LOGINThe doors burst open with a violent crash.A swarm of security guards flooded into the room, weapons drawn. They moved with practiced precision, seizing Tarzan from behind and wrenching his arms behind his back. He thrashed violently, still straining toward Andres, but more bodies piled on, driving him down to one knee.His chest heaved, muscles coiled with unspent fury. Blood dripped steadily from his torn hand onto the polished floor."Get your hands off me!" Tarzan roared.Andres rose slowly, a smirk twisting his bloodied lips as he flexed his aching jaw.Lord Ricardo entered the room with Keisha close behind him. They took in the scene: Andres’s bruised forehead, broken nose, and swollen cheek; Tarzan’s bleeding arm, stark and raw beneath the torn bandage.Keisha looked as bewildered as the guards—unsure which young master they were meant to protect."Take your hands off him right now!" she snapped. "What is going on?"The guards immediately released Tarzan and stepped back, heads
"Afraid of you?" Andres burst into laughter, then smirked with arrogant satisfaction."Hahaha! Damon, put your gun down. The little shit wants to know where Lena is. Go on, give him the answer. Make him happy, he is lucky I am not in a hurry."Damon glanced back at Andres in confusion before turning to Tarzan. "I swear I have no idea where she is—until a few minutes ago, I didn’t even know she was missing!" he snapped defensively. "All I know is that she’s doing great and she’s unharmed."Tarzan’s jaw tightened.*Doing great and unharmed.*He didn’t believe a single word—not with Andres involved."You heard your boyfriend, bitch," Andres taunted, spreading his arms theatrically. "She’s unharmed and living better than ever. I gave her everything you could never—"Tarzan’s finger squeezed the trigger.The gunshot cracked through the room like thunder. Damon was faster. He lunged forward and slammed into Tarzan’s chest, shoving him sideways. The bullet shattered a marble column instead
Damon was stunned by the instruction. His muscles went numb, and his knees suddenly felt weak.Just then, the door burst open. The heavy wood slammed against the wall with a deafening crack.Both men spun toward the sound. Tarzan stood in the doorway, one hand wrapped in a fresh bandage, the other gripping a black handgun. The barrel was already locked onto Andres.Tarzan’s chest heaved violently, his bloodshot eyes burning with raw fury.“WHERE IS SHE?”The roar shook the room.Damon reacted on pure instinct. In less than a second, his own weapon was drawn and trained on Tarzan as he stepped between the two men, shielding Andres.“Tarzan!” Damon shouted. “Put the gun down!”Tarzan didn’t even glance at him. His entire focus remained locked on Andres like a predator sighting prey.“Where is Lena, you crazy son of a bitch?”Andres stood with unbothered calm, the corner of his mouth lifting in faint amusement.“We were just talking about you, little shit. You came faster than I expected
Damon strode along the winding path toward Lord Ricardo’s mansion, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the manicured grounds. His mind was filled with thoughts about Tarzan, a flash of movement near the herb garden stopped him cold. Beside Chef Rosa stood Lena. The elderly woman was guiding her through the estate with the body language of someone already warming to her new companion. They moved slowly between the fragrant rows of rosemary and thyme, chatting as they gathered fresh sprigs. Lena was already dressed in the staff uniform, looked surprisingly at ease. Her posture was relaxed, it was clear she was comfortable. Damon’s heart slammed against his ribs. He blinked hard, but she didn’t vanish. It was really her. She didn’t see him. His eyes widened as Andres’ words from that morning echoed in his head: “Well, let him come. I have a big surprise waiting for him. I can’t wait to see his reaction.” “He didn’t…” Damon whispered, voice barely audible.
Tarzan’s expression hardened instantly. His fingers tightened around the pistol until his knuckles turned white. The air between them grew thick, heavy with unspoken dread.“What’s with that look?” His voice remained calm—deceptively so—but inside his mind, a storm raged uncontrollably.“Did you find her?” he asked, his heart hammering against his ribs like a war drum.Diana swallowed hard, the words lodging in her throat like broken glass. She hesitated, searching for the least painful way to deliver the blow.“Did she reject my offer even after you explained everything?”“No, Boss,” she replied quietly, almost in a whisper.Tarzan narrowed his eyes, suspicion sharpening his gaze. “Then what happened?”Diana lowered her head, staring at the floor as if it might offer her strength. “I… I made inquiries after I couldn’t find her.”Tarzan’s heartbeat quickened, a cold dread creeping up his spine. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? You couldn’t find her… that’s bullshit! She has
AUTHOR'S POV Tarzan's eyes snapped open with a sharp gasp. His chest heaved violently as he sucked in air with an uneven, rough breath. Sweat clung to his forehead despite the cool temperature of the room. For several long seconds, he simply stared at the white ceiling, his heart hammering against his ribs. "...Lena..." Her name escaped his lips in a broken whisper. Then his gaze darted around the room. The faint antiseptic smell reached his nose, accompanied by the soft beeping from the heart monitor. Sunlight filtered through the blinds in pale golden streaks. Two nurses stood by the medicine cart near the window, quietly discussing a movie they had watched, unaware that he was awake. Tarzan recognized both women. They had been assigned to him by Diana, so they were trusted. He slowly rubbed the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. He had the damn nightmare again. Lena in a very bad condition, dying in his arms. His stomach twisted painfully. *It doesn't make
TARZAN'S POV I stood frozen on the sidewalk, watching her walk back to the café like she hadn’t just carved my chest open.Her words kept ringing in my ears, sharp and relentless.“Stay away from me… There’s nothing between us. Nothing ever will be.”My hand trembled as I dragged the nose mask dow
I jerked back, pulse thudding in my ears. His hand froze mid-air, then dropped slowly, though his intense eyes stayed locked on mine. “I’m sorry,” he said, voice low. “I should have asked first. May I touch your hair?” “No! Are you even listening to what I’m saying?” His gaze moved over my
I looked up to ask her name and where her parents were — but the little girl in the yellow raincoat was already running down the sidewalk, braids bouncing. “Wait!” I called. She didn't look back. I stared back at the note in my hand, then at the rose. That was strange. I read the note agai
The walk to the café was supposed to take thirty-five minutes. I had been doing it for months now—every morning, to help with my weight loss journey. But this morning, I wasn’t thinking about any of that. All I had in my head was Mitch’s voice. "Let’s open our marriage."My feet moved on thei







