All Chapters of Between Two Brothers : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

ISLA'S POVThe clock on my screen glowed past nine, the penthouse suite wrapped in the quiet hum of late-night London. Most of the floor had emptied hours ago, leaving only the low thrum of the air conditioning and the distant pulse of the city below. I should have gone home. Mum had texted earlier, her voice bright over the phone about a sudden clean bill from the health inspectors—“A miracle, love!”—but the relief felt hollow. I knew better now. Nothing with the Blackthornes was a miracle.I worked anyway, fingers flying over the keyboard as I finalized the Tokyo merger briefs. Exhaustion pulled at my bones, but stopping meant thinking. Thinking meant facing the photo I’d found in Dare’s drawer—the one that cracked open every certainty I had left.The soft click of his office door pulled me from my thoughts. Dare had been unusually present all evening, a silent shadow in the glass-walled suite. He’d dismissed his evening security detail but stayed, watching me from behind his desk o

ISLA'S POV The black evening gown that I've been ordered to wear as Dare's assistant clung to my curves like a second skin, far more elegant than anything I’d ever owned. I smoothed the silk over my hips as the town car glided through London’s glittering streets toward the Savoy. “Business dinner,” Dare had called it this afternoon, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re my assistant. Be presentable. And Isla? Stay close.”As if I had a choice.Serena was already waiting in the opulent ballroom when we arrived, draped in emerald silk that screamed money and malice. Her eyes narrowed the moment she spotted me on Dare’s arm—professional distance be damned, his hand firm at the small of my back as we navigated the crowd of elites, CEOs, and old-money aristocrats.“Well, isn’t this cozy,” Serena purred loud enough for nearby guests to hear, champagne flute in hand. She stepped into our path, her smile razor-sharp. “Dare, darling, you really brought the help to the Savoy? How cha

ISLA'S POVVictor Alistair Blackthorne’s office felt like a pressure chamber, every inch designed to remind visitors of their insignificance. The heavy oak desk gleamed under recessed lighting, the London skyline a distant, conquered backdrop. I sat straighter in the leather chair, heart hammering against my ribs, but I refused to shrink. After weeks of Serena’s barbs, Dare’s mind games, and Julian’s calculated concern, I had found my spine. Victor would not break it today.“You summoned me, Mr. Blackthorne,” I said, keeping my voice even. “If this is about the Mercer file, Dare and I—”“This has nothing to do with spreadsheets or acquisitions,” Victor cut in, his tone smooth as aged whiskey and twice as dangerous. He leaned forward, sharp eyes dissecting me. “Your position here is more dangerous than you realize, Isla. Far more. You’re not just caught between my son and nephew. You’re standing in the middle of a web of secrets that have destroyed stronger women than you.”I swallowed

ISLA'S POVThe aroma of fresh herbs and sizzling garlic filled Mum’s restaurant, a small haven of warmth in the bustling London streets. I’d slipped away during my lunch break, craving the comfort of familiar walls and my mother’s knowing smile. After the charged chaos of the gala and the lingering heat of Dare’s kiss in the car, I needed space to breathe and to think.I was wiping down a corner table when the door chimed. Julian stepped inside, his usual polished composure cracked with urgency. He scanned the room before locking eyes with me.“Isla. We need to talk. Now.”My mother glanced over from the kitchen pass, her brow furrowing. I gave her a reassuring nod and led Julian to a quiet booth in the back. “This better be important. I have to get back to the office soon.”He slid an envelope across the table, his hand trembling slightly. “It’s more than important. This, is proof. Real proof about what Dare did in Spain.” His voice was low, intense. “Elena Voss wasn’t just a busines

DARE'S POVThe rain hammered the windshield as my driver navigated the winding roads toward Finn’s secluded townhouse on the outskirts of London. My blood still boiled from the confrontation in my father’s study. Victor’s threats echoed like a death knell— send her away—and Julian’s smug face haunted every shadow. I needed clarity, strategy, and someone who understood the machine I was trapped in without being another cog in Victor’s wheel.Finn Carlisle had been that someone since Spain. My right hand. My brother in arms through the darkest deals and sleepless nights. He opened the door before I could knock, his sharp eyes reading my expression instantly.“Dare. You look like you just walked out of a war zone. Get in here.”I shrugged off my damp coat and followed him into the warmly lit study. Books lined the walls, a fire crackled in the hearth, and a half-empty glass of whiskey waited on the side table—Finn always seemed prepared for my storms. I poured myself a generous measure a