mango_latte

When Jasmine’s car collides with Antonio’s, she expects nothing more than an accident report and a headache. But from the moment he lays eyes on her, Antonio is captivated—her beauty, her presence, the quiet fire in her eyes. She’s been hurt before, and love is not something she’s searching for. All she wants is peace, warmth, and a place where she feels safe.

But Antonio is not a man who walks away from what he wants. And from the moment he sees her, he knows—he wants her.

HIS ENDEAVORS

Jasmine stared at the message, her pulse hammering in her ears.

Her first instinct was to block the number, to ignore it and pretend it meant nothing. But she knew better. Ignoring danger didn't make it disappear.

With slightly trembling fingers, she quickly typed a response.

Jasmine swallowed hard. She paced her bedroom, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She needed to be smart about this.

With a deep breath, she scrolled through her contacts, found the name she never thought she'd willingly reach out to, and hit dial.

The phone rang twice before a smooth, familiar voice answered.

"Jasmine. Didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

"Konrad." Her voice was steadier than she felt. "I need you to tell me the truth. Right now."

A beat of silence. Then, "I always tell the truth, sweetheart. You just don't always want to hear it."

Jasmine clenched her jaw. "I just got a message from an unknown number."

Another pause. Then, "What did it say?"

Jasmine hesitated before reading it out loud.

Konrad cursed under his breath. "Where are you?"

"Lock your doors. Don't open them for anyone. I'll be there soon."

Jasmine exhaled shakily. She knew calling Antonio would have been the smarter move, but she wasn't ready for that. Not yet.

Instead, she double-checked her locks, pulled the curtains shut, and grabbed the small knife she kept hidden in her nightstand.

She had spent years rebuilding her life, keeping herself safe. She wasn't about to let anyone take that away.

Minutes passed. Every shadow outside felt like a threat. Every creak in the walls made her heart race.

Three knocks. A pause. Then two more.

She inhaled sharply, recognizing the pattern.

With one last glance through the peephole, she unlatched the door and pulled it open.

Konrad stood there, his usual smirk absent, his gaze scanning her carefully. "You okay?"

He stepped inside without invitation, his eyes already sweeping the apartment. "Where's your phone?"

She handed it over, watching as he studied the message.

His expression darkened. "This isn't random."

Jasmine crossed her arms. "I figured."

Konrad glanced up at her. "You should have called Antonio."

Konrad smirked, but there was no humor in it. "That's flattering, sweetheart. But I don't make the decisions. He does."

Jasmine exhaled sharply. "I don't belong to Antonio."

Konrad tilted his head. "Tell him that."

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed again. Another message.

Konrad read it first. His jaw clenched.

Jasmine snatched it from his hands.

"It's cute that you think he can protect you."

Konrad's voice was low, serious. "Looks like you've got a problem, sweetheart."

Jasmine swallowed past the fear creeping up her throat.

No. She wasn't going to let fear control her.

chapter twenty-six