Flynn’s POVI was still rolling from one end of my bed to the other, wrapped in my comforter like a burrito, when my phone rang. Loud. Way too loud. Like, offensive-to-my-eardrums loud.I groaned, blindly flinging a hand over the bed, searching for the buzzing traitor that had the audacity to disrupt my sleep. My fingers finally landed on the screen, and I yanked it up toward my face, my eyes squinting like the sun itself had just slapped me.“Who the hell—” I mumbled, my voice scratchy, crust still in the corner of my eyes. I blinked. The caller ID was just a string of numbers, no name. Suspicious. Rude.I debated tossing it back under my pillow. Whoever it was could wait. Or not exist. Preferably both. But just as I was about to end the call with a swipe of my pinky, a loud voice boomed through the phone speaker:“FLYNN!”I flinched so hard I nearly dropped the phone on my face.Oh. No. That voice.“Shit,” I whispered, sitting upright with the speed of someone who just realized they
Flynn’s POVBut Mona wasn’t having it. She stepped into the doorway, blocking my exit. Her presence filled the space, making the already small hallway feel even more suffocating."No, no, no, Flynn," she said, shaking her head in mock sympathy. "You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on." She crossed her arms tighter across her chest, making sure I knew she wasn’t backing down. "You don’t just sneak out of here without telling me where you’re going. You work for me, remember?"I bit my lip to keep from snapping. Mona had this habit of reminding me of my position every chance she got, and it never failed to get under my skin. I didn’t want to fight her, but I knew I had no choice. If she got curious enough, she’d find out more than she needed to, and that would put me in even more danger."I’m just... taking care of some things. Personal stuff." I repeated, my voice a little more forceful this time, hoping she'd buy it.But Mona was no fool. Her sharp eyes bored into
Brown's POV"What the hell are you saying? You can't bring the documents containing Ian's business deal with the Europeans?" I growled, my voice rough as gravel, slicing through the air like a blade. My fist slammed into the oak table with a thunderous crack, shaking the glass and papers that sat on its surface. She flinched, her body recoiling instinctively. Her wide, glossy eyes stared at me—frightened, wounded. She looked like a cornered animal, ready to bolt, but too broken to run."I—I'm trying my best, Brown. It's not easy to work as a help in a toxic home just to get valuable documents," she stammered, voice trembling, hands wringing together. Her lip quivered as she took a shaky step back, brushing her knuckles over her cheek.“I killed their cook… in the name of getting this…” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard, trying to compose herself, but the fear in her gaze betrayed her strength.The words hit me like a slap. Killed? That was unexpected, even for her.She backed
Author's POVShe ran like hell was licking at her heels. Her breath tore from her throat in jagged gasps, eyes wide and glassy, barely seeing where she was going. The night was cool but her skin burned, slick with sweat, heart pounding loud in her ears like war drums. She didn’t dare look back. Not once. She didn’t need to. Brown’s rage was enough to propel her forward, each step screaming with a desperation that only comes when you know—know—you’ve just danced with death and somehow slipped away with your soul.Her boots pounded against cracked pavement, weaving through alleys until she burst into the open light of the main road. Neon signs blinked like watching eyes. Cars hummed by, indifferent to the storm in her bones.And then—tires screeched.A black car jerked to a stop right in front of her. She stumbled back with a startled gasp, ready to bolt again, until the driver’s window rolled down.“Well, damn. That you?”The voice was like velvet and trouble wrapped in sarcasm. Her ey
MONA – POV“Mona? Mona, are you okay?”The voice felt distant—like it was echoing through a long tunnel. I blinked slowly, my head swimming, limbs heavy. Was I dreaming?“Mona!”SMACK!My head snapped to the side from the force of a slap. My eyes flew open.“What the hell?!” I gasped, jerking upright.I was on the couch. My chest was heaving, heart racing like I’d just run a marathon. My tongue felt thick. My mouth was dry. My limbs? Numb. I looked up to see Ian standing over me, a look of concern mixed with exasperation on his face.“You slapped me!” I barked, dragging my legs off the couch.“You weren’t waking up!” Ian shot back, throwing his hands up. “I’ve been trying for ten minutes! How long have you been out?”I blinked at him, my brain still foggy. “I don’t know—when did you get back?”He checked his watch, then crossed his arms. “I got home over three hours ago.”Three. Hours.I screamed.Ian jumped back, startled. “Whoa! Okay—calm down!”“Three hours? Are you serious?!” I wa
Ian’s POVThe room was packed—executives, lawyers, shareholders, even a few smug interns pretending they belonged. Everyone looked polished, precise, pretending they weren’t all silently judging the delay. The air was stiff with anticipation, sharp like glass about to shatter.I couldn’t sit still. The deal was moments from collapsing. The final signature? Mia’s. The genius behind the entire project. The brains, the blueprint, the only one who could pull it off. And she was nowhere.I checked my phone. Nothing. Not even a ghost of a delivered message."Where the hell is she?" I mumbled, pacing behind the long glass table while everyone avoided my eyes.I stepped out of the conference room, heart hammering in my throat. The hallway felt colder. I dialed her again—voicemail. Again. Straight to voicemail.“Pick up, Mia. Come on…”Fifth call. Sixth. I stared at the screen as if it owed me answers.Still nothing.My throat tightened. I called her mother.“Ian?” she answered, surprised. “Mi
