Morning sunlight streamed through the wide glass panes of the Kingston mansion, painting the dining room in soft golden hues. The air was quiet, too quiet, the kind of silence that didn’t soothe—but unsettled.Raina descended the grand staircase, her footsteps light against the marble floor. She wore a simple silk robe tied loosely at the waist, her hair swept into a lazy bun. Despite the chaos of the night before, her face held a calm expression—but it didn’t reach her eyes.She didn’t want it to show, but it did, even if it was just a little.She was still traumatized from yesterday's events and rightfully so.For a second, she saw her life flash right in front of her eyes.The scent of freshly cooked breakfast welcomed her the moment she stepped into the dining room.It was scrambled eggs, toasted bread, sweet pastries, and rich coffee.One of the older maids turned at her entrance, beaming warmly.“Good morning, ma’am,” the maid greeted as she quickly moved to pull out a chair for
The rooftop bar was nearly empty, save for the soft hum of jazz bleeding from hidden speakers and the occasional clink of glass. The skyline of the vast city stretched in every direction, glimmering under the early evening haze.Jamie entered the bar, her coat strung tight around her as her eyes went searching for any familiar faces.There, she saw her… Jessica.Jamie slid into the booth with a certain energy she was quite used to now, than when he was Raine's assistant.She held her chin high, mouth firm, and eyes sharp.Her black blazer hugged her shoulders like armor, but inside, she was still unsure.Jessica sat across her, sipping a blood-red cocktail like it was a lover’s secret.Jessica didn’t stand to greet her. She didn’t smile either.Just raised her glass.“So you came,” Jessica said, her voice smooth and poisonous.“I was starting to think you didn't like me.”“I’m not here to make friends,” Jamie replied, crossing her legs. “I just want to know what you want.”Jessica lea
The study was quiet, maybe too quiet for a man whose blood was still simmering with the heat of chaos.Aaron leaned back in his chair, one hand scrolling through the encrypted feed on his laptop and then, the other clenched into a tight fist.The footage from the auction streamed in sharp frames.He used his means to get access to camera angles the public never had access to.He saw all the faces from those at the auction, those he knew and those he didn't.Then he eyes landed on Lucas who was crouched to the end of the room.His expression in the feed was unreadable, of course it was.But Aaron could see through it. He could see a man with satisfaction in his eyes that his plan was working.A knock pulled him from the spiral of suspicion.He sat up straighter, his eyes flicking to the door. “Come in.”Raine stepped in slowly, still dressed in her ravishing gown that she wore earlier.Aaron just left his gaze on her for a moment longer before pulling away.“I just wanted to say... tha
The Devil’s HourRaina’s heart wouldn’t slow down, even now, it was much worse than before as he walked timidly to rejoin the crowd.Her eyes were still wide and frantic, her body literally shaking, tears slipping down to her cheeks.Aaron, all battered and bruised up himself, gingerly returned to her.“I'm sorry.” he whispered to her, carefully wrapping his arms around her.Raine's heart still thundered behind her ribs, loud enough that she was sure the whole room could hear it. Her body was still curled slightly toward the purse, as if her instincts couldn’t believe the threat had passed, she was alive still.But it hadn’t passed not really. The danger hadn’t lessened.There was still the obvious danger that they were getting robbed.The air inside the auction hall was tense, volatile even. Everyone in the room felt it.Raina turned to Jessica, their eyes locking on each other for a moment, before Jessica shrugged her face away.It was just a hunch, but Raina couldn't help but feel
Raina tried to run forward, but two guests held her back, whispering frantically, “Don’t! He’ll kill you! Don’t move!”Aaron was clutching his side, face twisted in pain, but he still looked up at Blade with fire in his eyes.“Fuck you,” he spat, blood pooling in his mouth.Blade crouched beside him.“You’re lucky I don’t kill you for that stunt,” he murmured, just loud enough for Raina to hear. “But I like making people watch what they can’t protect.”He stood again and waved to his men.“Strip it. Now.”The platform reached the floor. The car, Aaron’s win, his pride, his proof that he was the better brother was now just another prize for the taking.Raina could only watch in horror as the robbers opened the car doors, ransacked the interior, and began prepping it for transport.Aaron’s body was trembling on the ground, his hands curled into fists.And Raina, who held back by the terrified crowd, felt something dark rise in her chest.Hatred and that sick feel of helplessness. That f
The Devil’s HourRaina’s heart wouldn’t slow down, even now almost an hour since that very close call.It thundered behind her ribs, loud enough that she was sure the whole room could hear it. Her body was still curled slightly toward the purse, as if her instincts couldn’t believe the threat had passed, even though the robbers had already tossed the phone into a champagne bucket and moved on.But it hadn’t passed not really. The danger hadn’t lessened.There was still the obvious danger that they were getting robbed.The air inside the auction hall was tense, volatile even. Everyone in the room felt it.Raina turned to Jessica, their eyes locking on each other for a moment, before Jessica shrugged her face away.It was just a hunch, but Raina couldn't help but feel maybe Jessica was the one behind this.Maybe she planted that phone in her bag to get her killed.Or maybe it was Jamie, who hated her just as much.But she couldn't worry about that now, she had to focus on herself and su