Hayden-Tripping over my own feet, I fell to the ground in the most ungraceful way possible. At some point, I must have twisted my ankle as pain spread around it, and a sharp pain traveled up my calf. Sprawled out on the ground, I quickly sat up and wrapped my hands around my ankle.“Are you okay?” Dominic rushed to my side, kneeling beside me.“I think I twisted it.” I hissed.“I should have made sure you were ready.” Dominic wrapped his arms behind my back and under my knees. “I will take you back and have the doctor come to examine you.” He lifted me bridal style in his arms and awkwardly carried me through the ropes of the boxing ring.While in his arms, I didn’t care that I was injured. If anything, it had been worth it. The pain had nearly dissipated completely until he placed me on the bed. Thankfully, Maria wasn’t home, or I would have been embarrassed.Since Dominic started training me, he had asked Maria to move out and only show up while we were working to clean and prepare

Dominic-“Jump the fence!” Tristan yelled from behind me as bullets flew at us.Running across the yard, I pushed off the ground as hard as possible when I reached the four-foot chain-link fence. Grabbing the top of the fence, I tucked my knees in and propelled myself over. Once I was over it, I let go and landed on my feet on the other side.I didn’t need to look over my shoulder to know Tristan was following me because I could hear his heavy breathing. Dodging between two trees, I entered a small forest that divided Valerie’s villa from the next house. Maneuvering through the trees and avoiding branches, I kept running as quickly as my legs could carry me.I only had one thought running through my head: Get home to Hayden. I wouldn’t have left her side tonight if I had been wiser. When I had heard there was a chance to stop Valerie from claiming the life debt Hayden owes her, I hadn't considered that I was entering a trap.The thing is, I should have known better. This wasn’t my fir

Hayden-I had been in high school during that time and had arrived home late after cheerleading practice. Practice had run a little longer than expected, and I had forgotten to take my phone and wallet to school. Since I had been the last to leave, I couldn’t borrow anyone’s phone to call someone to pick me up.I thought walking home would be fine, but I got caught in a rainstorm. When I arrived home, Dominic had been waiting for me. Our parents weren’t home, as they were out looking for me. Dominic and his father had only been living with us for a few weeks at that point.Before they moved in, I never thought anyone would worry about me if I arrived home late. My mother had worked long hours, and it wasn’t the first time I returned home late. That night, however, was different.“Where have you been?” Dominic demanded when I returned home.“I had cheerleading practice.” I rolled my eyes at him and pushed past him to go to my room.“Do you have any idea how worried we have been?” Domin

Hayden-“I am glad to see you!” I stand up and throw my arms around Lily to hug her.“If I had known you were here sooner, I would have told Tristan to shove off when he asked me to stay late.” Lily grabbed a chair from another table and slid it between me and Amy.“You and Tristan seem close.” I raise my brows at Lily.“He is growing on me.” Lily shrugged as she reached across the table to grab a beer bottle that hadn’t been opened.“How did you know I was here?” I changed the subject.“I will give you one chance to guess.” Lily popped the cap off the beer with her teeth.The answer was obvious, so I kept my mouth shut as I grabbed the beer Amy gave me when we arrived. Taking a long swig, I tried not to let it get to me that Dominic sent someone to monitor me. At least, instead of it being more bodyguards, it was my best friend.“Whatever the reason, I am glad you are here.” I smiled.“Let’s get this party started!” Someone from the opposite end of the table shouted.“Why don’t we pl

Dominic-“No one is leaving until a solution is found.” I slammed my fist against the table.“Parker Publishing has already blocked every solution we have tried.” Lawyer Quinn said.For the last hour, I have been sitting in the conference room with Fox Ink’s legal team. Lexus Parker had sent a legal letter to them, as every author I have signed had moved to Parker Publishing, except a few. Lexus had found a loophole in many of the contracts signed with Fox Ink's authors.I knew there were some issues with many of the contracts, and we have been trying to fix them, but I hadn’t been fast enough. If it weren’t for Hayden pointing out specific contracts, Fox Ink would be completely finished. Now, I was forced to pay the authors a large sum of money for a breach of contract.I could technically afford to pay, but that would require me to withdraw funds from my personal account and liquidate a few other businesses I owned. If I had more time, I could have turned things around and gone afte