Lena POVI was still curled up in Ace’s arms, his warm body pressed against mine, his steady breathing the only sound in the quiet room. For once, I felt safe. Protected. His arm was draped over my waist, holding me close like he was afraid I’d disappear. I let myself sink deeper into sleep, my face buried in his chest, breathing in his scent.But the peace didn’t last.In the dream, I was running.My hospital gown was torn and dirty, flapping around my thighs as I sprinted through a dark, endless forest. Branches whipped at my skin, drawing blood. Behind me, the sound of barking dogs and heavy footsteps grew louder. Hooded men with sticks and chains chased me, their laughter echoing like demons.“Run, you little whore!” one of them shouted.I kept running, lungs burning, legs aching. My bare feet slammed against sharp rocks and roots, but I couldn’t stop. Even the thought of it was dangerous. The cliff came into view suddenly—a sheer drop into nothing. I skidded to a halt at the

Ace POVThe bar smelled like spilled whiskey and broken promises; the kind of place that felt right after a day like today. Evening had settled in, work finally behind me, and I needed something stronger than the bullshit I’d been swallowing all week from Clara and her craziness. I pushed through the door, scanning the dim room until I spotted Jacobi at a corner table, raising his hand with that easy, cocky grin.I walked over and dropped into the seat across from him, loosening my tie with a heavy sigh. My shoulders felt like they carried the weight of three fucked-up years.“Rough one?” Jacobi asked, already waving over the waitress.“You don’t even know the half of it.” I leaned back, rubbing my face. “Japan was good for the company, but coming back to all this… it’s draining as hell. Wish I could just stay back permanently.”“I take it your stocks are back up now right?” “Not just back up, but way better. Clara’s little media stunt was the catapult we needed.”I looked around,

The full moon hung high in the night sky, its silver light cutting through the dense canopy of the woods far outside the bubbling city. Trees stood with their branches casting long, twisted shadows across the forest floor. Deep in this forgotten stretch of wilderness, far away from prying eyes and city lights, another kind of civilization stirred.A narrow, covered path wound through the undergrowth, hidden by thick vines and fallen logs. It led to a concealed entrance, an old metal hatch disguised as part of the earth itself. Once opened, steep stairs descended into an underground tunnel, the air growing cooler and heavier with each step. Flickering lights lined the walls, casting a glow on the damp concrete.The tunnel opened into a sprawling underground village, a hidden world buzzing with dangerous energy and aura.Makeshift stalls lined the main paths, weapons hanging openly from hooks; sharp and pointed knives, assault rifles, boxes of ammunition fully stacked carelessly besi

Ace’s POVJacobi’s car softly came to life as we climbed in, the engine a low rumble that matched the storm still raging in my head. I sank into the passenger seat, staring out the window as the estate gates faded behind us. The road stretched ahead, but my mind was a mess, a fucking mess; flashes of last night’s attack still played in an endless loop in my head, Karl’s smug face in the club hallway, Lena’s bandaged arm, Clara’s fake love display at dinner. Everything blurred together like bad whiskey. How the hell had my life turned into this? One minute I was trying to survive a dying marriage, the next I was getting jumped by hooded thugs because I dared to touch the woman I couldn’t stay away from.Jacobi drove in silence for a while, the city lights flickering past. I could feel him glancing at me every few seconds, but I kept my eyes on the passing buildings. The pain in my shoulder throbbed with every bump in the road, the pain was a constant reminder that last night wasn’t

Lena’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed staring at the phone like it might explode. Karl’s latest text sat there in bold letters, cold and controlling as always.“Be home by 9. No excuses. I want you waiting when I get there.”My fingers tightened around the device. The old Lena would have typed back a soft “Okay” and started cooking something he liked. The new Lena, the one who still felt Ace’s hands on her body from the night before, wanted to throw the phone against the wall. I settled for locking the screen and tossing it onto the mattress.A sharp knock at the door made me jump. My heart slammed against my ribs. I wasn’t expecting anyone.I walked to the door and checked the peephole. One of Karl’s men stood there, the same thick-necked bastard who had helped drag me around the night they cut my arm. I opened the door just enough to speak.“What do you want?”He didn’t smile. “Boss sent me. Checking you’re where you’re supposed to be.”“I’m here. You can leave now.”He looked pa