ASHLEYThis was a getaway I didn't know I needed. I didn't know how much I needed to step out of my comfort zone until this getaway trip. It was that breath of fresh air I didn't know I needed. If there was any word I could use other than beautiful, I would. Breathtaking doesn't cut it, even. The Maldives are beyond beautiful. It was irresistible with its white beaches, turquoise sea, blue lagoons, colorful marine life, and many palm trees. Emphasis on the palm trees.The cool breeze right outside the resort I was currently sprawled on the sun-lounger, blew my hair in different directions and I giggled at how it tickled my skin. I was wrapped lazily in a white robe that exposed my unclad thighs, being kissed by the gentle breeze. The sight of the clear golden sand surrounded by beautiful palm trees and a turquoise-blue sea, moving with soft waves, was appealing. I have been here for the past hour, relishing the view our resort had to offer.The girls made sure we got a suite with the

ASHLEYI stopped breathing.I couldn't feel the air in my lungs anymore, and it was like that for several seconds. My head pounded with a terrible headache that threatened to split my head into two, my eyes stinging with hot tears, and my throat clogged with sobs.I was looking him right in the eye. The same man that stripped me of my innocence. The same man who was the first man to go in between my legs. The same man to whom my body reacted to his touch like I had known him for years. The same man that plagued my dreams and nearly ran me mad. The same man I thought I had escaped from, and would never cross paths with him.The headlines in the newspaper flashed in my head and I groaned.Jaxon Arden Gray. The Leader of the Vixen Mafia.All his presence did was bring back unwanted thoughts that had tossed me into one of the darkest periods in my life. The guilt, the hate, the self-loath, and disgust, alongside utter regret. It didn't help that I couldn't even stop staring at him. I coul

JAXONMy fingers moved on the screen of my phone as I tapped away on it, the air in the car filled with so much tension that I could barely hear either the driver or Duncan breathe. With the silence that reigned in the air, I wouldn't have been surprised if I heard a pin drop. I looked up from my phone, looking straight ahead, and the pace at which the car moved became slower as we approached the enormous Warehouse. There was no other building in view apart from the warehouse that occupied a vast amount of land with the rest being smooth tarred roads.The car came to a stop and the driver pulled over at a safe distance. I didn't want to alert them of my arrival. It was a beautiful day to catch some lying bastards. I was in a shitty mood and I was sure that I wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet through anyone's head. Duncan got out of the car and held the door for me so that I could step out. I smoothed the non-existence crease on my shirt and advanced to the quiet building. He pressed

ASHLEY"You have a week, Peach.""You have a week, Peach."Fuck, no…"I'm not a very patient man, so please, don't get me mad by wasting my time."No…"I want you, Peach and I will stop at nothing until I get you."God, what the hell have I gotten myself into? It's been three days since we last spoke and no matter how hard I tried to assure myself that he was just bluffing, there was this dark feeling that gnawed at my guts, telling me to wake the hell up and that I wasn't dreaming. This was reality and what I was running from had finally caught up with me. It left me wondering why it always had to be me. Why was this happening when I had just begun to get my life back? When I thought I could finally move past what happened, my demons and my secrets came knocking. I could see the look in those green eyes when he spoke to me. The determination his eyes held burned like wildfire and he wasn't in the least interested in hiding it. He wanted me to see that he meant every word. Out of the

ASHLEY"What the hell?" I asked no one in particular as I tried igniting the engine of my car but it wasn't coming on. I hissed through my teeth and picked up my phone that was lying on the seat beside me, powering it to check the time. God, I needed no soothsayer to tell me how late I was. I groaned and got out of the car, slamming the door shut before I proceeded to open the bonnet. Not like I knew anything, I was going to check in there. I scrunch my face, tapping the battery with the tip of my blood-red nails."Oh come on!" I whined."Just fucking start already!" I snapped. I crouched softly, taking one of my stilettos off and hitting the pencil sole on the car battery, hoping it would miraculously make the car come alive. After trying to no avail, I wore my shoes and went into the car to get my bag, deciding to order a ride. Genevieve would chew me raw if I didn't get to that office in twenty minutes.I locked the car and waited for my ride, which pulled over in front of my house