Tangled Hearts

Aidan Creek?The name rolled around in my head like a loose marble; I'd seen it somewhere, probably in a newspaper, or overheard it in one of those whispered conversations meant for ears much wealthier than mine. He was one of the richest men in California, practically untouchable.So why the hell would he want a petty thief like me to be his mistress?I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. "You have to be joking. I'd marry a pig before I'd marry you."Aidan didn't flinch, just stared at a slow, calculated stare that had my skin crawling. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but sharp enough to slice through steel."Then I'll make sure you rot in prison," he said. "Trust me, you don't want to know what happens to people like you in there."I froze. It felt like he gut-punched me with his words. He was right: he was the one with power and influence, and I didn't stand a chance. Prison wasn't just a punishment but a sure death sentence for someone like me."Why won't you let

It seemed, suddenly, that a week or two passed in a mist of duties and lies. Playing Hera was a lot more difficult than I'd thought, and Aidan's crankiness wasn't helping one bit. We even had to stage photos, pretending for the press that we were madly in love.I hadn't bargained for any of this paparazzi, the scrutiny, the eternal click-click-clicking of cameras that gave me the creeps. Aidan had assured me it would eventually die down, but I was anything but convinced. I was a small-town girl; I wasn't built for this world of flashing lights and fake smiles.The worst part, though, was sharing a bed with Aidan. I'd had my room to start, but his dad insisted on the arrangement since it would make the charade all the more believable.I lay now, awake in the dark, and listened to the soft rhythm of Aidan's breathing. He had looked different while sleeping-softer, almost human. The constant tension that always twisted his features had dissipated, leaving him to look… peaceful. His hair,

Her lips met mine with a force that took my breath away. For a moment, I froze, feeling the storm of emotions I had tried so hard to keep at bay. Artemis was a mix of rebellion and sweet defiance, and even though my mind screamed for me to stop, my body betrayed me.This wasn’t supposed to happen.Artemis had always been a tempting presence, too close, too intense, too… her. I had told myself countless times to keep my distance. Women like her—no, all women—brought trouble, and I had learned that lesson the hard way. My past was filled with scars I couldn’t show, reminders of how easily trust could be shattered.But at that moment, all my rules crumbled.Her lips melted against mine, igniting a reaction I had buried for too long. My hands moved on their own, wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer until the warmth of her body threatened to burn away every ounce of my self-control.And then I kissed her again.It was anything but gentle. It was raw, desperate, and reckless.But

8 p.m. arrived sooner than I anticipated. My phone vibrated in my hand as the moment approached. This evening wasn’t an ordinary one—it was one I couldn’t manage to get ready for, regardless of how hard I attempted. I stepped out into the silent hallway; my heels clicked against the polished marble floor. Daymon stood by the door, his broad frame rigid, his eyes locking onto mine. Something about the intensity in those eyes ripped a ripple of unease right through me."Daymon?" My brow furrowed; I slowed my steps. "Why are you looking at me like that?"He hesitated, something unreadable crossing his face. "No reason," he murmured, tone flat. With reluctance, he added, "You look… good, ma'am.”The tightness in his tone was not to be missed. He wasn't one for compliments, and the words felt out of place.We walked silently to where the waiting car was, his eyes staying on me. But then the sleek black Range Rover came into view, and everything else faded. Aiden leaned casually against th

The car was silent and the tension that lingered in the air was unbearable, I could only hear the engine. Artemis tensed against the window and turned her body, trying to put as much space between us as the car would allow. The smell of her perfume lingered In the air—vanilla with a hint of something floral.The disgust she felt for me was clearer than words. I could tell by how her perfectly manicured fingers gripped her clutch and how her shoulders slightly trembled with rage. Artemis was undoubtedly angry and confused, but so was I.As soon as I parked the car in the driveway, Artemis swung the door open and stepped out, not even waiting for the car to stop fully. I could hear her heels striking against the ground with every step she took to go towards the house. Her breathing was heavy and each step she took, was solely filled with anger. “Wait, Artemis,” I tried to calm her down, but those words spilled out of my mouth faster than expected.She didn't stop, her silhouette framed