Se connecterBOYCEThe night atmosphere was calm, filled with chlorine and the subtle aroma of jasmine that Sin always enjoyed having near the pool. The house was excessively silent for ease. I could perceive the soft buzz of the city beyond the gates, yet within these walls—silence, heavy and poised.She had phoned before sounding so calm and intentional. "Join me at the pool side with Malik.” It was simply that tone she adopted when she had already made up her mind about something.Malik was now seated beside me on the bench by the pool. His hands were tucked into his hoodie pockets, sneakers hitting the tiles. He appeared anxious and cautious.Sin was a short distance away, barefoot, dressed in a robe above her swimsuit. Her hair was wet, with some curls sticking to her cheek. She looked… exhausted, not damaged, not upset, just so tired that it made my chest hurt.“Sin,” I began, “what’s going on?”She avoided making eye contact with me. Her eyes were focused on the pool, the gentle blue glow
CALLOWAY The penthouse retained the scent of blood.Regardless of how thoroughly the forensics team sprayed and scrubbed, that iron-sweet aroma adhered to the marble as if it were a hex. I leaned against the expansive window, arms folded, observing the city sparkle beneath me as if it were unaware that a man had passed away here just under twelve hours ago.“Detective Calloway?”The voice brought me back to reality. Officer Reed, a newcomer yet perceptive, was kneeling close to the breakfast table — the very table where Rustov had bled to death. "We discovered another group of prints," he remarked, looking at me. “They're absent from the database.”“Absent from our records and Interpol’s?” I inquired.He wavered. “Yes.”I exhaled sharply. "Means they're either clean or ghosts. Wrap it up all the same."He nodded, gloved hands gently placing the glass evidence sheet into a plastic bag.The CSU technicians were taking pictures and labelling blood trails with numbered tags behind me. T
STEELThe moment I laid eyes on her—bandaged, pale, connected to an IV—I realized I was about to lose my mind.Sin was propped up in the bed like she was on a hotel lounge chair, still wearing that hospital gown, debating with the doctor as if she hadn’t just been kidnapped, almost killed, and brought in semi conscious an hour earlier.“I’m absolutely fine, Dr. James,” she stated, her tone collected, determined as ever. “Just take out the IV, and I can leave by myself.”"Okay?" I growled, moving nearer. "You look as though you just battled a demon in a blender."She cast me a weary look. "You're being over the top, Steel."“Not a chance, darling,” I retorted, crossing my arms. "You’re acting crazy." You've lost blood, you're injured, and your head's bandaged more snugly than a holiday ham.“Watch your words,” Catalina hissed from her spot as she attempted to amuse Majesty with crayons."Ugh, come on," I said under my breath. “That kid has encountered more severe situations.” "I’m cert
SINThe alarms came quickly.They constantly do when the wealthy and influential are in trouble.I could hear them beneath—blasting, ascending, cutting through the morning stillness. The lieutenant and the other members of Rustov's crew had already dispersed, leaving the penthouse resonating with emptiness, blood, and a slight aroma of charred toast.I remained bound to the chair. The rope pressed against my skin, slick with my own fake blood. My head ached from the blow I had inflicted on myself, yet the discomfort kept me anchored. Suffering was truthful and needed for this performance to look real.It was all the other things that did.The elevator chimed, and my heartbeat calmed rather than sped up. Timing was crucial. I inhaled deeply once more, allowing the quiver to return to my voice, my muscles, and my gaze.Performance time.Two officers rushed in first, weapons ready, moving like sharks. Following them was a woman in a tactical vest—detective badge shining, expression stern
SINThe first thing that caught my attention was the scent of the penthouse and its location. It was excessively tidy, very similar to bleach.I looked around and noticed him with bulgy and swollen eyes, that’s how I realized Rustov hadn’t slept the previous night.I could sense the city breathe beyond the window—horns, wind, helicopters slicing through the skyline—but up here, it was peaceful. Excessively silent.He had prepared breakfast.The person who attempted to abduct while things went sideways me believed that scrambled eggs would improve the situation. Adorable.He occupied the distant side of the table, the jacket removed, sleeves pushed up, forearms marked and shining with a sort of strength that once instilled fear. His gaze followed me as I entered dressed in his shirt. It draped over my shoulder like a banner of ridicule."Morning," I replied, my tone sleek, tired, uninterested—similar to a woman who found herself in an unfamiliar home, not as a captive.He did not resp
JADENI swear, I hadn't even finished my damn champagne when someone yelled that Sin was missing.“Disappeared” — as in lost, similar to a magician’s act that misfires.The music stopped abruptly. Visitors stood still. Steel's complexion turned ashen, as if death had personally sought him out. Mikhail’s new wife seemed moments from collapsing, and Majesty began shouting, “Where’s Mommy?!” as she tugged at the edge of her flower girl dress.And I?I simply exhaled.I placed my glass on the table and remarked the most rational thing anyone could express in such a moment:“Worrying is an ineffective use of energy.”Everyone glanced at me as if I had sprouted horns.Steel's gaze pierced through me. “What in the world did you just say?”I reclined in my seat, locking one leg over the other, as my mother always taught me that drama thrives on attention. "I mentioned that panicking is futile." Two outcomes will occur — either the abductor ends up dead, or he returns her himself after she dri







