LOGINZOEâS POV
My knees gave out the moment he released me Julian was quick to catch me, holding me up before I could crumble to the floor completely. âIâve got you Kitten.â His voice was soothing as he held me against his chest, his hands rubbing my back in comforting circles. When he was certain I could stand on my own, he took a step back, his chest rising and falling, a predatory smile lingering on his lips as he reached for theJULIANâS POV I stared at the reports spread across my desk, irritation simmering beneath my skin. Aaron and the rest of the campaign team had left hours ago. Maureen had also left for home a few minutes ago, after informing me that another venue had been canceled in Connecticut. Another âanonymous sourceâ was feeding information to the press before my campaign even officially launched. And whoever was behind it knew exactly how to apply pressure without leaving obvious fingerprints. I let out an exasperated sigh as I skimmed through another email from one of the campaign coordinators. This was no longer a political competition. Someone was actively trying to destabilize me before I could even gain momentum. A frantic knock interrupted my thoughts. I barely looked up before calling out. âNot now.â The door opened anyway. Normally
JULIANâS POV âSo the campaign kicks off in NYC then we move over to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and lastly Oregon.â I listened quietly as one of Elijah Burkeâs campaign strategists spoke, her manicured fingers tapping against the digital board displaying maps, schedules, projections, and polling data. The conference room was abuzz with energy. Half the people seated around the long black table had built political careers out of destroying opponents before they even realized they were in danger. There were Media consultants, campaign managers, financial strategists, and public image experts. Only the best in the game and now they work for me. âThe NYC launch has to be flawless,â Elijah said smoothly from across the table. âFirst impressions matter more than anything else in politics.â Aaron, who sat two seats away from me, leaned back lazily in his chair. âEverything in politics sounds exhausting.â âIt is,â one of the women mutte
MADISONâS POV I watched in disgust as Liam emptied yet another bottle of whiskey. My eyes drifted to the clock, it was barely past 9am. âLet me guess, youâre going to spend the entire day drinking again.â He gave me a deathly glare. âWhat is it to you?â âBecause Iâm the one who has to deal with your mood swings when the drinking starts and Iâd rather not spend my day doing that.â He scoffed as he took another swig straight from a fresh bottle whilst scrolling through his phone. âMind your own business.â âSpeaking of business, shouldnât you be at work by now?â âI called in sick.â I mentally face-palmed myself. Oh for the love of God. âKeep that up and youâll be thrown out of this house when you can't afford the bills anymore.â He ignored me and continued scrolling on his phone, stopping when he got to a video whose audio I had heard countless times in the last week. It was the Video of Zoe giving a speech after being called on stage by her boss Julian. âGo
ZOEâS POV  I still felt guilty for how I had told my parents to marry Talia off instead which was the reason I was currently standing on the front door even though I had vowed never to return. My sister and I may not have the best relationship but no one deserves to have their free will taken away⌠And no matter how much she irritated meâŚshe was still my sister. I pushed open the front door without knocking. âHello?â I called out, my voice echoing faintly through the quiet house. There was no response. That was odd, the lights were on, and the doors werenât locked. Someone had to be home. âTalia?â I tried again, stepping further inside. Still nothing. A frown creased my brows as I slipped off my heels and set them by the door, my footsteps quieter now as I moved deeper into the house. The silence felt⌠off.
JULIANâS POV âGuess who is running for Mayor?â âWho?â Aaronâs voice came through the line, slightly strained. He was probably at the gym. I let the silence sit for a second, my gaze fixed on the city below. Three months ago, I would have laughed at the idea. âMe.â I took a slow sip of whiskey, watching the city stretch out beneath me as I waited for his response. âWho are you and what have you done to my friend?â he finally asked. A faint smirk tugged at my lips. âIt isn't a joke.â âIt should be,â he shot back. âBecause the last time someone brought this up, you told them youâd rather set your company on fire than sit in a room full of politicians pretending to care about people.â âI remember.â âAnd now youâre running?â he pressed. âJust like that?â âItâs not âjust like that.ââ âThen explain it to me.â Because I could. Simple. âIâve been thinking about it,â I said instead. Aaron huffed out a breath. âThatâs not an explanation, Julian. Thatâs a defle
ZOEâS POV The night air hit me the second I stepped out of the building, cool against my skin making me shiver. I tightened my grip on my bag as I walked, my heels clicking softly against the pavement as I headed to my car. The office building was deserted, with everyone having headed home, while the security men lingered. I got into my car and turned onto the road. The city lights blurred past the window as the car moved, but I barely noticed any of it. My body still hummed with aftershocks, every shift in my seat reminding me of what had happened some minutes agoâJulianâs desk, his hands, the way heâd looked at me with so much hunger and possession. Heat crept up my neck and I shook my head to dispel the nasty images. That man was dangerous. A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself as I pulled into my driveway, but it faded just as quickly when my phone buzzed in my bag. I pulled it out, the ID flashing across the screen. Dad. My brows pulled together sli
ZOEâS POV The elevator hummed softly as it began its slow ascent. The walls were mirrored on three sides, polished to a shine that reflected us from every angle. The ride was charged with unspoken words. I stood next to him with my overnight bag at my feet, trying very hard not to stare.
JULIANâS POV Without hesitation, she stood on her tiptoes and reached for me. When her lips met mine, it was like a light switch flipped, and everything in the room became hotâŚ. She didnât stop for breath, her hands kept fisting the front of my shirt and yanking me closer, like sheâd been holdi
JULIANâS POV I couldnât remember the last time Iâd apologized to anyone. It was a humbling realization that settled on me as I drove away from Zoeâs house, the city sliding past my windshield in streaks of gray and gold. It wasnât that I thought I was always right. It was that Iâd learned
ZOEâS POV I didnât go back to my desk after the meeting, I took a walk down to the parking lot to clear my head. I pulled out my phone while in my car and opened a new message thread with ChatGPT. âHi Chat. What do I do when my laptop suddenly goes blank without any prior issues?â It brou







