All Chapters of Holding you close: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

CHAPTER FIFTY ONEIAN'S POV "Hey, cutie," Cora called fondly, her voice pulling me back from the dark, violent thoughts swirling in my head. Before I could pull away, she reached up, placing her soft fingers on my chin and smoothing it with a passionate, lingering touch.My heart slammed against my ribs. Immediately, I jerked my head around, scanning the perimeter to see if Cal was watching. He was nowhere to be seen—just his aggressive Aston Martin DBS Superleggera idling nearby like a predatory beast in the lot.Relieved, but instantly on edge, I snapped my face back and violently jerked her hand away from me."What do you think you're doing, Cora?" I hissed, my voice dropping into a harsh whisper as I took a step back, maintaining my distance.Cora didn't even flinch. A slow, playful smirk curved her lips, and she tilted her head, flashing me a pair of heavy, seductive eyes that held zero shame."C'mon, don't be stubborn," she said bluntly, taking a slow step toward me, her tone

CHAPTER FIFTY THREEKAI'S POV "Kai."I heard the name again, sharper this time, cutting cleanly through the ambient noise of the courtyard. I turned around slowly, every muscle in my spine locking rigid beneath my tailored coat. To my mild surprise, it was Mira standing there."Yo, what's up?" I said, stepping forward and pulling her into a quick, easy hug."I'm fine, and you?" she said, beaming with a bright, easy smile."Where's Mia?" I asked, glancing past her shoulder toward the busy pathways."She's somewhere looking for Captain.""Captain?" I asked, my eyebrows raising slightly, genuinely perplexed. "Why?""I told her he headed to the rooftop, and she has been practically sprinting to meet up with him..."My eyes narrowed into hard slits. "Did you just say rooftop?""Yes... any problem with that?" she asked, her smile fading into a look of genuine concern."No problem," I replied smoothly, slipping my hands into my coat pockets and casting a quick glance upward toward the priva

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVECALLUM'S POV No one can hurt you here without a private card.I kept repeating the mantra in my head like a lifeline. The security protocols on Cloud Nine were absolute. The only people who possessed master access cards were Ian and…Kai.Shit, how could I have forgotten about him? How could I forget the one person who knew how to bypass every boundary I ever built?Cal, get your head straight, I told myself, staring into the fogged bathroom mirror. Tell him no to his face. There is no need to run away from him anymore. Just lay it down straight—no strings attached, no old history. Co-captains. Nothing more.With a bitter breath, I jerked the bathroom door open to confront the intruder.Immediately, that familiar scent—the dark, suffocating cologne that had haunted me for years—hit my face like a physical blow. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs.I scanned the main room. No one.I moved slowly toward the couch where I had dropped my shirt, but as I stepped c

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVENCALLUM'S POV "Hope you're not bruised anywhere," I said urgently, scanning Ian from head to toe, my eyes darting over every inch of him to make sure Kai hadn't left a permanent mark."I'm perfectly alright, Cal," Ian murmured softly, his voice a steady anchor against the lingering tension in the hallway."Let's go back to Cloud Nine. There's a first aid box inside.""Cal," he said gently. He took my hands in his, stepping closer and planting a soft, reassuring kiss right on my forehead. "I'm okay. Though I was scared before, now that you're here, I'm good, okay?""Kai... I so much hate that guy," I groaned, my jaw clenching as pure, bitter anger surged through my chest."Don't be angry, dear. I'm here now," Ian whispered, reaching up to cup my cheek with his warm palm. His thumb brushed over my skin, trying to smooth away the sharp edges of my fury.I couldn't help myself. I quickly grabbed his waist, pulling his body flush against mine, and kissed him roughly—des

CHAPTER FIFTY NINEIAN'S POV Kai again.I jolted to my feet the exact second Cal checked the CCTV monitor and stared at the screen, his expression tightening as he recognized the figure standing outside.I let out a shaky, deep sigh, my fingers trembling slightly as I pulled out my phone to check for any updates, trying to mask the sudden panic crawling up my throat. Cal stood up from the console, turning his back to me as he buzzed the intercom."Hey, Mia, what's up?" Cal called out, his voice sharp and impatient from inside the suite."I'm fine," I heard her voice float through the speaker, tinny and breathless."Why are you here? What's your business here?""Nothing, just wanted to say hi.""Thanks, but I'm busy. And don't come back here again.""Okay, catch up later.""Don't even expect me, 'cause I won't show up today.""Like I said, I'm busy.""Why now?" she whined through the speaker."No whining. Just go down to the secretary and collect my card, treat yourself, bye," he sna