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Chapter Seventeen
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2025-01-11 22:34:15
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RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty Seven
CHAPTER 27: HAMPTON RETREAT The screen lit up with Tessa's response: ‘WTF Lyra? Are you serious? Should I call the police?’Ryker's expression hardened as he read the message. "Making plans to leave so soon?""Give me my phone." She reached for it, but he held it away."You texted your friend that you're being held against your will." His voice was dangerously quiet. "An interesting interpretation of our arrangement.""It's not an interpretation. It's the truth." She backed away, anger replacing fear. "You threaten me. Control me. Track my every move. What would you call it?""Protection." He pocketed her phone. "From Kane. From Jane. From your own poor decisions.""I don't need your protection!""Evidence suggests otherwise." He gestured around them. "You're here because Kane has people watching you. Because Jane betrayed you. Because you made a choice to impersonate someone for money without considering the consequences.""And how long will you hold that over me?" Her voice cracked
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty Six
CHAPTER 26: ESCAPE ATTEMPTThe helicopter sliced through cloud cover, revealing the sprawling coastline below. Lyra gripped the armrest as they came down, the turquoise waters of the Atlantic stretching endlessly before them. She'd never been in a helicopter before today—another first in her life since becoming entangled with Ryker Blackwood."First time flying?" Ryker asked, his voice clear through the headset.She nodded, not trusting her voice. The mansion below grew larger….a modern glass and stone structure perched on a cliff overlooking a private beach. Isolated. Remote. Perfect for keeping someone hidden away.Or perfect for escaping.The thought had crystallized during the drive to the helipad. While Ryker was occupied with security briefings, she'd made her decision. The Hamptons trip wasn't another prison sentence, it was an opportunity. New location meant new possibilities, and new routines to exploit. Mrs. Hargrave had mentioned staff she didn't know, and security deta
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty Five
CHAPTER 25: THE INVITATIONMorning light filtered through the curtains as Lyra stared at her laptop screen. Words failed her. The cursor blinked mockingly on the page of her manuscript—a silent accusation of her writer's block. Three days at the lake house, and her novel hadn't progressed a single paragraph.Three days of avoiding Ryker. Three days of remembering that kiss.She closed her laptop and moved to the window. The lake shimmered under the spring sunshine, peaceful and serene. So different from the turmoil inside her.A knock at the door made her jump."Breakfast is ready, Mrs. Blackwood," called the housekeeper who had arrived yesterday—an older woman named Martha who spoke little and observed much."Thank you. I'll be down shortly." The Mrs. Blackwood title still felt like someone else's identity—a costume she couldn't take off.Downstairs, the dining room table was set for two. Fresh fruit, pastries, and coffee waited under silver domes. Ryker sat reading something on his
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty Four
CHAPTER 24: AWAKENING DESIREThe car sped through Manhattan, rain pelting the tinted windows. Lyra stared at the blurry lights, painfully aware of Ryker beside her. His fingers drummed against his knee…the only sign of his tension."Where exactly are we going?" she asked, breaking the silence."Connecticut. My lake house.""For how long?""As long as necessary." He didn't look at her. "Until I'm certain Kane can't reach you."She shifted in her seat. "I can take care of myself.""Clearly." His voice dripped sarcasm. "That's why Jane waltzed right into our home.""*Your* home," she corrected. "And she was my friend.""Was?" Now he turned, eyes narrowing. "Past tense?"Lyra looked away. "She's not who I thought she was.""Finally seeing the truth." He nodded. "Good.""Don't act smug. It doesn't suit you.""What did she say to you?" When Lyra didn't answer, he pressed, "Lyra. What did Jane want?""Money. Updates." She sighed. "To know why I wasn't making you miserable enough."His laugh
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty three
