As I prepared to fight for my life, my body trembled while I struggled to control my breathing. Anna was flat against the wall beside the door, ready to surprise anyone who walked in the door.We had a fair chance of survival, of winning the fight. We knew they were coming, but our presence would surprise them.Anna and I needed to strike them hard and quickly without giving them time to think or react.It seemed to take forever as the men walked our way, discussing ways of selling more Ice.My heart was pounding in my ears when they reached the door to the room Anna and I were hiding in. But we silently held our positions, hoping they would keep moving down the hallway.When the door didnโt open, and we heard them moving past us, we stayed as we were, ready to fight until their footsteps faded away.Relief made my heart slow, and my trembling quickly eased, but I knew we still had to get out of that building.Anna read my mind. โWe shouldnโt use the hallway. Theyโre out there somewhe
I made it outside in time to see Victor catch up to the boy and tackle him, bringing him to the sidewalk face down.โLet me up,โ the boy yelled.โNot until the police get here,โ Victor growled. โYou just held a knife to a womanโs throat to try to rob a restaurant. Did you think you were going to walk away?โโIโm sorry, but I needed money,โ the boy said. โI need a fix. Itโs been almost a day since I had some, and my dealer wonโt give me any unless I pay for what he already fronted me.โโA fix of what?โ Victor asked, although we knew the answer.โIce,โ the boy answered. โPlease let me go. I wonโt go back into that fancy restaurant. Iโll find the money somewhere else.โโIโm not letting you go so you can rob another business,โ Victor growled. โNeeding drugs isnโt a good reason for stealing and threatening people with a knife.โโYou donโt know what itโs like, dude,โ the boy said. โWhen you donโt have any, itโs all you can think about. Wanting more chews at your soul.โโWhat other places ha
Victorโs POVI was up all night pacing the mansion as I waited for Daisy to come home.She never did.Benson told me Anna was missing too. She left with Daisy around one that afternoon to get lunch and never returned. Neither of the girls havenโt called anyone since then, and nobody has seen them.Iโm glad Daisy is not alone, but Anna being with her isnโt much comfort to me. I want my beautiful Luna back โฆnow.Walking out onto the balcony in her bedroom, I watched the sun begin to rise. I can sense sheโs alive. Adam feels Diana is out there somewhere too.โBut where,โ I groaned. The pain of our separation was tearing me apart. โWhere are you, my love?โSomeone must have taken her. She wouldnโt leave and let everyone she loved worry like this. Neither would Anna. Iโm afraid Daisy was investigating the drug ring again, and the girls got caught spying on them.Panic raced through me, and I dialed her cell again. While it rang, I drummed my fingers on the balcony railing.Just a few nigh
Daisyโs POVSomebody was moaning inches from me on my left, but I was too sleepy to wake up.The moaning sounded again, and I felt movement next to me, so I forced myself to open my eyes.Fear and confusion washed over me.โWhere am I?โ I mumbled. I was lying face up on a narrow cot, looking up at yellowing drop ceiling tiles.I tried to sit up to look around, but the motion made the room spin. A single light bulb showed me I was in a room with a concrete floor and block walls.How did I get here? Who else was here with me?โDaisy,โ Anna said. She must be lying on the cot next to mine. Her voice was as weak as I felt. โAre you alright?โโI think so,โ I replied. I wasn't in pain, and I could move everything, but why was I so drowsy and dizzy?โThat gas they shot into your truck knocked us out,โ Anna said as she tried to sit up.โIโm so thirsty,โ I murmured. I lifted my arms and realized my hands were tied together with something. โAnna, Iโm tied up.โโMe too,โ Anna said. โThey used zip
Victorโs POVThe caller ID on Daisyโs phone told me it was the unknown caller. Hopefully, they will speak to me this time. I touched accept and then speaker.โHello,โ I said. โWho is this?โA creepy, electronically altered voice answered. โIโm the person whoโs going to enjoy spending your fifty million dollars, or Iโll record the worldโs greatest snuff film and send you a copy.โโBefore I put together those funds, I want proof that you havenโt already made that film,โ I insisted.I needed to be sure my love hadn't been harmed. Money meant nothing to me compared with her life.โIโll let you talk to her tomorrow at this time,โ the voice said. โThen youโll pay up, or Daisy is dead.โThe line went dead.โWho was that?โ Benson said. โHeโs positively evil.โโHe is evil,โ Alex said. โThe device he was using couldnโt hide who he was. Itโs John Cameron.โโHe hates me and Daisy,โ I agreed. โAnd Daisy spied on an Ice dealer the other day. She thinks John is the drug boss spotted because she saw
Daisyโs POVI was dreaming about being at the beach house with Victor. In my dream, I was lying on a deck chair in the sun, watching Victor approach me to make love on the deck.He was wearing nothing but red swimming trunks low on his lean hips and that sexy smile that was just for me. I held out my arms in welcome and prepared myself for a rousing kiss.The dream was interrupted by the sound of the door to my prison closing. It made me jump to my feet, ready to fight.But it was too late. I heard the key in the lock and saw a new tray of food on the table. The men had brought our food and left.Anna and I had missed our chance to escape because we were asleep.We spent hours making a plan of attack that we thought would work the next time the men came with food.It wasnโt a sure thing we would overpower them and take the gun and the key to the door, but we would try our best.Without a window, clock, or phone, we could not know what time of day or night it was. When we grew tired af
