(Jayden)“So, all of this... Winona, Cass, even me—this is all part of their plan to get to you?”“Yes,” Gus says quietly. “They’re using you to get to me because they know you’re my heir. They think if they can take you, I’ll do whatever they want to keep you alive. They are right.”“And you let it get this far,” I snap, anger boiling up inside me. “You let them put my family in danger because of your goddamn secrets.”Gus doesn’t flinch. “I’ve been trying to contain it. To keep them away from you. But now... things are moving faster than I anticipated. They’re getting desperate, and that’s why they took Cass.”I stare at him, my mind racing. “What about Greg? Was he involved in any of this?”Gus hesitates, and for a moment, I think he’s not going to answer. But then he nods. “Greg knew about some of it. Not everything, but enough. Let’s just say, he was never savvy enough to do what I do.”Gus taps into this message screen again before he continues.“He knocked up Maria on his very
(Winona)The van’s interior feels like a cage. Cold metal presses against my back as I cling to Cass, who’s trembling next to me, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Across from us, the man with the gun stares at us, silent and still.Like a predator waiting to pounce.I scan the guy, desperate to find any sign of the symbol Gus mentioned, something that would give me hope that he’s on our side. But there’s nothing. No mark, no subtle hint of trustworthiness—just a cold, empty stare.The air between us is heavy with fear and unspoken threats.Cass grips my arm tighter, her knuckles white. I can feel the tension in her, the fear radiating off her in waves. I need to do something, say something, to keep her from falling apart completely.“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest.The man shifts, his eyes narrowing. “Shut up,” he snaps, his voice low and dangerous.I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. This guy’s not going to tell us anything
(Winona)The voices outside get louder, someone’s prying the van door open. I glance at Cass; she’s barely conscious, leaning against the van wall. Her head is still bleeding through the makeshift bandage I wrapped around her forehead.Sweat beads down her face, and her breathing is shallow.She needs some proper medical attention.I can’t tell if the people outside are friends or foe. Gus told me to look for the symbol, but there’s been nothing so far. Nothing on the guy in here with us, and nothing indicating these voices belong to the Nexus Global team Gus mentioned.Who are they? Cartel? Or Gus’s team?I clutch the large semi-automatic rifle tighter in my hand. If it’s Nexus Global, we’re safe. But if it’s not…I hold the butt of the gun against my shoulder in readiness for the wrong side opening that door.“Hang on, Cass,” I whisper, brushing some of her damp hair out of her face. Her eyes flicker open for a moment. “Stay with me.”She nods.The sound of metal groaning as the doo
(Winona)The airstrip is abandoned—too quiet, too still. It feels like Gus would have a lot more reassurance for me if these two were working with him. But then they probably are just doing what they’ve always done.I edge up to the door they went into, and I work the handle ever so slowly. Can I get it open enough to hear them? Please don’t squeak or creak. Finally, it’s open enough for their voices to float out.I strain to make sense of the words. But I can’t. I hear footsteps getting louder though and I quickly close the door and let the handle go. “They’re coming back.” I tell Cass. I see sweat on her forehead again.I go to her and brace her. “You okay?”“Coming out of this drug isn’t going to be pretty.’“You got this, Cass. Just remember. Stay close to me. We cannot get separated.”Then Tom reappears, “Come in. There’s a small kitchen through the doorway ahead.”“You go, we’ll follow.” I tell him. I don’t want him behind us.He leads the way. “You’ll find ration packs, water a
(Jayden)I’m pacing the length of the room, my eyes flicking to Gus’s laptop every few seconds. The signal from Winona’s GPS tracker hasn’t moved in thirty minutes. My stomach churns with anxiety.Every second that ticks by feels like an eternity. “Are they just standing still?”“No, we’ve lost satellite transmission.”I had high hopes when I could see the van on the road but that froze soon after.Gus sits at the desk, calm and focused as he types away. He’s too calm. How can he be so calm?“They should have made contact by now,” I say, unable to keep the frustration out of my voice.“The van crashed. It went off road before it got to the interception point. They’ve just tracked it down.” Gus replies, not looking up from the screen.“Crashed?” I snap. “Are they okay?”Gus finally looks up, his expression neutral. “They aren’t there. A dead guy in the back. The driver and passenger both died too.”“Fuck! Where are Winona and Cass?”“We assume they are alive.”“Assume?” Winona is out
(Winona)We’re finally back. The penthouse feels strange after everything we’ve been through. It’s a little surreal. Cass is in the hospital for observation. I know she’ll have some struggles after being captive and drugged.I’m sure it will take time to deal with it all. But we’re home and she is getting the best care, and that’s all that matters right now.I walk over to the windows, looking out over the city. It’s getting dark, and the lights below are starting to flicker on. For the first time in days, I can actually breathe and relax.“Henry’s looking good. That virus is all but cleared up,” Jayden says, stepping up behind me.He wraps his arms around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Doctor says he’s feeding well, breathing on his own, and all the tests came back perfect.”“Really?” I lean into him, feeling some of the weight lift off my chest. “That’s… that’s amazing. I wasn’t sure we’d ever get to this point.”“I know.” Jayden kisses the side of my head. “But we’re h
