A Threat Unleashed

Raisel’s POV

Gwen had to face the consequences. Killian didn’t spare her, no matter how much I wanted him to. The verdict wasn’t mine to make—but I didn’t try to stop it either. I just stood there… silent. The only thing I could offer was a promise—to care for Gwen’s mother, a sick woman who depended on her daughter for everything.

Fiora and Hazel had moved into Soren’s penthouse to stay close to me. That place, once his, now belonged to me. His lawyer had handed over the official documents just last week. Hazel was still job hunting, and Fiora was constantly buried in work. I wasn’t any better. Between my usual responsibilities and the added pressure of stepping in as Killian’s temporary secretary, I was running on

fumes.

He’d be visiting again this week—hopefully, with updates about Soren. God, I needed something. Anything.

In a blur of fatigue and distraction, I stepped into the wrong office. It hit me the second I walked in—the silence, the stillness. The absence.

The air was heavy with memories. I could almost see him there, leaning back in that leather chair, his smoldering gaze locking onto me. The way he’d eye me—sharp suit hugging every inch of his toned frame, slicked-back hair, an expensive watch flashing in the

light. His cologne still lingered—dark and spicy. That cold, unreadable stare… and that maddening smirk that made my pulse race.

I sat in his chair. I touched the desk. For just a moment, I wanted to feel close to him.

But grief caught up fast. I stood up before the tears could fall, took a few deep breaths, and forced myself back into the present. I glanced at the calendar—it had been six weeks without seeing Soren. Time had moved fast, but it hadn’t been kind. Every passing day felt like walking barefoot across broken glass.

A ping from my phone broke the silence—Hazel had set a reminder for me to eat lunch. I smiled at her sweet, quiet care. She always

looked out for me in the small ways that mattered.

I was heading to the breakroom when the phone rang.

Shit.

The meeting with the sales team was in ten minutes. I still had to review the data before facing the board with Killian. We were in

crisis mode—Terrain Motors was knee-deep in a money embezzlement scandal, and investor confidence was unraveling. If we didn’t

hold it together… we were finished.

Hazel and Fiora’s voices echoed in my mind: Don’t take on too much stress. It’ll make you sick.

I took a breath. Then another. And walked into the meeting room to prep. But I felt drained—like the light inside me was flickering,

trying not to go out.

As I headed back to my office, I saw Killian striding through the hallway, sharp as ever in a tailored suit. His presence pulled every gaze in the room. I could hear the hushed admiration in the air—especially from the women.

He stopped in front of me.

There it was—a flicker of concern in his eyes. Just for a second. Then it vanished, replaced by his usual unreadable mask.

“Please follow me to my office, Ms. Smith,” he said.

I nodded and followed him into the space that used to belong to Soren.

“We have a problem,” Killian said.

I opened my mouth to speak. “So—”

He raised a hand, silencing me before I could even say Soren’s name.

“Davina’s been released from prison.”

His words crashed into me. My heart sank.

“What? How?! She’s a murderer. She’s done so many awful, shady things—how could she get bail?”

“Lack of evidence,” he replied coldly. “She manipulated the victims. Twisted their statements. Now she’s out… and she’s coming

after you.”

I froze.

“I’ll fight her,” I said, trying to steady my voice. “I still have people—my mother’s old army, Roacher, my friends…”

My hand instinctively moved to my belly.

Killian’s gaze narrowed.

“Are you pregnant?” he asked.

My heart thudded. Panic. Doubt. Should I tell him?

Of course, I should. He’d been the one helping protect Soren all this time. Jace told me everything when he got back to New York—Killian had taken control of Terrain Motors in exchange for keeping Soren safe.

Still… this was my secret.

“It’s okay if you don’t—”

“I am,” I whispered.

Killian sighed, his shoulders lowering ever so slightly.

“I could try to arrange for you to leave town.But I doubt it’s that easy as there are eyes on you,” he said. Then came the question. The one I’d been dreading. “So… Alaric’s the father?”

“No,” I said quickly. “But keep it between us. Please. Soren deserves to hear it from me.”

Something shifted in his eyes—like he was already plotting. And that terrified me. Did I make a mistake? Should I have trusted him with this? My head throbbed. The doubt was gnawing at me.

“Have you eaten?” he asked gently.

I blinked at the unexpected softness in his voice.

“No… I was just about to—”

“Go. Eat. Rest. We’ll talk later.”

I nodded, surprised, and walked out of his office. My heart was still a mess. Can I trust him? I want to. I really do. But what if he

betrays me? I don’t think I can take another heartbreak.

I just want to believe there's still good in people. Maybe with some food, I’d feel stronger… but the unease remained. Davina was

out. And the worst part? If she discovered Soren was alive, she wouldn’t hesitate to destroy him.

That fear weighed on me like a shadow.

Later, Killian was waiting outside the building. We drove back to the penthouse. Hazel, Fiora, Jace—they were all already there, worry etched into their faces. I looked at the empty couch. His couch.

My chest tightened. I missed him more than words could say.

“I have a plan,” Killian announced.

“About what?” Hazel asked, wary.

“I don’t follow,” Fiora said, glancing around, clearly out of the loop.

Killian filled them in. About Davina. About the bail.

“What’s your plan?” Jace asked, his tone sharp—using coded words I knew Soren would understand.

“He doesn’t know everything,” Killian replied, avoiding my eyes.

“What does that mean?” Jace asked, voice low, suspicious.

I lowered my gaze, avoiding the questions I didn’t want to answer yet.