All Chapters of The Phoenix Heiress: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The office was thick with tension, the kind that clung to the walls and settled in your bones. Maps, routes, contingencies—every detail of tomorrow’s run laid bare on the table. Luca’s voice was low, steady, as he pointed out a weak spot in the perimeter. Matteo leaned in, nodding, while Salvatore scribbled notes with the precision of a man who didn’t like surprises.My VP glanced at me, waiting for the final call. I was just about to give it when the sound shattered the calm.A scream.High. Piercing. Desperate.Kat.I was out of the room before the others even stood. Her voice cut through me like a blade, and instinct took over. I didn’t care about protocol, didn’t care that Luca was behind me, or that her brothers were close on my heels. I cared that she was in pain.I reached her door and threw it open.She was tangled in sheets, thrashing, her face pale and soaked in sweat. Her mouth moved in silent terror, her body curled in on itself like she was trying to escape something only

The rumble of engines faded into the distance, leaving behind a silence that felt too loud. The boys were off to St. Louis, and the compound suddenly felt hollow without their swagger and noise. I stood on the porch, arms crossed, watching the dust settle. My lips still tingled from Wolf’s kiss—unexpected, rough, and way too short. It wasn’t just a goodbye. It was a promise. Or maybe a warning. Hell if I knew.“Kat, baby, grab the cooler from the garage,” Mama Red called, her voice slicing through my thoughts like a whip. She was already knee-deep in party prep, her red curls bouncing as she barked orders. My own mama was inside with the other ol’ ladies, plotting out the food and drink situation like it was a military op.I snapped out of it and jogged to the garage, grabbing the cooler and hauling it back to the patio. The sun was high, the air thick with Missouri heat and the scent of barbecue dreams. We were gearing up for a welcome-home bash that would make the boys forget they’d

I don’t do parties. Not anymore. Not since Liam. Not since I learned how fast a smile can turn into a trap.But tonight was different. Tonight was the first time I’d walked into a crowd without looking for exits. Without calculating how fast I could run. Tonight, I had Mama on one side, Mama Red on the other, and the clubhouse lights strung above us like stars that didn’t need the sky.I was nervous. God, I was nervous.The music thumped low, the fire pit crackled, and Mama was telling some story about her first ride on a Harley that had Mama Red snorting into her drink. I laughed, too—because it felt good. Because I wanted to. Because for once, I wasn’t pretending.Then I saw her.Tiffany Monroe.She walked in like she owned the place, hips swaying, lips curled in that smug little smile that said she knew exactly how much trouble she was about to cause. My stomach twisted, but I didn’t flinch. Not this time.And then—him.Wolf.He stepped into the yard like the whole damn world had n

She cornered me.Right outside the bathroom, like she’d been waiting. Tiffany, all gloss and venom, eyes sharp with jealousy. Her words were knives wrapped in silk, but I didn’t flinch. I didn’t give her the satisfaction.I just walked past her.And from across the room, I watched her try. Try to charm him. Try to seduce him. Try to pretend she still had a shot.But Wolf didn’t bite.He didn’t even blink.His eyes were locked on me like I was the only thing that mattered. And then he moved—deliberate, unstoppable, like a storm with a purpose.He didn’t say a word.He didn’t need to.He reached me, grabbed me, and kissed me like the world was ending and I was the only salvation left. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t sweet. It was fire and fury and possession.The club went silent. Tiffany vanished from my mind like smoke.That kiss was the claim.I wasn’t just Kat anymore.I was his Phoenix.Risen. Chosen. Untouchable.The kiss was everything.It was fire and thunder and the kind of silence t

I don’t know what came over me.I mean, I do. I know exactly what it was—him. Wolf. The way he looked at me like I was something wild and untouchable, and then touched me like he didn’t care about the consequences. Like he wanted to burn with me.I’ve never been that bold. Not even before Liam changed. Back then, I played it safe. I was timid. I knew how to flirt, sure—but I never did. Not like that, not with Liam. Not like tonight.And now I’m lying here, skin still buzzing, heart still racing, wondering what the hell I’ve done. Wondering why it felt so good to finally stop pretending I didn’t want more.Because I did. I do."Ahh, Nick!" I'm snapped out of my head when I felt him lightly bite on my inner Thigh. I felt him laugh into my skin. "Where did you go baby? Do you want to stop?""No, I want this, I want you. I'm sorry I just got in my head a little." He sits up on his knees but stays between my legs, pulling me up to him."Are you sure, we can stop if this is too much, Katrin