RUTHLESS DEVOTION: THE EMPIRE BETWEEN US

RUTHLESS TRAPS

The tension in the private hospital lounge was thick enough to cut with a knife. Jared Vance stood by the window, his imposing stature a carbon copy of the son he was currently staring down. His expression remained completely unreadable, a cold mask of authority, until he finally broke the silence.

"I hope you two won't kill each other."

Lowin smirked, turning slowly. "You sent him away twelve years ago, Dad. Why care now?"

The question was laced with biting curiosity. Deep down, a small part of Lowin wished his twin would wake up and drop the rotting greed consuming him.

Jared ran a heavy hand through his hair and sighed. "You're both my sons. Of course I care. But Justin is a chaotic mess, and I can't watch your mother tear herself apart over you two anymore."

"Don't worry," Lowin murmured, his eyes darkening into lethal slits. "I'm setting a trap. The moment he steps into it, he loses every asset grandfather left him. As long as he keeps his hands off Amilah... he breathes."

Jared studied his son's cold profile. Lowin meant every syllable. There was no point arguing with a predator who had already scented blood.

"I'm heading to the office," Lowin said, checking his watch. "Sergeant Dale might show up with his little circus any minute now. Dominic's security will guard Amilah."

Jared nodded tightly. "Go. We won't let anything happen to her again."

Lowin stepped back into Amilah's room. His lips curved into a rare, genuine smile the breakfast tray was completely empty. He walked over silently, leaning down to steal a lingering peck from her forehead.

"I'm disappointed," he whispered against her skin. "I don't get to punish you for being stubborn."

Amilah scowled, twisting away from him. "I'm still furious with you. I only ate because I was starving."

Lowin let out a low, gravelly chuckle. He leaned down further, his intoxicating scent wrapping around her like a trap. "I don't think my little bird is mad at all," he breathed directly into her ear, his hot breath making her shiver. "Actually... I think she's yearning for my touch."

Amilah's face flushed a violent crimson. She forcefully pushed his heavy chest away. "In your dreams, Vance!"

By the couch, Daniella watched them, a soft smile on her lips. Seeing her robotic son finally melting for a woman was a miracle she never thought she'd see.

Lowin sat on the edge of the mattress, capturing Amilah's small hand. His large thumb traced slow, hypnotic circles on her palm, sending treacherous jolts of heat straight up her arm.

"I have to go, Amy," he murmured, his eyes locking onto hers. "And I don't know when I'll be back. Take care of yourself. Don't be stubborn while I'm gone. Call me the second you need anything... or if you miss me too much. Okay, sweetheart?"

Amilah nodded softly, an unexpected, suffocating wave of loneliness creeping into her chest at the thought of him leaving. Before her brain could stop her, her mouth betrayed her true feelings. "Will you... will you be okay?"

Lowin's eyes flared with a sudden, elated heat. Knowing she was genuinely concerned about him was a intoxicating sign. "Don't worry about me, little bird. I'll be perfectly fine, and I promise to come back to you completely unharmed."

Amilah swallowed hard, her gaze shifting nervously down to the sheets. "Take care... we will miss you."

Lowin froze, his dark eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. "We?"

Amilah's brain short-circuited. She realized instantly she had talked far too much. Panic flared in her chest as she scrambled for a cover story. "I-I mean Aunty Daniella and Annah! She lied, her cheeks burning.

"Right," Lowin smirked, leaning down until his shadow completely enveloped her. "But I won't miss them at all."

From the back of the room, Daniella and Annah rolled their eyes in perfect unison, letting out a synchronized hiss.

"You are such a terrible son and a horrific brother!" Amilah muttered, trying to look outraged to hide her racing pulse.

"Tell him, Amilah!" Daniella chimed in, crossing her arms. "What kind of ungrateful boy doesn't miss his own mother?"

Lowin raised his large hands in mock surrender, a wicked grin playing on his lips. He knew better than to argue with three women at once; it was a battle he was bound to lose. "Fine, fine. I'll miss them too. But I'll be back before you even have time to notice I'm gone."

Amilah opened her mouth to snap back, but the words were brutally stolen from her lungs.

In one swift, ruthless motion, Lowin's hand tangled into the hair at the back of her neck. He tilted her head up and captured her lips in a wild, possessive kiss. He didn't just peck her, he claimed her, his tongue parting her lips, exploring her thoroughly until he was satisfied, leaving her gasping for air.

Daniella and Annah shrieked in disbelief, covering their eyes as they scrambled out into the hallway.

"Did that seriously just happen?!" Annah gasped, her face bright red.

