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

for the stairs

something

step. The anger in my eyes could curdle milk,

now, Miranda,” Igrowled, barely controlling

I think it is,” she countered, her smile widening ever so slightly. “Seems your Congratulations gifts

tied the knot

of anger through me. I didn’t need this, not

generic,” I snapped, turning back towards the

dramatically. “But how utterly… dull. Don’t you think a

voice tight with barely contained

“Such hostility, darling. One would almost think the

refusing to give her the satisfaction of a

feeling a tad… left out? After all, your little

where this

Miranda,” I warned, my voice

faltering. “Luck seems to be on my side lately. And speaking of luck, I received a rather

of fear worming its way through the anger. I knew what she was talking

even think about it,” I growled,

smirk. “Think about what, darling? Sharing a

let her do this. Amaya didn’t deserve to be

wouldn’t,” I spat, my

challenged, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Why

rage and fear, the weight of her threat heavy

low whisper. “You see, Alex, the game has changed. And this time, I hold all

thick and suffocating. I stared at her and I knew she wouldn’t hesitate to use the picture,

Chapter 16

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him, a small laugh escaping my lips. “With what

cheek. “I’m sure you didn’t,” he stated confidently. “You did great, Amaya. They would be

a silent gratitude welling up within me,”So, where are we going then?” I asked, a

eyes.

mischief dancing in his dark eyes.

led me through bustling bodies until we stopped in front of a small, unassuming building adorned with a faded blue awning and a single flickering

I murmured, a smile

hand.

in the corner of the room. It creaked open, revealing a narrow passage

stood a massive telescope, pointed towards a skylight directly overhead. The night sky glittered above, a canvas of stars sparkling like diamonds s**d on

“Wow,” I breathed, awestruck.

space built a few years ago,” Ivan explained, placing a hand on my shoulder. “She wanted a place to escape

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 dizzying array