Ambervale Island
Savannah stood at the edge of the dense forest, the soft morning light filtering through the trees and casting dappled shadows on the ground. Today felt different, full of adventure and the quiet presence of Elijah. She never thought she'd get so close to him after Blaze sent him to watch over her. Still, while she liked having him around, his constant hovering made her feel smothered.
"Are we going the right way?" she asked, trying to ease the tension. Her voice was light, but there was a hint of frustration.
Elijah looked back at her, his brow slightly furrowed. "I've checked the area. There should be a patch of wild herbs just beyond this clearing."
Savannah nodded, her heart fluttering at the thought of herbs. She'd recently learned about their healing powers, and the idea of using them to help others gave her a sense of purpose. But the excitement of exploring was dampened by Elijah's overprotective behavior. He followed her every move, and it was starting to get on her nerves.
As they went deeper into the forest, Savannah felt a mix of emotions about Elijah's watchfulness. She really liked their friendship and the fun they had together. But when she saw him constantly looking around for trouble, it made her a bit annoyed. She didn't need a hero.
"Everything okay?" Elijah asked, noticing she seemed distracted.
"Yeah, just thinking," she said with a forced smile. "About the herbs. Can't wait to see them."
"Gotcha," he replied, giving her an encouraging look. "You'll do great out here."
They kept walking, but her mind kept drifting back to Alex. His smile always seemed a bit forced, too sharp, and his motives were hard to read. He'd been trying to get closer to her, and every time, Elijah would step in, putting himself between them like a solid barrier. Savannah was grateful, but she didn't like feeling like a prize they were fighting over.
Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes caught her attention. Her heart raced as she turned, but it was just a small rabbit scampering away. She laughed, but Elijah stayed on high alert, his body tense.
"You don't need to be so uptight," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "I can handle myself."
"I know," he replied, not taking his eyes off the surroundings. "But I can't help thinking Alex is planning something."
Savannah sighed, knowing he might be right. "Maybe, but I don't want to feel like I'm being watched all the time. I just want to enjoy exploring."
"Alright," Elijah said, relaxing a bit. "I'll give you some space, but promise me you'll stay within shouting distance?"
"Deal," she said, feeling a bit lighter.
As they kept searching, Savannah felt freer, mixing excitement with the caution Elijah taught her. The forest seemed alive around them, and the day ahead was a blend of unknowns and potential.
With every step deeper into the woods, Savannah reminded herself that she was more than just a surgeon or a girl who lost everything. She was Savannah, ready to take control—whether that meant standing up to Alex or building a real friendship with the man following her. The day was just starting, and she planned to make it her own.
Baldwin's Mansion
Blaze sat in his dark study, the only light coming from the desk lamp, which cast sharp shadows on the walls. The clock chimed 1 AM, each ring echoing like a reminder of the risky game he was playing. In one hand, he held a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid mirroring his thoughts—rich, complex, and tinged with danger. In the other, he held a cigar, the fragrant smoke curling up as he thought about the silent night, broken only by the distant city sounds.
His eyes moved to the open window, where the darkness seemed to swallow everything. It felt right. Outside, the world was uncertain, but in here, he had control.
A sudden knock broke his thoughts, and Arthur stepped in, standing out against the shadows around Blaze. He stood beside him, tense and ready to share some news.
"Boss, I have an update on Rodriguez," Arthur said, his voice urgent. "After our visit yesterday, he's getting really impatient. He's ready to tear down anything in his way."
Blaze smirked, his lip curling up. "Good. That's exactly what I wanted."
Arthur went on, "His frustration is sky-high. He's making quick moves, looking for weak spots, and seems set on making a big move."
"Perfect," Blaze said, leaning back in his chair, enjoying the moment. "I've set everything up just right. He's walking straight into my trap, and I plan to relish every second of it."
He took a slow puff of his cigar, the embers glowing before he let out a thick cloud of smoke. Blaze was a master at manipulating people, especially someone like Rodriguez. The guy was ambitious and arrogant—traits Blaze was ready to use against him. By giving him just enough truth, he could steer Rodriguez right where he wanted him.
"Tell me, Arthur," Blaze said, his voice low and serious, "what do you think Rodriguez will do when he figures out he's been tricked?"
