LOGINI held the phone to my ear, listening to it ring once, twice, three times. No answer.I immediately dialed again. On the second ring, a familiar, drawling voice filled my receiver."Well, well. I haven't heard from the big boss in a while, thought you'd forgotten I even existed."My jaw tightened instantly. I didn't like Michael one bit. He was undeniably the best private investigator in the state, but he was also the most annoying, unserious bastard I had ever met."I need your help," I said, cutting straight through the pleasantries."Good afternoon too sir, and yes it's nice hearing from you again. What I'm I needed for?" Michael asked, his tone shifting into something much more sultry"Someone is coming after me," I said, my eyes scanning the quiet hospital corridor. "Not the rival syndicates. Someone is targeting me specifically, and I am certain it is an insider."A brief silence hung on the line before Michael let out a quiet hum. "Let me guess. Does this have anything to do wi
I ran outside, moving with lightning speed. I ran straight past Kate's father, whose eyes widened in sudden surprise as he spotted Chloe slung limply over my shoulder. He didn't even have the courage to stand up to meet me.I reached the driveway, barked an order to another one of my guards, and yanked open the door of a another car. We sped away immediately, tearing down the tarmac in the exact direction of the private hospital.The words written on the paper by in Chloe's room echoed relentlessly inside my skull: HOW SAFE IS KATE IN YOUR FILTHY WORLD, LORENZO?Someone was deliberately playing sick mind games with me. My world was dirty, yes, and I had spent my entire life putting people firmly in their place. But a physical note left inside my fortress? This was completely different. Someone had breached my estate, bypassing top-tier security and surveillance, just to threaten Kate right under my roof. It was probably the exact same bastard who had clipped those private videos and l
He stared down at me, his wide, twisted smile almost completely repulsive."From now on, girl," he rasped out, his voice sounding like broken glass, "you are my pawn. You will do exactly as I instruct if you want to stay alive."I nodded quickly, squeezing my eyes shut to keep from looking directly at his melted face.Before I could pull away, his rough hand shot forward, catching my chin in a iron grip and forcing my face up to meet his dark, crazed eyes."For now, your only job is to stay quiet," he warned, his breath cold against my skin. "If you say a single word about me to anyone, I will hunt you down and I will kill you. You are not to tell Lorenzo about my existence, and you will be present anytime I call for you. Do you understand me?""Yes," I squeaked out, sweating profusely as cold horror dripped down my back. "I'll– I'll do just that"He eyed me up and down for a second, then gave a single nod before letting go of my chin and standing up. "Camilla will give you your next
~ Chloe ~I turned back to the sound of Kate's body hitting the ground, I walked towards the door and gasped. I stared down at Kate's still form on the carpet, completely confused.I hadn't even touched her. What had happened? I looked down at Kate wondering what on earth had just happened. I tried telling myself she was just playing some stupid, dramatic game to make me feel guilty.I crossed my arms tight over my chest, taking two reluctant steps toward her. "Kate? Get up. Stop being ridiculous."Kate didn't move an inch. She lay there cold and motionless on the floor.Panic was slowly creeping into my throat, sharp and icy. I was lowkey terrified of Lorenzo. If he found her like this, he would think I had done something, he was going to kill me I extended my foot and nudged her shoulder with the toe of my shoe. "Kate, come on. Stop this isn't funny"She didn't budge.My heart began pounding wildly against my ribs. Kate was never the type of person to play these kinds of games. Ter
I stared up at Lorenzo, completely speechless for a few seconds before asking him what he meant.Lorenzo took a step back, crossing his arms. "Someone maxed out my black card an hour ago, Kate."I blinked, staring at him blankly. I turned around and rushed over to the wardrobe, checking for the bag I had carried with me this morning and the day before. Then I remembered—I had left the bag sitting on the nightstand in the guest room where my father was staying.I hurried toward the bedroom door, but Lorenzo reached out and caught my wrist, pulling me back. "If you lost the card, Kate, just tell me. I can call the bank right now and freeze the account.""I didn't lose it," I said, my heart suddenly hammering against my ribs. "I kept it in my bag, and I left it downstairs."I pulled my arm free and hurried past Lorenzo, panic flaring in my chest. I prayed silently as I rushed down the stairs. Please, God, let it not be what I was thinking. Please let it not be Chloe who had taken my bag
I walked into the kitchen, my feet dragging against the cold marble floor. The moment I pushed the heavy door open, my eyes landed on Camilla. She was leaning gracefully against the island counter, sipping slowly from a tall glass of wine.My heart jumped straight into my throat. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to pull back and leave, but I forced myself to keep moving forward toward the cabinets. I picked up a few glass bowls and utensils, trying to see if I could fix something light for my father and Chloe for breakfast. Camilla eyed me over the rim of her glass as I walked, her gaze sharp and dangerous.I reached for the upper shelf, my hands trembling slightly as I grabbed a wooden spoon.Camilla set her glass down onto the counter with a quiet, sharp clink. "The fuck do you think you are doing?"I froze on the spot, turning around with the bowl clutched against my chest. "I... I was trying to make breakfast.""Are you actually trying to cook in my kitchen?" Camilla aske







