Kelan marched through the opulent halls of Dragon Corporation with a furious energy that caused heads to turn and conversations to stop mid-sentence. His shoes clacked sharply against the polished marble floors, the sound echoing through the otherwise silent corridor.He ignored the curious and fearful glances from employees as he made his way to his office, his mind focused on one thing—Kerrigan Lokir.The door to his office closed with a heavy thud as Kelan stormed inside, immediately yanking his phone from his pocket. The anger that had been boiling within him since his last encounter with Kerrigan threatened to overflow. He dialed quickly, and after only two rings, his father’s voice crackled through the line.“Kelan,” Gregor Benedict’s voice was as sharp as ever, with a hint of impatience. “This had better be important.”“It is,” Kelan growled, pacing the length of his office. “Kerrigan’s meddling again. She’s got people sniffing around my club, poking their noses where they don’
Kelan drummed his fingers rhythmically against the polished wood as he mulled over his father’s words. The plan was audacious, but if executed correctly, it could cement his place in the upper echelons of power. Still, the stakes were high—one misstep, and everything could come crashing down.He reached for the glass of whiskey he kept on his desk, taking a slow sip as he let the warmth spread through him. The liquid courage helped to steady his nerves, but it did little to ease the growing tension in his chest. He needed to start putting the pieces into place, and quickly.His thoughts returned to the prince. The man was an annoyance, hovering around Kerrigan like a lovesick puppy. Kelan sneered at the thought. The prince’s interest in Kerrigan was more than just romantic—it was strategic. And that made him a threat.Setting his glass down, Kelan picked up his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart. It rang only once before a voice answered, smooth and professional.“Mr. Benedict
Prince Khalid lingered in the grand throne room of the Golan Royal Palace, his eyes once again drawn to the alcove above the throne. The twin chairs—symbols of a power beyond that of mere mortals—captivated him.His mind swirled with thoughts of the ancient legends, the tales of dragons and their supposed influence over the kingdom of Golan. The air in the room was heavy with history, but Khalid had little patience for myths.His uncle had dies in the last war with this kingdom. The stories then were filled with the fear of a vicious warrior, protected by the dragon gods. At the end of the day it was a way to give his uncle a more honorable death story, nothing more.He turned away from the alcove, dismissing the thoughts as irrelevant for now. He had more immediate concerns, concerns that involved a stubborn woman and an increasingly troublesome rival. He exited the throne room with a determined stride, his shoes echoing against the marble floor as he moved through the palace’s ornat
Mid-week, the sun was beginning to dip low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the construction site as Conor arrived. The new community center was starting to take shape, its skeletal structure standing tall against the late afternoon sky.The sounds of machinery hummed in the background as workers continued their tasks, the clanging of metal and the hum of engines a comforting reminder that progress was being made.Andrew Harden, Conor’s business partner and the youngest son of the Harden Construction Group, was already waiting for him at the entrance. He waved Conor over with a broad smile, his hard hat slightly askew on his head.“Conor! Glad you could make it,” Andrew greeted him, extending a hand. “We’ve made some serious progress since the last time you were here.”Conor shook his hand firmly, smiling as he took in the sight of the half-finished building. “It’s good to see it coming together, Andrew. I’ve been looking forward to this.”They began their tour, Andrew hand
Conor sat at his desk, staring at the postcard for what felt like the hundredth time. The rustic cabin on the front seemed to beckon him, promising a brief escape from the chaos that had consumed his life over the past few months.A weekend alone with Kerrigan—if that’s what this invitation truly was—was something he hadn’t realized how desperately he needed until now.He knew the next step was to ensure everything was in order, so he picked up his phone and dialed Mr. Nuri’s office.“Conor, what can I do for you?” Mr. Nuri’s voice came through the receiver, calm and collected as always.“Morning, Nuri. I wanted to check in and see if there’s anything pressing that might require my attention over the weekend,” Conor said, trying to keep his tone casual.There was a brief pause before Nuri responded. “We’re wrapping up the final stages of the investigations. The evidence we’ve gathered so far is solid, and I anticipate having fully prepared cases on all fronts by late next week. For no
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the winding mountain road as Conor and Parker drove deeper into the wilderness. The trees thickened, their branches intertwining to form a dense canopy overhead.The air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the bustling city they’d left behind. Kerrigan's chosen rendezvous was several hours north and east, nestled in the heart of the mountains.Conor noted the distance with a sense of satisfaction—it was almost exactly halfway between Jinstain and Velyki, a perfect meeting place.As they rounded the final bend, a black SUV came into view, parked on the side of the road near a decent size cabin. Reilynn, Evelynn, and Gabriella were standing around it, chatting with easy smiles on their faces. Parker pulled the car to a stop, glancing over at Conor with a knowing grin."Looks like this is my stop," Parker said, unbuckling his seatbelt and grabbing his bag. As he stepped out of the car, he reached back in and handed Conor the keys along
The smell of sizzling bacon filled the cabin as the first rays of dawn filtered through the small window. Kerrigan stirred, slowly waking to the delicious scent and the sight of Conor at the stove.Conor stood at the stove, shirtless, wearing only a pair of flannel pajama pants, his muscular frame relaxed as he expertly flipped the bacon and scrambled eggs in the pan. The simple act of cooking for someone he loved made this moment perfect.A soft smile crept across her face as she watched him, savoring the domesticity of it all. She felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn’t just the smell of breakfast or the peacefulness of the cabin; it was the feeling of being with him, away from the pressures and chaos of their lives.Kerrigan stretched beneath the cozy blankets, feeling the soft fabric of the clothes she still wore from the day before. She glanced down, noting with some surprise that she hadn’t changed for bed.She had considered that they might take th
The front door exploded inward, sending a shockwave through the cabin. Splinters of wood and debris flew through the air, and the blast knocked Conor and Kerrigan to the floor. The force of the explosion was followed by a cloud of thick smoke and gas that quickly filled the room, choking the air with a toxic, acrid smell.Faolan, ever the protector, was the first to react. With a fierce growl, she charged at the intruders, her powerful form barreling through the smoke. But the attackers were ready. A figure loomed out of the haze, slamming a baton against the side of Faolan’s head with brutal force.The impact sent her yelping and crashing into a wall, but even then, she didn’t stay down. With a pained whimper, she pushed herself back up, determination burning in her eyes as she prepared to attack again.Conor’s heart pounded in his chest, every instinct screaming at him to protect Kerrigan. He tried to move, but the gas was already taking effect, his lungs burning as he inhaled the po