“What have I done?” I ask, my mind racing to recall any wrongdoing on my part. But nothing comes to mind, and I find myself at a loss to explain his reaction. “You gave Jeremy half of the newly acquired shares in our latest deal? What the hell possessed you to do that?” “Andrei, I'm at a loss for words. I have no idea how this could have happened, and I am just as shocked as you are, hearing this.” Andrei restless. He seems mad. Really mad. I try to reason with him, “I swear I don't have a clue how that happened.” “I Can't make sense of this, either. I mean, I entrusted you with this responsibility, and now you're telling me you don't know how this happened? You've been managing this project for a while now.” “You think I'd lie to you? No way.” “But it certainly it defies all logic and reason that you could be so oblivious to something like this happening under your watch. I mean, Jesus Christ, Brielle. Get your shit together.” Andrei's not buying a word of what I'm sayin
I bite down on my lips, thinking of the right words to come up with Mom's glaring at me, demanding answers, and I'm coming up with nothing. “Brielle, I never thought I'd have to say this, but I am beyond disappointed in you.” The words cut deep. “Why you would keep us in the dark like this? We were planning a surprise for you and Dad, Brielle. A family trip, just something to bring the whole family together. But now, I can't even comprehend what you're telling me.” I swallow hard, trying to gather my thoughts. “It just sort of happened. One minute I was living my life, the next I'm married. I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. I don't know how to explain it any better than that.” “How could you go ahead and marry someone like that? Money? Is that what it is? Did you marry some rich guy for his money?” “No, no. Not that.” I shake my head,“ There was a contract saying I had to be someone's wife, and I couldn't go back on it. I never meant to keep this from you, I ju
“Bait? What exactly do you mean by that, Brielle? You're not seriously considering putting me in harm's way just to catch a criminal, are you?” “Liam stole from our company while I was responsible for overseeing everything,” “Oh, hell no. There's got to be a smarter way to handle this, one that doesn't involve me being the scapegoat. Why not involve the cops? Let's come up with a plan that doesn't put my neck on the chopping block. I got my own stuff to deal with, like the fact that Liam ghosted me without explanation.” “It happened while I was supposed to be keeping an eye on things. Andrei made it clear that I had to make sure Liam didn't mess up, but somehow he managed to pull a fast one on me.” Ivy's curiosity is piqued, and she sets down her drink to listen. I explain to her that Liam and Andrei don't get along, and that's why he took the shares. I don't want to go into too much detail. Liam has said some pretty nasty things about me and Andrei in the past. He talke
His eyes meet mine, and it's like he's snapped out of a trance, and I'm doing everything possible to not look at Eva, who's has her arms wrapped around him. My heart's pounding. Hard. Andrei tries to call out my name, but before he can even finish the first syllable, I'm turning on my heel and heading back towards elevator. I'm trying to keep it together, but inside I'm a mess of emotions, and it's taking everything in me not to just break down. The elevator doors start to slide shut, and I see Andrei bolting towards me, but it's too late. The doors shut with a satisfying ding and I let out a long breath. Desperate to put some distance between me and the hot mess that is Andrei and Eva, my hands are shaking as I turn the key in the lock, sealing myself safely in my room. I plopped my ass down on the bed, take my shoes off, undo a couple of buttons on my shirt. My toes curl and my palms dig into the mattress, holding me up as I brace myself for the inevitable. His words are
“How's your life going as Mrs. Carter?” Ivy asks, her eyes meeting mine through the rearview mirror as she smooths on a rich, berry-wine lipstick.I laugh, but there’s a nervous edge to it. Even with all the bravado, I can’t shake the jitters I’m feeling about our little scheme “Mrs. Carter life's pretty crazy. Ivy it's chaos. One chaos after another." Ivy and I are twinning tonight, decked out in floor-length, black, glittery gowns that twinkle under the lights. Her own gown takes things up a notch with a daring, high slit that shows off her toned leg.“Here's the tea, Brielle,” she expertly seals the lipstick and tucks it away, “You and Andrei are like two different planets orbiting each other. Yeah, sometimes it's all rainbows and sunshine, but other times, it's like a freaking asteroid belt.”Her analogy is spot-on, and I nod, recognizing the truth in her words, as we drive through the city.“Three years,” Ivy says with a grave sincerity. “That's the timeline, Brielle. If things
Andrei's POV. 'Liam, you son of a gun.' “Must be using all my money to throw a party like this,” I think to myself, glancing around at the extravagance on display. I wave off the valet's offer to park my car, preferring to handle it myself. After all, I'm not officially on the guest list, but that hasn't stopped me from showing up. Liam's a master thief, and those shares are the key to sabotaging Carter Industries. I won't let that happen – the stakes are too high. With Brielle's unpredictable plans, I'm counting on her and Ivy to get it right. Our sole objective is securing the shares. Once that's done, we can put this ordeal behind us and head home. Upon entering the ballroom, I accept a flute of champagne, only to be met with a jaw-dropping spectacle. There’s Brielle, twirling around the dance floor with some random bloke. She's got her arms around him, laughing like she hasn't got a care in the world. I wonder if this is all part of the plan to retrieve my prop
