Bang! The reinforced security door blasted from its hinges. The explosion sent dust and fragments flying across the room. The heavy metal slammed into the far wall with a deafening crash that shook the floor. Dolt and Ham turned around in shock. What just happened? Did someone trigger an explosive outside? Their minds raced as they stared at the gaping hole where the door had been. Smoke curled into the room, mingling with the settling dust. From the smoke and dust, a figure stepped in. "Jack!" Juliet screamed. Relief flooded her voice even as fear still gripped her chest. Jack walked inside, his face expressionless. His eyes scanned the room once before settling on the two guards. Dolt and Ham exploded at him. "Who the fuck are you? Are you a terrorist?" Without thinking, they crackled their tasers and touched them to Jack's body. Nothing happened. Jack kept walking towards Juliet without breaking stride. Dolt and Ham exchanged quick glances and figured the power on the electric

"Is he the asshole who ordered the strip search?" Jack asked Juliet through clenched teeth. She answered without hesitation. "Yes, he is. To make Zendaya happy, this manager was willing to outrage my modesty. He stood by and let those perverted guards lock me in that room with no female supervision at all." "He chose her favor over basic human decency and my safety. This man is as much responsible as the guards themselves for what almost happened to me in there." Without waiting, Jack's slap landed on the manager's other cheek. The sharp crack cut through the showroom air like a whip. More teeth and blood followed in a fresh spray across the polished floor. The manager began crying in pain, clutching his battered face with both hands, unable to form a single intelligible word through his sobs. His body shook violently as he knelt there, reduced to broken whimpers and gasps of pure agony. Blood dripped steadily from his mouth onto his shirt and the floor. The spectators were petri

It was the day of the Forbes wedding. Even though the Forbes family had decided to make it a small affair, a few elite guests, celebrities, and top families were present. The Forbes Public Hall had been transformed with cascading white flowers from every archway, golden chandeliers casting a heavenly glow over the marble floors, and an orchestra playing gentle melodies. Guests in tailored suits and elegant gowns mingled with champagne flutes in hand, their conversations a low hum about the union between the Forbes heiress and her unconventional groom, some wondering how such a match had come to be. While Juliet was getting ready as the bride, she stayed constantly on call with Jack. "Where are your parents? You said they'd arrive before the wedding." Jack sighed on the other end of the line, his voice carrying a hint of tension. "Well, they said they would." He hoped they wouldn't. Jack had told Juliet that his family lived in a stone house far from regular civilization, and could

On the broad deck of his massive, armed ship, Johnny Bowman sat on a raised throne made from looted yacht furnishings and bolted to the steel plating. Armed figures moved along the railings and catwalks, their postures alert. The ship's heavy gun turrets remained trained on the two anchored captive cargo vessels belonging to the Forbes company. Their crews were confined to small groups on the decks under watchful guard. A collection of hard-faced enforcers surrounded Johnny Bowman, wearing a mix of tactical vests and street clothes. Some cradled rifles while others only had sidearms visible at their belts. Before Johnny were women of varying ages and ethnicities, dressed in tight, revealing clothes that left little to the imagination. Some danced for the men; others moved about with trays of drinks and food, their smiles clearly forced. A man with a jagged scar across one cheek, Johnny's right-hand man, Gerald, stepped up beside the throne. "Boss, it is surprising that Juliet agre

Juliet stood before the full-length mirror in her bedroom, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting gentle shadows. She had slipped into the elegant green dress chosen for the upcoming meeting with Johnny Bowman. It was a gorgeous selection, settling against her hourglass body in a way that should have felt empowering. However, it only heightened the knot of anxiety in her stomach. Juliet's body trembled as her fingers worked at the back, struggling with the delicate chain that refused to slide into place no matter how she twisted her arms. The door swung open without warning. Jack stepped inside. "Can't you knock before entering?" she snapped, the words coming out sharper than she intended. Her voice carried the edge of the tension coiled tight inside her. Jack remained silent at first, his eyes meeting hers through the reflection in the mirror. He didn't move or offer an excuse, just stood there with a calm demeanor. After a moment, Juliet's expression softened, the sharpness