–Damon–
Then Tyrona called.
She didn’t say it outright, but the mont she ntioned my sister being kidnapped, I knew. Every pause, every breath—this was her choreography from the beginning.
"I know you orchestrated all of this, Tyrona! Where is my sister?" I shouted into the phone. I made sure my voice cracked just enough. I knew this reaction was exactly what she wanted. "You will pay for this."
"Oh, Damon. My dear Damon," she purred. "You know what I want. If you want your sister alive, with my help, she’ll co ho safely."
"Not just her," I said coldly. "The kid with her too. I swear, Tyrona—if even one of them is hurt, I won’t let it slide."
"Wow," she giggled. "Then you agree to my proposal! Alright. In two days, I’ll send you the address. A car will pick you up. I think your whole family should dress appropriately—royal blue." She sounded euphoric. Drunk on control.
"If Alyssa and Lore are hurt or uncomfortable in any way," I said slowly, "I will kill you."
She laughed. Soft. Delighted.
"I already plan on making your life miserable."
I ended the call and turned to my grandparents and parents.
"What?" Mom asked, imdiately reaching for my hand.
"She wants to marry her," I said flatly. "In two days, there will be a wedding."
"What?" Her face crumpled. "You can’t!" she shouted, tears spilling over.
"That way, she’ll let Alyssa and Lore go." I cupped her face and wiped her tears with my thumb. "Prepare the royal blue suits and gowns," I said, then turned away.
"Do you want to take your place as Tyrona’s bride?" David offered casually.
I raised an eyebrow.
"I’d love to," he added with a shrug, "but no... we don’t want our sister killed, right?"
I didn’t answer. I went straight upstairs to my office.
Livana sent updates while I watched the live footage she intercepted—multiple angles, multiple feeds. Precision. As always.
I watched them force everyone to stand. One of the n grabbed Alyssa, about to drag her—
Then Lore woke up.
He staggered forward and stopped them.
"Just get up," one of the n said. "We’ll take you sowhere more comfortable."
They untied Alyssa. She imdiately supported Lore, guiding him into the car.
The feed cut.
We couldn’t rescue them yet.
I knew Tyrona wouldn’t kill Alyssa or Lore. But they hurt Lore.
That alone guaranteed blood.
The wedding could be faked. But Tyrona would make sure it was real—sealed, public, binding. What she didn’t know was that even with paperwork, once my wife surfaced, it could be voided.
And I didn’t have to sign anything imdiately.
All I needed was Alyssa back.
Livana called. Her face appeared on the screen, calm, focused—still arranging her chess pieces.
"Yes, love?" I smiled.
"They’re moving Alyssa and Lore to a secluded house nearby. Full accommodation," she said.
"Mom is terrified," I sighed. "I can’t tell her."
"Sleep," Livana said gently. "Our baby is already asleep." She smiled. "Did you know Laura prepared burgers for us? Veggies, wagyu beef patties. She even made tacos—tortilla chips and everything."
"I think so," I nodded slowly. "She knows how to cook. She cooks for the kids... and her husband." The mory surfaced faintly. "She makes good als for the twins and for Sky."
"That’s sweet," Livana said, glancing at . "I need to keep working."
"It’s fine," I replied. "I’ll watch you."
"You need to sleep."
"You need to sleep too."
I leaned closer to the tablet, watching her issue commands, mute her mic, dominate the board.
Watching her like this—untouchable, brilliant—was already a luxury.
And Tyrona?
She thought this was her ga.
Two days.
That was more than enough ti to turn her fantasy into her funeral.
–Alyssa–
It was dusty.
I was hungry, exhausted, and I desperately needed a bathroom. I needed to pee—at least. I already had half a dozen escape plans sorted in my head, but Lore was still unconscious. I shook him. Pinched him.
"Lore," I hissed.
One of them received a call. I was already shifting into fight mode when they removed the chains connecting my cuffs to the pole. Lore woke up on instinct. They removed his chain too. I imdiately helped him up, pulling his arm over my shoulder.
They drove for about an hour. I told them—very clearly—that we both needed a bathroom and water. Soone muttered about being a spoiled brat. One of them lifted a hand like he was about to hit , but the other stopped him.
"We can’t hurt them anymore," they murmured.
