Jairo had been restless all day. His office was littered with reports, invoices, shipment plans, and the design samples for EC’s photoshoot, but he couldn’t focus on any of it. His mind kept drifting to her.Donald had just found a trail leading to who might be the rat in their operation, but he couldn't grasp anything he was saying. He had only told his right-hand to handle it and simply bring the person to him not puzzles. Noon had come and gone, and she still wasn’t back. His men sent him a message that she was heading to an apartment. He immediately understood she had planned to stay there for a while. She could have just told him she wanted to go alone and he would have let her. Instead, she had walked out on him with venom in her words and left his chest tightening ever since.He replayed the scene over and over, trying to find the reason behind her anger. His jaw clenched as his thoughts drifted to last night, the moment he wanted her to give him a hand job. Was that why she w
The sun wasn’t fully up when Jairo slipped out of Kara’s room. She couldn’t bring herself to close her eyes again. She laid there, staring at the curtains where the faint light pushed through. The morning air felt heavy and so did her chest.She felt numb. Completely numb. Maybe it was because she didn’t know who she was anymore. Every piece of her felt owned like she wasn’t allowed to breathe on her own. She couldn’t even decide simple things without him hovering. She had never in her life felt so useless. Her career was gone because someone out there wanted to hurt her, and she couldn’t fight it. She had to rely on him even when she didn't want to. Her vision blurred with tears before it slid into her right eye.The sudden vibration of her phone on the nightstand interrupted her thoughts. She ignored it at first, pressing her palm against her forehead. But something deep in her gut told her to answer.She grabbed the phone and the name flashing across the screen made her sit up str
Donald stopped in front of his apartment door, a frown crossing his face when he noticed it wasn’t fully shut. His hand instinctively went behind him, gripping the gun tucked at his back. The uneasiness in his chest deepened as he pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside.The living room was dark, carrying that eerie stillness that made his skin prickle. His free hand searched for the light switch along the wall.The second the light came on, a voice cut through the silence.“Surprise!”His eyes landed on Lina standing in the middle of the room, arms spread wide, her smile glowing. His hand stayed firm on the gun, hidden behind him. She was dressed in a short red satin dress that clung to her curves, the hem barely brushing the top of her thighs. The fabric shimmered under the light, matching the glossy lipstick she had chosen. Her legs were long and bare and she curled her hair loose around her shoulders.In her hands, she held a small cake — red velvet, decorated with cream s
“Mr. Vitale, I am very sorry for what my boys did. They didn’t know who you are. Please, pardon them,” the chief officer pleaded, palms pressed together nervously while Jairo sat across from him with his legs crossed, calm yet intimidating.The officer who had cuffed Jairo stood in the corner, stiff, his face etched with confusion as he watched the scene unfold. His boss gave him a sharp signal to step forward and apologize, but the man hesitated. Who the hell was this criminal that even his boss was begging him?“Come forward, Jeff!” the chief officer barked, losing patience. He yanked the officer closer, nearly slamming his head on the desk before forcing him down to his knees in front of Jairo.Jairo’s lazy eyes flicked over the man kneeling before him. Beneath that calm look, there was fire — pride, anger, resistance — but Jairo’s face didn’t change. He leaned forward slowly, his movements measured.The chief officer gulped hard, his heart pounding. Fifteen years in service, he ha
Luci stormed into the house with Kara following behind, her temper blazing hot.“We can’t just leave him there, can we?” she snapped, her hands flailing in frustration. “How can you be so selfish, Alejandro? You dragged me back home like I’m a child!” her voice echoed through the walls, sharp and restless.Kara didn’t say a word. She dropped onto the couch and buried her hands in her hair, her chest tight with unspoken worries. Smith, Brie, and Elizabeth quickly rushed out of the house when they heard the commotion.Alejandro stood tall, his face firm but his voice steady. “He wouldn’t want me to take you to the police station, miss. And let’s be honest, your presence there wouldn’t have changed anything.”Luci’s eyes widened in disbelief. She stepped forward, blocking his path with a fire in her chest.“Take. That. Back,” she demanded, shoving him hard. Her voice cracked with anger. “I saved your goddamn employer from getting shot and you stand there acting like I’m useless? You shou
He stepped into the supermarket with his senses sharp, every nerve in his body on high alert. His hand was firm on the gun, hidden close to his body as his eyes scanned the aisles. He had already dialed his men, telling them to head over but for now he was alone. The three men in black suits moved through the crowd, their eyes locked on someone. He followed their line of sight and realized they were going for his niece as he had feared. His jaw clenched. He raised his gun with a smooth practiced, that was when chaos broke as he shot towards the men. Shoppers screamed in unison. People ducked, some abandoning their carts diving behind shelves. Luci had been muttering curses under her breath as she picked up what she came for, still irritated with her uncle’s suffocating attitude. The pack of tampons in her hand slipped when she heard the piercing screams. She straightened quickly, confusion etching her face, only to see three men charging toward her. Instinct screamed at her to run