Arthur's eyes narrowed, understanding what Blaze was getting at. "He'll be livid. It'll really get to him, especially with his wife mixed up in it."
Blaze nodded, a satisfied look in his eyes. "His whole empire will crumble because of his own mistakes. And to make things even messier? I'll make sure his wife takes a hit too. She's the perfect distraction, and her fall will hurt him the most."
Blaze's smile grew wider as he imagined the chaos to come. This wasn't just about power; it was a carefully planned game, and he was the one calling the shots.
Rodriguez was so fixated on the outside danger that he wouldn't even notice Blaze's real plan.
"Get everything ready for the next step," Blaze said firmly. "Make sure our people are in place and keep an eye on Rodriguez at all times. Let him think he's in control. I'll let him believe that until the right moment."
As Arthur left, Blaze went back to the window, feeling the cool night air on his face. The darkness outside seemed full of potential, and he loved the idea of the chaos that was coming. This game was his, and soon everyone would see that Blaze always plays to win.
Flashback
Rodriguez's House
Blaze leaned back in his chair, the soft leather molding to his shape as he took in Rodriguez's huge living room. It was a show of wealth, but it felt more like a trap for the guy who owned it. Across from him, Rodriguez looked like a mix of angry and shocked. The room was so tense you could almost slice it with a knife.
"Your wife," Blaze started, letting the words linger, "Has been keeping busy, hasn't she? Passing me info about your business."
Rodriguez's eyes turned sharp, and the disbelief quickly turned to fury. "What the fuck are you saying?!!" he growled, his voice low and boiling. "Veronica wouldn't do that to me."
"Wouldn't she?" Blaze leaned forward, watching Rodriguez's face change as the truth hit him. "She's been coming to see me a lot, giving me details about everything you do. Looks like she's got a nice little deal going with the Romano family."
Rodriguez's face turned dark, and Blaze could see him thinking hard. "You're lying," he said, standing up suddenly. "Why would I believe anything you say? You're trying to get to my stuff—my shipments have vanished, and you want to blame it on her!"
Blaze couldn't help but laugh, enjoying the mess unfolding before him. "I don't care about your stuff, Rodriguez. Not like you think. I won't help Veronica because that's not how things work around here. My enemies need to know exactly what I'm after, and I'm not afraid to show them."
Rodriguez started pacing, his fists tight at his sides. "You expect me to believe you? You're the last person I'd trust!"
"Take a look for yourself," Blaze said, nodding to Arthur, who stepped forward with an iPad. He handed it to Rodriguez, and the room got tense as Rodriguez's hands shook a little while he looked through the pictures.
Blaze saw the shock hit Rodriguez's face. The video was blurry, but there was no mistaking Veronica, his wife, in Romano's arms—Romano, one of his biggest enemies. The betrayal felt like a punch in the gut, and Blaze savored the moment.
"No," Rodriguez muttered, almost to himself. "This can't be true."
Blaze leaned back, letting the reality sink in. "It's real, all right. How about we join forces to take down Veronica and Romano? You get your revenge, and I get rid of a problem."
Rodriguez's expression turned wary. "Why would you help me, huh? You don't do anything without a reason." He added "That's not you!"
Blaze smirked, his gaze steady. "I'm not helping you; I'm helping myself. Romano tried to screw me over once, and now it's payback time. Just so happens, it lines up with what you want."
Rodriguez's anger mixed with desperation as he thought about the offer. "You expect me to trust you after all this?"
"Trust is a luxury we can't afford," Blaze replied coolly. "What I'm offering is a chance to get back what's yours. To show everyone you're not someone to mess with. The choice is yours, Rodriguez. But remember: every second you wait is another second they're planning your downfall."
The room was tense as Rodriguez stood there, struggling with his feelings. Blaze could see the indecision in his eyes, the urge for revenge fighting against his instinct to distrust.
"Think about it," Blaze said, his voice smooth and tempting. "You have a shot at reclaiming your power. Don't let it slip away."
As Blaze watched Rodriguez struggle with what was happening, he felt a rush of satisfaction. This was the game he excelled at—manipulation, deception, and control. He was savoring every second of it.
Author's Note :
Enjoy everyone<3
If you like this story add it to your libraries;)
Have a good day/night <3<3