Semua Bab Falling For The Billionaire I Was Hired to Protect : Bab 71 - Bab 80

The car ride back to the penthouse was quiet. The city lights shimmered outside like they were mocking them, bright, peaceful, and so unlike the storm that brewed inside Jace’s chest. River sat beside him, leaning against the window, eyes half-open, clearly exhausted. Jace wanted to reach out and hold his hand, but he didn’t want to push him.Their short vacation, the week they were supposed to spend away from everything, had ended before it even began.Jace clenched his fists on his lap, his mind running wild with everything Sasha had told him over the phone. River had been kidnapped, shot at, and almost killed. And now, even back home, they weren’t safe.The elevator doors opened, and they stepped into the penthouse. The air inside felt strangely heavy, like the building itself knew something was wrong.Sasha and Leo were already there, standing in the middle of the living room. Leo’s arms were crossed, and Sasha looked tense, her phone still in her hand. But the moment they saw Riv

River stood on the balcony of the penthouse, the city lights glowing beneath him like broken glass. The air was cold, sharp against his skin, but it helped him think. He had been restless all day, unable to shake off the feeling that his father wasn’t done yet. Dominic Hale was never satisfied with small victories, he liked to break things completely before walking away.Inside, he could hear the faint sound of Jace typing on his laptop. It was comforting, that quiet rhythm of keys, but also a reminder of how much River stood to lose.He glanced back once before stepping farther onto the balcony, pulling out his phone. His fingers trembled slightly as he scrolled through his contacts, stopping at a name that made his chest tighten. Dad.He hesitated for a few seconds, then pressed call.The line rang once, twice, then clicked.“Well,” Dominic’s voice came, low and cold. “Didn’t think you’d have the guts to call me.”River swallowed hard. “I’m not here to argue. I just want you to stop

The ocean breeze brushed softly against Jace’s face as he sat on the sandy beach beside River. The sun was dipping low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink. The gentle crash of waves filled the quiet space between them, calm and soothing.It had been River’s idea to come here....“We both need a break,” he’d said that morning, tugging Jace out of the penthouse before he could argue. And now, sitting there barefoot, jeans rolled up, and hair blowing in the salty wind, Jace realized how much he’d missed feeling this free.River leaned back on his hands, looking at the horizon. “You know,” he said with a small grin, “if someone told me a year ago that I’d be sitting on a beach talking about life with a billionaire, I’d have laughed.”Jace chuckled softly. “And if someone told me I’d fall for my bodyguard, I’d have fired them for saying nonsense.”River turned his head, smiling wide. “Oh, really?”“Yes,” Jace teased, lips curving playfully. “I’d have said, ‘My bodygu

The morning light filtered through the tall glass windows of Jace’s office, throwing soft golden stripes across his desk. He was reviewing a few files when Sasha walked in with two cups of coffee in hand. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and she looked far too cheerful for someone who’d spent half the night watching The Vampire Diaries.“Good morning, boss,” she said with a grin, placing a cup on his desk.Jace looked up and smiled slightly. “You’re in a good mood today.”Sasha shrugged, sitting down across from him. “Maybe because I finally got some proper sleep. And maybe because someone made me breakfast this morning.”Jace leaned back, raising an eyebrow. “Someone named Leo, perhaps?”Her cheeks turned pink instantly. “I didn’t say that.”“You didn’t have to.” He smirked. “It’s written all over your face.”Sasha sighed dramatically, hiding behind her coffee cup. “Fine. Maybe I do like him a little.”Jace chuckled. “A little? Sasha, you were blushing so hard last night I thoug

Mirinda wrists ached from the tight ropes, her eyes swollen from crying. She could barely lift her head, but when the door creaked open again, her heart thudded hard.Dominic walked in first, his black coat brushing the floor. He carried that same cruel calmness he always had, cold, deliberate, and patient like a predator waiting for his prey to stumble. Eli followed behind, quieter, but his face held a mix of anger and uncertainty.Dominic smiled when he saw her. “Still comfortable?” he asked mockingly.Miranda’s lips trembled. “Please,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “You don’t have to do this. I told you everything I know about River. There’s nothing else.”Dominic tilted his head, walking around her slowly. “See, that’s where you’re wrong,” he said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “There’s always something else. Everyone hides something, especially the people River surrounds himself with. He’s too careful, too secretive. But everyone cracks eventually.”Eli stood by the door,