–David–

Finally! My brother probably won’t end up impregnating my beautiful sister-in-law again—he’s about to have his hands full with two baby girls. The gender reveal party was all Alyssa’s idea. Triplets! A boy and two girls. Damon lit up like fireworks, bragging with that grin I hadn’t seen since we were teenagers. Back then, he was all steel and shadows, never showing joy.

Now he was boasting, and when Sky joined in, bragging about having girls in the family, my heart melted. We were all swept up in their happiness, the kind that makes you forget the darker Chapters and just breathe in the light.

Funny thing—Damon used to be dangerous, strict, always looking like thunderclouds. That’s what happens when your grandfather forces you into an illegal empire. He saved me from that life, though. And here I am now, stretched out on a private jet owned by Livana—my sister-in-law, the real Queen of this world. I don’t know much about their empire, but she runs it like she owns the sky itself.

Louie, CEO of the company her mother built, sat across from me, hunched over his laptop, fingers flying. The glow of the screen lit his sharp features.

"I never expected you to be here," I said, swirling my whiskey, the amber liquid catching the cabin lights.

"I’m activating the security system for the residence near your house," he replied without looking up. "It’s isolated, far from neighbors. But it’s yours."

"Thank you," I murmured, savoring the smoky burn of the drink. Then I grinned, leaning back. "So, are you staying with me, bro? No one’s going to get jealous, right? We’re both bachelors." My tone was teasing, playful.

Louie froze, then shot me a glare. "David, if you keep saying things like that, people will think we’re gay."

I laughed, turning to our escort—a petite woman absorbed in her book, ignoring us like we were background noise. "Miss, do you think we’re gay?"

"Her name is Rhys," Louie muttered.

Rhys lifted her gaze, cool and unbothered. "I think Louie is far too handsome for anyone to believe you’re in love with him."

Louie roared with laughter, shaking his head as he returned to typing. I smirked. "Well, he is handsome. Still wonder why he’s single. But I think I’d be a better choice for you."

She shrugged. "I’m not interested in men."

"So... women?" I asked, raising a brow. Rhys laughed, and I caught the flicker of strain in Louie’s expression. Something was definitely brewing between them.

"Just sleep, Mr. Bachelor," Rhys said smoothly. "We don’t want you arriving in Greenland with a hangover."

"Oh, right." I chuckled, downed the last of my whiskey, and headed to the cabin’s sleek bathroom. Hot water steamed around me, washing away the haze. I dressed warm, returned to my seat, and found Louie still working—workaholic, just like his baby brother Lore.

Later, whispers stirred me awake. My head felt heavy, but I cracked an eye. Louie was cornering someone, his voice low, sharp, almost threatening. I ignored it—it was probably Rhys. Then came the sound of kisses. I cringed.

"Oh, please! Get a room already!" I hissed, dragging the blanket over my head. How dare they interrupt my sleep?

But then, sleep pulled me under again. And in my dreams, Kelly was there—on top of me, riding me endlessly, the kind that makes you forget the world exists.

****

Greenland. Ironic name, considering the cold cuts through bone and the snow falls like endless confetti. My breath fogged in the air as I hugged Louie, both of us trudging toward the car. Rhys headed for the front seat, but I sprinted ahead, yanked the door open, and slid in fast. That left the two of them in the back. Perfect. Grinning, I thought—matchmaking is fun.

"I think we need to hit the grocery store," I announced. "I need to buy handsome men stuff."

Rhys burst out laughing, smacking the back of my seat. "Bro, they don’t sell handsome stuff here."

"I promise you, Rhys, we’ll find it." I flashed my card. "Buy whatever you want, baby. It’s all on me." She snatched it without hesitation, eyes sparkling.

"Nice."

At the supermarket near my new home, Rhys pulled out a cart, adorable in her oversized coat, Louie towering beside her like a skyscraper. He had to be 6’6, and she barely reached his underarm. I grabbed my own cart, trailing behind like the eternal third wheel.

Rhys stepped onto the cart to reach something high. Louie plucked it down, dropped it in, and patted her head. She smacked him away. Adorable. And I hated it. Third wheel again.