Jared, sitting on the corridor sofa, merely raised an eyebrow at his wife.

"Your son is entirely shameless, Jared," Daniella huffed, though her eyes twinkled.

Jared let out a deep laugh. "The boy is obsessed and dangerously in love. What did you expect?"

Daniella sat down next to her husband, her expression softening as her mind began to drift down a very specific path. "You know... I think we should start quietly preparing for a grandchild. The way he looks at her... it's only a matter of time."

Annah instantly squealed in pure excitement, clapping her hands together. "Oh my god, if Amilah gets pregnant, I'm going to be an aunt! I'm going to spoil that baby so much!"

Dominic, who was walking back down the hallway with a medical chart in hand, stopped dead in his tracks. He shook his head in sheer irony, listening to his completely oblivious family celebrate. So utterly clueless, he murmured to himself, a dry smirk touching his lips as he walked up to them.

"Good morning, Dom," Jared greeted.

"Good morning, Uncle. Aunty," Dominic replied smoothly.

Annah pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "What about me? Am I invisible?"

"What about you?" Dominic teased.

"You didn't greet me!" Annah huffed, looking up at him expectantly, waiting for a guilty apology. Instead, Dominic just reached out and playfully pinched her cheek until she winced.

"Little kids are supposed to be asleep at this hour, Annah. What are you even doing roaming my hospital?"

Annah pouted harder, stomping her foot in frustration as she slid into a chair, turning her back to him completely. Dominic merely chuckled, turning the handle to Amilah's suite and pushing his way inside.

But the words died in his throat the moment he stepped through the threshold.

Lowin was still thoroughly pinned over Amilah, but his large, heavily veined hand had secretly snaked beneath the thin fabric of her hospital gown, his fingers tracing the bare skin of her hip. Amilah was completely breathless, her small hands clutching tightly to his crisp white shirt, entirely surrendered to his touch.

Dominic ran a hand through his hair and let out a loud, colorful curse. "LOWIN VANCE!" he roared.

Lowin slowly, reluctantly slid his hand out from beneath her gown, slowly releasing her swollen lips. He turned his head, throwing his cousin a glance so lethal it could have dropped a lesser man dead on the spot. Amilah's face was completely flushed with desire; she immediately hauled the white duvet over her head, burying herself entirely in the sheets out of pure mortification.

"Did the Sinclair family fail to teach you basic manners, Dom?" Lowin growled, straightening his collar. "Ever heard of knocking?"

"That is my patient you are currently corrupting, you lunatic," Dominic snapped back, pointing his pen at him. "She hasn't even fully recovered from a concussion. Are you entirely out of your mind?"

"It was just a harmless kiss, Doc," Lowin replied smoothly, entirely unbothered.

Dominic stared at his cousin, temporarily speechless at the absolute audacity. "Get the f**k out of my room. I need to run her vitals. I see your little lovers' quarrel is officially over, and now you're turning my ward into a playground."

Lowin smirked, walking past the bed. "Why are you so worked up, Dom? Honestly, you need to find yourself a woman. The celibacy is making you bitter."

"You-"

"Fine, I'm leaving," Lowin raised his hands. He leaned over the lump in the blankets. "See you soon, little bird. I look forward to continuing exactly where we left off."

"Go away!" Amilah's muffled voice shrieked from beneath the duvet, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.

Lowin chuckled, walking past Dominic and clapping a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Take care of her, Dom."

"Just leave, you annoying fucker," Dominic muttered.

Lowin strode out, a victorious smile on his sharp face. He swept past his speechless family, leaving a trail of pure alpha energy.

Inside the quiet room, Dominic walked over to the bed and forcefully yanked the sheets down. Amilah blinked up at him, her face still bright crimson as she pouted guiltily.

"One scandalous kiss," Dominic remarked, raising an eyebrow, "and you completely forgot how furious you were with him, little girl?"

"It's none of your business, Doctor," Amilah muttered, looking away.

"Oh, really? Okay then, let me mind my actual business of making sure you don't relapse." Dominic walked over, wrapped the blood pressure cuff around her arm, and checked her monitors before skillfully changing the sterile white bandage on her forehead. "Your scans are clear. You can go home tomorrow morning. At least you two idiots will let me breathe."

"Really?!" Amilah's eyes lit up. She could finally leave.

But her excitement wasn't entirely innocent. The moment she was out of here, she was going to march straight into Vance Empire and tear that shameless wizard, Victoria Jackson, into pieces. She was going to make her pay.

Dominic noticed the calculating look in her eyes. He tapped her forehead. "What are you scheming in that little brain of yours, little girl?"

