LOGINKira's POV I couldn’t stop grinning as we stepped out into the lobby, Miranda’s frantic escape playing on repeat in my head. She hadn’t recognized me…not even a flicker…but I’d planted something. A seed of doubt. Good. Let it grow. Let it choke her.Victoria glanced at me sideways as we wandered toward the hotel’s indoor garden atrium…glass ceiling, tropical plants, a little waterfall trickling like it was trying too hard to be zen. “You okay, princess? That elevator thing was… intense. You went full psychic stranger danger on that lady.”I shrugged, forcing my face neutral even as my mind raced. “Just a vibe. Some people give off bad energy.”Understatement of the century.We kept walking, past plush seating areas and a fancy coffee bar where guests sipped thousand-dollar lattes. My brain wouldn’t shut up. Ways to make them pay. My mind spun with what they could be up to right now. Dad…fake tears at the podium, probably already practicing his “devastated father” speech. Evelyn, h
Kira’s POVNightmare.The day I die.It never plays out the same. My brain kept remixing it, making it worse every time, like it’s punishing me for surviving…or for not seeing it coming.First version…the one that felt almost real.I’m standing on the roof of the Summers Group skyscraper, wind tugging at my dress as the skyline lights up below. Downstairs, the board just voted me in as the youngest CEO ever. Mom’s legacy…everything she built was now within my reach. I’m up here celebrating with what’s left of my family… Dad, Miranda, and Evelyn, Miranda’s mom, my mom's secretary who helped raise me after Mom passed.Champagne fizzles in our glasses. Dad pulls me into a hug, whispering how proud Mom would be. Miranda squeals and clinks her glass against mine, eyes shining. Evelyn smiles that warm, tight-lipped smile and says, “To Kira…the future of this family.”We laugh. The city sparkles below us like it’s celebrating too.Then hands shove between my shoulder blades.Hard.I stumble
Kira’s POVSteam rolled behind him, water droplets sliding down his absurdly sculpted body…broad chest, ridged abs, that stupid V-line pointing straight to…I slapped both hands over my eyes, screeching. “Oh my God! Put clothes on! No woman wants to see that tiny thing flopping around!”I shouldn't have said that. Why did I say that?!He growled, low and playful, the sound rumbling through the room. “Tiny? Is that a challenge, little mate? Want me to show you exactly how much I can fill you up? Stretch that pretty core and still go deeper?”Heat exploded through me, toes literally curling as the words hit. I swallowed hard, thighs pressing together involuntarily.“W-what are you even doing here?!” I yelped, still covering my eyes. “Shouldn’t you be in your own room or something?”“This is my private suite,” he said, voice closer now…way too close.I peeked through my fingers, scoffing. “Yeah, right. Like you own the hotel.”He just smiled, all smug and naked and infuriatingly hot.My
Kira’s POVThat smug bastard.“You can fight it all you want,” he murmured again, lips grazing my neck now, right over the spot that pulsed for him. “But you’re already mine. And soon… soon I’ll make sure you never forget it.”I didn’t answer anymore. Not because I couldn’t. I just didn’t want to engage him further. Hours later, the helicopter began its descent, the lights of LA sprawling out below us like a memory I wasn’t ready to face.We landed smoothly on a private pad on top of a skyscraper, the rotors slowing to a whine. A sleek black Maybach waited on the adjacent helipad driveway, engine purring. Adrian helped me out, his hand at the small of my back…possessive, guiding, like he couldn’t stop touching me.The drive into the city hit me like a train that missed its stop.LA. My LA.The city I grew up in. The neon signs I’d passed a thousand times. The air smelled different…exhaust and ocean and freedom, not pine and snow and jungle smell. But it hurt. God, it hurts to be back
Kira’s POVHe pulled me closer, guiding me toward the open helicopter door. “How are you feeling this morning, princess?” he asked, voice raised over the noise, all gentle concern.I ignored him. Full cold-shoulder mode activated.He didn’t push. Just helped me in, buckled my seatbelt for me like I was fragile, handed me noise-canceling headphones with a soft smile. Then he passed me a thermos from a side compartment. “Hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows. The way I was told that you like it.”I stared at it, but didn't take it.He set it in the cupholder anyway, then pulled a soft blanket from overhead and draped it over my lap.He kept going. One sweet thing after another. My icy resolve started cracking like thin ice. Stupid weak body.He settled beside me, the helicopter lifting off with a lurch. Once we were airborne, he leaned in close, voice low through the headphones.“You’re already mine, Kira. In every way that matters. All that’s left is exchanging marks. And I promise you, ma
Kira’s POV I stared at the phone like it had personally betrayed me. Adrian’s voice…warm, eager, that stupid golden-retriever energy…still echoed in my head. “Wherever you go, that’s where I’ll be.”The line went dead as soon as he was done talking. He’d hung up on me.I’d been mid-outburst, ready to unleash a full tirade… “You’re not coming! This is my trip, my friend’s funeral, my one chance to breathe without your overbearing ass hovering!” and he’d already ended the call. I’d been yelling at nothing.My face burned. “Are you kidding me?!” I screamed into the silent phone anyway, voice cracking. “You don’t get to just drop that and hang up, you controlling psycho!”Victoria jumped, eyes wide like she’d witnessed a murder.“What?” I said to her sharply.“Nothing, your highness. Just that…you’ve really changed,” she replied cautiously.I shoved the phone into my pocket, chest heaving. “Whatever. Lead the way out. Let’s go.”She nodded fast, grabbing the suitcase handle. I caught on







