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BILLIE

“ J osh, back the fuck up,” Asher yells, tensing.

I look around him, seeing Josh’s crazed eyes, and he’s heaving with rage.

“It was always you,” he roars.

My heart slams against my ribs as Josh’s furious gaze lands directly on mine. His eyes are raw with unchecked anger, and for a moment, my entire body freezes in panic.

“What the fuck is this?” Josh’s voice cuts through the air, his face twisted with disbelief and fury. His gaze flicks rapidly between Asher and me, the betrayal evident in every sharp line of his expression.

Instinctively, Asher shifts, stepping protectively in front of me, shielding me with his body. I grip the back of his jacket, my fingers trembling from adrenaline and fear. His muscles tense beneath my touch, and I can feel the tension rippling through him as he stands firm.

“Calm down,” Asher warns, his voice dangerously low, but I can tell he’s not fucking around.

Josh laughs bitterly, the sound harsh and cold. “Calm down? You’ve been playing me this whole time, haven’t you, Billie?” He glares past Asher, eyes locked on to mine. “You stupid fucking bitch!”

“You should’ve never underestimated me,” I tell him.

Seconds later, Weston and Easton rush Josh, pushing him to the ground. Brody slams his face into the concrete with a crack, then zip-ties his wrists behind his back. My cousin leans down and whispers something in his ear as the lights to the entire building shut off.

The TVs behind the stage flicker on.

A person with a Guy Fawkes mask comes on the screen. Everyone backstage grows silent and watches the screens. I hear the audience quiet down outside as the distorted and lowered voice speaks.

“Greetings, citizens of the world. We are Anonymous. Today, we bring you the truth behind the facade of Josh Lustre and Lustre Fashion. For far too long, he has exploited creativity, stolen designs, manipulated markets, and silenced voices. His actions are not just immoral; they are criminal.

“Fashion thrives on creativity, innovation, and authenticity. Yet Josh Lustre represents the opposite—corporate greed, betrayal, and dishonesty. He has built his empire on stolen ideas, fraudulent contracts, insider trading, and harassment, hidden beneath layers of lies and manipulation.

“We have watched. We have listened. We have seen the damage his actions caused—careers destroyed, artists silenced, and trust broken. Today, we say, No more .

“Lustre believed himself untouchable. He believed power and money would shield him from consequences. He was mistaken. Today, his secrets are exposed, his empire dismantled, and justice served.

“To those harmed by Lustre, we stand with you. Your voice matters. Your creations matter. Your truth matters.

“To Josh Lustre and those like him, your time of corruption is over .

“We are Anonymous. We are a legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.”

No one says a word as the screens go black and the lights come on. Whispers travel through the building, and it’s pure chaos as police surround us. The knife is confiscated, and I watch Josh get arrested and then pulled away by five officers.

My brothers and Brody approach me. The three of them stare at me, and then they glance at Asher. They don’t know which of us is responsible for that and aren’t brave enough to ask.

“We’re getting the fuck out of here,” Asher tells them, grabbing my hand and leading me down the skybridge.

He’s silent, not saying a word as my heels click and echo across the floor. We step onto the elevator, and he finally turns to me.

“Did you do this?” he asks.

“No.” I shake my head. “But every move is needed to win the game. Every piece is important. Someone is keeping me safe.”

He pulls me into his arms, kissing me. “Bellamore didn’t need me.”

“Maybe not,” I tell him, “But I did.”

My heart races as we hop on the private jet, wearing casual clothes for the long flight home. Tension still hangs in the air. Josh might have been arrested, but this is far from over.

Once we’re in the sky, Asher intertwines his fingers with mine. His grip makes me feel as if we’re escaping it all. I just want to run away with him forever. Two weeks will have to be enough for now.

It’s early morning as we touch down at East Hampton Airport, and the sun will rise soon.

The fresh ocean air hits my cheeks as soon as we arrive at Asher’s beautiful beachfront home. I hear the distant sound of waves rolling to shore. Asher unlocks the door, and once we’re inside, the world outside and everything that has happened disappears.

Asher leads me onto the back porch, and we watch the sun rise over the horizon. The sky bursts in pinks and yellows, casting a golden glow on everything that surrounds us.

He wraps his strong arms around my waist from behind as we take it all in, and it feels like a brand-new beginning. His lips brush my ear, his warm breath melting away the last remnants of my anxiety.

“You shocked everyone. You claimed your crown,” he whispers.

“I couldn’t have done this without you.” I turn in his arms, inhaling his familiar scent.

His hands cup my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones as he leans in and kisses me. It’s deep and full of promises as we pour ourselves into each other. I press against him, my hands slipping under his shirt to find warm skin.

“Let’s go inside.”

He grabs my hand and leads me through the back door. Our footsteps are quiet on the wooden floors as we take the stairs to the suite that overlooks the water. We may be jet-lagged and exhausted from the adrenaline, but nothing will stop me from having him. Right now, Asher is everything I crave and want.

