LOGINIsabella’s POVSunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Noah’s penthouse, painting the room in gold. For the first time in months, there were no guns on the nightstand. No encrypted messages lighting up our phones. No enemies lurking in the shadows. Just peace. And Noah. I stretched lazily, my bare skin sliding against the silk sheets as I turned to face him. He was already awake, propped up on one elbow, watching me with that intense, unreadable gaze that used to drive me crazy. Now, it just made my stomach flutter. “Morning,” I murmured, my voice still rough with sleep. Noah’s lips curved as he traced a finger down my bare arm. “You snored.” I swatted at him. “I do not snore.” “Like a chainsaw.” I shoved a pillow into his face, but he caught my wrist, pulling me against him with a laugh. His body was warm, solid, his heartbeat steady under my palm. Real. This was real. Noah brushed a kiss against my temple. “Sleep okay?” I nodded, tucking m
Isabella’s POVNoah’s words hung in the air between us, raw and unfiltered. “I want you to be my girlfriend for real.“The warehouse was still smoldering behind us, the scent of gunpowder clinging to our clothes, but in that moment, none of it mattered. My heart hammered against my ribs, my breath caught somewhere between disbelief and exhilaration. I stared at him. “You’re serious?” Noah’s thumb brushed over my bruised cheek, his touch featherlight. “Dead serious.” A laugh bubbled up in my chest—half-hysterical, half-relieved. “You pick now to confess?” His lips quirked. “Better late than never.” Julian cleared his throat loudly from where he was zip-tying Hennessy’s wrists. “If you two are done making heart eyes at each other, we’ve got a traitor to hunt down and a mess to clean up.” Noah didn’t even glance at him. “Give us a minute.” Julian muttered something about disgusting lovebirds but dragged Hennessy toward the waiting SUVs, leaving us alone in the wreckage.
Isabella’s POVThe abandoned warehouse loomed ahead, its rusted metal frame silhouetted against the bruised purple sky. It was the perfect trap—isolated, crumbling, and most importantly, rigged to blow. Noah moved like a shadow beside me, his eyes scanning the perimeter. “You remember the plan?” I adjusted the comm in my ear, nodding. “Draw her in. Let her think she’s won. Then—” “Then we end this.” His voice was a blade in the dark. We’d spent the last twelve hours preparing for this moment. Planting explosives. Setting up sniper nests. Leaving just enough breadcrumbs for Hennessy to follow. And now, we waited. Noah’s hand brushed mine, a silent reassurance. “Stay sharp.” I didn’t get the chance to respond. A flicker of movement near the east entrance. Then another.—-They were here. I pressed myself against the concrete pillar, my breath shallow my ear piece crackled to life—Julian’s voice, strained but steady. “Got eyes on six hostiles. Hennessy’s in the center.”
Noah’s POVThe night air burned in my lungs as we sprinted through the trees, putting distance between us and the estate. Blood trickled down my temple from Hennessy’s graze, but I barely felt it. Adrenaline was the only thing keeping me upright. Isabella’s hand was clamped around mine, her grip iron-tight. She didn’t speak, but I could hear her ragged breaths, could see the way her body trembled with every step. She was hurt. And it was my fault. We didn’t stop until the gunfire faded into the distance, until the only sound was the rustle of leaves and our own pounding hearts. I pulled her behind a thick oak, pressing her against the bark as I scanned the darkness. No movement. No pursuers. Yet. Isabella’s fingers dug into my arm. “Noah—your head—” I caught her wrist before she could touch the wound. “It’s nothing.” Her jaw clenched. “You’re bleeding.” “And you’re shaking.” She swallowed hard, her eyes darting back the way we’d come. “They’ll follow us.” “I
Isabella’s POVThe moment Hennessy stepped into the dim light, the air in the room turned to ice. She was exactly as I remembered—sharp, calculated, her dark eyes glinting with a cruelty that made my skin crawl. The last time I’d seen her, she’d been bleeding out on the floor of a warehouse, Noah’s bullet in her gut. Now, she looked perfectly in control. And that terrified me. “You look surprised,” she purred, circling me like a predator sizing up wounded prey. “Did you really think I’d stay down after what you did?” I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “Guess I should’ve aimed for your head.” Hennessy’s smile didn’t waver. “Cute.” She stopped in front of me, her manicured nails trailing along my jaw. “But we both know you’re not the one who pulled the trigger.” Noah. She wanted Noah. And I was the bait. Liam leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching with a smirk. “Told you she’d be feisty.” Hennessy’s fingers tightened, her nails digging int
Isabella’s POVThe moment Ryan confirmed the mole had taken the bait, the room erupted into motion. Julian was already at the door, his usual smirk replaced by a razor-sharp focus. Mateo pulled a gun from his waistband, checking the magazine with practiced ease. Caleb and Ryan exchanged a silent nod before moving toward the security feeds. And Noah? His hand closed around my wrist, pulling me back before I could follow. His grip was firm, his eyes burning into mine. “You don’t move unless I say so.” I yanked my arm free. “This was my plan. I’m not staying behind.” His jaw tightened, but before he could argue, Julian cut in. “We don’t have time for this. The mole could be bolting right now” Noah’s gaze flickered between us, conflict flashing in his eyes. Then, with a sharp exhale, he grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. “Fine. But you stay close.” The command was absolute, leaving no room for debate. We moved fast. Ryan stayed behind to monitor communications, track
Noah’s POVI walked away from Isabella, my fingers tightening around my phone as I answered the call.“What?” I snapped.“The deal is falling apart,” my assistant voice came through the line. “Lang is making moves faster than we anticipated.”I turned slightly, my eyes flickering back to Isabella.
Noah’s POVThe moment I stepped into my office, the chaos hit me like a hurricane. My assistant, was practically vibrating with anxiety as she rushed toward me, phone in hand.“Mr. Jake, the media is relentless. Your PR team is already on it, but—”I held up a hand, cutting her off. “Not now.”Push
Isabella’s POVThe next morning, I woke up feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today, I would finally be stepping outside after being cooped up in Noah’s penthouse for over a week.I glanced at the clock—8:00 AM. Stretching my limbs, I forced myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. A
Isabella’s POVThe next morning, I barely had time to gather my thoughts before the whirlwind of the previous evening came crashing down on me. The tension from dinner lingered like a storm cloud, and I wasn’t prepared for what the day had in store.Noah had asked me to join him for lunch at his of







