**(DONOVAN)**

Hell was in every corridor, every glass annex, and every meeting room I passed through. The usual buzz had been replaced by a real fair, with people talking loudly at the same time to be heard. As I walked among them, like a Hollywood star, I was greeted by many partners and businesspeople, all asking multiple questions at once.

— Mr. Jones, what will we do about the loss in the sector...?

— Mr. Roy is on his way, Mr. Jones?

— Mr. Jones, we received two calls from allied companies claiming to be impos...

— Mr. Jones, we have an updated report on...

— Sorry, Mr. Jones — Rebecca’s voice cuts through. She shoots a glare at the other employees around us, who immediately disperse. — There’s an emergency meeting in the presidential office; we were just waiting for you.

— I know — my tone is neutral, but inside I’m a bundle of nerves. — I’m on my way. — Anything else?

— Some employees and allies are a bit confused and hesitant. I managed to calm them down, but I don’t know how long it will last.

— Thanks, Rebecca. That’s all.

I quickly call the elevator. I feel the weight of every single employee's gaze around me, but wisely they don’t approach me as they did before. When the bell rings, the doors open, and I step inside.

Nervously, I adjust my blazer’s collar. Looking in the elevator’s mirror, I notice the dark circles under my eyes. Just when I was hoping for a few days off, this bombshell drops. It feels like everything was conspiring to keep me and my little one apart. Even though Gavin was needed, as well as his total leadership, I wouldn’t leave him hanging. Especially knowing how far that news could spread and the short- and long-term consequences we would face.

As I finally step into the corridor leading to the executive office, I see how nervous the other members are. Some, grayer, are old acquaintances of John Roy, that decrepit bastard. Others are more loyal to Gavin, and consequently to me.

If it were up to me, all those who clearly disagreed with the current management would be invited to leave, but my friend made me promise not to do that. I didn’t ask why and kept my word without hesitation.

As soon as I open the door to the annex, everyone stops talking and looks at me.

— Good morning, gentlemen. Thank you, and I apologize for the rush.

Despite the formal greeting and calm expression, I didn’t even know how long I could keep up that facade. I sit in the chair and begin listening to each man’s reports. I pay attention to every detail, and I find myself struggling to keep from throwing myself out the nearest window.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

**(JAMES)**

The bomb has exploded. Everyone at Urus is in a frenzy, wondering what’s happening, what to do, and why. The vice president has locked himself in his office with his subordinates and will probably have to face a storm of criticism about his performance in the past month; something quite unpleasant. Little does he know that this is just the beginning of his great downfall.

The informant would be in touch soon and tell us what actions the detestable Donovan would take. I’d bet that Gavin’s return to total command would be unanimous among those present, and that would be the final nail in the coffin. I never left a stone unturned. Every detail was considered, and every possible action had a countermeasure.

My father used to say I was like a viper. In fact, that’s what he called me until I was fifteen, probably already foreseeing that I would take his place and make him pay for every bit of malice he had done to me. Although I initially hated that nickname, over time I found myself agreeing with him.

Snakes were born without arms and legs, making them easy targets for predators. So they used their limited but completely effective arsenal to fend off external threats. Those with venom paralyzed their victims, giving them an agonizing death. Those without the deadly juice used their bodies as weapons, crushing their enemies in a final, fatal embrace.

Nobody trusts snakes. Just seeing one scares people, making them run in all directions. And naturally, a snake didn’t trust anyone; everyone was a potential threat to be avoided. Hence the human skin’s exponential advantage; the inviting face, the smile full of charm that often disarmed the more naive. In the human body, people were more willing to trust, to believe in a serpent — they just couldn’t discover what it really was.

High in my suite, sipping a glass of white wine, I wonder how Alexandra is doing at that moment. We hadn’t seen each other as frequently lately, and that strange feeling still lingered. I tried to understand the reasons but reached no logical conclusions. There was something I loved seeing, some factor I wasn’t accounting for... But what?

I close my eyes and imagine her soft, full lips, always tinted with lipstick, leaving a trail of kisses on my back. The commanding yet velvety voice, seductive like a siren. Demon, however, remained the most fitting description. Her hands were soft and well-cared-for, as were her long, red-painted nails. Just the memory of her touch was enough to awaken a range of sensations in my body, and I struggle to keep the physical response in check.

I hear my phone ring, which is unusual, considering Alexandra’s calls didn’t usually come at that time of day. Looking at the screen, I see it’s a restricted number.

I frown.

My phone keeps ringing, but I don’t answer. Instead, I pick up the device and head to my room.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

**(AMANDA)**

Gavin is on the balcony, which apparently is his favorite spot in the apartment. After he talked a bit about the horrible father he had, I saw his expression change to one of immense sadness. Embarrassed but calm, he said he wanted to be alone for a while.

I’m in the living room sitting on the sofa, reading, or rather, trying to read the spin-off of *The Tiger’s Curse*, which tells the story before the events of the first volume. The truth is, any kind of distraction is practically impossible. Both Gavin and I are completely anxious about what might happen. I’m also very worried about Donovan. He clearly loved that job, did everything to make things work, no matter how difficult they seemed.

Would the Urus vice president feel hurt if his position were reduced or even erased by Gavin’s total leadership? Perhaps he would resent it. After all, during all that time, Urus had made significant strides thanks to Donovan’s planning and dedication.

The situation I was in was unprecedented, but despite the setbacks, it was much more comfortable than anything I had ever done. And to think that I used to be completely different... I had aspirations, dreams, convictions. Now all I could do was fight bravely to stay alive. If it weren’t for them, I would have been inevitably dead a long time ago.