Amilah threw him a beautiful, sharp sneer. "Go away, Doc. Your business here is officially done."

Dominic chuckled, packing up his tray. "You know... my future niece is going to be very upset if you keep sending her favorite uncle away."

Amilah froze, her breath catching. "And who exactly told you it's a girl?"

"My medical intuition tells me it's a girl," Dominic smirked.

"Well, your intuition is wrong. It's going to be a boy," Amilah protested fiercely, her maternal instincts flaring up. "A handsome little boy just like his dad."

Dominic's smirk widened into a victorious grin. "Okay, you win. I bet his genes are definitely stronger than yours anyway."

Amilah rolled her eyes, her face burning as she realized she had just admitted how highly she thought of Lowin's looks. She pulled the blankets back up to her chin. "I feel sleepy. Go away for real this time."

"Alright, sleep well." Dominic watched her bury herself in the blankets. Now, he could completely understand why his cold-hearted cousin was so utterly obsessed with her, she was effortlessly captivating, fiercely protective, and incredibly easy to tease. He turned off the main lights and slid out, shutting the door behind him.

In the hallway, Daniella immediately stood up. "How is she, Dom?"

"She's perfectly stable. I'm discharging her tomorrow morning," Dominic informed them. "She's sleeping now, so you guys should head home and come back later this evening."

Annah stepped forward. "I want to stay and keep her company."

"What about your movie shoot?" Daniella asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Work can wait," Annah insisted. "I don't want her waking up alone and bored."

"It's fine, Annah. She's completely exhausted; she'll be out cold for the rest of the day," Dominic interjected firmly. "Come back in the evening."

Annah reluctantly agreed, sighing as she followed her mother and father toward the private elevators. Dominic was right the moment the room plunged into silence, Amilah drifted into a deep, peaceful slumber, anchored by the reassuring knowledge that her baby was safe and thriving inside her.

---

Across the city, at the towering glass monolith of Vance Empire, Lowin Vance stepped out of his private elevator and walked into his executive suite. He had barely crossed the threshold when Tom burst through the double doors, his face pale and sweating.

"Boss! Sergeant Dale is in the lobby with a team of detectives. He's demanding to see you!"

Lowin sat calmly at his desk, unbuttoning his jacket. "Let him in."

Tom stared, bewildered. "Boss... are you sure? There are reporters outside."

"Tom," Lowin's voice dropped. "Let him in."

Tom swallowed hard, turning on his heel. A few seconds later, he ushered Sergeant Dale into the lavish office while a team of plainclothes detectives stood guard at the glass doors.

Dale walked in, taking off his trench coat and throwing it onto the sofa. He looked at the pristine, untouchable CEO. "Mr. Vance... you look remarkably composed for a man currently trending as a prime murder suspect."

"Should I be weeping in the corner, Sergeant Dale?" Lowin asked dryly, a cool smirk playing on his lips.

Dale rolled his eyes, dropping into the chair opposite the desk. "Alright, what's the play here? Do we slap the cuffs on you right now and walk you out through the front lobby?"

"Exactly."

Dale blinked, completely stunned. "Are you serious right now, Lowin? We both know you didn't touch Jade Houston. Why the hell are you so heavily invested in making the entire world think you did?"

"It's called playing cat and mouse, Dale," Lowin murmured, his eyes flashing with a cold, predatory light.

Dale rubbed his temples, utterly incapable of comprehending the complex, dangerous mind of Lowin Vance.

"Don't overthink it, Sergeant," Lowin instructed calmly. "Just follow my lead."

Right on cue, the private side door to the executive office clicked open, and Logan walked in. He bowed slightly to Lowin, his professional double-agent mask perfectly secure.

"Boss," Logan reported quietly. "I have officially informed Justin that the homicide detectives are inside your office to place you under arrest. My tracking tech shows his car is currently parked two blocks away. He's waiting outside to watch the show."

"Perfect," Lowin murmured, his lips curving into a wicked, chilling smile. "You can go now, Logan. Keep your eyes on him."

He really thinks he's won, Lowin thought to himself, a dark satisfaction washing over him. Let's play cat and mouse, brother. He stood up from his desk, smoothing down his vest, and stretched his broad arms out across the mahogany wood.

"Let's go, Sergeant. Put them on."

Dale clicked his tongue in annoyance, pulling the heavy steel handcuffs from his belt and snapping them tightly around Lowin's wrists. "I really don't like this, Mr. Vance. Your entire corporate reputation is on the line today. The media is going to dismantle you."

