LOGINWilson stepped away, took a deep breath, and regained his composure. “I don't have time for this.” He sneered. “Alex told me he saw you with a black card.” He turned toward William. “Is that true?” “Yes.” “Did Mr. Adams give it to you?” Of course he did. Did he think it had fallen from heaven? William kept his face blank, though his fingers curled against his palm, nails digging into his skin. “Yes.” Wilson held his chin, studying William the way he might study a product he had misjudged. “ I never thought Sir Jacob could give that to you.”A glint flickered in his eyes. “You aren't that useless after all.” The words landed exactly where they were meant to. William had heard a variations of them in his whole life, and his stomach still folded in on itself like it always did. But this time it didn't suffocate him. He breathed through it slowly. “I want you to give me fifty million. It wouldn't be so hard to do. If Mr Adams could give you a black card, getting Fifty milli
This dinner couldn't be more enjoyable for William. Every bite tasted better than the last, not because of the food, but because of the stiff, thorny expressions worn by the three people sitting across from him. William glanced at his dad, then Alex, then Vivian, taking his time over each face like he was reading a picture book. He picked up his glass, swirled it once, and took a loud, deliberate sip just to watch Wilson's jaw tighten at the sound of it. He had never been happier to be eating beside Sir Jacob. These three would finally know what it felt like to choke down a meal in Sir Jacob's presence. May you all have terrible indigestion, he thought, and reached for another bite. Jacob watched him from the corner of his eye, the faint, goofy satisfaction William wasn't bothering to hide, the way he chewed a little too slowly, savoring it. Jacob's mouth didn't move, but something gleamed behind his eyes, there and gone, like a match struck and blown out before it caught. H
The curtains stayed drawn. Alex hadn't opened them in days. He told himself it was the headache, but the truth was simpler, he couldn't stand watching the world move on without him, especially not with William moving on in it. He lay half-sprawled across the bed, black eyes fixed on nothing. Days of this. Cooped up like a fugitive in his own home. The thought made something tight and ugly curl in his chest. He’d nothing but time to imagine what he would do to William. Simple pain wouldn't be enough. He wanted something that would hollow him out, body and soul, until that infuriating, quiet mask of his shattered completely. Something that would erase the little confidence he had gotten. His jaw tightened. None of this was how it was supposed to go. The marriage was meant to be Williams punishment, a life sentence wrapped in a wedding ring. Instead, William was happy. Thriving. That was wrong. He bit down on his thumbnail until it stung. An unwelcome thought surfaced. Did Mr A
The sunlight pierced through the curtains. William was sprawled across the bed, a smile already on his face before he was fully awake. He blinked slowly at the ceiling, then turned. The other side of the bed was empty. He touched it anyway, it was cool, long vacant, and his eyes flickered. Then last night came back to him all at once. He covered his face with both hands. He had hugged Sir Jacob. Voluntarily. With his whole arms. Face buried in his chest like a spoiled child. Where had that courage even come from, or had it not been courage at all, just happiness moving faster than his brain could stop it. He lay there for a moment, hands still over his face. But he had just been so happy. He dropped his hands and stared at the ceiling. Sir Jacob had been doing things for him. The plan was already in motion. One day to go. The contract would be signed after another day and everything would finally begin to fall into place. This was better than the day he got his first salary. Bet
William sat still, trying to ignore the heavy presence of Jacob beside him. This was the first time he had ever seen Jacob drive. He hadn't even known Jacob could drive, the man always materialized already seated in the back of the car and chauffeured, as though the concept of a steering wheel was beneath him.William fidgeted with the seatbelt. "How…come you're driving today.""Cause I wanted to." Jacob replied, eyes focused on the road.That was just it.William looked at him for a moment longer than he should have. Jacob's hands were relaxed on the wheel, one wrist draped over it loosely, serious the way he always was.He looked away."How did you know where I was?""Matthew told me when I got home. The chauffeur that brought you had an emergency, so I came instead."Wow. Sir Jacob can say so many words. William had been fairly convinced the man operated on a strict ration since the last time he said so many words was on the day of the contract and on the day they visited his gran
The restaurant was crowded, the aroma of pork hanging heavily in the air. William's eyes darted around the place. “Will, over here.” Leo shouted. William immediately went over to where Leo was sitting and dropped down into the chair beside him. Leo pounced the moment he sat down. “Glad you made it. I was starting to think you will bail on me.” William laughed awkwardly. Leo leaned in and sniffed. “Hmm” “What” “You smell like you have been doused in alpha pheromones.” It must be from last night. Was it that bad? No one in the mansion had said anything about it. But then, why would they, it was they master's doing. Even the hospital hadn't pointed it out. Not their business. And he had gotten a bit used to Jacob's Pheromones that they didn't bother him anymore. They must be really compatible. “It's Sir Jacob.” “I thought as much,” Leo said. “I don't think anyone will be crazy enough to cover his wife in pheromones.” He slid the pot closer. “Want some pork?” William picked
“I never did that.” William's voice came out steadier than he felt. His wrist throbbed where Laim had gripped it, and he resisted the urge to cradle it against his chest. But Jacob caught the small, awkward shift of William’s arm from the of his corner eyes. His expression grew colder. Then Liam
William hadn't even entered the party yet but the moment he stepped out of the car with Jacob, he could feel the weight of prying eyes on him.Jacob stretched out his arm for William to take, and he awkwardly did before they entered the Devon mansion.The house was decorated with lights, it exuded
NOTE: SEXUAL EXPLICITLY William immediately averted his gaze, but Jacob caught his chin and tilted his head upward. “You're avoiding my gaze again.” William's heart stuttered. No, he's not.Jacob's gray eyes studied his clear brown ones for a long moment. The air between them thickened until it f
Vivian stared at her son’s swelling cheek, her body trembling. Her chest pulled tight. She slowly walked toward him, ignoring the shards of porcelain scattered across the cold floor.Alex saw his mother's pained expression and felt his anger falter…just a little.‘“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to slap







