LOGINLillian stepped out, her beige trench coat dancing behind her. The sun reflected over the sleek jet waiting before her. The kind of sight that felt like a big dream. Just a few months ago, she was pleading for mercy from Alexander, fighting back tears and exhaustion. Now she was boarding his private jet and heading to different countries with him. “Why walk slowly?” Alex asked from behind her. She turned slightly. He stood there, tall and cold. His hands were in his pocket, and he wasn’t smiling. But something about him made her a little scared. He looked untouchable, powerful and dangerous. Lillian swallowed and followed his lead up the stairs. The flight attendants greeted them with warm smiles as they entered the cabin. Alex gestured towards a seat by the window. “We leave in five minutes.”Lillian nodded quietly and slipped into the seat. She looked through the oval window, looking at the sky. For a moment, she was just a girl about to see Paris. When the engines started, h
Lillian waved at Jessie and Justin as the elevator door slid shut. Jessie stood frozen in the hallway; her heart was pounding hard enough to hurt. She leaned against the wall and let out a deep breath. It felt like Alex had taken the air with him; like the moment he walked out, something in the penthouse changed. Everything suddenly felt colder.Even now, she could still feel his presence. That quiet, commanding authority that clung to him like a shadow.Alexander Nick didn’t need to yell to make his point. He didn’t need to threaten or lift a finger. His silence did all the talking. Sharp, cold, and calculated.Jessie rubbed her arms as goosebumps appeared on her skin.“Oh my God,” she whispered under her breath.When she turned, Justin was still curled up on the couch, holding a pillow tight like it was a shield. His wide hazel eyes darted toward her, which were filled with fear.“Are you okay, sweetheart?” she asked softly, forcing a smile on her face.He nodded his head. “He’s… s
It was a Saturday morning, and the sun rose softly, reflecting through the thin curtains of Lillian’s room. Everywhere was quiet, and the only noise was the sound of chirping birds and the faint hum of the air conditioner. Beside her door was a small packed suitcase, which reminded her of her trip to Paris with Alex. She had just come back from Italy, and now she is going to France.The thought alone should have filled her with excitement since she had always dreamt of travelling around the world. But instead, there was only that heavy and anxious twist deep inside her chest. Travelling with someone like Alex wasn't some romantic escape. It was business. Cold, dangerous business. Lillian stared at herself in the mirror; her hair hung loose over her shoulders, and she applied a little make-up. A little pink blush on her cheeks, mascara on her lashes and a nude glossy lipstick. “Are you ready?” A voice came in from her room. Ibis's voice was deep and firm. The kind that carried aut
The penthouse dining room was way too fancy. It was all shiny, and the chandelier sparkled. Lillian felt very satisfied, not because of the meal alone but because she was certain that Jessie and Justin were living well.The sun came in through the huge window and made stripes on the floor where Justin played with his toys. The turkey on the table looked like it had been through a rough battle. They had already eaten half of it. There were bowls of salad and a jug of orange juice. “I’m full,” Jessie said, shoving her plate away a long time ago, but Lillian knew that look. Jessie wasn't full. She looked worried. Justin flew his toy over the table, growling in a voice that sounded like a helicopter. He bounced off, and his little toy plopped into Lillian’s water. She gently took it out and wiped it with her napkin. “Easy there, Pilot,” she said, with a grin as she handed the toy over to Justin. Justin's big hazel eyes snapped up to her. He dropped the toy like he had lost interest.
Lillian’s POV:Soft, golden morning sunlight filtered through the bedroom's curtains. For a while, I lay there looking up at the ceiling.It's been a week since Alex and I returned from Italy, and I have been seriously training since then with the help of Alex and his bodyguards. My ribs and femur were aching from punching and spending too much time in the gym, but I feel myself getting stronger and more powerful as the day goes by. I sensed kg in my movements, in the way I resisted Marcus's padded knife and stopped flinching when he corrected my movements. I was advancing and making progress. I rolled out of bed and stepped into the running shower. Steam curled around me, the water scalding at first, then cooling as it ran down my back. My hair was dark and heavy against my skin as I tipped my head to let it soak. I tried to keep my mind still and block the noise in my head. The fear, the guilt and the never-ending cycle of what-ifs by closing my eyes. What if Justin hated me f
Lillian’s POV:It was a rainy evening, and the car ride was a blur. The sun had already set, and everywhere was becoming dark. My heart skipped a beat when Alex’s hand moved through his jacket to his gun. His eyes were on the rare mirror as he silently watched the black SUV behind us. The driver accelerated at full speed, and the SUV eventually fell back and disappeared in the dark. Alex has made so many enemies that I am very sure he doesn't know which mafia boss is after his life. The thought of everything made my stomach numb, and I felt weak. I couldn't believe that I had been pulled into something I never thought existed. Mafia. We reached the estate after a while, and the iron gate opened. I was so exhausted that I could barely keep my eyes open. My legs were heavy as I dragged myself into the mansion. Alex didn't look at me. He didn't even speak. His focus was on the shadow around us, and he was busy sending signals to all of his bodyguards. I wanted to speak. To ask if







