LOGINPortofino, ItalyJade eyed the two urns on the dining table; her cheeks wet with tears. Jackson squeezed her hand. “You don’t have to figure this out today.”“I mean it, thank you. The job starts tomorrow, and I’ll pay you back for all of this.”“Jade, you don’t owe me a damn thing,” Jackson said, his voice steady. “Just promise me you’ll find something to help you unwind. This stress isn’t good for you.”“The gym?” she asked, half-laughing, half-sobbing.“Sure, whatever works. Come here,” he said, pulling her into a tight hug. He grabbed his bag and headed for the door.Leaving her felt like hell, but the pack was waiting. Jackson was split down the middle.Portofino general hospitalMr. Marelli, this is off the record, but the girl’s local, probably crashing with someone here.Luca stormed out, pissed. He couldn’t shake her from his head, her scent, the way she’d taken down five of his guys that day. No wonder, with parents who were cops. The old man must’ve trained her well. He gra
Oslo, NorwayDahlia closed her eyes, but no amount of time could fill the void Jade’s left in their lives. Thirteen years, and not a single clue of her existence. The steward announced the landing. Gahn had drifted away, spending most of his time in Oslo, though she knew his pain ran deep.The car dropped her at the mansion. The maid opened the door.“Ms. Dahlia,” the maid said, staring at her with wide eyes, clearly startled.“Where’s Gahn?” Dahlia asked.“I’ll go get him,” the maid offered.“No, I’ll go upstairs,” Dahlia replied. She climbed the stairs, and as she neared the bedroom, the sound of a woman’s moans reached her ears. She pushed the door open slowly. There was Gahn, thrusting into a woman with abandon. Dahlia walked in and took a seat in the chair by the door.When they finally finished, the woman spotted her and let out a sharp gasp.Gahn turned, saw Dahlia sitting there, and laughed. He looked at the woman. “Get out. Now.”He pulled on his shorts and pants. “What did y
Ten years later…."Papa, come on, don’t be like that," Jade said. "Mom’s getting an award. She finally locked up that big-shot gangster. Honestly, I think she’s tougher than you."He sighed. "Yeah, she probably is."Jade grinned and threw her arms around him. "Love you, Papa.""My beautiful girl," he said, holding her tight. "I’m so proud of you. I don’t deserve you or your mom.""Papa, what’s gotten into you today?" Jade asked, pulling back to look at him."Just feeling emotional," he admitted. "But only at home. Can’t have the guys at the station seeing me like this."As if on cue, a sergeant walked in. "Sir, ready?" He winked at Jade."We’re ready," Georgio said, taking Jade’s hand."We should grab some flowers on the way," she suggested."No time," Georgio replied.Jade shrugged and plucked a few roses from their garden. Then she spotted a perfect one on the neighbor’s side. As far as she knew, no one lived there. She hopped the fence, snipped the rose, and suddenly a shadow loome
Five years later….“What did she do this time?” Dahlia asked, her brows knitting together as she glanced at Jade.“Let all the chickens loose,” Marie replied, barely containing her laughter.“Mom, I’m a vegetarian wolf now,” Jade declared proudly.“We’ll discuss this later. Go inside,” Dahlia ordered, trying to keep a straight face. The moment Jade was out of earshot; they both burst into laughter. “I’m sorry, Marie. We’ll replace the chickens. She’s a handful, thinks she’s some kind of animal rights activist.”“I know,” Marie chuckled. “But we love her. Guess chicken is off the menu tonight.” She walked away, still laughing.“Daddy, save me!” Jade pleaded as Gahn scooped her up.“What did you do this time, little wolf?” he asked with a grin.“I’m not a wolf, I’m a princess!” she protested.Gahn adored her, she was so spoiled. Dahlia walked in, her arms crossed.“Daddy, help!” Jade whispered urgently. Todd, you too need to help me…“Now, Dahlia,” Gahn began, giving her a playful wink,
Dahlia stirred awake, her body loose and heavy. She glanced at her phone, noon already. Gahn strode in, holding a mug of coffee. “Sleeping the day away or are we actually going to do something?” he teased.“Come here,” she said, stretching her arms lazily toward him.He set the coffee down and joined her on the bed, lying close. She leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against his lips.“How’re you feeling?” she asked, her voice low.“I feel bad…”“Oh, I’m fine,” Gahn replied, his lips grazing her neck. “And I’m not done yet.”She let out a laugh. “Where are we going?”“Surprise,” he said, giving her a light smack on the ass. “Now go shower and get dressed.”“Hmmm, okay…” She slid out of bed slowly, pretending to linger. He reached for her, but she darted to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.“I can wait here all day,” he called out.Her laughter bounced off the bathroom walls.She stepped out of the bathroom, and there he was, leaning against the doorframe. “Gahn,” she started, bu
Gahn, Lupin, and Hunter hovered behind the men, their low growls rumbling like a distant storm.Mr…Bunker Jim, he said, I hunt, but I don’t set traps. Something’s off here, and I don’t like it.You should walk away now, Gahn said, his gaze heavy, before this gets worse for you.What’s a hunter doing at a wolf gala? Lupin stepped closer, his tone sharp.I know what you are, Jim shot back. I’ll prove it. You don’t scare me. With that, he turned and marched off.Maybe we should scare him, Hunter muttered.I’m in, Lupin grinned.Enough, Dahlia cut in. Humans can’t know. But we’d better keep tabs on him.Lupin turned to Dahlia, his tone softer. You did good. The foundation’s raking it in, your product’s flying off the shelves.Thanks, Lupin, Dahlia replied. If you’re up for it, I’ll design a new line this year. "Let’s get wasted," she said with a grin.They took turns dancing with her, while Emily sat nearby, looking like she was about to explode.As Dahlia walked back with Lupin, laughin







