quickly, trying to pretend I wasn’t replaying the moment in my head like an embarrassing movie. I straightened in my seat the moment I noticed theDamien POVMarcus stopped a few feet away, hands in his coat pockets, posture relaxed enough to be insulting."I was driving past," he said lightly. "Saw you buying ice cream. Thought I'd stop and say hello."My jaw tightened.Of course, he had.Of all the places in this city-of all the days-he'd noticed me standing in line like an ordinary man, fumbling money while my son gave me love advice."Don't you have somewhere to be?" I asked coolly. "Work, perhaps."Marcus smiled, but it never reached his eyes. "I do. But then again..." His gaze slid briefly to Leo, then back to me. "You're dating my sister. I figured that earned you a minute."Leo shifted beside me, clutching his ice cream cup tighter. I felt it instantly-the subtle change in his breathing, the way his body leaned closer to mine."Papa," he whispered. "Who's that?"I placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. "An acquaintance."Marcus raised a brow. "That's one word for it."He crouched slightly, lowering himself to Leo'
Damien POVMr Vance opened the car door, and Leo climbed in, settling Scout on his lap. I slid in beside him while Vance took the front passenger seat.The car pulled away from the training centre, and for a moment, there was only the sound of the engine and Scout's quiet panting.Then Leo spoke up, his voice still a little wobbly from earlier. "Papa?""Yes?""Can we go to the dog park?" He looked up at me with those wide eyes, still red-rimmed from crying. "Scout would like it. And... I want to play with her outside."I hesitated.The Raven was still out there. Unresolved. Taking Leo to a public park-even with security felt reckless.But then Rachel's words from yesterday surfaced in my mind, clear and sharp."If you don't want Leo to be like you, then maybe he needs more than just this world. School. Other kids. Space to figure out who he is outside of guards and cars and walls."I looked at Leo. He was watching me hopefully, one hand absently stroking Scout's ears.He'd been cooped
Damien POVI absolutely knew this would happen, but that didn't make it any less irritating.Today, I brought Leo and Mr Vance to Scout's training centre to finally see the evaluation of her progress.Standing in the large, expansive yard surrounded by aggressive dogs mid-training only made our situation worse. Compared to them, Scout's small frame and soft colouring made her look painfully out of place. Foolish, even.Leo sat nearby under guard supervision, quietly working through an oversized lollipop. He'd wanted to follow Rachel to school that morning, and he cried when I told him no, and this had been the fastest solution. The candy was just enough of a distraction to keep him from protesting through the drive here.So now he sat there, hands sticky and smudged with dirt, the lollipop clenched in one fist while Scout lay stretched across his lap, fast asleep and completely unbothered by the chaos around her.The handler stepped in front of us, holding out a folder. I skimmed t
Rachel POVI lay on Damien's bed, sleep threatening to pull me under.Which wasn't fair, especially when I was dressed like this.The silk night robe clung softly to my skin - deep green, simple, flowing just above my thighs, tied loosely at the waist. I'd paired it with matching pants tonight, not for comfort, but for him.I still couldn't believe I was thinking like that.The door opened.I sat up immediately, excitement stirring as I adjusted my hair and robe, already smiling-Then I saw his face.The smile faded.His jaw was tight. His knuckles were white. Like he was holding himself together by force alone."What's wrong?" I asked, concern pulling me to the edge of the bed.His gaze met mine, then flicked away. I noticed how his eyes lingered briefly on me - the robe, and on the way I was waiting. He seemed to be debating whether now was the right moment."I went to visit your father," he said quietly.I froze."My father?" I repeated, worry rushing in. "Why? Damien, please don'
Damien POVI sat behind my desk, the aftermath of Rachel and me moments ago still lingering in the air. Vance and I had hurriedly cleared the room, erasing the evidence, though my bloodstained shirt remained untouched-I hadn't bothered changing it.My bloodstained shirt remained untouched. I hadn't bothered changing it.Vance stood to my right, as he always did, composed and watchful.I was expecting a knock.Instead, the door swung open.Alessandro walked in without hesitation, utterly unfazed by the death glare I sent his way. He strolled across the room like he owned it and dropped into the chair opposite my desk."That was a long ride," he said casually, rolling his shoulders. "You wouldn't happen to have a beer, would you? A civilised man keeps one on hand.""You clearly weren't taught manners," I said coldly.Vance sighed and closed the door before coming to my side once more."You knew I was coming anyway," Alessandro replied with a smirk. "What's the point of knocking?"I ope
Rachel POVThe kiss deepened; slow, deliberate, consuming.My heartbeat thundered in my ears, racing to keep up with his. He tasted of warmth and something darker, power that held barely in check.His hand slid up my back, then down again, tracing the curve of my spine as if memorising me.Before I could process it, he dipped me back, laying me against the desk. The sudden movement sent its contents spilling to the floor as a startled gasp tore from my lips.I looked up at him, breathless, my back pressed to the cool surface, my hair fanned beneath me. His eyes were dark with hunger there was relief there too, and something dangerously close to happiness.The corner of his mouth tilted into the faintest grin.He braced both hands beside my head, caging me in without touching, like he was savouring the moment before giving in.Then he dipped down, pressing kisses along my jaw. I held my breath, every nerve alive, loving the unhurried way his mouth traced my skin, as if he had nowhere e
The manor library was a place of tranquillity, wrapped in the soft glow of lamps and the deep shadows of the towering bookshelves. The only sounds were the playful dialogue of a cartoon dragon from Rachel’s laptop and Leo’s contented giggles as he shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth
Damien POV He was barely conscious, his face a bloody pulp, one arm hanging uselessly. But in his other hand, held with trembling, unwavering determination, was his smoking gun. For a moment, everything was frozen. The echo of the shot faded into a ringing silence. T
Damien POV The warehouse air was thick with the smells of rust, damp, and the sharp, coppery tang of blood. My footsteps echoed, a deliberate rhythm on the cold concrete, announcing my arrival. They had him in the centre, tied to a metal chair, already a broken puppet of bruises
Rachel POV I sat in the lush courtyard grass, my laptop open and textbooks scattered around me. The soft breeze and the sound of Leo’s laughter made a perfect, peaceful backdrop for studying. Across the lawn, Leo was in his element, giggling uncontrollably as he ch







