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    AUTHOR’S POV

    EZ 65 vouchers

    When Alina and Talia returned to the party, the game had ended and people were in clusters, talking among themselves.

    Emily and Dominic were back in the room, cozy in one corner as he whispered something in her ear while she giggled like a schoolgirl.

    “They better raise a toast to me during their wedding for making that possible.” Alina whispered to Talia, nodding toward the couple.

    “Slow your horses, cowgirl. You don’t even know if they’ll make it past tonight.” Taliaughed, nudging her yfully.

    “Don’t jinx the Eminic ship. Or is it Domily?” Alina muttered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Anyways, that ship has sailed already. I mean, look at them.”

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    They both turned to nce at the couple,pletely engrossed in their own little world. Dominic was hooked on every word Emily said, his gaze never leaving her.

    “Damn. You might be onto something there.” Talia agreed, her eyes pausing on them with interest.

    Alinaughed. “Told you.”

    But then, she suddenly felt a pair of eyes on her. Her smile faltered as she nced around, scanning the room.

    It didn’t take long to find the culprit.

    Seraphina.

    She stood in a corner with two of her friends, whispering among themselves. As soon as she noticed Alina watching her, a slow, smug smile twisted on her lips.

    It was the kind of smile that told you someone was either up to no good, or they knew something you didn’t.

    A sudden chill of anxiety washed over Alina.

    She turned back to her drink and, without hesitation, gulped everything in one go.

    “Whoaaa, slow down, girl,” Talia said in surprise, eyeing the now-empty ss. “That’s a strong liquor right there.” She nced at the cup Alina had just finished off.

    it wasn’t the mild one Alina had been nursing earlier, this one packed a punch.

    “What’s going on?” Talia asked in a serious tone frowning, already sensing something was off.

    “Nothing” Alina said, waving her off. “I came here to let loose and get drunk, didn’t I? Well, that’s what I’m trying to do. Cheen’ She dlinked her ss with Talia’s

    It wasn’t even five minutester, and she was already feeling the buzz of the alcohol kicking in.

    “Alright, I think it’s time for us to go Talia said, snatching the cup from her hand

    “Nooooo.” Alina whined, but Talia was already gathering their things and pulling her to her feet.

    She said her goodbyes to a few people before they left.

    11:39 pm &

    60 vouch

    Jordan rushed toward them as they rounded the corner, his expression filled with concern. Without dy, he stepped in to help Talia, picking Alina up in his arms in a bridal fashion.

    “Oh hey, Jordan.” Alina giggled, looping a finger around the dog tag on his neck and tugging him closer. “Hope you didn’t try to be stubborn and you ordered something?” She narrowed her eyes trying to look intimidating.

    “Yes, ma’am Jordan said, his voice strained as he adjusted her weight in his arms.

    “Good boy.” She murmured, letting go and patting his chest.

    Jordan shifted ufortably. Holding her like this made him tense, he remembered what happened thest time he grabbed her hand, he nearly lost his fingers. He could only hope his boss would understand that this time, the circumstance was out of his control.

    Taliaughed at the awkward look on his face. “You good, Jordy?” She teased, in a tone filled with amusement.

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    “Yes, ma’am.” Jordan muttered stiffly.

    They got to the car, and he gently ced Alina in the back seat. Talia slid in beside her.

    “Head over to mine. She’ll be spending the night at my ce.” Talia instructed.

    “Alright, ma’am.” Jordan responded.

    “I love you, Tallyyyy.”Alina drawled, leaning into Talia for a hug.

    “I know, baby. I love you too.” Talia said, amused, even though she meant it with all her heart.

    “You always take care of me… and you don’t run away any time we have a fight, like Lucian.” Her voice was thick and slurred. “You’re the best.” She added with a heavy sigh.

    “I know.” Talia replied smugly, brushing back a stray strand of Alina’s hair. “Do you feel like throwing up?” She asked when Alina belched, already preparing to act fast.

    “No.” Alina shook her headzily. “I want to cuddle.” She whined.

    “You’ll cuddle when we get home,” Talia promised. “Try not to throw up on me, okay?”

    “Okay.” Alina mumbled, her eyes fluttering shut.

    “Are we good to go, ma’am?” Jordan asked, ncing at both women through the rearview mirror.

    “Yes, Jordy.” Talia replied with a tired yawn.

    When they arrived at Talia’s apartmentplex, Jordan helped carry Alina up to her block and into the room, much to Talia’s relief.

    “Are you going home or would you be staying?” She asked him.

    Til be staying, ma’am” Jordan said, shooting a quick nce at his sleeping boss on the bed.

    It was his job to stay by her side at all times. He couldn’t dare leave, not with the kind of consequences that mighte

    after

    “Alright then. You can take one of the guest rooms,” she said. “Knox left some of his clothes, check it any of them fit”

    11:39 pm

    “That won’t be necessary, ma’am.” He replied politely.

    55 vouchers

    “You’ve been in that suit all day. Wouldn’t you like to change into something morefortable?” She asked, with a frown.

    “I’ll be fine,” he assured her. “I’ll just go secure the perimeter before heading to bed.”

    “Suit yourself.” She shrugged, then he left.

    Turning back to Alina, she sighed. “Now, let’s get you into somethingfortable. She muttered softly, moving toward Alina’s sleeping form to get her changed.

    Sometime around midnight, Talia got up to grab a ss of water. As she walked past the living room to return to her room, sudden knock sounded at the door.

    The guest room creaked open, and Jordan stepped out, his suit jacket gone and his sleeves rolled up to the elbows, revealing his sleeve tattoos.

    They both paused for a second, surprised to see the other awake. Talia blinked. Did he even get any sleep? she wondered.

    “Let me guess, you were woken up by the knock?” She asked quietly.

    “Yes, ma’am. Are you expecting a guest?” He asked, his gaze flickering to the clock on the wall, then to the door just as another knock came, louder and more urgent this time.

    “Not at all.” She replied, brows furrowed in confusion.

    Before he could say another word, she was already walking toward the door and pulling it open, without even checking the peephole.

    Risky on her part.

    Her eyes widened the moment she saw who was standing there.

    “M… Mr. Bl… ckwood…” She stuttered, the ss in her hand slipping and shattering at her feet.

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