Before I Go

chapter 4

Darkness swallowed the alleyway, but a pair of headlights suddenly cut through the gloom, blinding the three men who had us cornered. A massive, obsidian-black SUV purred to a halt just yards away, its engine a low, predatory growl.

A man stepped out.

He didn't just walk; he owned the pavement beneath his polished leather shoes. Tall and broad-shouldered, he cut a striking silhouette against the glowing mist of the city. As he moved into the light, his features sharpened—a jawline carved from granite, eyes like cold flint, and dark hair that brushed the collar of his expensive tailored suit. He stood alone, one hand sliding casually into his pocket, his presence radiating a kind of power that made the air feel heavy.

"I believe I told you to leave them alone," he said. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the weight of a physical blow.

The leader of the thugs, a man with a jagged scar across his nose, took a shaky step forward. He tried to puff out his chest, but his eyes were darting toward the stranger's expensive car. "Who the hell do you think you are? Coming into our street with that tone? Maybe you want your pretty face smashed against that brick wall."

The stranger didn't flinch. He didn't blink. He simply reached into his pocket and pulled out a slim, gold-rimmed phone.

"I have a personal distaste for watching women being harassed," the man remarked, his thumb sliding over the screen with chilling calm. "Before I stepped out of the car, I alerted the authorities. They are exactly sixty seconds away. I suggest you decide if you'd like to spend the night in a cell or on the run."

The thug sneered, raising a fist. "Big talk for a—"

"Wait," one of the other men hissed, grabbing his leader's arm. He was staring at the stranger in pure terror. "Look at him. That’s the CEO of Rainbow Enterprises. If we touch him, we aren't just going to jail—we're dead."

The leader’s face drained of color. He looked from the stranger to the end of the alley, where a faint siren began to wail in the distance. "CEO, huh? You think you're untouchable." He spat on the ground, though his legs were already retreating. "Watch your back, Mr. CEO. This isn't over."

They turned and bolted into the shadows, disappearing like rats.

I slumped against the cold brick wall, my hand flying to my throat as I tried to pull air into my lungs. Beside me, Karis was trembling, her breath coming in short, jagged gasps. My heart was a frantic drum inside my chest.

The man approached us, his footsteps echoing. "Are you hurt?"

I looked up, meeting those intense, dark eyes. "I—no. I don't think so. Thank you. I didn't think anyone would stop."

"The world can be a dark place," he replied, his voice deep and grounding. "Are you girls okay to get home? I can drop you off. It’s late, and the streets clearly aren't safe tonight."

I gripped Karis’s hand, my instincts screaming at me to be cautious. We were in a vulnerable state, and as handsome as he was, he was still a stranger. "Thank you, sir, but we’re fine. We can find our way."

"Angel, are you insane?" Karis hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut. She leaned toward me, her eyes wide. "That’s the head of Rainbow Enterprises! The biggest tech giant in the city. We don't have a ride, we're miles from the hotel, and you're saying no to a literal billionaire?"

"Karis, we don't know him," I whispered back.

But Karis wasn't listening. She moved past me, smoothing her hair and putting on a bright, flirtatious smile as she leaned toward his open window. "Actually, sir, we changed our minds. We’d love a lift."

The man’s expression remained a mask of professional calm. "Get in."

We climbed into the back seat. The interior smelled of expensive cedarwood and leather. The seats were so soft I felt like I was sinking into a cloud. He pulled away from the curb with a smooth, effortless motion.

"I’m Liam Neche," he said, glancing at us through the rearview mirror. "Where am I taking you?"

"We know exactly who you are!" Karis chirped, her voice loud in the quiet cabin. "I'm Karis, and this is my sister, Angel. And just so you know, she’s already a huge fan. She’s totally single and, honestly, she mentioned being pretty lonely tonight. A one-night stand with a guy like you would probably make her year."

I felt the heat rush to my face, my skin turning a deep crimson. "Karis!" I snapped, digging my elbow into her ribs. I looked at the back of Liam’s head, mortified. "I am so sorry. Please ignore her. My sister is... stressed. And clearly losing her mind."

Liam didn't laugh, but I saw a faint glint of something in the mirror. "Don't worry about it. I have a younger sister myself. I know they can be quite a handful."

"Shut up, Karis," I hissed under my breath.

Karis leaned over, her voice a loud whisper that definitely reached the front seat. "He’s gorgeous, Angel. Look at those shoulders. You just got ditched by your husband—you deserve some fun. You told me earlier you were horny anyway!"

I wanted the earth to swallow me whole. I turned my head to look out the window, staring at the passing streetlights to hide my shame.

A few minutes later, the SUV slowed to a crawl in front of a small apartment complex. "This is me!" Karis announced. She had insisted on stopping at her place before I went to the honeymoon hotel. She hopped out, but before she closed the door, she leaned back in and whispered in my ear. "Don't mess this up. Have some fun with the CEO and tell me every single detail tomorrow."

"Get out!" I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. I watched her walk to her door, then turned back to Liam. "Again, I am so sorry."

"It's forgotten," he said simply. He began to drive toward the hotel, but after a moment, he broke the silence. "You know... I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. You look incredibly familiar."

My heart skipped a beat. Had we met at a business gala? Or maybe a company event? "I... I don't think so. I'm sure I would remember meeting you."

"Perhaps," he murmured. "No matter."

He pulled up to the grand entrance of the hotel. "Here we are. Goodnight, Angel."

"Goodnight, Mr. Neche. Thank you for everything." I stepped out, the cool night air hitting my skin. I watched the SUV start to pull away, and that’s when I realized it.

I reached for my side, but my hand hit empty air.

*My purse.*

Karis had been holding it in the back seat, and in her rush to play matchmaker, she had walked off with it—and the keys to my hotel room were inside. "Oh, no. No, no, no."

I sprinted toward the car before it could hit the main road, waving my arms. Liam saw me and braked hard. I ran to the window, breathless. "I'm so sorry! I'm not trying to follow you, I promise. My sister took my purse. I need to go back to her place."

He didn't complain. He didn't even look annoyed. He just unlocked the door. "Get back in."

The ride back to Karis’s house was silent. I felt like a fool. "I promise I'm not trying to woo you or anything," I blurted out, desperate to save some dignity. "This wasn't a plan."

He didn't reply, his eyes fixed on the road, leaving me to wonder what was going on behind that stoic face.

When we reached Karis’s house for the second time, I hopped out quickly. "Goodnight, CEO," I called out.

"Goodnight, familiar girl," he replied, his voice a low rumble.

I hurried up the walkway and reached for the doorknob, expecting it to be locked. To my surprise, it swung open. The lights were dim inside, but the living room was a disaster. Karis’s purse was dumped on the floor, her dress was tossed over a chair, and—my blood ran cold—a man’s expensive dress shirt was discarded near the hallway.

"Karis?" I whispered.

I expected her to come out giggling about a random hookup. But then I heard it. A rhythmic thudding against the wall and the unmistakable sound of moaning coming from the bedroom.

I moved toward the door, my heart hammering in my ears. A male voice drifted out—a voice I had heard every day for three years. A voice that had whispered *I do* to me only hours ago.

I pushed the door open.

The sight shattered my world. Karis was bent over the bed, her eyes clouded with pleasure, and behind her, thrusting with a primal hunger, was John.

My husband was f*****g my sister