โWe canโt panic,โ I whispered to Anna. โBut weโve got to find a way out before they think of looking for us in the ceiling.โAnna nodded. โLet's keep going. There must be a place where we can get out of the building.โCarefully and quietly, we began to crawl toward another dot of light in the distance. I prayed John and his men wouldnโt hear or sense us as we crawled over their heads.The men continued to talk as we slowly crawled along the planks above them, looking for a way out of the building.โWhat if your missing guests arenโt found?โ Kirk Sanders asked. โWhat if Daisy is already on her way back to Victor?โโThen Iโll deal with him permanently much quicker than I intended,โ John declared. โI've had enough of their interference in my plans. It wonโt be tolerated any longer.โDeal with him permanently! That had to mean he was planning to kill Victor! I had to get out of this place and warn him.After we crawled about another twenty-five feet, we stopped and lifted a ceiling tile s
Anna and I ran as fast as we could. We made it to the side of the building before I dared to look back. Three of the men had made it out of the window and were running after us.After we rounded the corner, I saw how far we were from the gate. I could see Victorโs car parked on the other side of the heavy metal slat barrier along with a half dozen police cars. But the gate was still closed and locked.The men were about to come around the corner, and there was no chance I could get to Victor before they caught us.โHide, my love,โ Victor said in my mind. โHide until I can break down this gate and get to you.โโHurry, but be careful, Victor,โ I replied. โJohn Cameron ordered his men to kill me and you.โโHide, sweetheart,โ Victor repeated. โIโll be there to help you soon. Johnโs time to terrorize us is over.โโWe must hide until Victor breaks down the gate,โ I told Anna.โWhere?โ Anna asked as we frantically looked around.There were barrels next to the building, two pickup trucks and
I woke to the enticing scent of dark roast coffee. I stretched and realized I had slept more than I thought I would that previous night. The smell of coffee grew stronger, and I felt steam on my nose.Opening my eyes, I saw Amy standing over me, waving a mug under my nose. โWakey wakey,โ she crooned. โItโs your wedding day. Victor expects to see you at the chapel in two hours.โI reached for the mug and took a sip. The coffee was laced with dark chocolate almond milk and a touch of steamed heavy cream.โMmm, thanks, Amy. Itโs just the way I like it,โ I said. โThis is such a treat.โ I stretched again and took another sip.โEnjoy it, but donโt dawdle in bed,โ Amy put her makeup bag on the nightstand. โYou need to get in the shower and wash your hair. Anna will be here to help us soon.โAfter waiting for this day to come for so long, I was both ecstatic and a little nervous that something would go wrong.โIs it really going to happen?โ I asked my best friend. โAm I really going to be his
Kayla kept her word. The estate that we named Juniper Acres because of the dozens of Juniper trees on the grounds became ours a few days after my talk with her.I liked the small trees. They had a pleasant, fresh, and woodsy scent, and the blue/ green berries were pretty and had many uses.Besides making arrangements for our wedding, Victor and I spent the last three weeks getting our mansion ready for us to move in. It was a labor of love, knowing it was all ours.We painted some of the rooms in different colors that we preferred. I especially liked the shade of yellow that we painted our breakfast room.Like Alexโs mansion, our breakfast room had many windows facing east for plenty of natural sunlight. We would enjoy our mornings together, enjoying our first cup of coffee in the room.The living room now had comfy, overstuffed furniture in light blue and walnut. The carpets and drapes were neutral colors that set off the polished wooden floors.It was an inviting room. I looked forw
Victor called the realtor while I stood beside him with my fingers crossed. There had to be a way to fix the snag, whatever it was. The estate was perfect for us. We couldnโt lose it.I heard the realtorโs voice when she answered his call. โVictor, Iโm sorry for giving you bad news.โโWhatโs the problem?โ Victor asked. His voice was calm, but I saw the tension on his face.โThe current owners of the Juniper Lane estate are two granddaughters of previous deceased owners. One of the young women refuses to sell to Miss Wilson.โPuzzled, Victor and I looked at each other.โWhy?โ Victor asked.โShe claims Miss Wilson did something to cause her problems in the past,โ the realtor responded. โI canโt change her mind. She refuses to sign the papers to finalize the sale.โDoes she know the size of the offer we made?โ Victor asked as I searched my memory for the identity of the granddaughter.But I couldnโt think of who I had angered that much. I shrugged at Victor and did a palms up.โWho is sh
