LOGINDamien POVI stood frozen for half a second, stunned by the sudden fracture in her composure, my fingers tightening around the folder.Before I could fully reach for the gun inside the coat.She moved.Too fast. Too reckless. No hesitation.Instinct took over.I drew and fired, the shot cracking through the sewer as the bullet tore into her shoulder. Blood splattered against the stone wall.It should've stopped her.It didn't.She didn't even flinch.She crashed into me like the injury didn't exist, like pain was something she'd long ago decided didn't apply to her. Her momentum knocked the gun from my grip; it fell across the wet ground and vanished into the darkness.This woman was insane.I barely managed to dodge her next strike. A fist grazed my jaw. A kick slammed into my side, sharp enough to make my injured shoulder scream in protest.I blocked what I could. Took what I couldn't.This fight was erratic and reckless, as if she didn't care if she lived through it.That was the p
Damien POV I followed behind her in silence, watching as she walked past the hotel and toward a nearby park.Confusion crept in. This wasn't a meeting place I expected. I could only hope Vance was tracking my movements.We stopped beneath the open sky.The park was quiet, the night stretching wide above us, stars scattered and flickering faintly overhead. A fountain stood at the centre, water murmuring softly.The woman stopped beside it.Moments later, a young man stepped forward from the shadows. His face was covered, a large folder clutched tightly in his hands.My gaze fixed on it immediately."Jane," the man said, his tone polite. "Good to see you made it. I trust there were no issues with your arrival.""I don't have time for pleasantries," Jane replied coolly. "Did you get what my boss asked for?"My brows furrowed slightly.What thing?What are they really here for?The man smiled. "Yes. Everything. Full information on the Montrel Empire-its structure, identities of family me
Damien POVThe night sky blurred past as I drove, the car cutting through traffic with purpose. I welcomed the darkness and the aggressive honks thrown at me. My phone rang. I glanced at it once before putting it on speaker."Son," Mr Vance said, his voice tight, worried. "Don't tell me you're actually going there.""I am," I replied evenly. "If Alessandro's report is correct and a high-ranking Raven official is at the Yinn Hotel, then I can't afford to waste time.""Damien, wait for backup," he said urgently. "You're the target. If they realise you're there, you won't make it out alive."I removed one hand from the steering wheel and opened the compartment beside me, pulling out a compact black pouch."I have a disguise," I said calmly. "If I'm seen, they won't know who I am.""Disguises can be removed," Mr Vance snapped. "If they catch you-""They won't," I cut in.My grip tightened on the wheel as images crossed my mind-Rachel, Leo, the Raven spy who had come dangerously close to
Rachel POVI left the hallway and re-entered the main room, rubbing my wrist but refusing to look back.My mind was still racing, replaying the look of confusion on Eli's face when I slapped him. I hadn't meant to do it.It just... happened.I let out a quiet sigh and made my way back to Damien. He was probably already wondering why I took so long.When I reached our spot, I found him sitting stiffly on the couch, irritation written plainly across his face. Henry sat beside him, chatting and drinking, completely unfazed by Damien's short, unresponsive replies.I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Damien, being painfully antisocial, would never stop being oddly amusing.He noticed me immediately and stood, relief flickering across his face as he stepped closer."Thank the gods," he muttered. "You took far too long."Before I could answer, his hands closed gently around my wrist, his gaze sharpening."Did something happen?" he asked quietly."Nothing to worry about,"
Rachel POVWe just stared at each other for a moment, neither of us saying anything.The silence pressed in, awkward and heavy. I finally averted my gaze, deciding it would be easier to just walk past him."Hey."His voice stopped me.He was leaning against the wall now, arms folded, posture relaxed, like this was casual.I froze, then turned back, forcing politeness. "Hi.""How are you enjoying the party?" he asked, trying to sound easygoing. But I could hear the tension underneath it.I blinked, already irritated. "It's good. Loud.""Yeah," he said, nodding. "Makes sense. It's quieter in here-"I cut him off. "We've been practically ignoring each other for weeks. And now you're here acting like we're cool?"Eli sighed and pushed off the wall, taking a step closer. "I... I've had some time to think."I waited, genuinely expecting an apology.Instead, he said, "About you cancelling our date. It was sudden. Especially considering how excited you were about it."My brows knit together.
Chloe dragged Mark toward the kitchen counter.“I can’t drink. I’m working,” he said for the third time, his voice flat, standing stiffly beside her as he’d rather be anywhere else.Chloe sighed dramatically, dropping his hands. “You’re at a party, not a military base. Why are you standing there looking all stiff—and handsome—for no reason? There’s beer!”Mark gave a low exhale, refusing to look at her. “You’re going to get me in trouble.”“How?” Chloe asked, genuinely confused.“You just dragged me away from my post. My boss is strict. He won’t like that I left his sight.”Chloe leaned in, lowering her voice playfully. “Don’t worry. Mr Daniel seems like a total sweetheart.”Mark’s brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t correct her.Damien might appear calm—almost polite—but Mark knew better than to mistake that for softness. The man noticed everything. Missed nothing. And he didn’t need to raise his voice to make his expectations clear.Mark had been assigned to Rachel for a reason. He
Rachel POVThe day of the gala finally arrived.And at exactly 5 p.m., a small army of stern-faced women swept into my room, arms full of boxes, fabric bags, and accessories. For the next hour, they worked with sharp efficiency, barely speaking except to adjust a curl or fasten a cla
Rachel POV The private study felt like a cage of dark wood and suffocating silence. Lorenzo sat behind the massive desk, his silver hair catching the faint light. Alessandro leaned against the bookshelf with lazy elegance, though his eyes were anything but relaxed. I took a seat near
Rachel POVThe estate rose from the night like a carved monument, all white marble and golden light. Fountains glittered coldly. Laughter floated in the air, sharp and practised, the kind that never quite reached the eyes. It looked like a dream. It felt like a trap. My stom
Rachel POV His fingers hooked into the lace, and my entire world narrowed to that single point of contact. "Damien—" My voice broke on his name. "Shh." His thumb traced the edge of the fabric, maddeningly slow, deliberately teasing. "I need you to be quiet for me. Can you do that?" I nodded