Andrei's POV There's loads of work at the office, but I don't spend much time there today. I grab my keys, and I'm off, very quickly. As I exit my office and stride down the corridor, Sarah’s voice echoes behind me.“Sir, you have a meeting at one o’clock,” “Cancel it.” I don't break stride as I continue on my path to the elevator. “Sir?” I pause, my jaw tightening as I consider her. She's loyal, efficient, and good at her job. But she doesn't know what I'm dealing with right now. “Cancel the meeting, Sarah,” I repeat “We'll reschedule.” She nods, a slight dip of her head that conveys her acquiescence. I’m already moving again, my focus fixed on the exit. Just as I’m about to round the corner, a flurry of footsteps alerts me to the fact that Sarah is hot on my heels. What gives? Thought I made myself clear back there? As I pivot to face for the second time, she halts in her tracks, her expression urgent, "Mr. Adams was just here, Sir." "Mr. Adams?" I echo, m
Andrei's POV Brielle's slumber is a fragile thing, her breathing steady but uncertain. And standing over her, his brow furrowed with concern, is Doctor Corey, a man whose appearance seems almost too stereotypical for the seriousness of the situation. “How's she doing?” I ask. He meets my gaze, his expression serious. “Her condition is troubling.” I take a step forward, “Troubling? What does that mean?” “The sedative should have worn off by now, but she's still showing signs of grogginess. Whatever she may have been drugged with was stronger than we initially thought.” “Stronger? What does that mean for her? Will she be okay?” “It's difficult to say with certainty. We'll need to monitor her closely and run some more tests. There's a chance that the sedative could have left some lasting effects, but it's too early to say for sure.” I take a deep breath, my gaze flitting to Brielle's sleeping form. “The blood work is underway, Mr. Carter. We should have results by tom
Andrei's POV. I occupy a solitary pew at the rear of the chapel, my attention riveted on the priest as he makes his proclamations. His voice bounces off the stone walls, but it's just background noise to me. I'm here to pay my respects to Jamie, not to listen to some old man talk about peace and forgiveness. I swear on my life, I'm gonna catch those fuckers. Jamie's murderers will pay for their crimes. It doesn't matter what twisted motive drove them. You take someone's life, you pay the price. And framing someone else for it? That's just adding insult to injury, a whole new level of depravity in a world's that's quick to point fingers, quick to cast judgement. And once you're in the crosshairs, it's a lot easier to get screwed over. The media's got a field day with it, spinning stories and making mountains out of molehills. Everyone's too damn quick to believe them, to point the finger and say, 'that's the guy who did it.' That's how it goes. Once you're marked, once the world
Brielle's POV “So, you've faced down worse than some mystery man in a balaclava. Let's see how you like the tables turned.” His back turned to me, he deftly pours a glass of wine, the rich ruby liquid swirling against the crystal. “How about you strip for me? Think you can handle that?” His eyes harden as they travel over my body. With an audacious tilt of his head, and a devilish smirk, He raises his glass with flair, “To a night of revelation.” His eyes pin me in place as he stands over me, sipping his wine with an air of quiet confidence. My eyes dart down to the floor, and I feel a blush rising to my cheeks. “I'm taken, sorry.” “Andrei ever asked you to undress for him?” The cadence of his words holds a mesmerizing quality and For a split second, I see a flash of hunger in his eyes, and it makes my breath catch. It's like he's craving something — and I'm not sure if it's the wine or me. I look away again, not wanting to get sucked into the vortex of his charisma – it's just
Brielle's POV. “How long are you gonna keep me here?” I demand, chasing after my captor, determined to get some answers before he vanishes again, “Show yourself, you coward! What else do you want from me?” He doesn't slow his stride, his silence only heightening my agitation. “Damn it, answer me!” He pivots to face me, features obscured by a black, balaclava erasing any hint of humanity. “You think you're in a position to demand answers, Monroe?” “Yes, I am!” I fire back, “You got what you wanted from Andrei. He held up his end of the deal. Now let me go!” “You're not going anywhere. Not until I'm finished with you.” “Think again, hotshot I’m not some damsel in distress, waiting to be saved. You can shove your twisted game straight up your…" I bite back profanity. He tilts his head, his balaclava doing little to conceal the malicious mirth that dances in his eyes. “Spunk like that is why Andrei picked you.” "Enough of this sick game! If you're going to take my life, then
