KISS'S POV
Peace was strange when you had lived in war for too long.
That was the first thought that crossed my mind as I stood by the tall glass windows of the Goodwill mansion, watching the late afternoon sun paint the garden in gold.
The laughter from earlier still lingered faintly in the air — the wives teasing one another, Augustina's dramatic voice echoing from somewhere down the hallway, Isaac's laughter following hers.
Everything looked… normal.
Too normal.
Adrian stood behind me, his presence solid, grounding. His arms wrapped around my waist from behind, familiar and warm, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder.
"You're quiet," he murmured.
I smiled softly. "Just thinking."
"Dangerous habit," he teased.
I leaned back into him. "I was thinking about how peaceful things have been."
His body stiffened — not much, just enough for me to feel it.
"That's because I've made sure they are," he said calmly.
I turned in his arms to face him. His eyes were steady, dark, unreadable in that way that always told me he was thinking ten steps ahead of everyone else.
"And if peace ends?" I asked quietly.
"Then we handle it," he replied without hesitation. "Together."
I nodded, but something inside me refused to settle.
Because peace didn't arrive without reason.
And it never stayed without consequence.
ASHLEY POV
Ashley Barlow stared at her reflection, hatred burning so fiercely in her eyes it shocked even her.
The mirror showed a woman dressed in elegance — soft silk, flawless makeup, controlled posture.
But behind the image was rage.
Raw. Untamed. Consuming.
"She took everything," Ashley whispered to herself.
Her fingers curled into fists.
"My place. My future. My name beside his."
She laughed suddenly — sharp, bitter.
"She thinks she's won."
Her phone vibrated in her hand.
Chris.
Her lips curved slowly.
"Perfect timing."
CHRIS'S POV
I shouldn't have answered.
I knew that the moment her name lit up my screen.
But curiosity — and something darker — got the better of me.
"What do you want, Ashley?" I asked flatly.
Her voice came smooth, calculated.
"We need to talk."
"There's nothing left to say."
"Oh, there is," she replied. "About Adrian. About Kiss."
That name still hit somewhere deep in my chest.
"I'm listening," I said slowly.
"Meet me," she continued. "One last time.
Then I'll leave you alone."
Silence stretched between us.
Finally, I said, "This better be worth it."
CHRIS POV
She was waiting when I arrived, seated elegantly, legs crossed, expression composed — the picture of calm.
"You look terrible," she said sweetly.
"And you look desperate," I shot back.
Her smile tightened. "Straight to the point. I like that."
She leaned forward. "I know you still love her."
My jaw clenched. "Careful."
"She chose him," Ashley continued, her voice dripping poison. "But that doesn't mean she won't regret it."
I stood abruptly. "This is over."
"No," she snapped suddenly, the mask cracking. "It's not. You want her. I want him. That makes us allies."
I stared at her in disbelief. "You're insane."
"Am I?" she laughed harshly. "Or am I the only one brave enough to fight?"
I stepped closer, my voice low and dangerous.
"Listen to me carefully".
"If you truly loved Adrian — even a fraction — you'd let him be happy."
Her eyes flashed. "Don't lecture me."
"I'm warning you," I said coldly.
"Walk away. Now."
She rose too, anger radiating from her. "You don't scare me."
I leaned in, my gaze unyielding. "You should be scared. Because if you touch her — even indirectly — I won't protect you anymore."
Her breath hitched.
"You'd betray me for her?" she whispered.
"I already did," I answered quietly.
Ashley laughed then — hollow, broken. "This isn't over."
She brushed past me violently.
And I knew, with a sinking certainty.
She wasn't done.
KISS'S POV
I felt it before I heard it.
The shift. The tightening in the air.
Adrian's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at it, jaw tightening.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said too quickly.
I stepped closer. "Adrian."
He exhaled slowly. "Ashley's been moving."
My heart dropped.
"I thought—".
"So did I," he cut in, then softened instantly. He cupped my face. "Look at me."
I did.
"No one is touching you," he said firmly. "Not now. Not ever."
"And if she tries?" I asked.
His eyes darkened. "Then she'll learn what happens when you challenge what's mine."
The possessiveness in his tone sent a shiver through me — fear and comfort tangled together.
"I don't want blood," I whispered. "I want peace."
He rested his forehead against mine. "Sometimes peace comes after the storm."
LATER THAT NIGHT
I lay awake beside Adrian, his arm draped protectively over me, his breathing steady.
But my mind wouldn't rest.
"What if she never stops?" I murmured.
He shifted, pulling me closer. "Then she exhausts herself."
"And Chris?" I asked softly.
Adrian was quiet for a moment.
"He won't cross me," he said finally. "But he hasn't let go."
I swallowed. "I never asked him to love me."
"I know," Adrian replied. "That's why this isn't your fault."
I turned toward him, tracing the line of his jaw. "Promise me something."
"Anything."
"Don't become someone you can't come back from because of me."
His eyes met mine — intense, unwavering.
"I crossed that line long before you came," he said. "You just gave me a reason to care where I stand."
Emotion swelled in my chest.
"I love you," I whispered.
His grip tightened. "And that's why I'll burn the world before I lose you."
ASHLEY POV
I sat alone in my car, hands trembling on the steering wheel.
"They all think I'm done," I muttered under my breath.
My lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"They think I lost."
I picked up my phone, dialing a new number.
"Change of plans," I said coldly when the line connected. "We do this my way now."
The engine roared to life.
And somewhere in the distance —
Peace cracked.