The city woke restless.
Rain streaked the tall windows of the Graze penthouse as dawn crept over the skyline, blurring the neon lights and bloodstains of the night before. But inside, the war wasn't over.
Hazel woke to the sharp buzz of her phone vibrating aggressively against the nightstand. She groaned, grabbing it and squinting at the screen.
23 Missed Calls. 17 New Messages.
Most from unknown numbers.
"What the hell…" she muttered.
She shoved at Michael's shoulder. "Babe… we've got a problem."
Michael, still half-asleep, cracked an eye open. "If it's about Leo, it's handled."
"No," Hazel said, sitting up. "It's worse."
She turned on the TV.
And there it was.
BREAKING NEWS: Billionaire Michael Graze and New Bride Hazel Graze Linked to Violent Dockyard Shootout. Witnesses Claim Graze Took Down Underworld Kingpin Leo Crane.
Michael's face went from drowsy to murderously alert in two seconds flat.
Connor burst through the door without knocking. "I swear to God, I didn't leak it."
Hazel smirked, tossing a pillow at him. "You're always my first suspect."
He scowled. "It was the street rats. Someone filmed it — it's viral. Whole city knows you two went full Bonnie and Clyde last night."
Michael cursed under his breath, grabbing his phone. "Shut it down. Every outlet. I don't care what it costs."
Connor hesitated. "It's too late. By the time you wipe it, the damage'll be done. And you've got another problem."
Michael shot him a look. "Bigger than this?"
Connor nodded grimly.
"Your mother's here."
Both Michael and Hazel froze.
Hazel blinked. "Wait, you have a mother? I thought you were forged in a lab."
Michael groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. "I hoped she wouldn't hear about this."
As if summoned by the universe itself, Eleanor Graze swept into the penthouse like a storm in designer heels. A vision of icy elegance, sharp cheekbones, and a stare cold enough to freeze hell.
"Michael."
He sighed. "Mother."
Hazel scrambled off the bed, straightening the oversized shirt she'd been sleeping in.
Eleanor's gaze slid to Hazel, assessing, calculating. "So this is the wife you arranged behind my back."
Hazel, to her credit, smiled sweetly. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Graze."
"Eleanor," she corrected coolly. "Mrs. Graze was my mother-in-law. And if you think a pretty face and last night's theatrics make you fit for this family, darling — you're even dumber than the tabloids say."
Hazel's grin sharpened. "Trust me, Eleanor, you haven't seen theatrics yet."
Michael pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can we not do this today?"
His mother ignored him, focusing on the news ticker running along the bottom of the screen.
'Sources claim Hazel Graze fired shots herself. Is she the city's deadliest bride?'
Eleanor arched a brow. "So you've turned her into a weapon. Interesting."
Hazel crossed her arms. "I turned myself into one. Your son just gave me good reason."
Eleanor studied her for a long, tense moment.
Then, to Hazel's surprise, she smiled.
A small, dangerous smile. "I underestimated you. Good. Michael needs someone who won't crumble under fire."
Michael gaped. "Wait — you approve of her now?"
Eleanor waved a hand. "I never said that. But anyone willing to bloody their hands for this family has earned a seat at the table. For now."
Hazel smirked. "Glad we understand each other."
Connor cleared his throat. "Not to kill the family bonding vibe, but there's one more thing."
Michael grumbled. "What now?"
Connor held up a tablet.
A security feed image flickered onto the screen.
A young woman, unfamiliar, standing outside the building an hour ago. Long dark hair, sharp eyes, and a cold smile. She slipped an envelope under the door and disappeared.
Connor zoomed in on the image.
The name came up.
Isabelle Crowe. Liam Crowe's sister.
Hazel's stomach twisted. "I thought Liam didn't have family."
Michael's expression darkened. "Neither did I."
Connor handed over the envelope.
Inside, a single note.
"You took my brother.
Now I'll take everything you love."
Hazel met Michael's gaze, her blood running cold.
Michael's jaw clenched.
Eleanor sighed. "Well, this day just keeps getting better."...