LOGINVivienneThe courtyard was already packed by the time I stepped into it, the noise low but heavy, and I felt every single gaze turn toward me the moment my boots touched the stone, the weight of it pressing down but not slowing me, because if I stopped now, even for a second, I knew I wouldnât move again.The sun sat high, too bright for what this was, lighting everything clearly, no shadows to hide in, no darkness to soften the edges, just truth laid bare in front of everyone, and I walked straight into it, shoulders back, head high, even though my chest felt tight and my pulse was already picking up.Across the courtyard, I saw them.Marcusâ men.My men or at least⊠they used to be.They stood in formation behind him, armored, sharp, eyes cold, but I knew those faces, knew the way they held themselves, the discipline I had drilled into them, the loyalty I had built from nothing, and seeing them there under him, wearing his mark, following his lead⊠it twisted something deep in my gu
VivienneâYou⊠you want to fight me for your freedom?âMarcusâ laughter exploded through the room, loud and mocking, the kind that made people shift where they stood because it carried too much arrogance and certainty, like he had already won before anything even started, and I just stood there watching him, face blank, hands relaxed at my sides even though I could feel the tension crawling under my skin, because reacting to him was exactly what he wanted.âThe match will be held tomorrow. Be on time.âDanteâs voice cut through the noise, calm and controlled, and it didnât matter that Marcus was still smiling like this was all a joke, the authority in that tone settled things, pulled the room back into order without effort, and for a second even Marcus paused before turning back to me, the amusement fading from his face as something sharper replaced it.âYouâre serious about fighting me,â he said, studying me now, really looking at me like he was trying to peel me open and see what wa
VivienneâOuch, that hurts!â I cried out as Kaneâs punch sent me crashing hard against the mat, my back slamming into the ground in a way that knocked the air clean out of my lungs, and for a second all I could do was lie there staring at the ceiling, trying to remember how breathing worked while pain spread through my ribs like fire.âWell, Marcus wonât go easy on you,â Kane said, not even sounding sorry as he stood over me, arms loose at his sides like he hadnât just hit me across the room, his expression flat and unimpressed. âSo donât expect me to go easy on you like Asher or Ryker.âI sucked in a breath, rolled onto my side, and glared up at him, irritation rising fast despite the ache in my body.âHello? They werenât easy on me,â I shot back, pushing myself up on my elbows. âDo you think I was dancing in the field with them?âHe scoffed, rolling his eyes like I had just said something stupid, and before I could even get fully to my feet, he moved fast, it was actually too fast.
VivienneI held the book tight against my chest as I moved quickly through the corridor, my steps uneven but fast because my mind was already ahead of me, replaying the lines I had read over and over again until they made sense, until they stopped looking like old useless words and started looking like a weapon I could actually use, and even though my body was tired from staying up all night in that dusty library, I didnât feel it much right now because something inside me was lit up, sharp and alive.For the first time since Marcus walked in and turned everything upside down, I wasnât guessing or reacting or waiting for someone else to fix it.I had something and it felt damn good.I didnât bother knocking. I pushed the office door open and stepped in, already breathing a little faster than normal, and just like I expected, they were all there.Dante stood by his desk with a file in his hand, Kane near the window looking like he hadnât moved from that spot in hours, Ryker leaning aga
VivienneMy heart was spiking madly, not the controlled kind of fast but the messy, uneven kind that came when your body knew danger before your mind could fully process it, and for a second I hated it because I wasnât supposed to react like this anymore, not to him or the past I had already buried and clawed my way out of, but Marcus had a way of dragging things back to the surface just by existing.Before the panic could settle in properly, the men moved.Not dramatically or in a way that would draw attention, but it was there, subtle and solid as they shifted closer around me, Kane on one side, Ryker slightly behind, Asher too close to my right, Dante stepping just ahead like a quiet wall between me and whatever was waiting inside that room, and it grounded me in a way I didnât expect, the chaos in my chest slowing just enough for me to breathe again.âCalm down,â Kane muttered low enough that only I heard, his voice rough but steady, and even though he didnât touch me, the heat of
VivienneI was still going through my phone, scrolling through scanned pages of old laws and half-forgotten underworld clauses while food sat in front of me getting cold, and even though I knew exactly how ridiculous that looked, I didnât stop because my mind wouldnât let me. Every line I read felt like it could be the missing piece, the one loophole that would save all of us from Marcusâs stupid claim, and I couldnât afford to relax, not when I knew how dangerous that man was and how far he was willing to go just to drag me back down.The dining table was quiet in a way that wasnât normal for us, it was not loud or chaotic kind I had gotten used to, but something more controlled, like everyone was watching their steps around something fragile. I could feel their eyes on me every now and then, especially his, but I kept my focus on the screen, thumb moving, eyes scanning, refusing to look up because the moment I did, I knew Iâd get distracted.And I couldnât afford that.Not now.âEa
Vivienneâs POVKaneâs eyes were on me, glaring like he wanted to eat me, and I cringed at the thought because the way he stared was too intense, too raw, like he could already taste me on his tongue and was fighting the urge to take a bite right here in front of everyone. The restaurant noise fad
VIVIENNE POVWalking back to the villa with the girls was wild in a way that made my chest ache, like I was watching someone elseâs life from the inside out.Mara and Maya were arm in arm, arguing about the dumbest thing, if tomato counts as a fruit, or some other nonsense Iâd usually roll my eyes
Kaneâs pov I watched as her pulse hammered against my palm fast and excited. Her eyes widened, pupils blowing dark, but she didnât fight, she just stared up at me, waiting and I hated that... Vivienne would never do this, she would have attacked me with her hands, legs or that sharp mouth of her
Danteâs POVWatching Vivienne live in an eating competition was both intriguing and extremely funny and well, a bit disturbing. The screen showed the crowded restaurant, tables pushed aside to make room for the long wooden platform where contestants sat in a row like soldiers at war. Big spotli







