Jealous Of The Billionaire's Dog

The air outside was thick with tension, the city lights sprawling beneath them like a vast, glittering abyss. The confrontation between Daphne Lancaster and Vincent Blackwood had left an eerie silence hanging in the night air. But just as Daphne opened her mouth to speak, the arrival of a new voice cut through the charged moment.

"Still making people squirm, I see, Vincent."

The group turned sharply.

A man stepped out of the shadows—Alaric Voss, a name spoken in hushed tones in circles of power and corruption. His presence alone was enough to send a ripple of unease through even the most composed of them.

Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, Alaric exuded an effortless dominance, his piercing gray eyes scanning the group like a predator surveying his prey.

Vincent's smirk wavered for half a second. "Alaric. Didn't expect to see you here."

Alaric's smirk was razor-sharp. "You never expect me. That's your problem." He turned his attention to Daphne, his expression unreadable. "And you, Miss Lancaster. Still collecting enemies, I see."

Daphne swallowed but held his gaze. "Some things never change."

Alaric chuckled. "No, they don't. But debts do." His voice dropped to a near whisper. "And yours is long overdue."

Damian stepped forward. "What the hell is this about? Enough cryptic threats—if you have something to say, say it."

Before Alaric could respond, another figure emerged from the entrance to the balcony—a woman this time.

Celeste Voss.

Alaric's younger sister, as enigmatic as her brother but twice as ruthless. With long, raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders and emerald eyes that gleamed with danger, she carried herself like a queen among peasants.

"I hate being left out of interesting conversations," Celeste said, her voice smooth like silk but sharp like glass.

Daphne stiffened. Of course they were both here.

Vincent rolled his eyes. "Oh, wonderful. The Voss siblings, gracing us with their theatrics."

Celeste smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Vincent, darling, you know I love a good spectacle. And this one? Absolutely delightful."

Elijah Sterling, watching from the side, muttered, "This just keeps getting better."

Vivian, who had been standing tensely beside Elijah, finally snapped. "Enough with the riddles. Who exactly does Daphne owe, and what is this about?"

Alaric's gray eyes gleamed. "Oh, Vivian. Always so impatient. But fine, let's be blunt."

He turned to Daphne, his voice dropping an octave. "Do you want to tell them, or should I?"

Daphne's nails dug into her palm. "You wouldn't dare."

Celeste laughed softly. "Oh, he would. But I think it'd be more fun if I did."

She took a slow step forward, eyes flickering with amusement as she dragged out the moment.

"Daphne Lancaster owes us a life."

The words sent a shockwave through the group.

Damian's posture stiffened. "What the hell does that mean?"

Celeste tilted her head. "It means exactly what it sounds like." She turned back to Daphne. "Tell me, darling, do you even remember the name of the person you were supposed to protect?"

Daphne inhaled sharply.

Alaric's voice was softer this time, but it cut deeper. "You made a promise, Daphne. A promise you didn't keep. And because of that, someone died."

Silence.

For the first time, Daphne looked truly shaken.

Damian turned to her, his voice edged with something raw. "Daphne. What is he talking about?"

Daphne finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It was a long time ago," she said. "I had a choice to make. And I—" She swallowed. "I chose wrong."

Celeste clapped her hands together. "Oh, you chose wrong? That's putting it lightly."

Vincent, for once, was not the most dangerous person in the room. He simply watched, intrigued, as the Voss siblings tightened their hold on Daphne.

"Here's the problem," Alaric said, his voice velvety smooth. "You didn't just choose wrong. You ran from the consequences. And we can't allow that."

Daphne lifted her chin, forcing her fear down. "So what now? You want revenge?"

Alaric smiled. "No, darling. We want payment."

"And what exactly is the payment?" Damian's voice was sharp now, protective.

Celeste's smile widened. "Oh, it's simple."

Her eyes flickered toward Tiberius, the massive dog who had been silent until now, his golden gaze locked onto the Voss siblings.

"You took a life," she said. "So now, we take something just as valuable."

Her next words sent a chill down Daphne's spine.

"We want the dog."