AlissiaI wake up to Demitri leaning over me, and I instantly hate him for it. The sleep was too good, too peaceful, and now itâs shattered by his presence. I roll out of Jenniâs bed, still half-asleep, and stumble into my room for a quick shower.Once Iâm dressedâchoosing a skirt and shirt that feel professional enoughâI slip on my shoes and head out. As I walk into the living room, I catch Lucas and Demitri locked in a silent battle of glares. Fantastic. Not this again. I sigh, aiming for the kitchen, but Demitriâs hand shoots out, catching my arm before I can get far.âNo time for that. Weâll grab you coffee on the way,â he says, his tone as smooth and controlled as ever. âSay goodbye to your serial killer friend.â His mockery is laced with amusement, but I can practically feel Lucas bristling behind me.I give Demitri a pointed look, then turn to Lucas. âThanks for protecting me from all his... paranoia,â I quip, knowing it will get under Demitriâs skin.Lucas smirks, stepping for
Alissia POVâEl Cuervo,â Demitri greets him, his voice respectful but firm.Salazarâs eyes shift to me, scanning me with a disconcerting intensity. âAnd who is this?â His voice is gravelly, accented, like each word is weighed carefully.âThis is Alissia,â Demitri says, his hand still resting on my back. âSheâs my personal assistant. Slowly learning the business.âSalazarâs eyes flicker with amusement, but thereâs a hardness to his gaze. âLearning? This is no place for an amateur, Demitri. Can she be trusted?âDemitri stands tall, his expression unwavering. âShe follows my orders. She can be trusted.âSalazar takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing as if heâs testing me, pushing for a reaction. âI donât trust easily, Demitri. Not in this business. If sheâs here, she must prove her loyalty.âThe room feels smaller, the tension thicker. Demitriâs voice cuts through the silence. âAlissia, pour Salazar a drink.âSimple enough, right? But the way he says it, the demand in his tone, makes my
Demitriâs POVI watch as Salazar rises, satisfied with our conversation, but my mind is elsewhere. Alissia. Her defiance burns in my mind like a brand, twisting my frustration into something deeper, darker. She followed Salazarâs orders without hesitation, but when I command her, she pushes back like itâs a game.Why? Why does she challenge me so relentlessly? She wants to see my world, but she doesnât respect its rules. That will get her killed. Worse, it will make me look weak. And weakness, in this life, is fatal.Salazar clasps my hand, his cold, calculating smile still in place as he bids his farewell. âA pleasure, as always, Demitri. Keep her in line, will you? It would be a shame to waste someone with such... spirit.â He chuckles, his gaze flickering to Alissia before turning away.I donât respond. I just nod, my jaw clenched tight. As soon as the door closes behind Salazar, the air shifts. Silence fills the room, but itâs thick, charged with something unspoken. Alissia stands
Demitri POVI let go of her chin and take a step back, giving her space but not taking my eyes off her. âIâm not your enemy, Alissia. But if you keep testing me like this, youâll find out exactly how dangerous I can be. And believe me, thatâs not what you want.âShe watches me, her expression a mix of frustration and something elseâsomething I canât quite place yet. âYou donât scare me, Demitri,â she whispers, but her voice wavers just enough to let me know thatâs a lie.I smile, just a hint of satisfaction in it. âI donât need to scare you. I just need you to understand the rules. Follow them, and youâll get everything you want. Defy them, and youâll lose control of this situation faster than you can imagine.âHer jaw tightens, and she lets out a breath like sheâs trying to regain her composure. But I can see it nowâsheâs rattled, even if she doesnât want to admit it.She finally turns away, her shoulders tense. âYouâre exhausting, you know that?ââYouâre not making this easy either,
AlissiaI storm away from Demitri, refusing to give him the control he craves so desperately. I know, deep down, Iâll have to give in eventually, but not now. Right now, Iâm holding the reins, and it feels damn good. Besides, itâs one less obstacle for me to handle tomorrow night while Iâm dancing.As I put more distance between myself and the warehouse, I wave down a taxi. By the time I climb inside and tell the driver my address, Iâm already trying to shake off the encounter. Itâs barely eight in the morning, and Demitriâs little power play with Salazar lasted only half an hour. It felt more like a rushed visit than anything substantial.I wonder... if I told them all that Iâve had enough, would they back off? At least for tomorrow night? Let me breathe, let me dance without them hovering over my shoulder. I know theyâll be back after that, but a little freedom for one night would make everything so much easier.Months have passed since I submitted that video to dance at Saints and
Alissia POVAs I sit down, I glance at the screen where the live feeds are playing, and something catches my eye. âWait... did you actually get inside their house?â I point at the screen, where a dress is hung on the back of the door.Blake smirks, clearly pleased with himself. âYup. Wifeâs at work, so I snuck in, tapped into their cameras. Oh, and I may have sent the boss a little gift.â His grin widens, and I groan.âWhat did you do now?â I ask, trying to suppress a laugh as I lean in closer to the screen.âJust watch.â He gestures toward the office camera, his eyes glinting with mischief. I lean in, staring at the screen as the boss sits at his desk, typing away. Then, right on cue, the guy heâs having an affair with walks in.âSame time, like clockwork,â Blake says, sounding way too smug.I watch the scene unfold, feeling like a voyeur in someone elseâs dirty secret. They donât waste time. Clothes start hitting the floor, and before I know it, Iâm watching what can only be describ
