AVERY’S POV:I forced myself to ignore whatever I was feeling, pushing down the anger that bubbled up every time I thought about him with another woman. It wasn’t like I had proof, but the whispers were there. Axel was looking for a new maid. Axel was sleeping around. Baron had been talking about it with the guys when I overheard them. Still, I focused on my training, harder than ever. The inked circle on his chest had faded into nothing, and no one spoke about it—not even Cedric when he came for a routine checkup. I was left in the dark, like always. This morning, even before the first streak of light broke through, everything felt different. The entire estate buzzed with activity. Extra security. People rushing in and out. But Axel and Ryan were nowhere to be seen. Whatever was happening, I wasn’t allowed to know. Even the girls wouldn’t talk. I tried to get them to slip up in the kitchen earlier, but Katie caught us, and the conversation ended before it began. Then they black
AVERY'S POV:The heat cooled, but I could hear the unsaid "yet" floating between us. My fingers curled against his chest, gripping the fabric like it could steady me. I tried to ignore the pang in my chest, tried to pretend I didn’t feel the weight of the word he hadn’t said. I locked my expression down. He couldn’t know that I felt it. That I cared. Because I didn’t. This was temporary. We both knew it. Embrace it. Use it. Move on. “I guess it’s handy that I’m willing to wait until you’re done with me,” I murmured, forcing a lightness into my voice that I didn’t quite feel. It was the truth. I wanted more of him before he either killed me, sold me off, or let me go. Axel didn’t lose any of his intensity as he lifted his other hand, framing my face like I was something delicate. Like I mattered. I thought he would lower his mouth to mine, thought I’d finally get another taste of him, but he didn’t. “Avery, do you seriously want this?” His voice had softened, quieter this t
AVERY’S POV:“This is lube, Axel.”"Yep." "What the hell do we need lube for?" My question was cut off by something pressing against me there. “What—” “Quiet,” he said. “It’s a butt plug. I want to fuck you with your ass filled.” I sucked in a breath. Holy. Shit. But I didn’t protest. I didn’t have enough functioning brain cells left to rub together at this point, because I was a mess of nerves and physical reactions. Like the arousal slicking my thighs and staining the sheets. But any concern over that left the building when the plug breached the muscle and slipped inside. The breath I just sucked in heaved out of my lungs. They felt huge. “Oh my God,” I whispered. The slight burn subsided, and it slipped the rest of the way inside, anchored by the flared base. Axel pressed against it, and I shot up onto my tiptoes. A smack landed on my ass, and Axel's hand on my shoulder guided me to relax on the bed. “Now we’re ready.” I didn’t bother to agree because his other hand wa
AXEL’S POV:I’ve done too much. Said enough. More than enough for one night. I swallowed the rest of what I wanted to say, cleaned us up, and carried Avery—half-asleep—back to the room. The bed was a mess of bloodstained sheets and a mattress too damn hard for her. I lowered her to her feet and wrapped my jacket around her. It swallowed her small frame, almost like a mini dress, covering her entirely. She looked fragile, too delicate for this world. I pulled on my pants before scooping her up again and carrying her out of the dungeon. I didn’t bother blindfolding her this time—she had already slipped into sleep, breathing softly, like an innocent child. When I reached our wing, I hesitated. I should take her to her room and let her wake up in her own space. But the thought of her being anywhere but beside me felt wrong. I exhaled sharply. "Think rationally, Axel." Keeping her close meant she’d wake up in my bed—my world—seeing a part of me no woman ever had. But for once, I
AVERY’S POV:When I rolled over, pain licked up my spine and curled around my finger, a scorching reminder that Axel had branded me. My breath hitched, and I let my eyes flutter open, the brightness of the room forcing me to squint as I adjusted. My back was to the door. I stayed still for a moment, absorbing the silence, waiting for my mind to catch up with my body. I expected to feel regret. Shame. Maybe even fear. But all I felt was... calm. A strange, weightless kind of peace. Axel wasn’t beside me. The sheets beside me were cold, but before I could dwell on it, the door creaked open. Heavy footsteps crossed the room, and then he was there—carrying a first aid kit in one hand and a folder in the other. He barely spared the folder a glance before tossing it onto the vanity, his focus locked onto me. His eye patch was back. But the fire in his gaze? Still there. Still smoldering like embers that refused to die out. "Good morning, beautiful," he greeted, his voice a low, s
AVERY’S POV:I didn’t wait for him to repeat himself. I scrambled up, kneeling on the bed as the sheets slid down my waist, leaving my skin bare from my chest to my navel. I didn’t care. Not about modesty. Not about anything except pulling the polo over his head, my fingers working fast as I removed it and tossed it aside."You have the most beautiful body I've seen," Axel murmured, his voice reverent.I scoffed, tilting my head. "Flattery. You’ve seen way better female anatomy than mine.""You’re right, I have." He didn’t deny it, didn’t even hesitate. "But yours is perfection."Heat rushed up my neck, and suddenly, I was clutching the sheets again, wrapping them around me like armor.Axel only smirked, sitting upright and flexing, his muscles shifting under a canvas of dark art, with black ink tattoos that told the story of his unyielding power and ruthless ambition.He tilted his back for me to see. Every inch of him was chiseled, controlled. A body made for war."Let’s start from
