Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 50

ELENA’S POV “Are you begging to get yourself killed?”The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. Sharp and panicked. He had the audacity to step his foot on BlackThorne property when everyone knew they were rivals up to the point that they'd kill just to get back at each other.Stupidity was not a word big enough to describe it.Jason’s lips curved under his mask like he was entertained. Like this was a game night and not a suicide mission.“If Adrian finds out you’re a Carter….. He'll end you….and me….Is he a fucking joke to you?”“Easy,” he interrupted, guiding me into a slow turn as the orchestra swelled. His hand was firm on my back, like he had practiced specifically for that moment and I hated to admit that he was annoyingly good. “Was it such a crime to come see how my cousin is faring?.....as a trophy wife!”My stomach dropped.This room suddenly felt too bright. Too loud and I could feel heat crawling up my skin. “You shouldn’t be here,” I whispered, forcing m

Elena’s POV“Why is that man still standing there?”That was the first thing I said in a dramatic whisper. I was just confused and irritated, like someone had left the stove on.Adrian’s hand tightened around mine.“He shouldn’t be there,......and I didn't hire a stage performer” he said flatly.The masked man leaned over the balcony rail like he was about to announce raffle numbers.“Is this part of the program?” a woman behind me asked.“No,” someone else muttered. “This wasn’t on the invite.”Adrian lifted his wrist, jaw tight.“Miles,” he said sharply. “Get him off the stage. Now.”Nothing.“Miles,” he repeated. “I’m not joking.”Static crackled faintly through his earpiece…..I saw his brows drop.I looked up at him. “Adrian?”His face had gone still in a way that made my stomach drop.“Miles,” he said again, slower now. “Answer me.”The masked man chuckled into the mic.“Ah,” he said. “That’s adorable……You still think you’re in control.”A ripple of unease spread through the ball

Adrian's POV “Jesus….Knight…..don’t do that.”Knight skidded across the marble floor and slammed into my legs like a missile with fur, tail going insane, nails clicking everywhere. I barely caught myself on the console table.“Yeah,” I muttered, bending to scratch behind his ears. “Missed you too.”The penthouse was quiet….as the sound of morning breeze kissed my face.I shut the door behind me and stood there longer than necessary, my hand still on the handle, like if I opened it again this would all reset. No masked lunatic……No tape……No Elena walking away from me in front of half of New York’s elite.Not her looking at me like I was a stranger. In her defense, I was just a stranger.Knight whined softly, nudging my knee.“I know,” I told him. “Me too.”My phone buzzed in my hand. I hadn’t even realized I was holding it.Nothing useful, really……Rumors.Messages from people who suddenly remembered my number only when scandals surfaced.A board member asking if we needed to “get ahe

ADRIAN'S POV“Bravo, Adrian. Davvero brillante.”(Bravo, Adrian. Truly brilliant.)I was talking to myself again…. something I only did when I admitted I had done something stupid…. even with my blinding ego.The study smelled like citrus cleaner and burning hot scotch.The city hummed outside the glass walls was indifferent and overstimulating. My phone won’t shut up—press alerts, missed calls, messages I don’t have the stomach to open…. from investors, business, partners and my family.Trust my uncle to text and call 15 times.I grabbed the glass paperweight on my desk and threw it.It exploded against the wall….shattering into tiny bits.Glass rains down like small snowflakes.“ Fuck…….Great work, asshole,” I mutter. “You finally had something good going, and you set it on fire.”I paced fast then faster running my already cold hand through my hair.The video…….The masked freak at the galaElena walking away from me like I’d just confirmed her worst fear…..and Cate disappointed

ELENA'S POV Liam slowed the car the second the neon sign came into view. I didn't look at him to see the confusion on his face Pink and blue lights flickering exactly the same like it did all those years ago.He squinted through the windshield.“…Elena.”I unbuckle my seatbelt.“Elena,” he says again, this time sharper. “Why are we here?”I open the door. “Park.”“That’s not an answer.”“Shut up and park….goddamit!”I stepped out before he could say anything else. The air smelled like rain and cheap vodka. God…… I forgot how much I missed this.Liam followed me, confused and tense, like he was walking into a bad memory he didn’t agree to revisit. The bouncer looked at me for half a second, then his eyes widened in shock and amusement “No fucking way.”I grinned despite myself. “Miss me?”He laughed and stepped aside. “You disappear for months and show up dressed like you’re about to rob a convenience store.”“Growth,” I said, almost laughing.“Nice to have you back!" I heard him s