CHAPTER 23: THE REAL JANELyra paced the penthouse living room. Three days had passed since the almost-kiss at Ryker Tech. Three days of tension thick enough to cut with a knife.The doorbell rang. She froze.Ryker was at work. Mrs. Hargrave was out shopping. Security hadn't called up to announce a visitor.She approached the intercom panel and pressed the button. "Yes?""It's Jane. Let me up."Lyra's stomach dropped. Jane. Her so-called best friend. The creator of this whole mess."You shouldn't be here," Lyra said."Open the damn door, Lyra. We need to talk."Against her better judgment, Lyra buzzed her in. Minutes later, Jane strutted into the penthouse as she owned it.She looked different. Designer handbag, new highlights, expensive watch. Marcus Kane's influence was clear in every inch of her appearance."Nice place," Jane said, running her finger along a marble countertop. "I see why you've been ignoring my calls.""I've been busy," Lyra replied, keeping her distance.Jane drop
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty two
CHAPTER 22: BUSINESS AND PLEASURE"You're coming with me today."Ryker’s voice left no room for argument. Lyra looked up from her laptop, frowning.“Excuse me?”“Board meeting. One hour.” He stood in her doorway, sharp in his suit. “Wear something appropriate.” Before she could respond, he walked off.Lyra stared after him. After the tension between them lately, this sudden demand caught her off guard. But a part of her was curious—about his world, his company, and maybe even about him.She closed her laptop and opened her closet. Most of the clothes were new, expensive. She chose a gray pencil skirt, a matching blazer, and a soft cream blouse. Polished, professional. Like armor.Ryker waited by the elevator. His eyes ran over her as she approached.“You clean up well,” he said.“Don’t sound so surprised.” She stepped inside. “This isn’t my first corporate meeting.”“The publishing world isn’t Ryker Tech.”“Still full of egos and power plays.”When the elevator doors shut, he said, “
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty one
GLIMPSE OF TRUTHSleep proved impossible. Lyra tossed and turned for hours, replaying the events of the gala, her conversation with Ryker, and the threat Marcus presented. By three in the morning, she abandoned any pretense of rest.She slipped from her bed, pulled on a robe, and padded barefoot into the hallway. Maybe a cup of tea would settle her nerves. The penthouse was eerily quiet, moonlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across marble floors.A sound stopped her halfway to the kitchen—something between a groan and a shout. She froze, listening. It came again, definitely human, definitely distressed.Following the noise, she found herself outside Ryker's study. The door stood ajar, a sliver of lamplight spilling into the hallway. She hesitated, remembering his warning about private spaces.Another sound—words this time, ungraspable but urgent.She pushed the door open.Ryker wasn't at his desk but sprawled on the leather sofa against the fa
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Twenty
CHAPTER 20: ENEMY LINESThe limousine door slammed shut behind them with enough force to make Lyra flinch. Ryker yanked at his bow tie, tossing it onto the seat between them."So now you know," he said, his voice deceptively calm. "Kane doesn't just want my company. He wants to destroy everything I touch."Lyra kicked off her heels, the emerald bracelet heavy on her wrist. "He's been aware of who I am since the beginning, hasn't he? This wasn't news to you."Ryker's eyes met hers, sharp and calculating. "I've known Kane and Jane were on this together, from the very start when Jane approached you for the deal, after all His men have been following you.""And you didn't think to warn me?" Her hands shook with anger rather than fear. "You let me walk into that gala blind.""You weren't blind. You were protected." His jaw tightened. "By me.""Protected?" She laughed bitterly. "Is that what you call this? Using me as bait in whatever vendetta you two have?"Ryker's expression darkened. "Y
RECKLESS VOWS Chapter Nineteen
CHAPTER 19: PUBLIC FACADEHands pulled at Lyra's hair and twisted it into an elegant updo while another set of fingers applied mascara to her lashes. The stylist Ryker had hired worked in focused silence, occasionally barking orders at her assistant."Eyes up. Don't blink."Lyra obeyed, sitting still as a statue while her face was transformed. Three hours of primping for a single night of pretending. That's what her life had become—a performance."You clean up nicely," Ryker's voice came from the doorway.The stylists paused their work as he entered, tall and imposing in his custom tuxedo. Lyra caught his reflection in the mirror—the sharp lines of his jaw, the intensity of his gaze. He looked devastating."Almost finished, Mr. Blackwood," the head stylist assured him. "Just a few final touches.""Take your time, Vivian." His eyes never left Lyra's. "Perfection shouldn't be rushed."Heat crept up her neck despite her best efforts to remain unmoved. She hated how easily he affected her
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