AVERY’S POV:As the door closed behind him, I took a moment to catch my breath and clear my mind. When that wasn't doing much of a good job, I got up, taking in the view of Axel’s bedroom. It was minimalist yet infused with nature—a blend of masculinity and unexpected tranquility. The king-sized bed was made with soft, inviting sheets, positioned against a dark accent wall. Beside it, a bedside table held only a small, stylish lamp. A floor-to-ceiling window draped with curtains that have since been pushed to the side bathed the room in natural light, flanked by a few well-placed plants that added a touch of serenity. There was a vanity with a stool, simple yet functional, and the hardwood floor stretched seamlessly beneath my bare feet, cool and smooth. I headed in the direction Axel had pointed out earlier. The moment I opened the door, my mouth fell open. His bathroom was just as impressive—modern but with a softness that made it feel lived-in. A circular tub sat beneath a di
AXEL’S POV: Avery’s laughter rang out over the roar of the helicopter blades, her eyes wide with childlike wonder as she pressed her face to the window. From up here, Pulau Tanjung Sari looked like something out of a dream—a secluded paradise carved out of nature itself. Emerald-green jungles stretched across the heart of the island, dense and wild, spilling down toward white sand beaches that wrapped around the edges like a protective embrace. The water was an impossible shade of blue, shifting between sapphire and turquoise, so clear that schools of fish could be seen darting beneath the surface. Further out, a coral reef glowed beneath the waves, a natural fortress shielding the island from the open ocean. Seabirds glided effortlessly over the water, their cries blending into the rhythmic hum of the waves crashing against the shore. I stole a glance at Avery, her expression pure awe as she kicked her feet in excitement. It wasn’t the island that made my chest tighten—it was t
AVERY’S POV:When I finally woke up, my body groaned in protest.Sleeping on the ottoman had twisted my spine like a corkscrew. I shifted and stretched, every joint aching as I planted my bare feet on the cold marble floor—only to feel a tight, stabbing pressure in my left leg.I looked down.It was swollen. Badly.Puffy from the ankle to the knee, tender and discolored in some spots. My stomach dropped.“I need to go to the hospital… or see Cedric,” I muttered.I peeled off the crumpled sleep clothes and changed into a flowing emerald gown that gathered around my legs and swept the floor. The fabric was light and loose—strategically chosen. No one would notice my limp, not right away.I paused at the closet door. My heart thudded against my ribs.Please don’t be outside. Please let him be gone.I unlocked it slowly, inching the door open. The room was still. Quiet.Axel wasn’t there.Relief flooded my chest like a tide.My eyes flicked to the clock on the nightstand.7:03 AM.A new d
AVERY’S POV:Sleep had finally wrapped its arms around me, heavy and dreamless. The sheets tangled around my legs, and the weight of exhaustion from the day made my body sink deeper into the mattress. For once, I wasn't overthinking. I wasn't haunted by what I had seen on that balcony or the blood Axel had ordered spilled.But suddenly—I couldn’t breathe.My throat clamped shut as if someone shoved cotton down my windpipe. I jerked, trying to swallow, but there was no space for air. Only panic.I coughed. Thrashed. My lungs screamed for oxygen as my eyes flew open.And that’s when I saw him.Axel.Hovering above me like a shadow, his hand wrapped tight around my neck. His grip was brutal—his thumb pressed into my windpipe, fingers digging into the sides of my throat like he meant to snap it clean off. His body pressed over mine, pinning me down, suffocating me."A—Axel," I choked out, barely a whisper.His eyes were hollow. Not just blank—hollow. Like something had scooped the soul ou
AVERY’S POV:I rested for a while, my head spinning with thoughts I couldn’t pin down. Something about Axel felt... off. Distant. Like he’d taken three steps back from a war he was the one who started. This was his world—his creation. So why did it feel like he was trying to unmake it?With a long breath, I sat up and forced myself to move. Each step toward the bathroom made me wince—an intimate reminder that he'd been inside me not long ago. Whatever storm was brewing in his head, one thing hadn't changed: his need for control. For me.After washing up and pulling on a soft robe over a tank and shorts, I padded down the hallway. I needed to check on Sea. That girl was tougher than she had any right to be. Just like her father. Resilient. Quietly fierce.I nudged her door open and heard her soft, even breathing. She was fast asleep, arms flung wide over the blanket, mouth parted, utterly at peace.But when I reached to close the door, I realized I was gripping the knob too tightly.I