โIโm sorry,โ I said and knelt down to pick up the pieces of broken glass.โThatโs alright, Miss Wilson,โ Benson said. โThomas will take care of the mess.โ He motioned to a footman. โLet me get you another glass of tea.โโAre you okay, Daisy?โ Cassidy asked. โWe shouldnโt have shocked you with the news in front of guests.โI shook my head and tried to smile. โNo, Iโm fine. I was just surprised. Congratulations. Iโm happy for both of you.โ But was I? I had been an only child since Alex found me.Even though I knew Alex would continue to love me, my only experience with having a sibling wasnโt a positive one. Andrea enjoyed making my life miserable.So, I wasnโt sure how I felt about having a half-sister or brother. However, I was sure Alex and Cassidy wouldnโt treat me like the Smiths, and Iโm optimistic the baby wouldnโt be like Andrea.But what would change in my life?โAre you sure, sweetheart?โ Alex asked. He looked concerned, and even though I had been shocked, I didnโt want to spo
Victorโs POVDaisy was terrified. I could tell she was afraid her stutter would return. If she was scared enough, it could happen. She needed my love and support.I stepped forward to kiss her cheek and whispered in her ear, โNo matter what, I love you. But you can do this. Iโm right here with you. Pick one person in the crowd and talk to them.โDaisy gave me a weak smile, and I saw her take a deep, trembling breath. She looked out at the crowd of strange faces, and I knew the instant she saw someone she recognized.It was Amy, standing with Justin, William, and Penny among the sea of reporters. They must have heard about the press conference and come to support us. They were true friends.I sensed Daisy was relaxing, and she began to speak.โWhen I was seventeen, I worked in a restaurant owned by my best friendโs father. While waiting on customers and bussing tables, I dreamed of going to college and getting my law degree.โI wanted to use that degree to help the werewolf classes who
Victor and I freshened up while trying to think about what we wanted to say. Then we went back downstairs and watched the reporters and news anchors arrive outside the mansion.โThere are so many,โ I said. โIโve never seen this many reporters at once before.โโThey are coming from other cities to be here,โ Shane said. โYour and Victorโs vision for the future is big news. There are rumors that Victor is going to quit the leadership, and youโre moving away from Denhurst.โFindlay snorted. โI heard that rumor, along with several crazier ones. I think the people need to be reassured of your good intentions for everyone.โโI can understand that,โ Victor said. โHow about you, Daisy?โAll I could do was nod. I understood, but I was growing nervous about going out there in front of such a large crowd of reporters and photographers. There were so many. It was like a sea of people forming over the vast front lawn.My hands began to tremble when the estate staff began moving the temporary stage
I cried all the way back to the mansion. Amy remained silent, patting my arm occasionally and handing me tissues when I needed them.She pulled into the driveway and to the front entrance before she spoke.โIt looks like Alex has company,โ she said. โWhoโs limos are they?โI punched the seat. โThat one is Lanaโs, and the one pulling in next to us is Lily Jamesโs. The nerve of that pushy woman. She followed us!โโBut look, Daisy,โ Amy pointed toward the front doors. โVictor is here.โI wiped my eyes and saw Victor coming toward me. He opened the car door and took me into his arms.โDonโt cry, sweetheart,โ he crooned. โGisele called and told me what happened. So I had Findlay call everyone here for a quick meeting to set them all straight.โI stopped crying and nodded even though I wasnโt sure it would help.โThis nonsense will stop now,โ Victor took my hand and helped me from the car.We waited for Amy to put the baby in the stroller before going inside.I looked around the foyer, unab
Victorโs mouth opened, but no words came out at first. Then he shook off his surprise.โAre you serious?โ he asked.โYes, Iโve been thinking about it for weeks,โ I replied.Why did Victor look so shocked? During the few times we had spoken about kids, he said he wanted a family.Tears stung my eyes, and I turned away from him. โMaybe I shouldnโt have brought it up.โVictor gently turned me around. โI know youโve been upset since Amy had the baby, but I didnโt know it was because you want one too.โโWhen I first held Brendre, I felt such a rush of love that it was all I could think about for days,โ I explained. โI never thought much of babies before. I think it's because my adoptive parents rejected me when they had their own baby.โโThat makes sense.โ Victor took my hand and started walking down the beach again. โAnyone would feel that way.โโHolding Amyโs baby made me realize I very much want to be a mother,โ I said. โAnd I donโt want to wait a long time to start our family.โโWhat a
Daisyโs POVI couldn't believe Victor was leaving. Couldnโt he stay with me at the beach house for just one day?An emptiness in the pit of my stomach started when he turned to leave. It grew after he went out the door. Through our bond, I felt his painful, churning emotions and wondered if he was finished with me.I couldnโt lose him! Iโd return to Denhurst this minute and marry him in any ceremony his mother wanted. The only thing that really mattered about my wedding was Victor must be the groom.I had to stop him from leaving. I needed to know what was on his mind and in his heart.Running out the door after him, I saw him climb into his car and start the engine.โNo!โ I cried as I jumped in front of the Lamborghini. โDonโt leave me, Victor. I love you!โThe Lamborghiniโs engine stopped, and Victor leaped out of the driverโs seat. He hurried to my side.โWhy wonโt you stay with me?โ I asked.โI thought you wanted to be here alone,โ Victor replied. His body was trembling with emoti