Love beneath the Skin

Her wrist was seized.

Caught off guard, Jada fell forward — straight into Caius’s lap.

His cool fingertips traced down her cheek slowly, his voice rough against her ear. “So this is how you plan to get revenge?”

Jada’s eyes darkened. She gripped the armrest of the wheelchair. “You promised not to interfere.”

Caius chuckled, his fingers pressing against the red mark on her collarbone, grinding it harder. “You forget — my promise came with conditions. You are not allowed any intimate contact with Grant.”

His voice grew deeper, and suddenly he bit her lips hard, making her frown in pain. “If you keep disobeying…”

Before he could finish, Jada moved first.

Her slender fingers slid down deftly — the faint click of a metal clasp sounded in the air.

Caius stiffened.

Jada smirked, pushed against his shoulders, and straddled him. “If you think I broke the deal, Mr. Martino, you’re welcome to find out.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Are you sure?”

“This is a transaction. I’ll hold up my end.” Jada’s voice was calm, almost detached.

Walter. Carmen. Her parents, who had called her a disgrace. And the real Jada Brooks who had been killed because of Carmen…

Since fate had given her another chance at life, she would collect every debt of blood, one by one, until the innocent dead could rest.

When she first sought out Caius, offering herself in exchange for his power, Jada had already stopped caring.

Her body was a small price to pay — even her life wouldn’t matter once her revenge was complete.

The thought of the past lit a terrible determination in her eyes as she reached for her skirt.

A vein throbbed at Caius’s temple. He grabbed her hand, his teeth gritted. “Aren’t you afraid Grant will walk in right now and ruin everything?”

Jada’s stubborn grip faltered, and she met his gaze. “Do you believe me now?”

Caius closed his eyes briefly. “There will be no next time.”

Jada nodded, stood up with the help of the wheelchair, steadying herself.

The Brooks family was too weak — if not for Caius, they wouldn’t have even qualified to attend a gala like tonight’s, let alone approach the Quinns and Grants openly.

She needed his power for what was coming.

If she didn’t calm Caius, her entire plan could collapse.

Glancing at him, at the state she’d left him in, she hesitated only briefly before kneeling in front of him.

Caius’s eyes widened — almost surprised — his hand half-lifted as if to stop her.

But when he thought of her with Walter, the fire in his chest burned hotter, destroying his last rational thought. Slowly, his hand fell back to the armrest.

The room quickly grew heated. Jada gripped the armrest so hard the veins stood out on her pale hand, fighting to stop the tremor that ran through her body.

Caius, sunk in desire, soon noticed something was wrong. His frown deepened as his gaze cleared.

He tried to pull her up — but she wouldn’t budge.

Then, before either of them could speak, the host’s amplified voice rang out from the ballroom below:

“Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations to Mr. Walter Grant and Miss Carmen Quinn on their official engagement! Grant Holdings and Quinn Enterprises will be joining forces to develop the new Bayview Resort Project!”

Every word struck like a knife.

Jada shook harder, her hatred laced with fear — memories of that terrible day threatening to shatter her.

But even so, she refused to stop. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to continue.

“Enough!” Caius’s face darkened. He yanked her up, staring at her empty, haunted eyes. His fury died out, leaving him unable to scold her.

Moments later, footsteps sounded outside the lounge, stopping right at the door.

“Jada, are you in there?”

The voice dragged Jada’s scattered thoughts back.

“Jada?” Walter knocked again, then turned the handle.