Mona’s POVAs I stepped into Ian's room, the familiar scent of his cologne—a mix of cedarwood and spicy cinnamon—enveloped me like a warm embrace, instantly transporting me back to those carefree days filled with late-night drives under starlit skies and laughter that echoed through the night air. The room was a chaotic reflection of his personality, with keys haphazardly scattered across the cluttered bedside table and wardrobe doors thrown open, revealing a disarray of wrinkled shirts and jeans tumbling out like a laundry avalanche.Amidst the chaos, my eyes landed on the keys to his Toyota Camry—the only car he had patiently taught me to drive on those sun-drenched afternoons, our laughter mingling with the sound of tires on pavement. A wave of nostalgia crashed over me, reminding me of those moments when everything felt so simple and right.My mother had been at the forefront of my thoughts for months now, her absence weighing on me like a heavy anchor. I could no longer bear the
Mona’s POVI drove slowly down the winding gravel driveway until I reached the small, rusted gate, its hinges creaking in protest as I pushed it open. With a deep breath, I stepped out of the car, the sun filtering through the branches of the ancient oak trees that lined the path to the apartment. As I approached the door, an unsettling weight settled in my chest. It swung wide open, a gaping mouth that seemed to beckon me into the unknown.“Mom?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly, but the silence that enveloped the space was deafening. A cold shudder ran down my spine, and panic began to seep into my bones. I stepped inside, my heart racing, and started to search every room, each corner cloaked in shadows. The familiar scent of her lavender candles hung in the air, but it felt oddly suffocating.I raced up the staircase, calling her name with increasing desperation. "Mom!" My voice echoed in the stillness, cracking under the strain of worry. But there was no response. With ev
Mona’s POVI stumbled backward, my hand grasping the doorknob as if it were the only thing anchoring me to reality. The sight before me was a cruel shock, draining the very life from my limbs, leaving me swaying at the threshold. Tears cascaded down my cheeks, each drop a vivid reminder of the betrayal that twisted like a knife in my heart. The sound of my ragged breaths filled the silence around me, a chaotic symphony of anguish that seemed to taunt my shattered expectations.“Ian?” I called out weakly, my voice barely rising above a whisper, clinging to a desperate hope that this was all a cruel, twisted joke. I wanted nothing more than to be wrong—to have this nightmare plummet into the depths of imagination.But the scene before me remained unchanged. Ian stood, his posture rigid as he pulled himself away from Mai, a storm of guilt and panic etched on his face. The sight shattered any lingering doubts I had, amplifying the raw hum of betrayal pulsing through my veins.Turning on m
Ian‘s POVThat's all she wanted, to be fucked by her ex, how many people allowed their ex to fuck then in an office.“Ian…”I didn’t let her finish, as I pressed my thumb lightly against her lip, silencing her before I took over the position, leaned farther down so we were face-to-face. My warm breath fanned over her cheek, my mouth so close to hers it would only take me tilting my chin down a little to kiss my crazy, asshole ex.“You’re playing with fire, Mai,” I murmured, my voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.“Then burn me, Ian.” Yup… she went there. She said that.“Maybe I like the pain of your Cock,” she added, unable to stop me. And then I growled, and my lips were on hers.Her hands came up, clutching the front of my shirt and pulling me closer as she pressed back against the couch, my body pinning hers to the piece of furniture.“God” she muttered, I don't know if she was about to get fucked by what exactly.Faster than I could expect, I had her off the c
Ian’s POV“Common, get your hands off me, Ian!” she growled, her tone a mix of irritation and defiance. My fingers tightened around her arms as we navigated the dimly lit corridor toward my office. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the heat radiating from her, a stark contrast to the chill of the sterile surroundings.As we reached the door, I took a moment to gather my composure. With a swift motion, I grasped the doorknob and turned it, my urgency palpable. I kicked the heavy door open, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway, and we stepped inside, the world outside fading away."Please give me some space and allow me the time to be by myself for a while.”I pushed her to the couch, rage surging through me, I felt like punching her guts."What's wrong with you, Mia? Please, tell me," I urged, lowering myself to her level, my eyes searching hers for answers. I squatted close, our faces almost touching, the tension thick in the air."What do you truly want? I'
