Bonds

Chapter 15

-Alex’s POV-

My phone buzzed, the insistent hum jarring against the simmering rage coiled in my gut. I answered, my voice clipped, barely above a growl.

“Alex,” the smooth, unruffled voice on the other end sent another shot of irritation through the. “Got your message. You really sure about this?”

A harsh scoff escaped my throat. “Do I sound unsure?”

“Think of the consequences,” the man continued, his tone even, almost emotionless. “This ain’t some schoolyard scuffle. Daniel Stone might be an arrogant k , but he’s also Amaya’s father,”

The name hit me like a e r punch. My jaw clenched, teeth grinding together. But I didn’t care. I didn’t care about her anymore. The same words I had been telling myself the last few days.”

“What’s your point?” I spat, venom lacing each word

“Think, Alex,” the urgency crept back into his voice, a hint of steel finally breaking through. “Taking down Daniel won’t be a walk in the park. There’ll be retaliation, chaos. Amaya could get caught in the crossfire. You ready to live with that?”

Fury washed over me, cold and suffocating. I didn’t need a lecture on the fallout. I know the risks, the potential damage. But the image of Daniel’s smug face, the memory of his taunts, fueled my resolve.

“I don’t give a d a m n about them,” I snarled, my voice low and dangerous. “Daniel Stone crossed a line. Played his games, pushed me to the edge. Now, he pays.”

Silence stretched on the other end, heavy and thick. Then, a sigh. “Alright, Alex. Just remember, the path you’re on is dark. No turning back once you step

onto it

“No looking back,” I said, my voice hard as stone. “I won’t rest until I see Daniel Stone on his knees, begging for mercy. Until then, the only consequence 1 care about is his.”

The line went dead, leaving me alone with the echo of my own words and the stark reality of my choice. There would be a price, innocent lives caught in the maelstrom of my vengeance. But the wolf within, the primal need for retribution, drowned out any flicker of doubt.

I slammed the phone down, the force sending a tremor through the room. My fists clenched, knuckles white, the image of Daniel’s face burning behind my closed eyelids.

This wasn’t just about settling a score. It was about dominance, reclaiming the power Daniel had stolen, Proving, to myself and the world, that I wouldn’t be pushed around, wouldn’t be made a fool.

I stormed out of the room, grabbing my keys and heading home hoping Miranda was asleep so I wouldn’t have to deal with her because I was definitely not in the mood.

The roar of my engine died down, punctuating the storm raging inside me. I slammed the car door shut, the vibration echoing the fury trembling in my limbs. The metallic g of rage clung to me, mirroring the bitter taste in my mouth.

Bursting through the front door, I nearly ripped it off its hinges. I almost let out a groan when i saw her.

Miranda sat perched on a plush armchair, swirling wine in her hand. Each tap of her perfectly manicured nails against the crystal goblet was a taunt against the chaos I carried.

“Ah, Alex,” she drawled, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Just the man I was hoping to see.”

Chapter 15

the stairs but Miranda wasn’t

have something

in my eyes could curdle milk, a stark contrast to the amusement

barely

smile widening ever so slightly. “Seems your

just tied the knot with my

jolt of anger through

snapped, turning back towards the

dull. Don’t you think a personalized touch would

I repeated, voice tight with barely contained

knowing glint in her eyes. “Such hostility, darling. One would

refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. But she persisted, her voice dripping with

little reunion with your past didn’t quite go as planned,

my sides, nails digging into my palms. I knew where this was going, the subtle

Miranda,” I

but wouldn’t you know,” she continued, her smile never faltering. “Luck seems to be on my side lately. And speaking of luck, I received a rather interesting

its way through the anger. I knew what she

even think about it,” I growled, taking

a triumphant smirk. “Think about what, darling? Sharing a little secret with my brother? Perhaps reminding him exactly who his wife truly

ran cold. I couldn’t let her do this. Amaya didn’t deserve to be dragged

wouldn’t,” I spat, my voice

challenged, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Why don’t you

between rage and fear, the weight of her threat heavy on

closer, her voice a low whisper. “You see, Alex, the game has

and I

Chapter 16

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looked up at him, a small laugh escaping my lips. “With

you didn’t,” he stated confidently. “You did great, Amaya.

up within me,”So, where are we going then?” I asked, a flicker of

eyes.

a hint of mischief dancing in his dark eyes. “That, my love, is a

in front of a small, unassuming building adorned with a faded blue

I murmured, a smile tugging at my

squeezed my hand. “Ready

tucked away in the corner of

towards a skylight directly overhead. The night sky glittered above,

“Wow,” I breathed, awestruck.

years ago,” Ivan explained, placing a hand on

gentle as he guided me on how to adjust the lens. I peered through the eyepiece, and a gasp escaped my lips. The vastness of space unfolded before me, a