(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
(Winona)I sit on the couch in the penthouse, my mind swirling with everything that’s happened. I should feel relieved—Cass is safe, Henry’s doing better, and the second wedding is booked. But I don’t feel calm or settled.I feel like the ground is shifting beneath me, and I’m just waiting for it to open up.This place is constantly covered in kids' crap and trying to make a penthouse into a family just isn’t working any longer for me. Of course, it was only ever temporary. But with Henry coming home soon, I think we need to seriously decide where we’re going to live.“You’re thinking too hard again,” Jayden says, his voice soft, almost teasing.I let out a breath, shaking my head. “I can’t help it. There’s so much… stuff.”“Stuff,” he repeats with a little smile, trying to lighten the mood. I don’t smile back. I can’t.Jayden shifts beside me, running his hand through his hair. “You wanna talk about it?”“Which part?” I mutter. “Gus handing you Nexus Global like it’s some birthday p
(Jayden)I find her on her laptop. “How are you really feeling?” I ask, standing by the edge of the bed. She looks up, her eyes softening. “Tired, but okay. It’s good to be home. That makes me feel one thousand percent better. You’ve got that look.”“What look?” I ask, kicking off my shoes and stripping down to my boxers.“The one that says you’ve got something weighing on you,” she replies, her tone softer now.I sigh, running a hand through my hair and sit on the edge of the bed. “It’s Cass. She’s in danger, Winona. Real danger.”Winona shifts, her eyes narrowing with concern. “What kind of danger? How?”“Don Alejandro, he hasn’t been arrested. He’s gone underground and he’s still calling the shots,” I say, my voice low.“But Cass has nothing to do with him, or Mia anymore. Gus cleared her of anything drug-related. How can she be in danger?”“Cass went to her old apartment. To clear it up. Trying to make a clean slate, I think. While she was there, they turned up.”“Who?”“Mia fir
(Jayden)“Daddy’s home!” Abbey squeals, her feet thundering across the wooden floor towards me. I barely have time to drop my briefcase before she launches herself at me. I scoop her up, spinning her in a slow circle while she giggles wildly. “Hey, princess,” I say, kissing her cheek. “Did you miss me?” She nods, curls bouncing. “Missed you so much! Mommy’s upstairs. She said you were bringing Henry back, but you didn’t. Where is he?” “Henry’s asleep in the car,” I explain, setting her down. “I’ll grab him in a minute. I had to get my Abbey hug first.” Bobby appears in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame like he’s auditioning for a teen drama. “Dinner’s almost ready. Sarah and I are making sure everything’s perfect for Mom. We’re making up trays.” “That so?” I ruffle his hair, and he swats my hand away with a grin. “Good work, kid. You’re the man of the house when I’m not here, right?” “Obviously,” he says, puffing his chest out. “This place would fall apart without
(Mia)“You know what, Gabriel?” I say, my voice sharp. “Maybe you’re not as noble as you want everyone to believe. You think I don’t see what you’re doing? You’re not trying to protect this family. You’re trying to control it.”He narrows his eyes. “What are you talking about?”“Don’t play dumb,” I snap. “You just want Brennan Industries for yourself. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? Turning Ana and Eva against me so they’ll sell to you.”“That’s ridiculous,” Gabriel retorts, his tone cold. “I’m protecting the company from you. You’ve already proven you can’t be trusted. Someone has to safeguard what Papá built.”“What Papa started,” I say, crossing my arms. “That company was built by Judy Brennan. Our father was an awful businessman. But he loved us, all of us. Don’t forget, Gabriel, we all share the same blood. The same father. We all deserve to benefit from the legacy, not just you.”Ana shifts uncomfortably, her eyes darting between us. “Mía, it’s not about taking sides
(Mia)The townhouse is spotless. Every vase, every gold fixture, every inch of marble gleams under the crystal chandelier’s glow. I’ve made sure of it, not for me, but for them. My family is coming, and I know the judgment in their eyes will be as sharp as their words. They will think I don’t belong here. Such luxury and display of wealth is unbecoming. I should be more humble. Show more gratitude and grace.I don’t care. I do belong here. All I want is for mother to love and respect me as a woman. Not to always see me as her baby girl who needs constant mothering.I straighten the throw pillows for the third time, my nerves simmering beneath my skin. When the doorbell rings, I force my shoulders back and my face into a practiced smile. “Come in,” I say as I open the door. Mama steps in first, her dark eyes scanning the room like she’s searching for something to scold me about. Behind her, Ana and Eva follow, their expressions less obvious but no less guarded. Gabriel brings up
(Winona)“Winona,” he says, walking over to kiss my temple. “Welcome home. It feels so good here, right?”“You feel it too?” That makes me happy. Knowing Jayden feels the same vibe the kids and I do in this place.“You chose perfectly. I’m heading out for a meeting with Gus and Viktor. Figured I’d take Henry with me. He can nap in the car. If that’s okay with you? Is Henry being with Gus okay?” I nod. “Gus visited me, and we sorted some stuff. It’s fine with me if it’s fine with you.”He kisses my lips and whispers in my ear, “I can’t wait to snuggle with you tonight. I have missed you so, so much after dinner time.” He nuzzles my ear.I smile as Henry tries to grab my hair.“Hey, you two, get a room!” Lisa teases.“Oh, we will.” He steps away and Henry reaches for me and I hold his little hand in mine. I’ve missed him so much.“Anyway, I better bounce. Get this Global Nexus stuff done,” Jayden says.“Henry can stay here if it’s easier.”“No need. He’s my right-hand man these days. H
(Winona)The moment I step into the farmhouse, the scent of lavender and woodland spice welcomes me like an old friend. I know it’s one of Klara’s aromatherapy concoctions that I love.Lisa has given me a ride home to save Jayden the trip into the city as he’s here with the kids.The kids are buzzing around like a small tornado, their excitement obvious. It’s a stark contrast to the opulence of Brussels high-end estate or Jayden’s Penthouse here. This place is different. It’s ours. Once I have the renovations done, it will still be luxurious, of course—heated floors, state-of-the-art kitchen, and furnishings you’d see in a design magazine—but not excessive.It’s cozy, warm, and every inch of it feels lived-in. It’s like the cottage in a way. A family home but this place has something the cottage didn’t have. A history in its walls of previous families. It feels like home in a way nowhere else I’ve ever lived has.Even my townhouse, which was perfect for me at the time, pales in com
(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