CHAPTER 163: ICE VILLA

–Sophia–

We bolted toward the fire exit, our steps echoing in frantic rhythm, following the caller’s instructions. The metal door burst open to a gust of biting air, spilling us into the parking lot. My breath misted immediately, curling into smoke against Tasiilaq’s night sky, where the temperature clung stubbornly below freezing. Snow crunched beneath my boots like glass.

I halted when Mrs. Pedersen’s SUV came into view. She rolled the window halfway down, face unreadable, and I tugged Kai sharply toward the car. He hesitated, stunned by the sudden escape route, too bewildered to move on instinct. I had to yank him again before he finally climbed in. The SUV sat casually in the middle of the lot, a bold position for a getaway. My pulse quickened as shadows shifted—those men who had been following us spilled out into the cold.

I ducked low, pressing against the chilled leather seat, peeking through the narrow slice of glass. Beside me, Kai pushed his seat all the way back, reclining, trying to make his tall frame less visible. The frost clung to the edges of the window like white lace, obscuring the outside threat.

"Mrs. Pedersen," I whispered, watching her face. Her profile was illuminated by the dashboard lights—long, straight black hair, almond-shaped eyes, lips heavy and full beneath a straight, strong nose. Exactly as I remembered. Time had barely touched her. She wore her discipline like armor, and it kept her young.

"Miss Sophia," she murmured, her voice low, careful. "The one who called Mr. Kai is one of our pawns inside the hotel. We already received instructions from the Henchman."

"Oh, I see." My lips curved, faint, dangerous.

Kai nodded beside me, his relief obvious.

"Thank you so much for saving us," he said, flashing that disarming, boyish smile.

"I have no choice but to take you to the villa," she replied simply, eyes on the road.

The drive stretched into silence, broken only by the hum of the engine and the occasional crunch of ice beneath the tires. The landscape swallowed us as the SUV wound higher into the mountain roads. It was an hour at least—seclusion carved into every mile. The cold seeped through the windows, gnawing at my skin, and I hugged myself against it.

When the villa finally revealed itself, Kai exhaled in awe. The headlights washed over a sprawling silhouette, a structure that looked more like a miniature mansion than a retreat.

"Wow," he muttered. "Livana owns this?"

"Yes," Mrs. Pedersen answered smoothly. "One of the assets her mother left behind."

"I see." His voice carried the weight of surprise.

The SUV circled a stone fountain, water frozen in elegant motion, crystalline under the pale moonlight. As we passed neighboring houses, Livana’s villa outshone them all—isolated, commanding, its architecture bold against the rugged slope. The town was far below, unreachable, yet the place remained accessible, perched dangerously close to the mountaintop. A fierce gust rattled through as we stepped out, the wind cutting sharply, sending icy needles across my spine.

"Winter clothes are already prepared in your room," Mrs. Pedersen announced, arms laden with grocery bags. Her daughter emerged to help, taking the load easily. "This is my daughter, Naja."

"Aluu, Naja uvunga. Ullumi ikiussavakkit," Naja beamed, her small voice bright against the cold.

"Aluu, Naja," Kai returned the greeting with a grin. "But I don’t speak Greenlandic."

"It’s okay," Naja said cheerfully, her English crisp. "I am fluent in English—and I’ve recently started learning Tagalog."

"Wow, that’s perfect." Kai laughed, surprised, as though the ten-year-old’s brilliance warmed him against the frost.

I allowed the moment, then ended it with a nod. "Okay, we’ll be heading to our room." Kai grabbed our luggage, trailing me.

The villa’s halls smelled faintly of cedar and burning wood, a comforting contrast to the merciless wind outside. I led him upstairs, stopping before my bedroom door, where a delicate dreamcatcher swayed faintly from the carved frame.

Kai’s eyes widened as he stepped inside. "So, you always stay here?"

"Yes," I smiled, watching his reaction.

"Your room looks so alive," he said softly, glancing at the splashes of color, the feminine touches that betrayed a part of me I seldom revealed.

"Uh-huh." My lips curved. I enjoyed his wonder.

He didn’t hesitate—his hand slid around my waist, pulling me against him. His mouth found my neck, hot and urgent against skin chilled by the weather. His hands roamed, greedy, slipping beneath my lingerie—the same one I had worn earlier, when our passion left its mark.

"We are not finished," he murmured, voice rough, almost a growl.

"That’s your semen," I whispered back, my tone sharp and teasing. He froze for a breath, startled by my bluntness.

"Let’s finish round two," I added, eyes glinting as I pulled him closer, "so we can prepare for dinner."

–Damon–

We landed in Greenland and, after a few detours, finally rolled up to Livana’s villa IN Tasiilaq. Deanne had told me exactly where the master bedroom sat — at the very end of the hall — and I happened to pass the door with the dreamcatcher as I walked by.