Blake POVIâm staying tonight to watch over her. Lucas is out gathering more intel on Jenkins, her ex, and Demitri just messaged me with a vague update. He said sheâs making her own way home, but something feels off. Did Demitri send her away, or did she leave on her own?âFun date with Demitri?â I ask, smirking, but she groans in response.âIf by fun you mean him telling me what to do, and me refusing, then sure, it was a blast,â she says, rolling her eyes.I chuckle. âSounds like a real joy. Youâve got some serious issues with giving up control, donât you?âHer glare could cut glass, but I just raise my hands defensively. âHey, just an observation, Kitten. And your words kinda confirm it.ââHeâll learn,â she mutters, more to herself than to me.I laugh, leaning back. âHeâll learn? Pretty sure he said itâs you who needs to learn,â I tease, throwing in a wink.Her eyes narrow. âHe canât always have control. Something will make him give it up.âI arch a brow. âOh, youâve got a plan, do
Blake POVAlissia leans forward, eyes narrowed in thought. I can practically see the wheels turning in her head, and I know sheâs going to come up with something twistedâsheâs got that fire in her now.âWe could start small,â she begins, her voice cold and calculating. âSomething subtle, like anonymous messages. He thinks heâs in control, that his secrets are safe, but weâll slowly make him doubt that. We let him feel the pressure build. Just little hints at first. A picture of him with one of his lovers, left somewhere his wife could find it, but we ensure he finds it first. Maybe a cryptic message sent to his personal emailââI know your secret.â Thatâll freak him out.âI nod, letting her continue.âOnce he starts to spiral, we up the ante,â she says, her voice growing more confident. âWe send something to his work. A letter addressed to his CEO, or a colleague, implying that heâs been using company time and resources for personal... activities. Maybe a snippet of the sex tape, with
Blake POVThe backyard is alive with laughter and music, a celebration buzzing with life. Today is Zaneâs third birthday, and heâs tearing across the lawn, his little legs pumping as he darts between the tables. Not far behind him is Elijah, toddling as fast as he can to keep up with his older brother, his green eyes wide with excitement. I watch them both, my chest tightening with pride and love I never thought Iâd feel.Demitriâs over by the grill, chatting with Axel while flipping burgers, and Lucas is putting up the last of the decorations that Alissia decided we âneededâ at the last minute. As for Alissia, sheâs cradling Keziah in her arms, bottle-feeding her while keeping a close eye on our two sons as they play. The whole scene is something I never dreamed would be mineâkids, family, this sense of belonging that goes deeper than I can put into words.Alissia made sure it was as close to a regular kids party as possible, no overly priced locations, just something simple at home
Demitri POVAs I pace quietly through the kitchen, Keziah nestled soundly in my arms, her tiny breaths soft against my chest, I feel the weight of it allâthe life weâve built, the family weâve created. Axel leans against the door, arms crossed, his expression one of quiet amusement, a glint in his eye that tells me heâs up to something.âWhat, Axel?â I murmur, keeping my voice low to avoid disturbing Keziah.âNothing,â he replies, though the smirk says otherwise. I narrow my eyes at him, and he finally chuckles, unable to hold back. âYou know sheâs three months old now, right?â he says, raising an eyebrow.I frown, not quite following. I grab my coffee, nodding for him to follow me as I head out of the kitchen. âAnd?â I prompt, confused by his insinuation.He shrugs, his grin widening. âI was just thinking⊠after Zane was born, you three were so caught up in the whole baby frenzy that you kinda⊠forgot a key point about Alissia. Next thing we know, Alissiaâs pregnant again, and then w
Alissia POVI donât know how long Iâve been out when a sharp, intense pain jolts me awake. I gasp, clutching my stomach, my heart racing as I try to make sense of whatâs happening. The pain is undeniable, and as it fades, I feel Demitriâs hand on my shoulder, concern etched into his face.âWhatâs wrong?â he asks, eyes wide, and I can feel the tension ripple through the car as Blake and Lucas turn, alarmed.âI thinkâŠâ I pause, sucking in a shaky breath. âI think Iâm in labor.âDemitri stares at me, as if hoping he misheard. âThis better be a joke, Alissia,â he says, his voice a mixture of worry and frustration. âWeâre still an hour away.âI manage a laugh, but it quickly turns into a scream as another contraction hits, the pain searing through me. âOh god, it hurts!â I gasp, squeezing his hand with all my strength.âOkay, okay, donât panic,â Blake says from in front of me, though his voice sounds anything but calm. âLucas, find somethingâanythingâuseful. Blankets, towels⊠anything. I'l
