LOGINDear amazing readers, I just want to take a moment to say thank you. You are truly the best, and I don’t think I say that nearly enough. Every comment, every review, every vote, and every bit of support you leave for my book warms my heart more than you know. There are days when I’m exhausted, when writing feels difficult, and when I wonder if I have anything left to give. Then I read your comments, and somehow you remind me why I started this journey in the first place. Your encouragement gives me the strength to keep going, even when I’m tired. Please know that I see your comments. I read your reviews. I notice your support. And every single one of them makes me so happy. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in my stories, for laughing, crying, screaming, and experiencing every twist
RavenMy wrists are bound tightly above my head with my own panties, the silk biting into my skin as Roman carries me to the bedroom. I am already aching for him, soaked and trembling from everything that happened downstairs.“Lie back,” he commands, voice rough.I obey instantly, giving him everything. “Are you sure?” he asks again. I can hear the hesitation in his voice. He’s making sure I fully consent.I nod. “Yes. I’m only yours, Roman. Do whatever you want to me. I want this.”That was all he needed. He gently lifts my leg, resting it against his chest before leaning down to press a lingering kiss to it, his gaze never leaving mine. Then he carefully lowers my leg back onto the bed and follows, lowering himself until his mouth is hot on my foot. When he sucks my big toe into his mouth, a sharp moan tears out of me. He takes his time with every toe, sucking, licking, his tongue sliding wetly between them. The sensation is overwhelming—tingly, sweet, almost too much. I sq
RavenI walk into the quiet house and find Roman in the bar just off the main hall. He’s pouring himself a glass of whisky, still wearing the shirt from the press conference. His tie hangs loose around his neck, and his sleeves are rolled up to his forearms, like he stripped off the armor the moment he stepped through his own front door.He pauses when he hears me, but he doesn’t turn around immediately.“Did you really mean everything you said out there?” My voice comes out smaller than I intended.He finally faces me, lifting the glass to his lips before taking a slow sip. His eyes never leave mine over the rim.“What do you think?”I swallow.“You gave up your company. On national television. For me.”“I gave up a title.” His thumb traces the side of the glass. “I would’ve given up considerably more than that.”God.My eyes sting, tears rushing up so fast I can’t stop them. Not from heartbreak this time, but from the overwhelming realization that I have this man. A man who
RavenThe television plays low in the background, some evening anchor running through the day’s headlines in that practiced, unbothered tone, and I sit curled into the corner of Anaya’s couch with a mug of tea going cold in my hands. I haven’t touched it in twenty minutes.“I think you’re overreacting,” Anaya says.I look up at her.“He was protecting you, Raven.”“He should have said something to me.” My voice comes out rougher than I mean it to. “Eighteen years, Anaya. Eighteen years of birthdays and dinners and every single time I asked about my father, and he just let me believe I came from nothing.”“But he did say something to you.” She sets her own mug down on the coffee table, patient in a way that makes my chest tighten. “He waited for the right time. And this is how you’re reacting?”“Please don’t take his side.”“I’m not taking anyone’s side.” Her voice softens, but she doesn’t back down. “I’m asking you to actually listen to his reasons. You were in danger, Raven. Your ver
Roman The building feels different walking into it this afternoon. Same glass, same marble, same security nodding me through like any other day, but I can feel it in the air before I even reach the elevators. The way people’s eyes drop half a second too fast. The way conversations stop when I pass. Marcus falls into step beside me, phone already in hand. “Statement’s out,” he says. “Buys us the forty eight hours you wanted. Barely.” “Good.” I press the button for the top floor. “I want a press conference after this meeting.” He glances at me. “Tonight?” “Tonight. Get everything set up. Podium, cameras, the works. I want it ready the moment I walk out of that room.” “Roman, we haven’t even agreed on what you’re going to say.” “I know what I’m going to say.” The doors open. “Just get it set up.” He nods, then hesitates, phone still in hand. “Where’s Raven right now?” I ask. “Security had eyes on her.” I check my watch. “Last I heard, she left the estate on fo
RavenMy phone rings again.Anaya.I let it ring out and keep walking. Gravel crunches under my shoes, the estate gates still a distant blur through the tears I can’t stop. My chest hurts in a way that has nothing to do with the cold morning air.Roman should not have done this to me.He really should not have betrayed me like that.A text comes through. I don’t look at it yet. I can’t. I just need to get off this property, away from that house and everything buried underneath it, away from him.I’ll call a cab. Check into a hotel somewhere the cameras haven’t found yet. Somewhere I can breathe.There was a time I would have run straight to Anaya with something like this. Now even that door feels closed. Now everyone I trusted has turned into someone I don’t recognize.No Roman.No friends.No one.My baby kicks, hard, right under my ribs, and it startles a laugh out of me even as the tears keep falling.“Hey, little one.” I press my hand to my stomach and slow my steps.
Roman I stand in the underground room for a long moment after Raven’s footsteps disappear up the stairs. Looking at the walls her father built. At the family she just found and lost in the same breath. At the door she walked out of. Then I follow her up. In the living room every device I own is making noise simultaneously. My personal phone is ringing. My business phone. The intercom. All of them at once, overlapping in a relentless chorus that can only mean one thing— something has happened that can’t wait. I stop one of my security in the corridor. “Raven went outside,” I say quietly. “Find her. Stay back far enough that she doesn’t see you. Don’t approach her unless she needs you. Just make sure she’s safe.” He nods and moves immediately. I pick up Marcus’s call first. “Turn on TVC,” he says. No greeting. No preamble. “Now.” I find the remote and turn on the television and there she is. Vivienne. Sitting across from a morning show host in a cre
RavenI’ve been sitting for ten minutes, surrounded by men with guns who won’t say anything to me.I wrap my arms around myself. Try to stay calm.Roman will notice I’m gone. He’ll find me. He always finds me.I just have to wait.Footsteps echo from behind me.I sit up straighter. Prepare myself f
RavenI couldn’t wait for breakfast to be over. There was somewhere I’d always wanted to go, but had never quite found the courage to visit.St. Mercy’s Hospital looms in front of me like a judgment.I’ve been standing on the sidewalk across the street for the past ten minutes. Just staring at the
RomanThe same boy. The same fucking boy who can’t seem to understand what boundaries are.And the nerve, the absolute fucking nerve—of her to invite him here. To my engagement party. To a family gathering where he has no business being.My hand tightens around my wine glass.“Everything is going g
RavenThe hangover hits me before I even open my eyes.My head is a slow, steady throb. My mouth tastes as if something died in it. I lie there for a full minute just staring at the ceiling, letting the memories crawl back in pieces. The bar. Jack. The drive home. Roman guiding me to my bedroom. Me







