Month: December 2025

FIGHT OR FLIGHT Vera There are sights no one should ever endure: a dying child, a field of corpses, an animal tortured for sport, and murder up close. Holly’s last sound was a glass-shattering scream before Erin’s bullet shattered her skull. I shouted Holly’s name, but received no response. Crimson fluid seeped into my dress

THE VIPER’S LAIR Vera Lester Harbor Women’s Correctional Facility. Sunday, December 23 Ihated the sting of fluorescent lights, their harsh glare filling a windowless room. The white walls pressed in, sterile and suffocating, a silent reminder of captivity. My gaze flicked to the correctional officer by the door. My muscles tensed and my stomach twisted

NO MERCY Vera “So, you’ve got a plan?” Saph asked, eyes narrowing. “Yep.” I grinned, flashing my teeth. “Yep.” I let a grin flash across my face. “You’re seriously badass. But will Saira actually fall for it?” I raised a brow. “All you need to do is call her. Today. Tell her you want to

CHRISTMAS GAMES Alistair December 25 “So, this is all you’ve got?” I paced the length of my parents’ Spanish-style garden patio. “I’m doin’ all I can, Mister Scott,” Lou answered, stabbing his cigarette into an ashtray. “My guys have been all over it—heard Holly popped up in northern Brazil last week, but she slipped the

I WEAR YOUR SCARS Vera Have you ever seen a grown man cry? I have. Two men in my life have wept openly in front of me. The first was Julian, and the second was Alistair. His eagle eyes didn’t miss the faded scars on my abdomen when I showed myself to him. Nor did

YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL TONIGHT Vera Saturday afternoon, March 18 “Vee? Are you there?” Saph’s voice shrilled from the other end of the phone. “I’m here, sweetie. What’s up?” I asked, yawning loudly. “Did I wake you up? You sound sleepy.” “Yeah, I was napping.” Saph chuckled. “Oh, you’re such a lioness.” “Mmm, indeed,” I murmured.

A TEMPEST OF ALL STORMS Vera The past few days were a blur of shadows, voices, and cramping pain compensated with drugs. I woke up in a light-blue gown on a hospital bed on the first day after my assault. I call it an assault because what happened to me was an act of physical

THE INVISIBLE BOND Vera Sunday, November 13 Iwasn’t the only one who worked on Sunday afternoons. A few of my colleagues, including my boss, were in the office, dressed casually instead of in our usual business attire. Just as I reviewed documents that needed signing, I heard a familiar baritone voice call out my name.

YOU BLOODY BASTARD Alistair Wednesday, June 8 “You bloody bastard.” “Come on, Saira. You can do better than that. Not even a hello?” I laughed into my phone. “How can you do this to me? I swear I’ll find out why you’re doing this.” “I’m doing this for Damian, love.” “Love? Don’t you dare use