The golden sun shines through the window as Asher slowly undresses me. He removes my T-shirt and undoes my jeans with ease. I stand in my bra and panties before him, and his eyes darken with lust. I gently tug his shirt, pushing it over his body, peppering kisses up his stomach and across his chest.

My eyes scan his tattoo, and I softly brush my fingers over it. “I can’t wait to see it colored in.”

“I want it to look like your dress,” he admits. “Un-fucking-forgettable.”

Emotions threaten to take over. “It’s the colors I imagined.”

The sun’s rays spill over the horizon, lighting up the ocean in streaks of molten gold. I couldn’t care less about the view because Asher is my whole world right now. His lips crash into mine like a tidal wave, full of heat and hunger, and I’m totally lost in the taste of him—minty, salty, and a little sweet.

His hands are everywhere, greedy and possessive, mapping out every curve of my body. My skin burns where he touches, and my nipples are as hard as little pebbles against the fabric of my bra. He steps even closer, his broad chest pressing into mine, and I feel his strong body as he gently but firmly guides me back onto the mattress. The fluffy comforter is cool against my bare skin as his hot mouth trails fire down to my collarbone. I moan and arch into him, my fingers getting lost in his messy hair.

“Asher,” I gasp, my voice already wrecked.

He growls low in response, the sound vibrating through me like an earthquake. Carefully, his hands slide under my back, and he unhooks my bra. When my breasts are free, he dips down to swirl his tongue around one nipple while his fingers tease the other. It’s electric, and it sends shots of pleasure straight to my core.

I squirm beneath him, getting so worked up and desperate for more.

“I need you,” I whisper, my breath hitching as his teeth graze my skin.

His hand slides down between us, slipping under the waistband of my panties, and I can feel how turned on I am already. He smirks, giving me that cocky grin that drives me wild.

“Always so fucking eager for me,” he mutters, his voice dripping with amusement as he pulls my panties down in one smooth motion.

Asher doesn’t give me a second to catch my breath.

His mouth is back on my neck, nipping at my soft skin while his fingers trail down my stomach, leaving a path of fire behind. He’s teasing me. His touch drives me wild as he circles my clit without actually touching it .

I whimper, my hips bucking against his hand, but he just chuckles in that incredibly sexy tone.

“Patience, princess,” he purrs, his lips brushing my ear.

I don’t have patience. I want him—all of him—right fucking now.

But Asher’s in control, like he’s always been. He’s just making sure I know it.

His fingers finally dip lower, sliding through my slick folds, and I almost lose it right then and there.

“You’re soaked,” he whispers, and I’m desperate for more.

He gives in, slipping one finger inside me, and I clench around him, my body trembling with need.

“More,” I beg, my voice breaking.

He doesn’t hesitate, adding a second finger and curling them just right, hitting that spot I fucking love. My back arches off the bed, a strangled cry escaping my lips as he slowly finger-fucks me.

But it’s not enough.

I need him deep inside me, claiming me completely.

“Asher,” I gasp, my nails lightly brushing down his back.

“I love it when you say my name like that.”

He kisses me, and his tongue tangles with mine. I can feel how much he wants me as his erection presses against my thigh.

With each passing second, my need for him grows more intense. His fingers dance across my skin, leaving goose bumps in their wake.

Asher fully undresses, then positions himself between my legs, waiting at my entrance. His lips are on mine, and I feel the mood shift to something else, something deeper. He pours his emotions into me as he slowly slides inside. I can barely hold back a moan as my body adjusts to every thick inch of him. He stretches me open, claiming me.

His hips thrust forward in rhythm with his thumb rubbing circles on my clit. This man is fucking me senseless, and I can feel the pleasure quickly building inside me .

“Tell me what you want,” he whispers against my neck, leaving kisses along my jawline.

“I want all of you. Forever,” I whisper breathlessly, arching into him even more desperately than before.

He slams into me, filling me completely, taking both our breaths away in one swift motion.

“Will that make you happy?” he asks as his movements slow.

“Yes,” I whisper, knowing my future is with him.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his golden-brown eyes almost glowing. “Consider it done.”

With another thrust, he fills me so fucking perfectly that I cry out, my body clamping around him like a vise. That’s all it takes before I completely fall over the edge. Guttural groans release from my throat, and Asher follows behind me.

The sun’s fully up now, and we’re a breathless mess. He smiles as he pushes hair out of my face. I want to be lost in this little world with him just like this forever.

“I love you so much,” I whisper as tears of happiness prick my eyes.

“Fuck, I love you too, princess.”

“Thank you for being a relentless asshole and never giving up on me,” I say with a laugh.

“You wouldn’t have it any other way,” he tells me, playfully nibbling on my neck.

I thread my fingers through his hair, knowing he’s the only man who’s ever successfully been able to get under my skin. And I’m so damn thankful.