Laced Control

chapter 1Zara grumbled, stretching as far as her spine would let her, fingers clawing at empty air. “Fucking bitch box, when I catch you...” she hissed, standing on her tiptoes giving the shelf a solid glare. The box was right there, just barely out of reach, mocking her. She nudged it closer with the tip of her fingers—centimeter by goddamn centimeter.Finally—"Ha!" Victory. The box tilted toward her.And then—oh shit.Books. So many books. They came tumbling down like they had a personal vendetta.She shrieked, flinched, arms up in defense——and then were the pain of hurtling books was supposed to come she lost her breath as she was slammed into the wall. Hard.A weight hit her like a linebacker, pinning her back, breath stolen right from her lungs. Something—someone—pressed against her, caging her in, shielding her body from the paper apocalypse.Books crashed to the floor. A sharp grunt sounded in her ear.Zara gasped. She was fine—mostly—but the body still pressed to hers fel

The bar was sleek and low-lit, tucked into the third floor of a boutique hotel in downtown Vargo—a place where the cocktails were overpriced, the walls were velvet-panelled, and the lighting made everything look more expensive than it really was.Outside, the city pulsed with neon and heat. Inside, the air smelled like liquor, citrus peels, expensive perfume, and too much ambition. Music hummed softly from hidden speakers, just loud enough to keep secrets in the shadows.Bri downed another shot, her tie hanging loose from her collar like a noose she’d stopped pretending to tighten. Her shirt was wrinkled and open at the collar, sleeves rolled to the elbows, as if she couldn’t decide if she still gave a shit about appearances. Her lipstick was gone. Her composure, mostly too.Jared let out a long breath. “Formality or not, we all know what's coming. The second Chen Long gets his hands on those future shares, that douche is gonna start making changes. Subtle at first. Then he'll fade yo

Her phone buzzed on the console. Jared’s name lit the screen. She stared at it for a long second before she answered, voice low and dry: “Tell me you have a terrible idea.”Jared’s voice crackled through the speaker chortling in amusement . Bri smiled as they exchanged the kind of warm, easy banter only long-time friends could manage.“My little sister’s boyfriend just moved into his new place—but that fucker broke his leg. She promised to help him move, and now I’m supposed to step in. I’m fucking swamped, though. I’d totally bail on the dude, but he’s actually nice. So… thought I’d ask you lot if anyone’s free to help her lug some heavy shit. If not, that brat will break her back trying to impress her man, and then Mom will kill me.”Bri laughed. “Send the address. It’s Saturday, no date, no plans—I’m feeling generous.”Jared whooped. “You’re a savior. I owe you!”They hung up, and Bri sent a quick text to Jared’s sister: “On my way.”Surprisingly, the phone rang.“Sup, Tia,” Bri

Bri walked into the conference room, the faint hum of murmured conversations falling silent as soon as she entered. She barely noticed the tension in the air; it was the usual corporate choreography, a mix of egos, proposals, and power plays. But today, she could feel something else, something lurking beneath the surface.Her eyes flicked over the senior execs—Chen Long, with his ever-present smugness, sat hunched over his iPad, barely acknowledging her arrival. Lee, next to Lucas, was already flushed, shoulders tense, as he tried to stay composed. Lucas, on the other hand, had that familiar look of someone trying to keep it together while the world spun around them.The meeting was already in full swing. Chen Long’s voice cut through the air, flat and matter-of-fact.“The southeast lands are cheap, but it’s not a desirable location,” Chen Long was saying, glancing up at the executives, his tone almost rehearsed. “I don’t think we should approve of investing and building here.”He was

Zara woke up from her nap feeling refreshed, her phone buzzing beside her. She checked the screen—Tia had sent a message. She sighed, rolling over onto her stomach, and tapped it open.This is Bri’s number. I’m sure she’s not your stalker, but please be careful. Text me when you get off work tonight—Trev’s our designated driver, and he can totally pick you up!Zara smirked and quickly replied, her thumbs tapping out a message full of hearts. She stared at Bri’s number for a moment before her fingers hesitated over the keys. A deep breath, and she typed:If you’re following me, please stop. My boyfriend will fuck you up.She hit send and tossed the phone aside with a quiet exhale, feeling a sense of satisfaction. But it wasn’t long before she jumped in the shower, the hot water rushing over her skin, trying to wash away the tension of the day. She needed to feel clean, before and after work it helpt compatenlize her job and her life as a nurse student.When she stepped out, steam still