"Kai! Harder!" I heard from inside, and my jaw tightened. The sound cut like ice in my ears; I almost wanted to throw the door open and ruin them both. They’d just arrived, and they were already screwing. Why? Why was I supposed to tolerate two pairs of horny idiots in my house? Wife, bring me back.

"For God’s sake! One of you should leave the country!" I banged on the door hard enough to rattle the frame.

Kai’s obnoxious laughter drifted out like smoke. I was livid. I marched to the master bedroom instead, pushed the door shut behind me, and stripped off my jacket and pants. The room was warm, stripped-back in color, exactly the quiet calm I wanted. This bed was hers — the place where she slept — but when I buried my face in the pillows, it didn’t smell like her. New sheets, maybe. Clean, sterile. Not Livana.

"Damn it," I grunted, burying my face in the pillows, frustration burning through me. All I wanted was to get back to the Philippines, to sink into bed beside my pregnant wife. How big was her belly now? How long had I been gone—three weeks, a month? Time twisted into fog whenever I wasn’t with her.

I fished my disposable phone out of my pocket and called. It rang and rang. No answer. I called the villa’s number next. It rang and rang, and each tone tightened the coil in my chest until, at last, someone picked up.

"Hello?" A casual, cold voice.

"Logan! Finally — someone answered. Where’s my wife?" My patience thinned with every syllable.

"Uhhh," he drawled. "I don’t know."

"What the hell?" I snapped. "You’re in the house and you don’t know where my wife is?"

Logan sighed, tired. "Come on, bro. I’m tired of cleaning up the whole mansion. Give me a break."

"Why not hire a maid?" I asked, incredulous.

"Livana doesn’t want anyone inside unless they are called," he said, which explained everything.

Weird. I exhaled and kept it short. "Fine."

"Livana!" Logan called faintly into the background. "Jane, please locate Liva."

A beat, then Logan returned. "She said you can call back on the phone."

"Fine. Thank you." I hung up, dialed again. After three rings, Livana answered.

"Damon, I want to sleep peacefully. It’s early here."

"Oh — sorry. I just miss you." I tried to smooth my voice. "Why are those couples here? They’re screwing all over the villa."

"Just find something to screw, okay? My head hurts."

"I’m sorry, baby. I love you."

"Hmm."

"Call me, okay?"

"Fine." She hung up. I pressed my palm to my chest, feeling dramatic and stupid for a second — then shook it off. No time for theatrics.

I hit the shower, put on decent clothes, and sorted my laundry. Downstairs, Deanne and Sophia were preparing dinner like nothing had exploded in my head.

"Oh, finally! You both stop screwing my boys," I said, sliding the fridge open like the world hadn’t just detonated.

"If you’re that jealous that we took your boys, why not find someone else? Ten-minute walk, you’ll find someone," Sophia said, sardonic as ever.

I grabbed a soda and leaned on the counter, amused despite myself. "I don’t know your deal, but I think I should hand over the money, and you can both deposit it in the bank."

"Nope," they said in perfect unison, shaking their heads.

"Unbelievable," I muttered.

"We’re not just here to sleep with our men," Deanne said, tone clipped. "We’re your spies. In case you fuck anyone."

"I don’t think Livana cares who I fuck," I said. "I don’t need you watching me. She’ll find out anyway. I’ll be doomed for life."

Deanne scoffed; a smirk tugged at her mouth. "Good that you know that."

"Thanks." I shrugged and drifted to the terrace, where Kai and Caine were manning the grill, smoke tasting faintly of whatever they were burning.

"Okay, boys. We have to leave the girls here alone. We’ve got a dangerous job tonight." I said it like a commander dismissing troops.

They complained, of course — but complaints were as useful as spit. After dinner, we geared up. Sophia stood with her arms crossed, glare pinned to me like a hunting dog.

"Girls, we’re doing this for both of you," I told them, half-joking, half-serious.

"No, it’s not," Kai scoffed from his spot by the cooler.

"Hey," I nudged him. "Your salary’s on this too. You’re the ones who must give them a luxury life, remember?"

"Don’t get tangled in any mess, Damon," Deanne warned, eyes narrowing. "I’m serious. No murder. No ambush."

"Relax," I smirked. "I’ll handle it."

"We don’t care if you die," Sophia added, deadpan, "but Livana will hunt you to hell to kill you again."

I grinned. "Is that how much my wife loves me? She’ll scold me to death."

Caine stepped forward and kissed Deanne, playful. "Ring us, okay?" he said, winking. Deanne booted up her heavy-duty computer.

"We’ll be tracking you from here," she added. I stared at the screen — familiar tech, the kind Livana used. She didn’t operate it herself; she couldn’t, but it was hers all the same.

"Let’s check the locks first," Kai said, and people slid into motion. Deanne and Sophia crossed their arms and watched me like disappointed schoolteachers.

"Come on, stop threatening me with those looks," I said, rolling my eyes. "The boys will be fine."

They scoffed. They hated me. Maybe because I took their men at night and dragged them out on hunts. I loved pissing them off. Payback felt deliciously overdue.