Chapter Twelve — Burnt Offerings***
729 Words
Episode Twelve — Burnt Offerings**
** Secrets in the Smoke**
The Monaco Tower rooftop was Ethan Moreau's sanctuary. High above the city, the chaos of Blackwell Enterprises, the desperate clamor for power and position, faded into mere shadows. Here, the air tasted of cigar smoke, risk, and betrayal.
He leaned against the concrete ledge, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, smoke curling between his fingers. Beneath him, the city pulsed—hungry, relentless, alive. He liked that. It reminded him of himself.
Behind him, the metal door groaned open.
"You called," Jade said flatly, stepping into the cool evening air.
She wore her anger like perfume—sharp, intoxicating, and dangerous. A fitted trench coat hugged her curves, and her heels clicked a warning across the concrete.
"Always so punctual when you're mad," Ethan said, not turning around.
"I want answers. Now."
"About what?"
"About why you gave Bianca that report. About what game you're playing with Damian. About why the hell I keep coming back to you."
He turned then, slowly, eyes smoldering.
"Because I’m the only one who knows who you really are."
She stiffened.
"That’s not true."
"Isn’t it?" He took a step forward. "You pretend with everyone else. Even Rose. Especially Rose. But not with me."
"You don't know me. You just f****d me."
"No," he said, backing her toward the ledge. "I f****d the truth out of you."
Jade slapped him. Again.
Ethan only smiled.
**2. Their History, Unraveled**
Two years ago, Jade had been the golden girl of Blackwell Enterprises. A financial prodigy with a cold edge. Untouchable.
And then Ethan had walked in—damaged, brilliant, and born with a silver dagger instead of a silver spoon. Their first meeting had been explosive. Their second, even more so.
He challenged her. Mocked her. Matched her.
And somewhere between midnight meetings and backroom deals, she had fallen into his bed and out of her carefully curated control.
What had started as tension spiraled into obsession. They couldn’t stop. Even when she tried. Especially when she tried.
But he wasn’t safe. He didn’t love her. He never would.
And yet here she was.
**3. A Dangerous Reunion**
Back in Ethan’s penthouse, the lights were dim. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the glowing city, but Jade wasn’t looking.
She was too busy shoving Ethan against the wall.
"You’re a monster," she whispered, biting his lower lip.
"Takes one to know one," he growled, dragging her coat off.
Clothes fell like lies. She straddled him on the kitchen counter, nails scoring his back. Their kisses were brutal, punishment more than passion.
When they hit the bedroom, he bent her over the bed, teeth on her shoulder.
"Say it," he hissed.
"f**k you."
"No. Say you still want me."
"I hate you."
He thrust into her, making her gasp.
"Say it, Jade."
She screamed. In anger. In pleasure. In surrender.
She never said the words. But her body betrayed her.
**4. The Aftermath**
They lay tangled in sweat and silence.
Jade turned her head, staring at the ceiling.
"What are we doing?"
Ethan lit a cigarette. "Exactly what we shouldn’t."
"You leaked that intel, didn’t you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Damian deserves to fall. Because he pretends to be the hero when he's just another monster in a suit."
"So what are you?"
He looked at her. "I'm the shadow behind the hero."
"And me?"
"You're the queen who keeps sleeping with the villain."
She laughed, bitter. "That sounds like a Greek tragedy."
"It is. And neither of us survives."
She rolled away from him.
"I’m done after this."
"You said that last time."
"I meant it then."
"And yet here you are."
He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.
"Admit it, Jade. We destroy everything we touch. And that's why we keep touching."
Her phone buzzed. A message from Rose:
*Don’t come back. I don’t trust you anymore.*
Jade stared at the words. Then deleted them.
**5. Ethan’s Next Move**
After Jade left, Ethan pulled out a hidden folder from beneath the floorboards.
Photos of Damian and Rose. Video stills. Email transcripts.
All proof of the affair. The lies. The power shifts.
He poured a drink, considering his next step.
He could burn Blackwell to the ground.
Or he could crown himself king.
He picked up his phone.
"Bianca. It’s time."
**End of Episode Twelve**
- Writer