"I bet the public is already doubting the narrative," Lowin countered smoothly as they walked toward the private exit. "But those doubts will vanish the exact second Justin leaks the last piece of evidence he thinks he has against me."

Dale paused, completely lost. "There's more evidence? What did he find?"

Lowin didn't answer. He just flashed a dangerous smile. "Sit back and watch the show, Dale."

As the elevator descended to the ground floor, Debrin Salvatore was currently stepping through the grand glass entrance of Vance Empire. His presence was overwhelming an aura of pure, unadulterated murderous intent. The employees who had gathered in the lobby to frantically gossip about their CEO's impending arrest instantly scattered like mice, retreating to their desks.

Debrin stopped in the center of the lobby, his cold, piercing gaze sweeping over the remaining staff. "It seems Mr. Vance has been far too lenient with your schedules if you have this much free time to stand around and spread rumors," Debrin's voice echoed like a crack of thunder through the marble hall. "In his brief absence today, you report directly to me. Get back to your stations. Anyone who has time to gossip can submit their resignation letter to Tom's desk by noon."

The employees shivered, scurrying away in terror, wondering why this notorious devil was suddenly acting as the CEO of Vance Empire.

Tom let out a massive sigh of relief from behind the reception desk. Thank God, he thought. I don't think anyone else on this earth could have tamed these hyenas.

Lowin emerged from the executive elevator flanked by Dale and his detectives. As he caught Debrin's eye, Lowin gave his friend a tight, appreciative nod. Debrin nodded back smoothly, his stance unwavering as he watched the police escort Lowin through the glass doors.

The moment they stepped outside, the air erupted into pure chaos. Hundreds of reporters and paparazzi rushed forward, their cameras flashing violently as they shouted a barrage of endless, frantic questions. Vance's elite security detail formed a human wall, forcefully pushing the media back to pave a path to the waiting police cruiser.

At the far end of the corporate avenue, tucked away inside the tinted windows of a sleek black Maybach, Justin Vance watched the entire scene unfold. A victorious, manic smile stretched across his face as he watched his twin brother being led away in chains.

He had done it. He had finally put Lowin in a cage.

"Jacob," Justin ordered, his voice trembling with dark excitement. "Release the financial contract Jade Houston signed with Lowin directly to the major press outlets. Let's see how my brilliant brother survives a motive like that."

"Right away, boss." Jacob opened his laptop, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he anonymously leaked the classified document, a contract showing Lowin Vance had ruthlessly stripped Jade Houston of half his corporate empire just days before his death. "It's done, sir. It's currently viral."

"Magnificent," Justin laughed, leaning back against the leather seat. "Let's go. It's time to celebrate the official downfall of Lowin Vance."

Inside the police SUV, the air was quiet as the vehicle cut through the morning traffic. Suddenly, Dale's work phone vibrated violently on the dashboard. He picked it up, seeing Detective Kelvin's name on the screen.

"What is it, Kelvin?"

"Sir, something massive just leaked onto the internet," Kelvin's voice sounded frantic over the static. "An anonymous source leaked a contract proving Lowin Vance forcibly acquired half of Houston Corporations right before the murder. The press is going wild demanding answers. They're saying it's the perfect motive. What do we do?"

"We are five minutes away from the station," Dale commanded tightly. "Ignore the media until I get there."

He slammed the phone down, rubbing his temples in pure frustration. He had a sickening feeling that this entire situation was spiraling completely out of hand, yet the billionaire sitting in the back seat looked as relaxed as if he were on a beach.

"Did you know about that contract leak, Lowin?" Dale asked, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

"I told you," Lowin replied calmly, staring out the window at the city skyline. "That was the final piece of evidence Justin had on his board."

Dale slammed his hand against the steering wheel. "You knew the entire time and you didn't think to warn me?!"

"What would be the point in that, Dale? It needs to play out."

"Are you insane?!" Dale hissed, turning the corner into the precinct. "Do you have any idea that this contract gives you the most perfect, iron-clad motive to kill the man in the eyes of a jury?"

"I am well aware, Dale," Lowin murmured, his eyes turning entirely cold. "Which is exactly why you are going to release me tonight on the basis of insufficient physical evidence... and watch Justin completely lose his goddamn mind when he realizes his trap failed."

Dale shook his head, entirely out of his depth. "Why wait until tonight? If the evidence isn't enough, I can clear you by noon."

"Because if you let me go now, he will become suspicious. I have to spend the next several hours in your interrogation room. Let the media brew. Exactly at midnight, you will open that door and let me walk out."

"Why midnight?" Dale challenged.

