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LORAHis penthouse smelled like fresh-cut flowers and whatever cologne costs half a paycheck. Maybe leather too. Or roasted coffee. Or wealth, just wealth—all bottled somehow into a scent.Alex had already claimed the couch like it was built for him.“Mom!” he shouted, bouncing like he's having the best time of his life. “The TV is bigger than our wall!” he stated.“Sweetie, please don’t jump on the furniture…”“It’s fine,” Erin said, suddenly behind me—too close. I hadn’t even heard him come in.“Kids are supposed to jump on things.”He had two glasses of wine in his hands. I didn’t look too hard at
LORAThe text from Marcus Stone sits on the table like a disaster waiting to happen. My hands gripped my phone as I read it again.Ms. Blake, we need to talk."What does he want with me?" My voice sounds small in the huge dining room.Lucian's face is stone. "You're Alex's mother. That makes you a target.""A target for what?""Political leverage." Erin's jaw is tight. "Marcus wants to prove Alex isn't legitimate werewolf royalty. If he can discredit you...""Discredits" The words taste bitter."Exactly."
ERINTwenty-four hours after I made a complete ass of myself in front of my entire design team, I'm standing in front of my brother's mansion trying to figure out how the hell this became my life.Lucian's request for dinner wasn't really a request. More like a royal summons wrapped in brotherly concern, which is somehow worse than just being ordered around. At least with orders, I can rebel. With concern, I just feel like shit.Wow, you seem exhausted. Elena greeted me at the door. I love my sister-in-law, but sometimes she's a little too blunt.Thanks, I said. That's exactly what I wanted to hear tonight."Where's Lora? And Alex?" She peers behind me like they might be hiding in the bushes, or maybe I hid them in my pocket."They're coming separately." Which is code for "Lora would rather eat maggots than ride in the same car as me right now."Elena's eyebrows shoot up. "Oh. This should be interesting."The front hall of Lucian's place always makes me feel like I'm twelve again and a
LORA The quarterly design review meeting was supposed to be routine. Standard presentation, feedback, and everyone goes home happy. Instead I'm sitting here watching Lora click through her portfolio while my brain keeps replaying images of her with Martinez that I can't fucking shake. "The Silverstone Tech rebrand exceeded expectations by thirty percent," she's saying, professional as always. "Client satisfaction scores are through the roof, and they've already requested us for their entire subsidiary portfolio." Okay, she looks beautiful today. Her hair’s in that messy bun thing, but she somehow makes it look hot. And that blazer? Probably cheap, but it fits her perfectly. Was she wearing that on her date with Dr. Perfect? “So,” she says, looking at her colleagues, “any questions about the Silverstone stuff?” “Yeah, I got one,” I blurt out before I can think twice. "How exactly do you balance client deadlines with your... social calendar?" The room goes dead quiet. Bob from ac
VIVIENNEErin's penthouse screamed of wealth but no emotions. Think expansive glass windows, furniture that costs as much as a car, and a Central Park view that makes you feel all-powerful.Too bad the king is in a bad mood tonight.Tense? I murmured, sliding my hands down his chest as he poured his third whiskey. Still in work clothes, tie loose but not off. Like he can't relax.Work, he says, which is total crap. We both know it.Hmm. I got closer, letting him feel me in the silken slip I wore for him. Maybe I can help you forget about work.His hands found my waist, like pure reflex. Gripping my jaw, his kiss tonight felt different. He ki
LORAEventually, Vivienne chose this ridiculously fancy coffee shop in midtown. The kind where a latte costs twenty dollars, and everyone whispers like they're in church or something. I'm sitting at this tiny marble table feeling completely out of place in my jeans while she glides in like she owns the fucking building.Which honestly? She probably could buy it.Lora slid into the seat across from me, just as smooth as a cat. Even her coffee sounded fancy—some oat milk and lavender mix that made my plain black coffee look sad.Vivienne, I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was beating wildly. The woman was perfect, and she knew it.Blonde hair that caught ev