(Vivian’s POV)My head throbbed like it had been cracked open. The dull ache behind my eyes pulsed with every heartbeat, and for a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was—or who I was.Then I realized I couldn’t move.My wrists were bound above my head. My ankles too—tied together. I was lying on a bed that wasn’t mine, surrounded by dim red lighting and the sickening stench of sweat and perfume.Panic seized me like a wave crashing through my chest.What the hell is this? Where am I?I tried to sit up, to scream, but my mouth was dry and my limbs wouldn’t cooperate. That’s when I noticed what I was wearing—a barely-there piece
(Author’s POV)The clock struck midnight. A quiet desperation crept into every corner of Kai’s luxurious penthouse. The city lights outside glittered like false hope, mocking the way his heart pounded in fear. His phone screen lit up with yet another call attempt—Vivian’s number again. But the same automated voice pierced his chest like a dagger.“The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable…”Kai clenched his jaw, throwing the phone onto the marble counter. His hands trembled. He had lost count of how many times he had called her. Dozens. Maybe hundreds. Every single second without her felt like torture. He wasn’t just worried—he was terrified.“Damn it, Vivian… where are you?” he whispered, his voice thick with anguish.The last message she had sent replayed in his mind on a loop: “Heading to meet the client now. Shouldn’t take long. I’ll text you after.”But she never did. And now… her phone was off.Kai had called everyone. Martha, her loyal secretary, had answered
(Author's POV)The tires of Lynne’s car crunched against the gravel as she pulled up near the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean. The wind was fierce, whipping her hair across her face. She cut the engine and stepped out, her eyes scanning the desolate yard ahead. The house stood alone, eerie and cold, its silhouette casting long shadows in the late afternoon light.Darius appeared moments later, walking from the direction of the main building. His steps were calm, precise—predatory. There was a faint smirk on his lips, but his eyes were calculating.“Did you get her here?” he asked without preamble, hands in his coat pockets as he approached Lynne.Lynne nodded quickly, avoiding eye contact. “She’s inside the car. Still unconscious.”Darius arched a brow and looked toward the black sedan. “You did exactly as I instructed?”“Yes,” she said, her voice brittle. “I pretended to be a client. Took her to a casual restaurant. We talked about the art event... I offered her water in the
(Vivian’s POV)I checked the time on my phone, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind my ear before I stepped into the small restaurant. It wasn’t fancy, not even close to the kind of places Kai usually insisted I go to for meetings—but it felt...homey. Warm. Familiar. Something about the handwritten menu and chipped wooden tables made the place oddly comforting.I scanned the room until I spotted her—Lynne. She stood up and smiled, waving me over. “Vivian, right? I’m so glad you made it.”I returned the smile, stepping forward to shake her hand. “Of course. Sorry if I kept you waiting.”“Not at all. I just got here.”We both sat down, and a waitress appeared to take our order. Lynne ordered a simple pasta, and I followed with a sandwich and iced tea.“I’ve heard a lot about your company,” Lynne said as she adjusted her blazer, a soft pink color that matched her gentle expression. “I was drawn to how you support independent creators. That’s exactly the energy I want for my gallery
(Kai’s POV)The second we stepped into the house, I couldn’t help it—I reached for her.My hand found its place on Vivian’s waist as if it were made to be there. I pulled her closer, slowly, tenderly. Her body moulded into mine, as if she belonged there. God, she did belong there.“I still can’t believe you said yes,” I whispered, brushing her hair behind her ear, my thumb grazing her cheek. “I feel like the luckiest bastard alive.”She smiled, all soft and warm, her fingers touching the lapels of my jacket. “You should believe it. You didn’t exactly give me much choice.”
(Darius’s POV)She didn’t reply.I stared at my phone screen, the last message still hanging cold and unanswered. “What time did you arrive?”—that was all I’d sent. Simple. Civil. A perfectly polite excuse to make contact. But hours had passed.And nothing.The silence felt like a slap across my face.I slammed my fist against my desk so hard that the glass of whiskey nearby rattled. The man standing across from me flinched and took a cautious step back, his eyes betraying a flicker of fear.“She’s here,” he said carefully. “Landed at ten. Picked up by his sister, and two others.”Of course. Her precious circle. The same people who always hovered around her like a damn security detail. And him. Kai.I clenched my jaw as my blood simmered just under the surface of my skin. Kai fucking Reyes. The man who always had everything handed to him. The man who stood on a throne built with privilege and charm, as if he were untouchable. And Vivian? She was the prize he’d taken back. Just like al