Alissia POVI rest my hand on my stomach, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves flutter beneath my fingertips. My book was published three months after we moved into our new homeâsix months ago now. And here I am, cutting things close to the wire, but there was no way I was going to miss this event, not for anything.Suddenly, I feel strong hands grip my shoulders, gently but firmly pushing me down into a chair. I look up to see Demitri standing over me, a smirk on his face. I glare at him, but he only shrugs and lets out a soft chuckle, clearly unfazed. The room around us is buzzing with energy, filled with authors at their tables displaying all sorts of extravagant setupsâbanners, exclusive bookmarks, even themed merchandise like mini handcuffs and⊠sex toys. Meanwhile, at my table, thereâs just me and these three men. I have books and such and as well, but it's these three who are the main attraction. It wasnât supposed to be this way, but none of them would even consider stay
Alissia POVThe marble floors beneath my feet are pristine, veined with dark streaks that run through the stone like rivers. In the center, an elaborate medallion design is inlaid, drawing the eye and adding a touch of artistry to the already lavish setting. Along the walls are portraits in gilded frames, each one depicting figures from history or perhaps ancestors Iâll never know. The sconces beside each painting cast a soft, ambient light, illuminating the dark wood paneling that lines the walls and lends an air of timeless elegance.I stand there, awestruck, and feel Demitriâs hand rest lightly on the small of my back, guiding me further inside. âWelcome home,â he murmurs, his voice gentle, yet filled with a pride thatâs unmistakable.Turning to face him, I still canât quite process what Iâm seeing. âThis⊠all of this⊠itâs ours?â I whisper, my voice barely more than a breath.âYes,â Blake chimes in with a grin. âA real home for all of us, and a place where our family can grow.âLu
Alissia POVThis week has been all about immersing myself in my book. The second draft is finally done, and Iâve been piecing together the perspectives of Demitri, Blake, and Lucas, capturing their unique thoughts and emotions. Theyâve been surprisingly helpful, giving me these rare glimpses into their minds during moments I wouldnât otherwise understand. But even though the draft is complete, releasing it isnât quite on the horizon yet. Thereâs one major thing in my life that needs my attention first.Jenni nudges me, breaking my train of thought, and I glance down at the pregnancy test on the bed. âYou know you actually have to look at it to see the results, right?â she teases, her chuckle light but encouraging.I groan, my stomach knotting with anxiety. âThis wasnât in the plan, Jenni! We were supposed to stick to the plan!â My voice is almost a whine, frustration spilling over.âPlanning isnât always necessary, you know,â she laughs, not the least bit fazed. âBut if youâre gonna d
DemitriA week has passed since that date with Alissia, and every night since, Iâve tried to create small, ordinary moments with her. Even if itâs something as simple as sitting quietly with a book for ten minutes, I find myself drawn to carving out these snippets of normalcy for herâand, strangely, for myself too. Itâs a shift that hasnât gone unnoticed.Lucas and Blake have been watching me with a mix of curiosity and confusion, clearly wondering whatâs prompted these small changes. Theyâre not ones to pry, but the unspoken questions in their eyes are obvious. Today, however, some things are going to change, and I need them to be a part of it. Iâve made up my mind, and thereâs no turning back.When our car finally stops, we step out and make our way into the restaurant. The air is thick with the scent of expensive wine and seasoned wood, the atmosphere humming with quiet conversations and the soft clink of glass. Lucas and Blake follow behind, exchanging wary glances as I lead them
Alissia POVI sit on Lucasâs lap, my fingers hovering over the keyboard, absorbing his words, the intensity of his memories, and the raw honesty that drips from every line heâs just written. Thereâs something liberating about letting the story be real, about capturing not just the actions but the emotions beneath themâthe twisted, obsessive need that drove him to act out, to lash back.âGo on,â he murmurs, his voice low and encouraging as he wraps his arm around my waist, anchoring me there. âKeep that line. Let it shape the chapter. Show how I felt, how my control slipped with every message that went unanswered.âHis words sink into me, and I type out a few more lines, allowing myself to step inside his mind, to feel the frustration, the dark hunger that simmered beneath his surface. Lucas watches as I write, his eyes on the screen, reading every word as it takes form. I can feel the intensity in his gaze, like heâs reliving the moment, pulling me deeper into his world.After a while
Alissia POVAfter getting dressed, I step out and spot Lucas in the kitchen, focused and completely at ease, stirring something on the stove. The smell of spices fills the air, warm and inviting.âWhat are you doing?â I ask, hopping up onto the kitchen island to sit and watch him work, swinging my legs slightly.He glances over his shoulder, a small grin forming on his lips. âWell, I figured going out would just mean dealing with people and noise. So I thought weâd spend the night here insteadâjust us,â he says, his voice low and easy, as he turns back to his task. âUnless youâd rather go out?âI shake my head, smiling. âNo, this is perfect.â I mean it, too. I donât need anything extravagant. Being here, just the two of us, feels exactly right. He catches my gaze for a moment, a soft smile crossing his face before he goes back to cooking.He stirs a pot, then glances at me, curiosity lighting his eyes. âHowâs the story coming along?âI groan, rolling my eyes, which makes him chuckle.