Mag-log inMorning light slipped through the blinds of Elias’s penthouse, striping the room and resting on my face as I was facing the window.He was already dressed up, in a well ironed suit and a dark blue tie to match his outfit.His well was neatly combed. He looked smart and handsome, not gonna lie.He kissed my forehead before leaving for his “meetings,” the kiss was quiet and quick.He stood still as his eyes searched my face when he pulled back, like he was looking for a tell or maybe any small crack that would give me out.Then he sighed. I remembered yesterday night and how I had managed to sneak in immediately Alaric dropped me off.Thank heavens that I wasn't caught. I was scared for my messed up life.The door clicked shut behind him as he left for work. I waited for about ten long minutes, well I had already decided on how to spend my day today.I decided to go see Mariel. It's been forever since I saw her.Then I grabbed my bag, and put some essential girls things that I will be
“Because I still love you.” Her voice broke on the last word. “In my own way.”She leaned in, close enough that there was no mistaking the intention. Her lips brushed his, barely there, then she kissed him softly testing if he would give in or not.He didn't return it, but he didn't pull away either.My eyes turned, and the room doubled in my vision. Jealousy rose within me, and my stomach twisted.Then Alaric stepped back, creating a small space between them. He clenched his hands and then unclenched it.And then he said with a finality. “Don't.”Helena’s mouth curved into a sad smile. “Regrets don’t help now. I’ll see you at the board.” She grabbed her coat and left, her heels resounding in the whole room.She walked out with authority.The door closed.Alaric collapsed into his chair, with his elbows on his knees, and face buried in his hands.I stayed hidden for five long minutes, every second replaying the show I had just watched.When I finally slipped out, my legs felt unstea
The hospital corridors were filled with fluorescent lights and the steady interruption of pagers, business as usual, except for the tension rising behind Alaric’s doorI had slipped in through the staff entrance at 2:45, the sapphire pendant was clung to my throat.The burner phone in my pocket kept reminding me of everything that I have been through lately.Elias thought I was at a client lunch; his tracking app was happily reporting my location at some midtown bistro.But I wasn’t there. I was here, just because Alaric’s message had come through an hour earlier.The message was short and unsettling:Helena’s landing at JFK. Meeting at 3. Stay away.Of course I didn’t. Curiosity or maybe jealousy got hold of me and wouldn't let go.I sneaked in and hid in the adjacent supply closet.I opened the door a little so that I could be able to see and hear them.My heart was beating so fast that I could swear I thought for a second that it would give me away.The elevator dinged at 3:02. Hee
The Audi moved down along the forgotten service road, the engine was moving fast the same way my heart was beating fast.We passed pine trees, dancing like they had no care in the world. Niko drove with one hand.His other hand was holding his phone casually even though the way he held it made it look like he was holding something life threatening.“Eyes forward,” he said pleasantly, then flicked the screen toward us.Photos. Dozens.Alaric and me on the cabin porch at dawn, his hand on my neck.Me leaving his penthouse, hair wild, lips swollen.“Eyes forward,” he said lightly, like he was offering us direction instead of threat. Then he turned his phone, and showed us the screen A blurry frame from the shower video appeared with my body curved toward him, his face buried between my thighs.My stomach twisted. Alaric held the seat tightly with his face strong. His face doesn’t have any emotion.“Beautiful work,” Niko said, smirking. “With perfect clarity. Enough to end a career, a m
Afterward, he looked for the nearest blanket and pulled it over us, he made sure that I was well covered.The firelight flickered across his chest, turning his skin a warm, molten gold.He hesitated, just enough for me to feel the shift in the air, then said, very softly,“There’s something you need to know.”“Elias didn’t just leak rumors,” Alaric said, his eyes were fixed on the fire like he couldn’t bring himself to look at me yet. “He stole patient data, years of records, he moved timestamps, and fabricated complaints. Enough to end my career if the board believes it and decides to look into the matter.”I pushed myself up to balance one elbow, the blanket slipping down my shoulder. “Why?”“It's because I have you,” he answered as he drew lines on my back. He was doing it in a way that made me calm.“And because Helena taught him how to destroy anything he can’t control.”I felt my throat dry, but I forced myself to look him straight in the eyes.“We need to stop him.”He nodded
The fire had burned down to a nest of embers, turning into crimson and gold, it was the only light left in the room. It made our skin warm, I could see Alaric shadow as he pressed me to the cabin door.His lips traced the pulse on my throat, my lips parted. His tongue traced my neck, biting it and giving me hickey.He kissed me slowly, each kiss felt like forgiveness for everything the day had tried to take from us.We didn’t speak. We didn’t even need to at all. My hoodie slipped from my shoulders; his shirt followed, buttons scattering like tiny sparks. My back met the cool wood of the door and then his hands were everywhere, his calloused palms skating up under my ribs, his thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts until I whimpered.His jeans were removed, and kicked out without any care, all our clothes were off until there was nothing left but skin and firelight.And the low hungry sounds he made when he saw me bare for him.He lifted me as if I didn't have any single weig