Lowin's lips curved into a sharp, lethal smirk. "Because he is expecting someone who will inform him about my release. A shadow is landing at midnight." Lowin lifted his bound wrists toward the front seat. "Now, uncuff me before we park. The show is over for now."

Dale glared at him in pure annoyance but reached over, slotting the silver key into the cuffs and releasing his wrists.

The moment his hands were free, Lowin pulled out his encrypted phone and dialed marks number. Mark picked up on the first ring. "Boss."

"I want you and Tom to revisit the exact location where Jade Houston's body was discovered tonight. Tom knows exactly what anomalies to look for in the perimeter."

"Understood, sir. Consider it done."

"And Mark," Lowin added, his voice dropping into a dangerous baritone. "Do not alert a single soul. This stays strictly between you and Tom."

"Roger that, sir."

Lowin ended the call, his thumb hovering over Amilah's contact name. He hesitated, his heart aching with a sudden, fierce urge to hear her voice. But he pulled back. She needs to rest, he reminded himself tightly. He would be back at her bedside before the night ended, no matter what it took.

He looked back at the detective. "Can you absolutely trust every single officer in your department, Dale?"

Dale frowned, bringing the SUV to a halt in the secure underground bay. "Why do you ask?"

"Because if there's a rat, you're going to have to actually interrogate me," Lowin murmured, a dark, thrilled glint in his eyes. "You're going to have to do whatever it takes to break me."

Dale let out a dry, incredulous laugh. "Are you even breakable, Mr. Vance?"

Lowin smiled, a chillingly beautiful look of absolute dominance. "Try me and find out." He stretched his large hands back out, allowing Dale to snap the cuffs back on as the heavy garage doors opened to a wall of screaming reporters who had managed to breach the perimeter.

Flashes of light instantly blinded the interior of the vehicle as the door was hauled open.

"Mr. Vance! Are you the one who murdered Jade Houston?!"

"Why did you blackmail him into giving up half his company?!"

"Are you pleading guilty, Mr. Vance?!"

Lowin let out a low, smooth chuckle that instantly startled the aggressive reporters into a sudden silence. He stepped down from the SUV, his towering height instantly commanding the space. "You ask far too many questions," he remarked smoothly, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Is this broadcast currently live?"

"Yes, sir! It is!" a reporter shouted, thrusting a microphone forward.

Lowin effortlessly reached out with his bound hands, capturing the microphone. He locked his dark, freezing gaze directly into the camera lens with such a sudden, murderous intensity that the front row of journalists involuntarily took a step back.

"What was the question? Am I guilty or not?" Lowin smiled, casually lifting his hands to display the steel cuffs around his wrists. "Maybe I did kill him. Or maybe I didn't. That is a question that depends entirely on the validity of the evidence the police think they have. And as for why I acquired half of Houston Corporations?" He let out a dark, mocking laugh. "I had my reasons. And Jade Houston handed over his company entirely willingly. Nobody forced his hand. It was a choice he made... simply to protect his rotting reputation."

Before the reporter could even process the bombshell, Lowin dropped the microphone back into her trembling hands. He pushed effortlessly through the stunned crowd, his long, commanding strides leading the way into the police station as Dale and his detectives hurried to keep up.

Meanwhile, inside Justin Vance's penthouse apartment, the celebratory music was blaring, but the triumphant mood evaporated the exact second the live broadcast played on the massive television screen.

Justin slammed his glass onto the bar counter, his knuckles turning white. "Jacob... something is wrong. Look at his face. The bastard looks entirely too calm. He's planning something."

Jacob shifted uneasily from behind the couch. "Maybe he's just faking the confidence for the shareholders, sir."

"No!" Justin roared, his face twisting in manic rage. "I know my brother. He always has an ace up his sleeve. If this murder charge doesn't stick... we immediately pivot to Plan B." He turned, his eyes wild with malice. "Find out exactly where Amilah Miles is hiding right now."

"Right away, sir." Jacob pulled out his phone, making a series of quick calls. A few minutes later, he walked back into the study, his expression grim. "Boss... she went to the gala at the Vance estate last night, and something happened. Our sources say she took a severe fall down the main staircase. Her current whereabouts have been completely scrubbed from the grid. She didn't return to her apartment, and she is not at her boutique"

Justin's eyes widened with intense intrigue. "She got hurt? How delicious." He rubbed his jaw, a wicked, calculated smirk spreading across his lips. "There's only one place Lowin would take her if She was hurt. The Sinclair Citadel. Prepare the car, Jacob. It's time I pay my brilliant cousin Dominic a little surprise visit. It's been far too long since we caught up."