Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Brielle sank into the couch, feeling the weight of the day settle on her shoulders. She hadn't planned on getting involved in the Dorsey family mess, but with Victoria showing up at her door, it was clear Michael was in some serious trouble. But her mind was preoccupied with Daisy's case. She rubbed her temples and grabbed her phone, dialing Aiden.

"Addy, I need you to dig into Daisy's calls and movements. Find out who she was supposed to meet."

The killer had left Daisy's body out in the open, likely as a warning to whoever Daisy was meeting. Daisy's phone had probably been combed through, but with no useful info. The killer likely didn't know who Daisy was meeting, which is why they left such a gruesome message.

If only they could figure out who that person was. Brielle's lashes dipped as she thought. If even the mastermind didn't know who Daisy contacted, asking Addy to find clues would be a tall order.

But maybe there were some breadcrumbs left behind? And even if Daisy's lead dried up, there were other paths to explore. A thought struck Brielle, and her eyes darkened. She left Premier Palace, instructing Addison to drive her to Murray's place. Murray had been doing better these days, but seeing Brielle put him on high alert. She knew he was a tech genius.

"Addison, I need a top-tier computer set up in the storage room down the hall within half an hour," she ordered.

She planned to use Murray's hacking skills. Addison didn't question her and went to get it done. Murray glared at Brielle, his lips a tight line. It was his failure to kill Brielle that had led to such cruel treatment from Miss Annie.

If he could make amends, she might forgive him and take him back. Murray couldn't speak, and the doctors doubted he ever would again, but he didn't care. If Miss Annie wanted his life, he'd give it willingly. It was his fault he'd been discarded.

Over the past few days, he'd made up his mind to leave and find Miss Annie. She was his faith, his deepest desire. Even if Annie wanted him dead, he'd accept it without regret.

Brielle saw the determination in his eyes and smiled slightly. "Seems you're out of the loop, Murray. Annie has someone else now."

His body stiffened, disbelief written

across his face. Brielle's smile widened. "You know Annie better than I do. You're just a discarded toy to her if she had any remorse, she wouldn't have twisted the knife."

Murray opened his mouth, but no sound came out, just a tremor as he stared at Brielle. She settled into a chair, her posture relaxed.

"You're like a dog she threw out,

though that's unfair to dogs-they're still living creatures. You? You're just trash to Ker. She wouldn't even lookConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I

your way. But I can tell you can

lock Annie up, put you both together, and then she'll only have you."

Some people's love is obsessive and self-sacrificing. Brielle couldn't understand it, but seeing Murray, who still longed for Annie even after she tried to kill him, she knew how to manipulate him.

He just wanted Annie's attention. The more isolated they were, the more satisfied he'd be. Classic borderline personality disorder, and a creepy one at that.

A fierce light sparked in Murray's eyes, his breathing erratic. Brielle chuckled.

"I can keep you locked up here, and I can bring Annie too. Just make a deal with me. Once it's done, I'll put you both in the same place. She'll have to rely on you, and no one else will matter to her as much asyou. Sound good?"

She handed Murray an electronic tablet with a delete button, her voice oozing temptation. "Write down your answer." Without hesitation, Murray wrote-I'll do it!

Just then, Addison returned, announcing the computer setup was ready. Brielle gestured for Murray to get out of bed. "We've got a deal. Do what I say, and once my goal is met, I'll bring Annie to you. My word is my bond."