All Chapters of THE CEO’S DIRTY SECRET: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

STELLA“Stella…”The way he whispered my name was unlike anything I’d ever heard it was soft, gentle, tender. It made my heart flutter, pulling me out from the depths of sleep.He was warmer than my dream, sweeter than any fantasy. For a moment I didn’t want to open my eyes, just stay wrapped in his arms.That was when I realized oh shit I was in his arms. Like, really in his arms. He held me when I was supposed to have pushed him away. But I let him.When my eyes flashed open, reality hit me like a huge truck. I was mortified at what I was seeing.My hand… my hand was inside his pants.I froze. I looked around—we were no longer in the sitting room, now I was in his bedroom, dozing up against him without even knowing.My entire body locked up, heat rushing up my face and spreading through me. What the hell? When did all this even? My brain scrambled for answers, but there was no explaining the way my fingers were curled against the hard heat of him, no explaining the way my pulse poun

NICHOLAS We had a deal and I paid you in full, Mr. Don. Now where is the box I paid for? I said, the frustration in my voice slowly surfacing.He sat calmly, like what I was clearly saying didn’t faze him even a little bit. “Mr. Ford, you will get your payment back in full, but as for the box—I’m sorry, it was stolen.”He leaned back on the chair, calm the entire time. When he spoke, I felt my anger skyrocket and I wanted to rip his head off.“What do you mean it got stolen? You guys are a criminal organisation, how does someone steal from you?”My fist clenched under the desk. Stolen. It felt like my nails could tear into my skin. I didn’t know why, but it felt like this was a joke to him, and I was insulted.Don didn’t flinch. He took a drag of his cigar, smoke coming out of his mouth like he had all the time in the world and I was just a kid throwing a tantrum.“Mr. Ford,” he leaned forward, “you are not the only one looking for that box. And if it was taken from us, you should kn

JAMES “Sakamoto Tomashi,” I said, walking towards him, a drink in hand, the bartender hovering just in front of him.“It’s been a while.” I slid into the seat next to him. The bar wasn’t crowded most people were lost in the music or drowning themselves in their glasses.Sakamoto turned his head to look at me, and that’s when I pulled my gun, pressing the cold metal against his back.He smirked. “James,” he said, with no trace of Chinese in his accent though he looked completely Chinese. “You look like a desperate man. Have you been getting enough sleep lately?”I pressed the gun deeper into his back. He let out a laugh before gesturing to the bartender to pour him another drink. “James, we both know you are not going to pull the trigger.”“Wanna find out?” I whispered.“We’ve all heard about you how weak you became. One of the most feared killers, a predator. But leaving the Triad? You became weak. That’s how I know you’re not going to kill me.”I leaned in close, close enough that h

STELLA“Stella… Stella…”I heard him calling my name, and slowly I opened my eyes. My entire body felt stiff. I was on the chair, and James stood in front of me.“James…” I said slowly, blinking and rubbing my eyes. “What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be home resting.”“Stella,” he said softly, “you’ve been here for twelve hours. I think it’s time you went home.”“No.” I shook my head stubbornly, sitting up straight despite the ache in my back and the sleep still weighing on me. “I’m not leaving her alone, James.”He sighed, running a hand through his hair—that familiar gesture he always did when torn between anger and worry. Then he crouched in front of me, his eyes softer now.“Stella, you’ve been pushing yourself too hard,” he said gently but firmly. “You can’t help anybody if you collapse right here in the hospital. Please, just go home—even if it’s only for a few hours—and rest.”I swallowed hard, my throat dry, my body exhausted. “What if something happens w

STELLAThe steady rhythm of her breathing was the most beautiful sound I’d heard all week. James’ mom looked stronger now—no longer pale, no shaky hands. She was much better.I saw the weight lift from James’ shoulders, even if just a little. I saw the way her face lit up whenever I stepped into the room.I was getting ready to leave when the doctor stepped in, James behind him.“Mrs. Hawthorne, you are getting discharged today,” he said. I was pretty sure I was more excited than she was.James smiled at her, then at me. I quickly looked away, butterflies fluttering in my stomach.When the doctor left, the room was silent for a moment before I finally spoke.“Mrs. Hawthorne, I can stay for a couple of days—until you’re back on your feet.”James turned to me, surprised. “You don’t have to do that, Stella. I can just hire someone.”“Why the hell are you both speaking like I’m an old lady about to die? I’m only fifty-five. Stella, bless your heart, sweetheart—I’d really love it if you st