(Cass)I’m lying in this hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to get my shit together. My body’s still trembling from the aftereffects of the drugs they pumped into me. Meth. Of all the fucking things they could’ve used.I’ve been through withdrawal before, but this feels different. Darker. Like it’s gripping onto me harder than anything ever has. I know what that means. I know meth is one of the most addictive things out there.The worst part? I can feel it calling to me, already scratching at the back of my mind. It terrifies me.The doctors say I’m doing well. Physically, I’m recovering faster than they expected, but mentally? That’s another story. I’ve always had demons. Always fought through the shit life’s thrown at me. But this? I don’t know how to handle it.“Cass?” A soft knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts. Winona steps in, looking as put together as ever, but I can see the exhaustion in her eyes. She’s been through a lot too. Probably more than me.“Hey,
(Jayden)One week laterI’m sitting at the kitchen table, staring at the newspaper in front of me. The headline is bold and in your face—Nexus Global CEO To Be Charged With Espionage. It’s all over the news. Every channel, every site I click on, every radio station.Gus is going down for crimes against the country, and not just here. Five European countries have filed charges too.I can’t wrap my head around it. The world thinks he’s some international criminal mastermind, but I know better. He’s not innocent, but he’s not guilty of what they’re saying either. He played the game, yeah, but he was working from the inside to take down the real scum.And now he’s branded a traitor.There’s a knock at the door. I’m half expecting it to be reporters or someone else here to shove a camera in my face asking about him. I push back from the table, heading for the door.When I swing it open, I’m surprised to see Gus standing there. He looks calm, collected, like he always does. But there’s some
(Cass)I sit on the couch at Jayden’s penthouse, picking at my nails, while Viktor stands near the window, arms crossed, eyes focused on the city below.His broad shoulders are tense, his entire posture screaming disapproval.I’ve just told him what I overheard in my apartment and he’s acting like I heard it on purpose.“Say it,” I snap, breaking the silence.He turns, his blue eyes icy. “You shouldn’t have gone there alone.”“Tell me why you went there,” he demands, his voice a coiled spring ready to snap. “I didn’t know they’d be there!” I snap, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “I was cleaning up, minding my own business, and then they just… showed up.” “Does anyone else know?” he growls, his accent thickening with his anger. “Did you see anyone on the way in, or out? If he finds out…” “No.” I fire back. “No one else was around. Stop being so dramatic.”“You need to take this seriously,” he says, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Don Alejandro is one of the most danger
(Winona)“Judy really taught me everything I know about being self-reliant and a strong woman, but she taught me in all the wrong ways. By threatening my life and the life of my children. I mean she almost took the life of her son more than once.”“Judy only knew extreme. But she also knew how to cover her tracks.”“She brought danger to my doorstep that I’d fought so long to keep away. I will not miss her in any way. I never loved her. But I do feel for Jayden, and for you.”He tilts his head, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “Life must look very different for you now Judy’s gone. Knowing she won’t be there to interfere.” I take a moment to think about it. “Honestly? Yeah, I am. Judy had a way of… making you doubt yourself. Questioning every move you made. It’s exhausting, constantly looking over your shoulder, waiting for her to strike.” “She was good at that,” Gus says with a small, humorless chuckle. “Always did everything to the highest degree.”“Certainly cannot fault her wor
(Winona)The sound of soft-soled shoes against the hospital floor makes me glance up from my laptop. I know those footfalls anywhere.Gus’s towering frame fills the doorway, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of a sleek black coat.He looks sharp considering his months in confinement, but the time has carved deeper lines into his face. His presence still carries that unmistakable air of control, like he’s never stopped being the man who built Nexus Global from the ground up. Or the man who is capable of almost anything if he sets his mind to it“Gus,” I say, closing the laptop and setting it aside. “It’s so good to see you.” We’ve always shared a close friendship. I trust Gus where I couldn’t trust many others. I know he has my back.He steps inside, glancing around the sterile room. “You’re looking well, Winona. Jayden told me you’d be going home soon.” “I am,” I reply. “A few more days here, then I’m free. Physically, I’m fine. Just have to finish healing from the fall an
