LOGINAt that, Michael's head snapped up.
Behind the heavy fringe that shadowed his face, his eyes widened in disbelief.Then the disbelief melted into something rawer.Something painfully close to gratitude."Apologize?" Ronnie's eyes nearly bulged. "You expect me to apologize to that brat?""You accused him without facts. You took one story from Sadie and decided he was guilty. Then you beat him half to death over it." Scarlett's tone never wavered. "Now the truth's out.Nobody moved again.Dakota handed Liam to Reid. "Watch him."Without waiting for a response, she sprinted toward Ava. As the rope was cut, Ava sagged forward, but Dakota caught her before she could hit the ground."Ava."She quickly checked her over. Aside from bruises and rope burns, there were no serious injuries.Relief washed through her.Ava buried her face against Dakota's shoulder."I'm okay," she whispered.Dakota wrapped both arms around her. "It's over."Ava nodded weakly.Dakota pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "No one is ever going to hurt you again."When she finally stood, every trace of warmth vanished from her expression.Her gaze settled on Samuel.Reid stepped forward. "Commander, what are your orders?"Dakota didn't hesitate."Kidnapping."She took a step toward Samuel."Assault."Another step."Criminal intimidation."H
Blackridge Hill.The moment Dakota stepped out of the car, she broke into a run.An abandoned cabin stood near the cliff's edge, surrounded by a dozen men dressed in black. Above them, two small figures hung from the roof by thick ropes.Liam and Ava.The wind whipped around their bodies, making them sway dangerously over the drop.For a heartbeat, Dakota couldn't breathe.Then rage took over.A man stepped away from the crowd with a grin."About time you showed up."Dakota recognized him immediately. Victor Hayes, one of Sean Mercer's most trusted enforcers, was a violent thug whose reputation had been built on extortion, trafficking, and illegal gambling.She stopped several yards away."What do you want?"Victor spat into the dirt."Cut the crap. You broke into Mr. Mercer's office this afternoon and took something that belongs to him."He pointed toward the roof."Hand it over
Shock rippled through the ballroom.Sophie's face turned deathly pale.Why was Nathan Drakov involved with Dakota?Although most people in Kingsland didn't fully understand Nathan's true background, everyone knew that Sean Mercer treated him like royalty. That alone made him untouchable.The women who had been mocking Dakota moments ago instantly lost color in their faces. One by one, they awkwardly disappeared into the crowd.Nathan lowered his head slightly toward Dakota."So obedient tonight?"Dakota froze briefly before realizing he was referring to the fact that she had actually shown up as his date.Her expression immediately cooled."Don't flatter yourself."Nearby, Sophie nearly bit through her teeth in jealousy.Unbelievable.Dakota had already hooked Chief Adjutant Reid, and now she was seducing Nathan Drakov too?Suppressing her hatred, Sophie forced an innocent smile."Dakot
For a split second, Dakota froze.A memory she had spent years burying surged to the surface without warning. She remembered being drugged, helpless, thrown into a stranger's room, and pinned down with no way to escape.The familiar sensation made her stomach tighten.Then the suite door burst open.Light flooded the room, finally revealing the man's face.He had a sharp jawline, dark eyes, and the unmistakable presence of someone accustomed to power.Dakota's breath caught.Nathan Drakov, the CEO of Drakov Global and one of the most influential businessmen in the world.What was he doing in Kingsland?The security guard took one look inside and nearly stopped breathing."M-Mr. Drakov..."His face went pale.The last thing he wanted was to interrupt Nathan Drakov."Get out."Nathan's voice was calm, which somehow made it even more terrifying.The guard immediately retreated, and
Richard and Melissa Lancaster were practically giddy with excitement.Neither of them noticed the dangerous look that had settled over Chief Adjutant Reid's face."You little bitch." Richard jabbed a finger at Dakota. "Get on your knees and break your own legs, and maybe I'll let you live."Melissa scoffed. "Let her live? Someone like her deserves to be skinned alive before she ruins anyone else's life—"She never finished.BANG!.Reid moved.One second he was standing there. The next, Richard and Melissa were slammed onto the marble floor.Gasps erupted throughout the ballroom.Reid's hands locked around their throats as his voice thundered through the room."How dare you speak to her that way?"Silence.The entire ballroom froze.No one understood what was happening.Why was Chief Adjutant Reid protecting Dakota?The guests exchanged confused glances before many of them reached the same ugly conclusio
"Unbelievable! This little bitch has completely lost her mind!"Richard slammed a hand against the armrest, his entire body trembling with rage.How could Dakota possibly possess that kind of strength?Tonight's birthday banquet was the Lancaster family's biggest social event in years, and nothing could be allowed to ruin it—especially not her.Taking a deep breath, Richard forced a look of righteous fury onto his face."Dakota Lancaster, five years ago you disgraced this family by selling yourself for money before running off with some random man. We tolerated your shameless behavior back then, but now you dare attack your elders in front of everyone?"He pointed at her accusingly."How did this family end up raising someone as vile as you?"The ballroom fell deathly silent.Dakota merely looked at him with eyes colder than frozen steel."Richard Lancaster," she said softly, "you and I both know what really
Clang!Michael's fork slipped from his hand and hit the floor.Scarlett stopped mid-motion.She turned toward him.He bent quickly to pick it up, then looked at her cautiously.More specifically-At the glass in her hand."You idiot!" Sadie snapped. "Can't even
At the food street, they stopped at a small, old spaghetti stand.The tables were scratched and uneven, the chairs slightly crooked-the kind of place Theron would normally pass without a second glance.But she had already taken a seat."Three plates of spaghetti," she called out ca
The truth landed like a knife.Sadie's heart lurched.She shot a nervous glance at Mossa, afraid suspicion might finally crack through.But before she could defend herself, Mossa spoke first."Do you think everyone is as manipulative as you?" Her tone was icy. "Sadie is my dau
James nearly fell.Furious, he looked up to see who had dared touch him.And then he froze.The man standing there was devastatingly handsome, standing at around 6'2".Sharp brows. Dark, intense eyes. Impeccable posture.James had always considered himself attractive-most