I stopped at the jams. Kelly loved blueberries and mango. I picked one of each, but then—my heart froze. A figure. Heavy coat. Winter boots. That height. That walk. My chest tightened. I chuckled under my breath. Livana must have led me here. I tugged my hood low, crouched, filling my cart, stealing glances. When her face turned, I knew. Kelly. My Kelly. Disguised, but unmistakable.

I rushed to find Louie and Rhys, who were arguing over nonsense. Typical. I paid with another card, eyes locked on the woman with red hair. She glanced toward the noisy pair. I hid deeper in shadow. If she saw me, she’d vanish. Damn those two—I’d tie them together if it meant shutting them up.

Outside, I claimed the spare six-seater. Loaded my bags. Waited. Watched. She pushed her cart to a pickup truck, bonnet pulled low, trench coat thick. I memorized the plate, the car. My pulse raced. Stalking my secretary who was supposed to be dead. If she was a traitor in Livana’s empire, she should be gone. But no. Ghost. Her codename had to be Ghost.

I tailed her, careful, heart hammering. Oddly, her route led near my house. She waved me past, suspicion in her gesture. I sighed, drummed the wheel, drove ahead, tinted windows hiding me. GPS guided me home, but her car sped past. I smirked, turned back, and followed. Five minutes later, she turned left. A house. Big. She vanished inside.

I climbed out, knocked. The door swung open—shotgun barrel pressed to my forehead. Her eyes, fierce, unchanging, ready to kill.

"Give me one damn reason not to pull the trigger!"

"I love you." The words slipped out. The blast rang past my ear, deafening. "Fuck, baby!" I laughed, stumbling, ears ringing, and pulled her into a hug, burying myself in her warmth. "I miss you, Kels."

She lowered the gun, lips moving, voice muffled by the ringing. Gunpowder clung to the icy air. I took the weapon, set it back on her rack.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice finally pierced through, faint in my left ear.

"I’m here to facilitate the branch," I said, rubbing my ear. She slammed the door, coat pulled tight, arms crossed, fury in her stance.

"Did Livana send you?" she demanded.

I hesitated. Maybe Livana had set this up. But the branch was real. "She did."

Kelly scoffed. "You’ve been trying to access my files too." Fingers raked through her red hair.

"You’re not a traitor, are you?" I asked.

She stared, puzzled, then laughed. Kelly glowed—cheeks fuller, healthier, still beautiful even with the disguise. I kissed her cold hand. "Livana has nothing to do with this. Louie and Rhys are here to help me set up. This branch matters to Blackwell and Livana."

She shook her head. I kissed her nose, chuckling. "I remember what happened between us. How you rode me like crazy... beautiful." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

She shoved my chest, breath hot against me. I didn’t move. I pulled her waist closer—and froze. Something pressed between us. I opened her coat. A baby bump.

"It’s not yours," she said coldly. "Please, just go."

Her words shattered me. But I saw the lie in her eyes. My little liar.

I stared at her, laughing because she was too good at lying. Her eyes widened, pupils dilating—she hadn’t expected me to laugh.

"Oh, baby," I growled, gripping the back of her neck and pulling her close. "I might’ve been drugged by my sister and Lore, but I remember everything. I remember how you made me come inside you, over and over that night. Did you just use me as a sperm donor?"

She looked at me like I was a fool. "Just go. You can’t be here."

I sighed, shaking my head. I stripped off her coat, then mine, hanging them neatly. My gaze dropped to her belly beneath the sweater.

"I can’t leave you. Not like this." My voice cracked with defiance. "You’re pregnant with my baby and—"

"David, just go, please." She tugged at my arm, desperate. "I don’t want you here. I chose this life."

"No." I shook my head firmly. "Let’s get married."

She froze, staring at me for a long, heavy moment before laughter broke out of her. "You’ve lost your mind, David."

"I did!" I scoffed, voice rising. "For months, Kelly! I’ve been haunted by you. I saw you get shot—did you know half of me died at that moment?"

Her brows furrowed, her head shaking.

"I love you! And we will get married—not for me, but for our baby. You won’t rob me of that."

She scoffed again. "David, you can marry anyone you want."

"Yes, exactly." My voice snapped like a whip. "And I choose you."

I cupped her face, kissed her lips—passionate, torrid, desperate, nearly devouring her. She tried to push me away, but her strength faltered. Finally, she gave in.