One thing that stuck in my mind was Gavin’s father’s explicit racism, John. I never saw a single complaint from Donovan about him, only referring to him as a “wicked old man.” Being an eccentric and highly sought-after millionaire, I really thought he was beyond the reach of such prejudice. That proved a point: a racist doesn’t see social class, qualities, or achievements; they only see one thing and use that to demean and humiliate their victim.

I had lighter skin, a shade that Gavin once told me looked like a walnut. I thought the comparison was cute, but I still didn’t know my racial identity. Was I mixed-race? Black? Neither? Many questions and absolutely no answers until now. Before the world fell apart and collapsed on my shoulders, I was deeply engaged in ethnic and racial debates. But that was a long time ago... In another life.

I watch Gavin’s profile, thoughtful and quiet as he had left the room fifteen minutes earlier. How could two such different people, with opposing ideals, social classes, and lines of thought, get along so well? I would love to hear the story of how they met, how they became great friends. And now... Now I might be putting that beautiful friendship aside.

I close my eyes, thinking about what I feel with both of them, what each provides me. To be completely honest, there was no winner in this struggle. Both were completely emotionally invested, and it was clear that this emotion was only growing. Every word, every look, every act, every trace of trust. I couldn’t ignore that, which, month after month, became more intense.

If I could define what was happening, I would say it was a technical tie. I couldn’t live without Gavin. I couldn’t let go of his blonde hair, his clear eyes, the soft sound of his voice, his passionate caresses. I couldn’t simply dismiss all the breakfast pancakes, the coffee he made just the way I liked it. And what about the days he combed my hair or massaged me in the bathtub? It was impossible, out of the question to remove him from my life.

But I also couldn’t live without Donovan. I couldn’t get rid of or pretend that every time he came close, my heart raced. I didn’t want to stop feeling his strong arms around me, embracing me and providing all the safety and protection in the world. His always-serious face would light up with a wonderful smile when he looked at me and paid attention to every line, every feature of my face. Being nestled in his arms made me feel like I was in paradise, carried by an angel. His kisses

, full of passion and devotion, made my legs tremble violently.

The worst part of this story, the only thing that made me fear the future, was that I had to choose just one. And lose the other forever.

The protagonist of *The Tiger’s Curse* was also going through something similar, and I understood her perfectly when she delved into another of her musings about the brothers who wanted her. Only she already had a leaning, a man who from the beginning proved to be her endgame partner. It wasn’t like my situation, where no one was predetermined, no one had the advantage.

I sigh. In the book, the protagonist is very sad when she loses one of the boys, and they part ways never to see each other again. But she marries, has a happily-ever-after, and the work implies that they will have children. I couldn’t imagine that happening to me; being one hundred percent happy with just one of the Americans.

Both were my saviors. Both took care of me, and both would kill and die for me. It wasn’t a battle of egos, to prove who was the most “macho.” Their feelings were completely valid and genuine.

The respect both had for me was so great that, despite knowing I was divided and involved with both, neither diminished or insulted me or tried to pressure me. They also didn’t try to manipulate me by hating each other, making accusations. Quite the opposite. When the topic of Donovan came up when I was with Gavin, for example, the blonde would say very nice things about him. The same happened when Donovan spoke about the Urus CEO.

I feel a tightness in my chest. I wish both understood how I felt; that my confusion wasn’t due to my mental state (at least not entirely), and that my heart wanted both... Not far from each other, not competing to win the prize at the end of the tournament, but together; united. They would never understand me and would probably misinterpret me. All of this should have a limit, and I wasn’t ready to broach the subject and cross that line.

When the time came, however, I would need to be very brave. I wouldn’t be fooled by temperamental issues: Gavin, although truly calmer, would definitely not take it well. Donovan... His reaction was unpredictable. He could either be very angry and hurt or surprisingly open to the idea. It all depended on the circumstances.

That conversation was far from happening. Seeing Gavin’s disheartened and frustrated expression, I decide to keep it under wraps until the situation is resolved or at least suppressed. I don’t need to be an additional burden in their lives... no more than I already am.

As if reading my thoughts, the host leaves his place on the balcony and comes directly to me. He kneels and starts planting kisses on my neck. His breath is heavy, as it tends to be when we’re physically so close. Then Gavin places a soft kiss on my forehead, one of his trademarks since the beginning of our relationship.

— Thank you for waiting — his tone is relaxed, calm, and not filled with fear and apprehension as before.

— You don’t need to thank me.

— I need to thank God every day for you being here with me, Amanda.

I gasp. He strokes my cheek.

— Do you still want to talk? — Gavin asks.

— I don’t know... We talked so much today. Are you sure you still want to talk?

— I think it would be good for both of us to make the most of today. I have a feeling that... We won’t have another chance as good as this one.

I silently agree. Then I close the book and place it on the coffee table. I put both my hands on his face and give him a passionate, warm kiss full of tenderness. His response is enthusiastic, and we are so happy to be in each other’s arms that, for a moment, it’s as if the world outside and all its problems simply don’t exist.

In a quick but gentle gesture, Gavin picks me up and continues to kiss my collarbone. Nestled in his chest, I feel the center of gravity shift. We’re going up the stairs to his room.

Once we’re there, my angel lays me gently on the bed. Then he lies down, but keeping a respectful distance. I don’t know what to say, so I just watch him, waiting for him to speak.

Finally, Gavin gathers his courage. Touching my hand and caressing it, he asks me:

— Is there anyone... Who has been a part of your life... That you truly hate?