His jaw tightened as he thought about the situation. "It’s all my fault. I should have believed what you told me, what everyone tried to tell me over the years, but I guess I didn’t want to hear it. In some ways, Josephine was like my little sister when we were growing up. Later, I thought there was something else, but it was familiarity and a misplaced sense of responsibility. I know I should be sad that she’s gone, but I’m not. The Josephine I thought I knew never really existed." I wanted to ask more questions, but Helena arrived and shooed Killian outside while she delivered medication, checked my leg, and fixed the dressing on my neck. Helena was efficient, but in my opinion, had no bedside manner. I endured the woman’s fussing by watching outside. Killian was talking to someone, just couldn’t see who. From the look on his face, he wasn’t pleased. Hitching myself up in the bed, I earned a scolding from Helena but gained a better view of the activity outside. he was talking...
Oh no! My relationship with Killian was finally on solid ground and I didn’t want anything to upset it. "Viktor, don’t tease him like that! Killian, I don’t know why he’s behaving this way." My gaze darted back and forth between the two men. "Don’t you, Hailey?” Viktor mocked. "I’m starting a new pack. I need a female and you’d suit me just fine." Gasping at his boldness, I struggled to my feet and placed myself in between the two, my back firmly pressed to Killian chest. I could feel it starting to rumble. "But you’re his brother, part of the pack. You can’t claim a pack member’s mate!" I hoped he was joking. There was a glint in his eye, which made me think he simply had a weird and ill-timed sense of humor, but still... Viktor reached out towards me as if to grab my arm and pull me away from Killian. His gaze was hot, and he seemed intent on having me, no matter what the consequences. Suddenly, he veered his hand off course and flicked the end of my nose. "Gotcha!" He burst ou
Viktor's pov Grease smeared my hands, even after I scrubbed them with a grimy rag. Pulling down the hood of my beat-up truck, I tossed the filthy cloth into the overflowing garage bin. "Filter's changed, Ben. Anything else?" Ben Miller glanced up from the counter, his gaze lingering on me a beat too long. "Nope, that's it for today. Thanks for coming in, Viktor. You're a lifesaver." "No sweat," I shrugged, shoving the greasy rag deeper into my pocket. "Extra cash is always good. My new house is a bottomless pit, apparently. Needs new plumbing already." Ben scratched his neck, studying me with a furrowed brow. It wasn't the first time I caught him doing that. Why a young guy like me, Viktor, would choose to settle in a one-horse town like Stump River was a mystery to him. Not that I hated the place, but its limitations were glaring. Zero nightlife, just the dusty saloon and Wednesday night bingo at the church. The closest city was a two-hour drive away. Young people fled Stump Ri
Relief flooded me as Edward, the distinguished gentleman at the B&B, ushered me inside. "We're glad you made it safely, Ms. Watson. Follow me, and I'll show you to your room.""Adriana, please," I chirped, flashing my most winning smile. A hint of a smile played on his lips in response. "Adriana" wasn't exactly my jam, Ria was more my speed, but men seemed to fall for the whole "Adriana" thing, and a wannabe hard-nosed journalist like me wasn't above using that to her advantage."Melody, then," he chuckled. "And you can call me Edward. Follow this way." Score one for Ria, I thought smugly as I trailed behind him. My professors had drilled it into our heads: getting on a first-name basis with interview subjects was key to unlocking their secrets. Edward might not be a formal interview, but I wouldn't mind gleaning a tidbit or two.He led me to a cozy room, and as I thanked him, I caught him stealing a glance. I knew exactly what he saw: a five-foot-four frame that defied the "short" l
"For the past four months, I'd been working mostly in the tea room at the Grey Goose. This weekend, though, Mr. Mancini was short-handed because of a flu bug going around and asked me to help out upstairs,"Taking a seat at a table, I forced myself to focus on my meal instead of scoping out the place for another local contact. Four months was a long time, and Hailey, the waitress who brought my food, might have come across the elusive photographer I was here to find."This seems like a lovely place," I said, striking up a conversation. "Do you get a lot of business?""It's steady," she replied with a smile. "Lots of locals come downstairs for lunch, and some rent rooms upstairs for weekend getaways or for guests. We also get a few travelers like yourself. Where are you headed?""Actually, I'm a freelance journalist researching local artists for an article," I lied, using the cover story Mr. Aldrich, the lawyer, had given me. Mr. Greyson, the real reason I was here, preferred to keep h
I shoved another breadstick into my mouth, chomping down on it with frustration. I pictured Mr. Bastian right now, probably grilling his employees about what I wanted to know. Most likely, he'd tell them to shut their mouths and not breathe a word to me. Bastian's Gallery was a dead end, that much was clear.My call to the lawyer, Leon Aldrich, half an hour ago hadn't exactly been a ray of sunshine. He'd been grumpy that I hadn't checked in last night, claiming concern for my safety. Sure, I explained about being tired and the bad roads, but deep down I knew the real reason for his bad mood.Aldrich seemed to be waiting for me to vanish with the hefty cash advance he'd given me and never be seen again. He clearly wasn't a fan of me or my assignment to investigate Viktor Donovan. I could practically feel his judgment radiating through the phone. He probably thought I was unqualified for the job, but Mr. Greyson, the one paying the bills, had chosen me. The sour look Aldrich sported wh
"I can't believe you're still hung up on him, Killian. You know there's nothing going on between us. We're having your baby, and I love you." He leaned down and kissed Hailey's cheek. "I know, sweetheart, and I love you too. It's never been about your feelings for me. It's Viktor interest in you that gets under my skin." "He was just kidding, Killian." "Maybe, but like I always say, once he finds his own..." The conversation died as the postal worker chimed in with the cost of mailing the package. Killian paid, and the oversized box was set aside. I watched them go, fiddling with my ear, trying to clear it. I could've sworn Killian said 'mate.' Pushing the strange word out of my head, I approached the counter and smiled at the flustered woman behind it. "Hi! I was hoping you could help me..." I trailed off, my gaze landing on the package just a foot away. Viktor's address was printed boldly on the front. Jackpot! Now, all I had to do was distract the woman for a closer look.
Lying beside him, I couldn't help but stare up at the ceiling, my hazel green eyes filled with a mix of emotions. It had happened. The deed was done. We were officially mated now. But deep down, I knew the truth, our union was not born out of love, but rather selfish political alliances. The thought offered me no comfort, only the ache of a broken heart.Beside me, I sensed his movement as he turned towards me, his eyes searching for mine. I purposely avoided meeting his gaze, instead focusing on calming my racing breath. But try as I might, my breath still trembled, betraying my inner turmoil. Despite my rapid blinking, a single tear escaped, making its way down my cheek.I heard the covers rustle as he shifted closer to me. His finger gently brushed against my face, capturing the tear. "I'm sorry, Hailey," his voice resonated in the dimly lit room, both deep and gentle. His touch was followed by a soft stroke through my brunette hair and a tender kiss on the crook of my neck."I kno