Page 56

EPILOGUE

I wake up sore the following morning. A good sore between my legs, a bad sore literally everywhere else. I groan as I sit up, glancing around my bedroom. Though sated, a part of me feels empty somehow, without the men. I stand and make my way across the room to my bathroom, checking out the long marks along my back and chest. From my run in the woods, and sex with Shadow against a tree, no doubt. The adrenaline had helped me to not feel it before now.

I pull on a pair of jeans and a casual blouse. I run my fingers loosely through my hair, forgoing any attempt at elaborate styling. The thought of spending the day in the office seems almost unbearable now that I've tasted a life filled with intoxicating action and raw emotion.

As I stand in front of my full-length mirror, I can't help but see a different woman staring back at me. My eyes bear an uncharacteristic sparkle, my skin glowing despite my momentary fatigue. A confident smile tugs at my lips as I take in the transformation. This weekend was not just an adventure, it was a revelation.

The morning sun illuminates my apartment as I grab a quick cup of coffee before heading out the door. The streets are busy with people rushing to work or school, lost in their own hectic lives. As I weave through the crowd with practiced ease, memories from the weekend invade my mind. Raven's playful laughter, Shadow's tender kisses, Blade's protective gaze… they all come rushing back, fueling that sweet ache deep within.

The atmosphere in the office is tense and electric, with everyone murmuring and on edge. I let out an internal groan as I remember that today marks the day of the new owners taking over. Setting my belongings down on my desk, I silence my phone, ignoring yet another call from Lena – the hundredth since I returned home late yesterday afternoon.

As soon as I take my seat, Nick approaches me with a wide smile. I roll my eyes, not in the mood to deal with him first thing in the morning. "What do you want?" I ask curtly.

He frowns, holding his hands up playfully. "Whoa there, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I was just coming to let you know that the new boss wants to see you. He's been going around talking to everyone individually."

"Fine," I reply resignedly. My heart races with nerves at the thought of meeting the new boss. Will they like me? Will my job be secure? Only time will tell.

I enter the conference room, my heart beating a little faster as I see a man sitting at the head of the table. He is hunched over a stack of files, his focus completely absorbed in the papers before him. “You asked to see me?” I say, my voice slightly shaky.

He doesn't even look up as he responds, his voice smooth and velvety. “That's right. Zara Whitaker?” His voice sends a familiar buzz through me, causing my stomach to flutter.

When he finally glances up, our eyes meet and we both pause, staring at each other for a moment. As I take another step toward him, he stands up and extends his hand toward me.

I swallow slowly, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement as our hands touch. I recognize those chocolate brown eyes and sharp jawline instantly. “Blade…” I mumble, my heart racing as memories flood back.

“Actually, it's Damien Hawthorne,” he says, interjecting with a smirk before I can finish my thought. He rests his free hand on top of mine, cradling my hand between his. “Nice to officially meet you, Red,” he adds with a twinkle in his dark eyes.

We haven’t seen the last of Zara and Blade…