Faux Vows, True Desires

"Don't worry about the company, I have a bunch of capable brothers who can take over in a heartbeat. Even if I were to hang out with you at Skywatch for a year, the firm would run like clockwork." Stefan had faith in his siblings and trusted their competencies implicitly.

"Although they're all busy with their own ventures, they're all clued in on the company's operations. Liam's just tied the knot, so we'll give him a pass; my youngest brother's still in school, so he's out too. But my other brothers are up for the task."

The brothers: Stefan, please don't pick me.

Stefan: How about this? Rock-paper-scissors, draw straws, loser takes over.

Everyone was speechless.

"This empire's too big to leave to my youngers brother. They might be able to handle their own, but navigating the business world requires some seasoned veterans."

Lucinda had been the sister-in-law to the boys for a while now and had gotten to know each and every one of her brothers-in-law quite well.

Stefan chuckled, "Let them share the load, don't want to be accused of playing favorites."

Lucinda yawned, closing her eyes, and mumbled, "Honey, I'm beat. Off to count sheep." Stefan planted a gentle kiss on her and whispered, "Sleep tight. I'll watch over you."

Lucinda said no more.

She always felt exhausted after their intimate moments, sinking into a deep sleep.

It puzzled her why she was the one feeling spent even though she wasn't the one exerting the effort.

Skywatch.

One o'clock in the morning.

The city was quiet as a whisper.

A convoy bathed in moonlight made its way back to Sunnyglade Abbey.

yet they dared not sleep as the

They quickly stood up, operating the gate switch and stepped out of their booth, standing at attention as

gates closed

finally able to catch a wink of sleep until

stopped in front of

deep voice, to which the bodyguards replied in

silence, the bodyguards returned to their cars, drove to the parking lot, and retired to their quarters. Those on night duty remained vigilant

the stairs, he noticed that his parent's room was still lit. He hesitated

in the

thought, "So, in Dad's drunken state, he'd crashed

his shoes and socks, adjusted the thermostat to a comfortable setting,

room was a good distance from the master bedroom, a testament to the strained

the second floor. No one knew why he'd chosen it - they assumed it was because he was out of

large trees. In the summer, they provided shade and coolness, but they also darkened

cutting them down. The night shift guards used those trees as cover. Without them, where would

stepped into his room but stopped after only

guards on duty were none

be so skilled as to evade his

it were an

he might need a

to be unaware of the situation, nonchalantly turned on the light, closed the door, and discreetly triggered an

he saw who was lounging on his sofa, he immediately canceled

sleek black attire,

long hair was tied back

no doubts

mysterious woman who'd helped him

He approached her.