When we reached the house, they escorted us into a room—wide, with a table, a double bed, and a bathroom. I rushed inside first. It was surprisingly clean. I washed my hands, took a breath, then went back out.
One of them shoved a trembling doctor forward and told him to check on Lore.
Wow.
So they are scared of what happens if one of us gets hurt.
The doctor gave Lore a pain reliever and insisted on a CT scan. The masked kidnappers only shook their heads.
Once the doctor left, they dumped two fast-food paper bags filled with als onto the table.
"There’s a microwave," one said in a husky voice, pointing. "A fridge filled with food and snacks. And both of you better shut up."
I didn’t blink. I just morized their movents.
Lore casually sat up and checked the paper bag. The door locked again.
"What?" I hissed at him. "You’re eating?"
"We need all the energy we can get while we’re here, Princess," he said, waving over.
I sat across from him.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"I just want to sleep," he yawned—then ate anyway.
I grabbed a water bottle and took a long sip, sighing. I removed the ponytail that had been killing my scalp and placed it on the table. Lore looked up.
I followed his gaze and raised my middle finger at the cara.
"I badly need my skincare. My soap. My hairbrush," I pouted.
"I can braid your hair," he offered.
"You know how?"
He shrugged, grabbed a drumstick with a tissue, and took a huge bite. I sighed. I wished I had that kind of appetite.
"Co on, eat," he urged.
I nodded and ate a little, then went to the bathroom. Inside, I found a toothbrush and toothpaste—brand new. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and noticed fresh towels neatly folded in the closet.
The door opened. Soone petite—still masked—dropped shopping bags on the floor.
"Be grateful we’re giving you what you need, including clothes," she said in a robotic tone before closing the door.
Locks clicked from the outside.
I dumped the bags onto the bed. Clothes spilled out—basic shirts, shorts, disposable underwear.
"At least they have AC here," Logan said, removing his shirt.
I imdiately turned away.
"Why are you undressing so suddenly?"
He hugged from behind without warning. I froze. His lips hovered close to my heart.
"Listen," he whispered. "Keep the ponytail on. It looks perfect on you."
He subtly showed a button on a small device. My eyes widened.
I wrestled him down so it wouldn’t look suspicious. He laughed as I shoved him away.
"Go brush your teeth, dumbass! You perv!"
"Wow, wow," he scoffed. "Now I’m a pervert?"
He sat up, wincing as he touched his head. I handed him comfortable, loose clothes.
"I have to warn you—as a man—no, as a healthy man," he said seriously, "weird things happen to us during sleep."
"And what is that?" I crossed my arms.
He grinned slowly. "You’ll find out soon."
I rolled my eyes.
"Clean that up. I’m taking a bath."
I grabbed a towel and clothes and headed into the bathroom. I frowned when I noticed the shampoo and soap—it was the sa brand I used at ho. Even the shower had hot and cold water.
I took my ti bathing, drying my hair, and getting dressed.
"Damn, what took you so long?" he hissed as he grabbed the towel and pants, heading inside.
The table was clean now. Water bottles neatly lined up. I checked the fridge and grabbed a soda I definitely shouldn’t be drinking at night. I sat on the bed and scanned the room.
No couch.
Nothing else to sleep on.
He ca out topless and gestured for to scoot over.
"Wait—we can’t sleep on the sa—"
"There’s only one bed," he cut in. "Don’t make sleep on the cold floor."
I rolled my eyes as he turned off the lights. I scooted to the edge, facing the wall, shoved a spare pillow between us, hugged another pillow, and pulled the duvet over my shoulder.
I tried to sleep. I couldn’t.
I turned. He was lying flat on his back. I slid the ponytail to my wrist and moved closer.
"They won’t kill us, right?" I asked quietly.
"Nope. They want sothing."
"What is it?"
He stayed silent. Then he took my hand and placed it over his chest, eyes closed.
"I don’t know yet," he said softly. "But they won’t hurt you. And if they do... you know what I’d do."
"I don’t know that."
He moved closer. The pillow was still between us, but eventually, I accepted his embrace and pressed my face to his chest.
"Let’s keep the pillow between us, okay?" I murmured.
I chuckled, almost rolling my eyes.
"Whatever."
He gently stroked my hair.
My heart raced—loud, fast.
I like Lore.
Too much.
And no—I can’t tell him.
Not like this.
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