(Jayden)Gus steps out, his posture as straight as ever, his piercing eyes scanning the surroundings like he’s still in charge of the world. He looks older—more weathered—but there’s still that unmistakable aura about him.The one that tells you he’s better off as your friend than your enemy.I climb out of the car, my leather boots crunching against the gravel as I approach him. Viktor lingers by the driver’s side, watching, his face as stoic as ever. Not even a hint of a smile. “Jayden,” Gus greets me, his voice steady, calm, as if he’s walking out of a board meeting instead of a federal prison. “I didn’t expect you.”“Gus,” I reply, my tone neutral. I’m not playing doting son. There’s too much history, too much unresolved. “How was the hospitality?” A ghost of a smile tugs at his lips. “Let’s just say I’ve had better accommodations.” Viktor steps forward, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “Let’s not linger.”“Very well.” Gus moves towards the car.I follow and get into the
(Mia)The chandelier glitters overhead, casting rainbows across the marble floor as I pace the room, my heels clicking loudly in the oppressive silence.Judy might be gone, but the specter of her looms large over this place. Gold fixtures, crystal vases, and overpriced art that screams wealth and power.I stare out the window of Judy’s luxury apartment as I clutch my phone. The screen glows with a message from Gus’s people, promising me that everything will be fine.That they’ll protect me. That I’m safe.Safe.I’ve just met with the person they are supposedly keeping me safe from at Cass’s old apartment. I had a key cut, just in case I needed it.No one is safe from Don Alejandro, my grandfather. That’s what they don’t realize. There is no escape from him. They’ll never get anyone close enough to him to kill him.Gabriel’s voice echoes down the hall, he’s staying here with me.I sink into one of the velvet armchairs. Gabriel was supposed to sell me more shares. He promised he’d think
(Cass)The smell of mildew hits me the moment I open the door to my tiny apartment. My stomach churns as I step inside, taking in the chaos left behind. Furniture overturned, drawers yanked open, and everything I once owned strewn across the floor like a crime scene.I should clean this place up and sell it. But letting it go is harder than I imagined. It’s what I bought with money from Mom, to start my new life. To be the person she always believed I’d be.That worked well, didn’t it?I drag myself out of the downward funk, this time I’ll make good.I swallow hard, gripping the strap of my duffel bag. It’s been months since I fled this place, running from my own disasters. Part of me wonders why I came back at all.But I know it’s because it’s all I have left of Mom—her money barely stretched far enough to buy this shoebox, but it was something of my own. My tiny sanctuary.I drop my bag on the only chair still upright and let out a shaky breath. “Okay, Cass,” I mutter to myself. “Le
(Lisa)I wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck. My stomach churns, my mouth tastes like regret, and I’m not entirely sure if it’s from the stress of everything with Winona or the bug the nurses warned me was going around. Either way, I feel gross.I sit up in bed slowly, trying to shake off the nausea. “Okay, Lisa,” I mutter to myself. “You’re just stressed. Stress does weird things to your body, right?”I think maybe I need to get back into my meditation and herbal teas.My stomach rolls again, and I press a hand to it, glaring at the offending body part like it’s personally betrayed me. “You will not ruin this day for me.”I’m working on my meeting agenda today to run by Winona tonight, ready for our meeting with the CEO in a week.This evening, I’m heading back in to help Winona shower after dinner. Once she has all of that under control, she can go home. Jayden does dayshifts with her and then heads home to the kids.The kids aren’t allowed in intensive care, so Winona is
(Lisa)I carry the tray carefully into the room, the smell of generic hospital soup wafting up.Winona’s sitting up in bed. She looks pale but more alert, her eyes flicking toward me as I set the tray down on the small table beside her bed. “Dinner is served,” I announce, gesturing to the soup like I’m unveiling a five-star meal. “Courtesy of the world-renowned Hospital Cafeteria. I am willing to risk my life and my palate eating this with you.” Winona lets out a faint laugh, the sound weak but genuine. “You’re a true hero, Lisa. Braving the wilds of hospital dining for me.” “You’d better appreciate it,” I say, as I sit beside her again. “I even got crackers. They didn’t come with the soup, so I had to charm the grumpy lady at the counter. She now thinks I’m a struggling single mom of five kids, so you owe me.” Winona raises an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Five kids? Really?” “Hey, I panicked, okay? She looked like the kind of person who gives you the stink eye fo
(Winona) Dr. Harris’s words hang in the air long after she leaves. Recovery is a process… it’s okay to take things slow.Slow. It’s all anyone keeps saying. But slow isn’t in my nature. Slow doesn’t keep the thoughts at bay, the quiet moments where I can’t escape the emptiness. I stare at the ceiling, my fingers making light circles on my abdomen again. I pull them back. It’s a cruel reflex—reaching for something that isn’t there anymore. The door clicks open, and Lisa steps in, her expression softer than usual. “Hey, warrior queen. The nurse said you were ready for some company.” “Hey,” I say, trying to summon a smile. “I sure am. I need some non-medical talk for a while.”Lisa pulls up a chair beside my bed and crosses her legs.She studies me for a moment before speaking. “You look like shit, but like… badass shit. Like you survived a car crash and are about to storm into a boardroom meeting.” I huff out a small laugh. “Your bedside manner could use some work.” “Honesty is m