...an unexpected refuge amid the chaos of her life. The touches of Evan and James were simultaneously delicate and fiery, each caress carrying deep meaning. It was as if, for a moment, all her worries and responsibilities were set aside, allowing her to be just Elena.

The room seemed to envelop the three of them in a cocoon of warmth and intimacy. The soft lights cast dancing shadows on the walls, and the sound of wine being poured into glasses mingled with whispers and gentle laughter. Elena felt wrapped in a veil of security and desire, something she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Evan gently pulled her onto his lap, continuing to kiss her with controlled passion while his hands explored the curve of her back. James, on the other side, kept her close, murmuring words of affection in her ear, his lips tracing a path of fire down her neck and shoulders.

Each touch, each kiss seemed to dissipate a little more of the tension Elena carried on her shoulders. She allowed herself to fully immerse in the moment, letting go of all her worries about her mother, Clara, and the responsibilities awaiting her. For the first time in a long time, she felt cared for and desired in a way that was neither conditional nor self-interested.

Evan began to slide the straps of Elena's dress, slowly revealing her skin to the soft glow of the lights. James, in turn, helped remove the fabric, his hands firm but gentle, as if savoring each moment of discovery.

Evan's lips trailed down Elena's neck, planting kisses along her shoulder, while James pulled her closer, his hands caressing her bare back. The desire Elena felt grew, fueled by the attention and care of the two men.

Finally, James found Elena's lips again, and the kiss that followed was a mix of urgency and tenderness. Meanwhile, Evan continued to explore her body, his hands firm but gentle, each touch sending waves of pleasure down Elena's spine.

The world outside that room seemed distant and irrelevant. All that mattered was the present, the touches and whispers shared among the three. The connection forming between them was palpable, as if an invisible thread bound them together, making them one.

Elena felt transported to a state of pure ecstasy, where time seemed to stand still and all worries dissipated like mist. She didn't know what the future held, but in that moment, she was willing to completely surrender to the now, to the men who, in unexpected ways, had become an essential part of her life.

The night continued, marked by moments of intense passion and tenderness. Elena, Evan, and James moved in a synchronized dance of desire and care, exploring the limits of their newfound connection. And as the hours passed, the journalist realized that despite all the complications and challenges she faced, she had found something precious in that unexpected refuge.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook them, and the three settled in bed, intertwined, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies. Elena fell asleep with a smile on her lips, her heart warmed by the certainty that, at least for that night, she was exactly where she needed to be.

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

Writing the last article on her computer, Elena glanced at the clock. Only ten minutes remained until the end of her shift. She was tired but inexplicably happy. For some reason she didn't quite understand yet, her two billionaires seemed much more receptive and kind.

Yes, they still had their usual personality traits, but they seemed more tolerable, more lenient. Especially after last week, when both filled her with lust, pleasure, and something more, something Elena hadn't allowed herself to define, at least not yet.

After finishing her writing, which pointed to another businessman as guilty of a network of illegal transactions and even drug trafficking, she turned off the computer and left the office.

The night was cold, and the air chilly due to the approaching winter. As she fumbled in her bag to retrieve her cell phone to call the Wolves, she felt a strange shiver down her arm that had nothing to do with the temperature.

The hairs on her neck stood up.

Danger. She was in danger.

Someone was watching her.

Elena began to walk faster, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the deserted streets. Her eyes scanned the surroundings nervously but couldn't identify the source of that uncomfortable feeling. Her heart raced, and the journalist felt panic beginning to set in.

She finally found her cell phone in her bag and started to dial Evan's number, but before she could complete the call, a strong hand grabbed her arm, pulling her into a dark alley.

"Ah!" Elena screamed, but the sound was quickly muffled by another hand that closed over her mouth.

"Quiet, my flower," a soft, cold voice whispered in her ear. "We don't want to attract attention, do we?"

She didn't recognize the voice of whoever her captor was, but the slight accent left no doubt - it was a Japanese man. Who could it be? And how had he found her so easily?

She tried to break free, but the unknown man was too strong. He pushed her against the wall, keeping one hand firmly on her mouth while the other held her wrists above her head.

"You should be more careful," he continued, his voice maintaining an almost casual tone. "Especially when writing about things you shouldn't."

Elena felt a wave of fear. Was he there because of the article she had just written? Or was it something else?

When she finally looked at the face of the stranger, she felt her breath catch. Hoshiro, the businessman who had been accused by the Wolves almost a month ago. What could he want? Revenge? To threaten her? How had the police let him roam free?

"I'm going to take my hand off your mouth now, but if you scream, you'll regret it," he threatened, his piercing eyes fixed on her.

Elena nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. When Hoshiro removed his hand, she remained silent, only breathing rapidly.

"Good girl," he said with a sinister smile. "Now, you're coming with me. We have some matters to discuss."

Before Elena could protest, Hoshiro turned her around, handcuffing her wrists with an agile movement. He pulled her out of the alley, heading towards a black car waiting at the corner. Her thoughts raced frantically, trying to find a way out of this situation.

When they reached the car, Hoshiro opened the door and pushed her inside, entering right after. The vehicle started immediately, its dark windows preventing any view of the outside.

"Where are you taking me?" Elena finally managed to ask, her voice trembling.

"To a place where we can talk without interruptions," Hoshiro replied, crossing his legs and looking at her with a calm smile. "You've been messing with powerful people, Elena. And they don't like that."

Elena knew she needed to think fast. Evan and James didn't know about her situation, and she had no idea how to escape. She tried to stay calm, her eyes scanning the interior of the car for anything she could use to her advantage.

"Please," she began, trying to appeal to some compassion. "I was just doing my job. I didn't know... that I was dealing with dangerous people."

Hoshiro laughed, a low, threatening sound.

"Oh, Elena. You might think your innocent act convinces many people, but it doesn't work with me. But don't worry, you'll learn your lesson soon."

The car continued its journey, and the journalist felt her desperation grow. She was being taken to an unknown destination, in the hands of a dangerous man. She needed to find a way to alert Evan and James, but how?

Suddenly, the car stopped, and Hoshiro opened the door, pulling Elena out. They were at an abandoned warehouse, the shadows of the old structures creating a sinister atmosphere.

"Let's go," ordered Hoshiro, pushing her toward the entrance.

Elena stumbled but managed to stay on her feet, her eyes scanning the place for an escape route. Hoshiro led her through dark corridors to a room illuminated by a single hanging lamp. He pushed her into a chair, handcuffing her to the arm of the furniture.

"Now, let's talk," he said, approaching slowly. "And you're going to tell me everything you know. Who is behind your investigation? Who are your contacts?"

Elena felt the panic rise again. She needed to buy time, think of a way to escape and alert her protectors. But before she could formulate a response, the door to the room opened abruptly.

"Evan? James?" she whispered, hopeful.

But it wasn't either of them. A burly man entered, bringing with him an air of authority and danger. His eyes narrowed as he saw Elena.

"Hoshiro, you really captured the journalist," he said, his voice deep and loaded with power.

"Yes, sir," Hoshiro replied, bowing his head in deference. "She is ready to be interrogated."

The man approached, his cold eyes assessing Elena. She felt a chill run down her spine. She needed to get out of there, and fast.