Mona’s POVI drove slowly down the winding gravel driveway until I reached the small, rusted gate, its hinges creaking in protest as I pushed it open. With a deep breath, I stepped out of the car, the sun filtering through the branches of the ancient oak trees that lined the path to the apartment. As I approached the door, an unsettling weight settled in my chest. It swung wide open, a gaping mouth that seemed to beckon me into the unknown.“Mom?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly, but the silence that enveloped the space was deafening. A cold shudder ran down my spine, and panic began to seep into my bones. I stepped inside, my heart racing, and started to search every room, each corner cloaked in shadows. The familiar scent of her lavender candles hung in the air, but it felt oddly suffocating.I raced up the staircase, calling her name with increasing desperation. "Mom!" My voice echoed in the stillness, cracking under the strain of worry. But there was no response. With ev
Mona’s POVAs I stepped into Ian's room, the familiar scent of his cologne—a mix of cedarwood and spicy cinnamon—enveloped me like a warm embrace, instantly transporting me back to those carefree days filled with late-night drives under starlit skies and laughter that echoed through the night air. The room was a chaotic reflection of his personality, with keys haphazardly scattered across the cluttered bedside table and wardrobe doors thrown open, revealing a disarray of wrinkled shirts and jeans tumbling out like a laundry avalanche.Amidst the chaos, my eyes landed on the keys to his Toyota Camry—the only car he had patiently taught me to drive on those sun-drenched afternoons, our laughter mingling with the sound of tires on pavement. A wave of nostalgia crashed over me, reminding me of those moments when everything felt so simple and right.My mother had been at the forefront of my thoughts for months now, her absence weighing on me like a heavy anchor. I could no longer bear the
Ian’s POVThe room was packed—executives, lawyers, shareholders, even a few smug interns pretending they belonged. Everyone looked polished, precise, pretending they weren’t all silently judging the delay. The air was stiff with anticipation, sharp like glass about to shatter.I couldn’t sit still. The deal was moments from collapsing. The final signature? Mia’s. The genius behind the entire project. The brains, the blueprint, the only one who could pull it off. And she was nowhere.I checked my phone. Nothing. Not even a ghost of a delivered message."Where the hell is she?" I mumbled, pacing behind the long glass table while everyone avoided my eyes.I stepped out of the conference room, heart hammering in my throat. The hallway felt colder. I dialed her again—voicemail. Again. Straight to voicemail.“Pick up, Mia. Come on…”Fifth call. Sixth. I stared at the screen as if it owed me answers.Still nothing.My throat tightened. I called her mother.“Ian?” she answered, surprised. “Mi
MONA – POV“Mona? Mona, are you okay?”The voice felt distant—like it was echoing through a long tunnel. I blinked slowly, my head swimming, limbs heavy. Was I dreaming?“Mona!”SMACK!My head snapped to the side from the force of a slap. My eyes flew open.“What the hell?!” I gasped, jerking upright.I was on the couch. My chest was heaving, heart racing like I’d just run a marathon. My tongue felt thick. My mouth was dry. My limbs? Numb. I looked up to see Ian standing over me, a look of concern mixed with exasperation on his face.“You slapped me!” I barked, dragging my legs off the couch.“You weren’t waking up!” Ian shot back, throwing his hands up. “I’ve been trying for ten minutes! How long have you been out?”I blinked at him, my brain still foggy. “I don’t know—when did you get back?”He checked his watch, then crossed his arms. “I got home over three hours ago.”Three. Hours.I screamed.Ian jumped back, startled. “Whoa! Okay—calm down!”“Three hours? Are you serious?!” I wa
Author's POVShe ran like hell was licking at her heels. Her breath tore from her throat in jagged gasps, eyes wide and glassy, barely seeing where she was going. The night was cool but her skin burned, slick with sweat, heart pounding loud in her ears like war drums. She didn’t dare look back. Not once. She didn’t need to. Brown’s rage was enough to propel her forward, each step screaming with a desperation that only comes when you know—know—you’ve just danced with death and somehow slipped away with your soul.Her boots pounded against cracked pavement, weaving through alleys until she burst into the open light of the main road. Neon signs blinked like watching eyes. Cars hummed by, indifferent to the storm in her bones.And then—tires screeched.A black car jerked to a stop right in front of her. She stumbled back with a startled gasp, ready to bolt again, until the driver’s window rolled down.“Well, damn. That you?”The voice was like velvet and trouble wrapped in sarcasm. Her ey
Brown's POV"What the hell are you saying? You can't bring the documents containing Ian's business deal with the Europeans?" I growled, my voice rough as gravel, slicing through the air like a blade. My fist slammed into the oak table with a thunderous crack, shaking the glass and papers that sat on its surface. She flinched, her body recoiling instinctively. Her wide, glossy eyes stared at me—frightened, wounded. She looked like a cornered animal, ready to bolt, but too broken to run."I—I'm trying my best, Brown. It's not easy to work as a help in a toxic home just to get valuable documents," she stammered, voice trembling, hands wringing together. Her lip quivered as she took a shaky step back, brushing her knuckles over her cheek.“I killed their cook… in the name of getting this…” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard, trying to compose herself, but the fear in her gaze betrayed her strength.The words hit me like a slap. Killed? That was unexpected, even for her.She backed