جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 70

dzANIKA"When are they going to be apprehended, Icelyn? It's taking too much timw"Standing near the edge of the mahogany desk, I crossed my arms over the front of my silk blouse. The morning sun had finally broken through the storm clouds over New York after a long gloomy spell, sending its long, pale beams of light across the expensive Persian rug.Despite the daylight, the nightmare of yesterday still clung to my skin. Jasmine had confirmed the delivery of the federal warrants hours ago, yet the news channels remained focused on my ruined reputation instead of Merrick’s arrest.Sitting in his high-backed leather executive chair, Icelyn set his tablet down on the polished wood. He wore a crisp white dress shirt, the top two buttons undone, revealing the strong, tanned line of his throat. He did not look surprised by my sudden demand. His silver-grey eyes met mine with a calm, steady patience that only fueled the restless energy vibrating in my chest."They will be taken into custod

AUTHOR’S POVMerrick gripped the leather steering wheel until his knuckles turned a sickly shade of white. His heart hammered a frantic, painful rhythm against his ribs. The dark highway stretched out in front of him, illuminated only by the faint glow of his headlights. He pressed his foot harder onto the gas pedal, desperate to put as much distance between himself and the city as possible.Realizing he was in severe trouble, a cold sweat broke out across his forehead. The conversation in the parking garage had shattered his final illusion of safety. Anika did not feel any pity for him. She had the legal documents, the offshore bank ledgers, and the recorded confessions. The authorities were likely building the federal case right now. If he stayed in New York, he would spend the rest of his life staring at concrete walls.Thirty minutes later, the tires of his car skidded against the wet gravel of his Long Island estate. He threw the transmission into park, turned off the engine, and

ANIKAThree days had passed since the morning I saw the text message on his phone. Three days of carrying a dark, suffocating secret in the pit of my stomach. The question from the unknown sender played on a relentless loop in my mind. Did you have any hand in the Senator's death?It echoed over my morning coffee. It whispered in my ear during board meetings. It kept me staring at the dark ceiling late at night while my husband slept just down the hall.The penthouse offered no refuge from my racing thoughts. Rain beat against the thick glass of the living room windows, washing the New York skyline in a dreary, gray haze. Standing by the kitchen island, I traced the rim of my ceramic mug with a trembling finger. The tea inside had gone cold an hour ago.Could the man I loved actually be a murderer? The rumors about Icelyn Sterling painted him as a ruthless predator, a man who crushed his enemies without a second thought. I always assumed the stories referred to his aggressive financ

AUTHOR’S POVThe isolated mountainside house in the Catskills offered no comfort. Dust coated the cheap wooden furniture, and the smell of old pine and damp earth hung heavy in the stagnant air. Rain lashed against the thin windowpanes, mirroring the relentless storm tearing through Merrick’s mind.Standing in the center of the dim living room, he stared at the glowing screen of his laptop. The battery was dying, but the news feed remained frozen on a high-resolution image of Anika. She stood on the steps of the Sterling Corporation headquarters, looking flawless and untouchable. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sharp style, and her posture radiated an unyielding authority.Merrick felt a sickening knot twist deep in his gut. His hands trembled as he gripped the edge of the wooden table.His empire was gone. The federal authorities had frozen his domestic bank accounts, seized his luxury vehicles, and issued active warrants for his arrest. Jasmine Vance had built an ironclad lawsu

ANIKAThe kiss in the kitchen broke down the last of my defenses, crushing the lingering doubts that had plagued my mind all morning. His mouth was hard and demanding, bruising my lips with a desperate need that erased the bitter argument from my memory. Fuck.Heat flooded my veins, burning away the cold chill of the rainy afternoon. My hands tangled in the thick, dark hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer until the heavy silver belt buckle of his trousers pressed flush against my stomach."You drive me insane," Icelyn growled against my mouth, his chest heaving with ragged breaths.He slid his large hands down my spine, gripping my hips to lift me slightly off the floor."Show me," I breathed back, the challenge slipping past my lips before I could overthink the consequences.Without another word, he scooped me into his arms. The sudden weightlessness made my stomach drop, but the iron grip he had around my waist and beneath my knees offered total security. Carrying me do