Andrei's POV. My leather jacket is all that's keeping me from freezing my ass off. I glare down at my phone—10:00 PM. With time to kill, I decide to grab a coffee while I wait for my meeting with a key business associate. I've got to keep the wheels turning, no matter the chaos. Lucas Rossini, He's a major player in the oil world and is scheduled to arrive soon. This meeting could be the turning point we need. So I'll bide my time with a cup of black gold, watching the clock tick… My thoughts are a jumbled mess, with Brielle's face the only clear picture amidst the coffee shop's bustle. “Last call, sir. We're closing in 15.” I blink, my eyes adjusting to the dim light that permeates the café, revealing empty tables, chairs neatly stacked, and the quiet stillness of the nearly deserted establishment. The waitress is standing there, looking pretty patient, but I can tell she's getting a little annoyed. I glance at my watch and, sure enough, an hour's gone by. I pay up and
Andrei's POV Those piercing blue eyes, like sapphires shining bright, visible behind the ornate red Venetian mask, ring a bell deep within me. They're eyes I've gazed into countless times, eyes that have sparkled with laughter, shone with tears, and burned with passion. They're Brielle's eyes. In them, I see fear, but I also see fire, the spark that tells me she's still fighting, still holding on. And that's all I need to see. That's all I need to know. She's no coward, something's got her spooked and I won't let her down. My hand falls away from her arm, and gently hand her the papers. “Here, take it.” She looks up at me, her eyes wide, as she takes the papers. I want to reach out, wrap my arms around her, and shield her from all this. I can't. And it's torture unlike any other. She slips away. I pray to whatever gods are out there that she comes back to me, holding on to the thought that as soon as she hands over those papers, she'll be free — free to come back to me, to lea
Brielle's POV. “My shooter's just waiting for the green light. Don't make me give the order. It’s that simple.” I swallow hard, realizing that this is no idle threat—this man means business, and he’s playing a game I don’t know the rules to. As much as it terrifies me, I force myself to nod. “Go. Take the papers from Andrei. Don't speak. Don't hesitate. Just bring them back to me.” Our eyes meet, and I nod, signaling my understanding. He accepts my silent assent and resumes his instructions. “Get the papers, then head to exit five. I'll be there, waiting for you. We'll leave together, nice and quiet. Eyes on you, don't mess this up.” The music stops. The party freezes. He releases my arm, and in an instant, he's gone, swallowed up by the crowd. Masks glint, jewels flash, and the murmur of conversations assaults my senses. The room tilts, and I stumble, my senses reeling. The sound of my name, or rather, the term 'beautiful', startles me. I spin around, and my gaze m
Brielle's POV The bathroom's lavish decor is truly fit for royalty, brimming with lavish details that dazzle the senses. My gaze is darting everywhere, drinking in the luxurious marble floors, gold fixtures, and the crazy exotic scents too. I inhale deeply, the scent of vanilla bean Noel and caramelized amber envelops me, transporting me to a world of tranquility. It's like my worries are dissolving in a warm bubble bath. But, just as I'm about to surrender to the bliss, my conscience decides to stage an intervention. 'Hey, snap out of it! This isn't a five-star hotel – it's a hostage situation!' I blink back to reality. That’s me, standing there like a deer in the headlights, trying to process the cognitive dissonance of being held hostage in a palace of caramel-scented luxury. As if the situation couldn’t get any more lavish, I spot freaking sauna – a real-life, steam-emitting temple of zen – nestled in the corner of this already-insane bathroom. It's weird how the
Andrei's POV “You've got a lot of nerve showing up here, Jeremy. You're not forgiven. Not by a long shot. So don't think for a second that you can just waltz in here and expect everything to be okay. You better leave.” “Can't you see I'm trying to make amends? I've changed, and I want to prove it to you. All I'm asking is for a chance to meet my nephew, Alexis. Is that too much to ask?” I meet Jeremy's gaze, my expression cold and unyielding. There's no sympathy, no weakness in my eyes. He may think he's found a way back into the family's good graces, but he's mistaken. “Whatever delusions you have of redemption, of second chances, they don't matter here. Get back in your car, leave.” He glances back at his car, and for a moment, I see a glimmer of his true self: a smug, self-assured individual who thinks he can charm his way out of anything. “No worries, brother, Next time I'll make sure to let you know I'm coming. You know so you can barricade yourself inside and hide. Wouldn'
Andrei's POV I've known Paul for what feels like an eternity — through thick and thin, ups and downs. He's been more than just a friend or colleague; he's been my rock, my confidant, my partner in every sense. But lately, I've been plagued by doubts, serious doubts. Now, I'm faced with the unsettling possibility that Paul might be involved in all this chaos. The thought alone makes my stomach turn. Could the one person I've trusted with my life be the very one betraying me? It's a question I never thought I'd have to ask, but here I am, wondering if our years of friendship and loyalty have been nothing more than a clever ruse. It's a real pain in the neck dealing with him and his issues. If only he could get his act together and start behaving like a decent human being, maybe things would run more smoothly. But no, he's vanished into thin air. I'm talking zero trace, zero communication. It's like he never existed. And the worst part? He was the last person I sent to fet