✓ WICKED VOWS| JAKE (Book II )

35-Hearts In Inferno

Anna's pov

This morning, I rode to the Wild Joker, the shadows of dawn still clinging to the streets ignoring Jake's voice that wants me to act like a wife. The weight of the work Alex left behind pressed heavily on my shoulders, demanding attention. My first stop was with the girls in the violet rooms, a dimly lit corner of the casino where appearances are everything, but the truth often hides in the dark. We spoke about how they were treated by the so-called gentlemen who frequented the place—men who wore their civility like a thin mask, barely concealing the beast beneath.

After that, I turned my attention to the new baristas. I had run exhaustive background checks on every one of them. Some were single mothers, struggling to make ends meet; others were immigrants from Mexico and Brazil, drawn here by the faint glimmer of opportunity. They were the perfect shade to blend into the shadows of my casino, each one with a story that made them desperate enough to accept this life. But desperation makes people unpredictable, so I made sure to implement robust security measures—hiring the best security teams money could buy, and installing advanced surveillance systems that left no corner unseen, no whisper unheard. The Wild Joker's reputation, and my empire, depended on it.

Now, sitting in my office, I watch the monitors, their cold light flickering across my face. Four hours have slipped by, each one tightening the vice around my skull. The headache that had been forming finally broke through, a sharp pain stabbing behind my eyes. I reached for my pills, knowing it was time to stop, but the work never truly ended here. I needed to leave, to escape this place before it consumed what little was left of me.

I called Jude, and in less than a minute, he knocked on the door, his presence as silent and efficient as always. "You called, Ace."

"Yes, prepare the car. I'm going home," I said, my voice low and rough. Jude's eyes flicked over me, a hint of suspicion lurking there as if he couldn't believe I was leaving my bike behind.

"And your bike?"

"I'll come for it in the morning," I replied, pressing my fingers to my temple, trying to massage away the pain. The words felt heavy, and final, as if I was leaving more than just the bike behind tonight.

Once I arrived home, the quietness wrapped around me like a comforting shroud. I prepared my food, the mundane task allowing me a moment of peace, and took my pills. Slowly, the tightness in my head began to ease, replaced by a dull ache that I could almost ignore. Feeling somewhat restored, I grabbed my laptop and made my way to the backyard, seeking the solitude it offered for my work. But as I crossed the great hall, the sharp sound of the doorbell echoed through the house, breaking the silence.

The help moved quickly to answer the door, and to my surprise, it was none other than Queen Morana who stepped inside. What the hell was she doing here?

She moved with the kind of grace and elegance that only royalty could muster, her presence commanding yet gentle. As her eyes found mine, her expression softened, and a warm smile spread across her face. "It has been so long since I last saw you, Anna," she said, her voice carrying a note of genuine affection as she wrapped her arms around me in a hug. I managed to return the gesture with one arm, still holding my laptop in the other, patting her back awkwardly.

When she pulled away, I tried to keep my voice steady. "Jake isn't here if you were hoping to see him." But she only smiled at me, a knowing look in her eyes.

"No, I'm here for you."

"For me?" I echoed, unable to hide my surprise.

"Yes. I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she added, her gaze drifting to my laptop.