LOGIN“Zita…” I mumbled her name, the name of the woman who betrayed me. I could feel my chest heavy at the thought of she and Luca being connected.Luca stands off my body as he pulls me to him.“I’m about to take a shower. Care to join…?”I looked at him, hatred filling my eyes. I was about to stubbornly refuse his proposal, then I remembered he doesn’t take no for an answer—and my mother’s life is at stake for me to be playing hard head.I stood in front of the luxurious floor-to-ceiling mirror, watching my appearance. Then I felt his hand run up my shoulder. “Just be a good girl, n I’ll give you everything you want…”“I want to see my mum.”He laughs. “Not so fast, sweetheart… you’ve not proven to yet. The driver will take you for dress shopping… and will bring you to me by 7. Whatever plans you’ve of running away, get your mind off it, because there is nowhere you will go that I won’t find you, princess.”I nod as he perked my cheeks. I watched him walk out. What the f*ck have I gotten
I open my eyes to the chandelier’s light, a thin halo that blinds me for a second. My head throbs and my throat is dry. I sit up and take in the room: spacious, masculine, all dark leather and cold brass. No photos, no warmth just power pressed into every surface. Why am I here? Then it hits me like a physical blow. Fuck. I jerk upright. I was kidnapped while trying to run away with my mum. Panic scrabbles up my spine. I clutch my head. I need to find her. I’m about to open the door when his voice slides across the room, smooth and mocking. “Easy there, princess.” Fear knifes through me. I look up. He’s there smiling like a victor, like this was the only ending he ever intended. The smile is beautiful and vicious all at once. “Where is my mum?” I demand, words jagged. “Where is Anita?” The last thing I remember is the airport, the blast, the panic. Where did they take them? He comes closer, slow and deliberate, the kind of stride that takes up space in a room. “Do you thin
“Why did you offer to help me?” I asked her, looking around the apartment we were in. It was simple yet plush in its own way warm, feminine, and soft, with a kind of elegance that felt foreign to me. “It’s simple. I want Luca. I always did,” she said flatly. “You can have him. I never wanted him,” I replied, walking to sit down. My legs ached from the escape. Luca was probably looking for me by now. While I was in the toilet, Anita showed up out of nowhere, offering to help me get away as if she knew I would take the chance. And I did. She passed me a glass of water. I stared at it suspiciously, half expecting it to be poisoned. Trusting anyone felt impossible now, not after what my so-called best friend had done. “Don’t worry,” Anita said, rolling her eyes. “If I wanted you dead, you would’ve been already. What’s your deal with Luca anyway?” “Long story,” I muttered. I wasn’t ready to talk about it. My life was a mess, and my mind was racing with thoughts of my mum how to find h
Where are you taking me?” I asked, turning to look out the tinted window as the driver steered through a vast driveway lined with marble statues and trimmed hedges. He looked at me but said nothing. “You ask too many questions,” he muttered. Of course, I thought bitterly. First, I was sold against my will, and now I’m being taken to a place I don’t even know, with a man whose name I barely know. But somehow, he seemed familiar. I didn’t watch the news, but he had that kind of presence the kind that screamed power and danger. I wanted to ask again Where am I going? What happens next? What did Zita get me into? But before I could speak— “Get down,” he ordered. I stepped out of the car, my eyes widening. Before me stood a mansion massive, intimidating, like something out of a movie. Several men in black stood at the entrance, their posture rigid, guns glinting under the light. Bodyguards, I realized instantly. Inside, the room I was led into looked like something for roya
“Ugh…” I muttered in pain. My whole body ached, sore and heavy. I tried to sit up, but I felt a strong arm draped around my waist. Turning slightly, I looked at him his eyes were closed, his lashes long and soft. He looked like an angel, but I knew better. He was a devil in disguise. I gently pushed his arm off me, trying not to wake him, but he muttered something I couldn’t hear and turned to the other side. My eyes lingered on his arm covered in tattoos. Typical bad boy, I thought as I dragged my sore self into the bathroom, my body aching, especially down there. My navy blue dress lay crumpled on the floor, my heels apart, and my underwear nowhere to be found. I shook my head in disbelief. Standing before the mirror, I stared at my bare reflection. Hickeys trailed down my neck, scattered across my skin. Then the memories of last night came rushing back his hands on my body, his touch, my moans, the heat, the way he said those words: “Didn’t you know you’re here to warm my b
“Brrrr…” My phone buzzed as I crossed the road, about to enter my apartment with my Amazon packages in hand.I looked at the screen — an unknown number.Switching my phone to my left ear as I unlocked the door, I said, “Hello, who am I speaking with?”“Miss Avery Maddox, your application has been approved. You will be sent an address via email work located. Thank you and have a nice day,” the voice said before hanging up, not allowing me to respond.“Ahhh!” I screamed, throwing my head back as all my packages fell to the ground, scattering everywhere. I didn’t care that my things were all over the place. I didn’t care that people in the hallway were staring at me like I had lost my mind.I was overjoyed. Finally, I had bagged a job not just any job, but one with the biggest empire in the country: The Stone Dynasty.I needed to call Zita, my best friend, and thank her. She had helped me out with this. At first, I doubted I’d be accepted, but she told me not to worry she had a cousin wh







