LOGINDamien POV
Sunlight brushed against my face, warm and unfamiliar.I stirred, eyes fluttering open as a soft yawn escaped me; content, unguarded. For a brief moment, my mind was blank.Then clarity returned.This wasn't my room.And it wasn't my office.My gaze shifted upward.Rachel.She was slumped awkwardly on the couch, her head tilted to the side, lips parted slightly as she slept. Her hair was a mess, strands falling into her face. One hand was still tangRachel POVIt was already getting dark and I was hungry.I tried to ignore it as I walked beside Mark in the darkening woods, tired.We continued walking until I noticed a small puddle of water and walked to it, washing my face.Mark stopped in his tracks before sitting down, exhausted. "We can stop here."I nodded as I splashed water on my face to wash off the exhaustion.I sighed, confused, as I stared at my rough reflection in the water.What am I doing?I wondered, glancing at Mark who was resting his eyes against the tree.If I was to leave Damien, where would I even go?I'm not even thinking straight.I sighed, my face in a deep frown.Why is Marcus doing this?That was the question. I bit my lips, more confused. I needed to know his motivation. Maybe I could talk to him.He won't kill me.He cares about me.I wasn't so sure.Nothing was fair. I was stuck between two sides and now dragging Mark with me into possibly betraying Damien."Are you okay?"Mark's voice snapped me out o
Damien POVI wasn't concentrating on the sounds of fighting and gunshots as Alessandro and I ran up the stairs. Lorenzo stayed below, coordinating the assault."Rachel!" I called out, hoping she would appear.Nothing.My jaw tightened.Where is she?I can't lose her. I have to keep my promise to Leo."Look at what we have here," Alessandro's voice called out.I followed and entered the room.Alessandro stood over a woman-bleeding from both legs, shoulder wound. She was on the floor, trying to drag herself forward with her arms. Blood smeared everywhere.Jane.Her face was red, streaked with mascara and tears. Eyes wild.I didn't waste time. I stepped on her wounded shoulder.She screamed."Where is my wife?!"She looked up at me, face twisted in rage and pain."THAT BITCH!" she shrieked. "That bitch DID THIS TO ME!"I frowned, confused.Alessandro crouched down. "Who did what?""HER!" Jane screamed, spit flying. "Mrs. Montrel! She SHOT me! She-she-"She dissolved into sobs."I had her
Rachel POVMark dragged me out of the room, running urgently as the alarm rang in our ears.I tried to keep up as much as I could. I could hear frantic sounds all around us-footsteps, shouting, doors slamming.Mark pulled out the radio, keeping the volume low as he pushed me into a corner to hide.Static crackled. Then voices:"Top floor clear.""Check the storage units and vents.""She couldn't have gotten far."Mark pulled me forward again. "We need to move fast. They'll check down here soon."I nodded frantically.Then-gunshots. A scream that made me shiver."What was that?" I whispered, trying to keep pace."Ignore it," Mark said. "Just keep moving."We kept running. Down another hallway. Around another corner.Then we stopped.A guard stood there. Jane was with him, speaking urgently into a radio.The guard saw us and raised his weapon."There!" he shouted, speaking to the radio. "She in the-"Mark's gun came up to silence him at onceBut Jane was faster.She raised her gun and s
Rachel POVI couldn't stop crying, tears streaming down my face.Mark tried to pull me to my feet, his face a mix of urgency and sadness."Rachel, we have to move," Mark said. "Right now. We can't be here for too long.""My brother tried to hurt me," I sniffled. "No-he did hurt me. Marcus-""I know, but we need to move. Please. He's going to see the empty room any time soon, and when he does, this entire building will be looking for us." His voice was firm, but his eyes softened. "We need to contact the boss and get out."I stared at him, my eyes blurry, confused and lost. "What if I don't want to go to Damien?""What?!" Mark's eyes widened."If I go, Damien will know Marcus is my brother and he'll hurt him. Or kill him. I don't want him hurt. I can-I can go and meet Marcus now and talk to him. Maybe it's all a misunderstanding. Maybe Marcus will hold me and apologize and stop this-""Rachel," Mark said softly, crouching in front of me. "I don't know your brother. But I do know he's t
Rachel POV"Do you have a better idea?" Mark asked.I didn't.I looked at the vent again. It was so small and dark. The opening barely big enough for a person to fit through.But it was our only option. And I was not ready to come face-to-face with the Raven. "Okay," I whispered. "Okay, let's do it."Mark grabbed the chair I'd been tied to and positioned it under the vent. "You first. I'll boost you up."Every part of my body screamed in protest as I climbed onto the chair. Mark steadied me, his hands firm on my waist."On three," he said. "One. Two. Three."He lifted.I grabbed the edge of the vent opening, my arms shaking. Pain radiated through my shoulders, my ribs, everywhere Jane had hurt me.But I pulled myself up anyway, entering into the tight space, holding back a cough from the dust and dirt."Keep going," Mark urged from below. "Don't stop."I crawled forward on my elbows and knees, ignoring the aches from my bruises.Behind me, I heard Mark pull himself up into the vent.
Leo POVI sat on top of my new bed in the new home Papa took me to yesterday.A doctor was checking my body, and another animal doctor was also caring for Scout on the bed while I just sat and let them work.I kept sniffing to hide my tears from the nice doctor."We're almost done, Master Leo," he said with a gentle smile, trying to make me feel better.I didn't answer him. I just stared as Scout came to my side, whimpering on my lap.The room was way too small compared to my old one. I was sharing it with Matteo and Thalia, and I liked them, but I missed my big room and big home.Now we were living in this small house with Matteo, Miss Clara, and the doctors in the middle of the forest.The door of the room opened and Matteo peeked in."Hey, you done?" he called, coming to sit by my bed, ignoring the doctor.I nodded, my voice gone."Where's Papa?" I asked."They left since last night, but you were asleep. I'm sure they'll find your mom," he assured me.I frowned, itching at my banda
Chloe dragged Mark toward the kitchen counter.“I can’t drink. I’m working,” he said for the third time, his voice flat, standing stiffly beside her as he’d rather be anywhere else.Chloe sighed dramatically, dropping his hands. “You’re at a party, not a military base. Why are you standing there lo
Rachel POVThe water was warm, the faint scent of soap curling through the air.I rested back against Damien’s chest, his arms loose around my waist—skin to skin, nothing between us. His breathing was slow and even, eyes closed, as if he’d finally allowed himself to stop guarding the world for once
Rachel POV I held Leo’s hand as we stepped into the mall, my phone already in my other hand half texting my friends, half aware of the quiet formation behind us. Black suits. Earpieces. Mark walked just close enough to remind me my life isn’t as ordinary anymore. Leo slo
Rachel POVI stepped out of the car once more, the hot afternoon air brushing against my skin as we stood in front of the city’s large community library.Leo stood beside me, his face beaming the moment he recognised the building. The excitement practically radiated off him as we walked i







