Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

I plunged the dagger into her chest. Blood spilled from her mouth. Some even splattered onto me, but I didn't care.

Even so, my heart ached with what I did. Kesha had always been a part of me and my team.

"How does it feel to die for someone who wouldn't do the same for you?" I asked, my voice trembling as I suppressed my tears.

"It was... worth it..." she whispered with a genuine smile, even as blood choked her.

I shook my head, trying to snap her back to her senses.

"It wasn't, Kesha. Dying for a man who used you isn't worth it. It's plain stupid."

Her body froze as I pulled the blade. She died in front of me... by my hand.

"Azrael..." I muttered, standing and wiping the blood from my face. "How many lives will you destroy before this ends?"

Everything went out of place when Azrael reappeared in all our lives, and I know I should take responsibility for it too, because it was me he was targeting. But Ash doesn't want to.

***

"What a great place to hide something so precious, huh?" Ash smirked at me as he surveyed the surroundings.

This is where I hid the SD card.

Randall's grave... because no one would dare mess with this place without my permission.

"Here..." I handed him the thing Simon had been desperately searching for. "It can take everyone down... even you."

At first, I was so tempted to use that SD card. It contained information about almost every corrupt politician, even the Coleman Company.

Back when my anger toward Ash was at its peak, I considered using it to destroy them all.

But how could I do that when destroying Azrael and the entire Coleman clan would affect Ash too?

Hurting him was the last thing I wanted.

"I know, love." He cupped the back of my neck and kissed me on the lip. "Sooner or later, everything will be alright. I'll come back to you." Those were his last words before leaving me alone.

I trust Ash. After everything he's done for me, he's proven that I can rely on his words.... because he doesn't break promises and does everything to fulfill them, no matter how hard it is. I'm also grateful to him for helping my mom escape out of Simon's grasp. He sent her to Hawaii, where my twins were staying.

Earlier, Ash told me the doctors had removed two chips from her arm before letting her go.

We suspect they were tracking devices, but everything was alright... for now.

***

Later on, I stood in one of my secret basements, a place only I had access to.

It was hidden within my condo building, not accessible through the main entrance. I'd occupied a space in the parking lot, thinking it might be useful someday.

Everything I needed was here. Guns, explosives, new devices, trackers, and even some inventions from Varlett Pharmaceuticals were stored in this room.

I don't want anyone to know I still have cards up my sleeve. People tend to grow arrogant and careless when they think they're winning.

I'm just waiting for that moment-when their guard is down-and then, I'll strike.

I grabbed a few grenades and firearms, got into my car, and started the engine.

I'm waiting for Azrael to make his move. I know he will. I've been preparing for this moment for so long. I want this battle to end.

But I nearly lost my sanity as I pressed onto the gas pedal and heard the chaos unfolding in front of me.

"Breaking news! Several politicians, including Ash Cassius Coleman, was alleged to have used his influence to bribe officials, concealing illegal transactions and slush funds-"

I turned off the radio on my phone before the reporter finished speaking.

This was also why people were crowding outside, staring up at the billboard broadcasting the same report.

The news played the video I had given Ash earlier-evidence containing numerous clips exposing corrupt politicians.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to calm the storm in my head.

But it wasn't helping. I even hear the other people outside talking shit about Ash.

"There's no such thing as an honest rich man."

"Those politicians deserve to be humiliated like this! They're stealing from the nation!"

"They thought no one could catch their schemes. Thanks to whoever shared that video!"

The man in the footage wasn't Ash. It was Azrael, impersonating him. I wanted to tell everyone that, but who would believe me?

Everyone who knew my relationship with Ash would think I was just covering for him.

I was at a loss. Unable to keep driving, I pulled over and parked on the side of the road, honking repeatedly out of frustration.

I couldn't bear hearing everyone's insults against him. Ash didn't deserve this hatred.

He never even managed the company-it was completely taken over by Azrael, who stole his identity.

Azrael claimed the success, while Ash was left to take the fall.

Agitated, I grabbed my phone and called Ash. He picked up before the second ring.

Perhaps he had expected me to call as soon as I found out what he had done.

"What did you do?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief. "You're on the wanted list now! If only I knew that you'd do this, I shouldn't have given you the card!" Ash was taking dangerous risks without even telling me. Why didn't he inform me first?

"It doesn't matter if I fall with them... but not you," he said softly. "Our children still need you."noveldrama

I heard him sigh on the other end of the line. His determination to make things right, even at the cost of his own downfall, broke my heart.

I can't let him sacrifice himself like this. I can't lose him.

"Please... hold on until I find a way through this," I said as tears streamed down my eyes. "Because it's not just me who needs you, Ash. Our children need you, too."

As I ended the call, I grabbed my phone and called my entire team.. This time, I needed help.

If there was one thing Ash's actions had taught me, it was to seek support when everything felt like it was falling apart.

"How can you prove your loyalty to me, everyone?" I asked during the group call.

Finnick was also on the line, having just returned to the States after escorting the twins abroad.

"You can make me do anything, as long as you pay my salary," Luna quipped, making me laugh.

Rain and Finnick chuckled on the other end too.

"Fine," I said with a smirk. "All of you, I need you for one last mission. And this might be the final task I ever assign before we part ways. Meet me at the hideout today." I knew they'd be curious about my statement, so I quickly ended the call and drove back to the hideout.

If I couldn't go to Azrael, I would make him come to me.