AXEL’S POV:“I would’ve followed you anywhere,” Avery whispered, her hands slipping around my neck, her body tightening beneath me. “I have died beside you, Axel. That should be enough proof.”I stilled inside her, the weight of her confession pressing down on my chest like a curse I couldn’t outrun.“Why now?” she asked, panting as she wrapped her arms tighter, pulling me toward her. “Why have this conversation now, Axel?”The urge to push myself all the way back in was infuriating, but I didn’t move an inch, savoring the way she begged with her eyes and her body.I tangled my hand in the back of her hair, holding her gaze. “Because it’s been eating at me.”Her eyes narrowed, suspicious. “What happened back there? Why did you miss the aim? One thing I know for certain—you’re a great shooter. If you wanted that man dead, he’d have dropped before I even arrived.”That was the thing. I was exceptional. Precise. Deadly.I slammed back inside her.“I don’t know,” I admitted, the words for
AXEL’S POV:As Baron left, the room finally settled into silence. I leaned back, the material creaking beneath me, shadows from the light stretching across the floor. My mind wandered—first to Sea, and how she’d surprised me. There was no tantrum, no cold stares. Just quiet acceptance. A daughter who’d been confused for years but chose love over resentment. She was more like Avery than I realized.Speaking of her—Avery sauntered into the living room like a flame in the dark, barefoot, legs bare, wrapped in a blood-red satin nightie that clung to her body like it had been painted on. Thin straps kissed her shoulders, the silk dipping low enough to tease the soft weight of her breasts. Every sway of her hips pulled me to her. Desire pooled low in my stomach, uncoiling like a fuse waiting to be lit.She walked over without a word and slipped onto my lap, her legs curling around me. Her lips found mine in a soft kiss.“Sea’s asleep,” she mumbled against my mouth.I wrapped an arm around
AXEL’S POV:As Baron left, the room finally settled into silence. I leaned back, the material creaking beneath me, shadows from the light stretching across the floor. My mind wandered—first to Sea, and how she’d surprised me. There was no tantrum, no cold stares. Just quiet acceptance. A daughter who’d been confused for years but chose love over resentment. She was more like Avery than I realized.Speaking of her—Avery sauntered into the living room like a flame in the dark, barefoot, legs bare, wrapped in a blood-red satin nightie that clung to her body like it had been painted on. Thin straps kissed her shoulders, the silk dipping low enough to tease the soft weight of her breasts. Every sway of her hips pulled me to her. Desire pooled low in my stomach, uncoiling like a fuse waiting to be lit.She walked over without a word and slipped onto my lap, her legs curling around me. Her lips found mine in a soft kiss.“Sea’s asleep,” she mumbled against my mouth.I wrapped an arm around
AXEL’S POV:Avery was bent over Sea, her brows tight with focus as she ran test after test to make sure our girl was okay. Her hands moved gently, like she was touching glass that might shatter. I stood close, arms crossed, jaw clenched, watching every emotion on Sea’s face.“Did anyone hurt you?” Avery asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from Sea’s forehead.“Did anyone ever touch you in a way you didn’t like?” I added, trying best to stay in control while waiting for her answer Sea looked up at us. Her eyes were bright but calm. She looked older than her years—seven years had done that.“No,” she said quietly. “Ryan never hurt me. He was always... kind. Protective. Present. He took care of me. Always made sure I had what I needed. He taught me things, helped me grow up. Like a father should.”I exchanged a glance with Avery. A bitter taste bloomed in the back of my throat.“And the marriage?” Avery asked gently. “Did he force you to marry that man?”Sea shook her head. “No. He
AVERY’S POV:All this time, Baron and the rest of the guards stood still—positioned with militant stillness, their eyes never drifting from Axel and Ryan. They weren’t statues, though. You could feel the readiness in their posture, in the way fingers hovered just near triggers, how Baron’s gaze scanned every shadow like he expected a war to break out.Me? I kept scanning too. Old habits. But I didn’t feel cornered. Not with Axel here—and not with the numbers we brought. He’d made sure we had enough men. If this turned bloody, it wouldn’t end well for Ryan.Still, something in the air told me we were far from done.Defensively, Ryan snapped, “Her father kept her a secret to shield her from attacks.”Axel’s brows narrowed. “If you found yourself a mafia princess, why couldn’t you stick with her? Build your alliances the right way instead of giving away my daughter?” His voice turned lethal. “If her father is truly who you claim, then why not use that leverage?”Ryan’s jaw flexed. “Becau
AVERY’S POV:“No peace is worth her dignity,” I snapped, my fists clenched so tightly they ached. “You sealed her fate to get yourself out of trouble.”Ryan shook his head violently. “Don’t twist this. You weren’t here. Enemies were striking from all sides. The Russians in Tampa. The East Coast Syndicates in Italy. Everyone thought Axel was dead and Miami was up for grabs. I was just a name. They smelled weakness.”“You were weak,” Axel snapped. “And stupid. You believed that dirty-bag wouldn't touch her? You believed some overweight, power-drunk animal wouldn’t lay hands on my daughter the second she was his?”Ryan’s lip curled. “You think I didn’t struggle with it? That I didn’t weigh every option? I was desperate, Axel. Desperate to hold together what was left of your kingdom while you were dead. I didn’t have the luxury of morals. I had to survive. We all did.”“And for that,” Axel said slowly, stepping toward him until they were nearly nose-to-nose, “you offered her like a gift o