George Blackwood is a ruthless billionaire who appears to have everything-wealth, success, and power. However, his life takes a turn when he starts receiving blackmail threats about his past. George decides to hire Avery Monroe, a brilliant and feisty lawyer, to handle the situation. As they work together to uncover the truth, the stakes grow higher, and the tension between them rises. Despite differences, George finds himself drawn to Avery's intelligence, and determination. Meanwhile, Avery has her demons and motivations, which could either help or hinder George's quest for protection and redemption.
Chapter 1 Prologue
2009, UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN, NY.
I could hear the clinking of wine glasses downstairs, my mother's chuckles come next, followed by a man's laughter. I turned up the volume of my headset in irritation and fixed my eyes on the screen to focus on the game, my fingers flying across the controller, I was losing another round. I hear the front door open, as the noises feed into low murmurings. A few minutes passed, by the time I got my scores back up. I was starting to reek from the sweat, so I decided to shower as soon as I round up the game. I hear the sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs in the distance, heading towards my parents bedroom. The house falls silent, finally. I felt a sense of relief as final credits rolled in just as I finished up the game, my eyes blurry from staring at the screen. I stretch my arms over my head, arching my back as I stand up, and head towards the bathroom to freshen up and call it a night.
Then, I heard it- a gunshot.
I felt a knot in my stomach. My heart racing I crept out of my room, my eyes fixed on the stairs leading down to the foyer as I ran down.
That's when I saw him, my father, holding a gun, his eyes wild, his fist twisted in a snarl. Mom was standing in front of him, her hand clutching her arm, blood sipping through her fingers.
"Where is he?" he growled, his voice echoing off the walls
"Please Nicholas don't do this" she begged, her voice trembling, tears rolling down her cheeks.
I felt a surge of fear as I realized what was happening. He raised the gun, his finger tightening on the trigger.
"I won't ask you again Jill. Where is he?!"
his eyes fixed on hers, flashing with anger. "You think I won't make you pay for what you've done?" he spat my mother
"You left me no choice!" she cried
"Mom? Dad?" I whispered, my voice shaking.
"What's going on?"
Their heads turn towards my direction in unison, their gazes meeting mine, acknowledging my presence.
"You shouldn't be here" he replied, his eyes, cold, and hard. "You don't know what she's done. You don't understand" he shook his head, slowly, letting his hands drop back to his sides.
A chill ran down my spine. He was wrong. I understand that he never loved my mother. I know he never wanted anything to do with me, or this family. I understand that he was always absent, on one business trip or the other, and even when he was around, they were always arguing. Although it doesn't justify my mother having an affair and bringing men into our home, what I could never understand was why she could never leave him and now it has cost her, her life.
Mom looked at me, a hint of regret in her eyes, unsure of what for, she mounted a silent "I'm sorry" just before she turned ack to look at dad who was still waiting for me to say something, but I just stood there, frozen.
Mom took advantage of the distraction, launching at him in seconds. The two of them crashed to the ground, wrestling for the control of the gun.
I watched in horror as they struggled, suddenly, the gun went off again, just before it flew out of my father's hand, landing with a thud on the rug. My mother's body jerked, as she fell to the side, crying out in pain. Her eyes flickered up to mine, filled with despair.
"I'm.. I'm sorry" she whispered "I'm so sorry"
My heart began to pound in my chest, my mind screaming at me to do something, and then, I snapped. I walked forward, my eyes fixed on the metal object, I picked it up, and held it tight, wrapping my fingers around the trigger.
The world around me seemed to slow down. The only movement was the slight tremble of my hand as I held the gun. I was holding a gun. I, who had never even held a toy gun before, was now holding a real, live firearm. I looked down at it in wonder, feeling a sense of awe mixed with fear. The gun seemed to hum with power as if it was alive and waiting for me to unleash its fury.
My father's eyes locked into mine widening with shock. He couldn't believe I was holding the power now.
"George, What do you think you're doing?" he said, his voice dripping with venom "It's over. Give me the gun!"
He glares at me, his eyes full of hatred, as he lunges at me. I clutched the gun in my hand and pulled the trigger. I watched as the bullet went through his head, his body slumping to the ground.
I let the gun slip out of my hands, I turned to my mother, who lay motionless on the floor, her eyes barely open, a pool of blood spreading around her. I felt a wave of panic wash over me as I rushed over to her side, dropping to my knees beside her.
My head began to spin, my breathing became heavy, and my lungs felt like they were collapsing, unable to draw in enough air. My eyes drooped, and I felt myself swaying, as the room around me got darker.
I slowly lowered myself beside her, in between, as my father's body lay on the other side across the room, a crimson hole in his forehead, his eyes frozen in a permanent stare.
Alone, just like he wanted.
I hear the sound of sirens in the distance, growing louder, and the faint whisper of my mother's voice as she closes her eyes,
"You did what you had to."
And then, everything went black.