Till Forever Begins (The Till Forever Series Book 2), page 1
Till Forever Begins
Book 1 of The Till Forever Series
Donna Richards
Copyright © 2025 by Donna Richards
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except for the use of brief quotations in book reviews.
The story, including all names, characters, and incidents portrayed, is a work of fiction and a product of the author's imagination. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, or products is entirely coincidental.
No AI (artificial intelligence) was used in this book or design, and it was entirely written and edited by a human.
Editing by @pinpointediting
Book Cover by @everafter.pr
Illustrations (Chapter Art) by Matt Goldup
To all the people that haven't found their wings…let the morally grey man be your butterfly.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Please note: This series is set in London and is written in British English.
County Lines: County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised crime rings that deal with illegal activities within the UK. This term is normally used in regards to trafficking drugs to and from different areas of the country. However, in the story it refers to crime organisations who run 'counties' and deal with multiple illegal activities, not just drugs.
Please read the content warning on the next page.
CONTENT WARNING
Readers are strongly advised to read the trigger warnings listed below. This book is intended for readers 18 and above, as it contains morally complex characters and dark themes.
Till Forever Begins includes but is not limited to the following:
Dubious consent scenarios, Mention of emotional abuse, Alcohol consumption, Blood and gore depiction, Dismemberment, Mention of death of a parent, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Organised crime, Mention of Domestic Violence, Mention of controlling behaviour, Mention of GBH with intent – Domestic Abuse, Mention of prisoner on remand, Attempted sexual assault (Not between MCs), Psychological manipulation – stalking and harassment (not between MCs), Drugging, Fighting, Physical GBH/Assault/Violence (Not between MCs), Sexual assault/rape (not mentioned but can be interpreted) (Not between MCs), Torture, Explicit sexual content.
Whilst I have tried to include all the warnings, it's important to remember that triggers are subjective and personal to each individual. If you feel a trigger needs to be added or to discuss, then please email me at donnarichards@donna-richards.com
CHAPTER 1
ARIA
“Miss…? Miss…?” The taxi driver interrupted my thoughts. “Are you getting out?”
My hand was refusing to open the door. Was it trembling slightly, or was my mind playing tricks on me?
Truthfully, I didn’t want to. I just wanted to run home and hide from the world. Instead, I took a deep, shuddering breath, fumbling with the handle as I willed my body to work again. I reluctantly stepped out, and the taxi’s engine thrummed as it drove off—my one remaining safety net gone.
I looked down, straightening my pencil skirt and brushing off my blouse. People rushed past in all directions, busy on their phones as they swerved around each other.
I could feel my knees about to give out, so, I forced my legs to take me to the entrance of the tall, sleek building before me. I walked through the lobby, my heels echoing off the white marble floor; every step reminded me I was free, that the tight grip that once held me no longer controlled my life. This was where I would start being me again.
I reached the desk, and the receptionist glanced up politely. “Welcome to Luxe Corp. How may I help you today?”
I wondered how many times a day she had to say that.
“Hi, I’m Aria Summers. It’s my first day,” I said, trying not to sound as anxious as I felt.
“Ah, yes; the new admin,” she said warmly.
I gave her an awkward smile. I guessed it was her job to know who was coming and going.
“This way,” she said as she stepped out from behind the desk, her smile never leaving her face.
I followed her to the lift like a lost puppy, never looking back but nervously looking around, subtle tones of vanilla surrounding me.
It was everything you’d expect from a high-end Canary Wharf office.
The hallway seemed to go on forever, with a few matte black door-frames set along the ivory coloured walls decorated with monochrome photography showing off the landmarks of London.
The thirty-eighth floor was a complete contrast to the quiet space downstairs. The office buzzed with conversation, keyboards tapping in sync with one another. No one lingered, not a minute wasted. It was the type of place where every second cost money, and they all seemed to know it.
As I hurried to keep up with the receptionist, I could feel eyes burning into me.
She pointed as we walked. “There's a break room down there where you can get coffee, and the bathrooms are further down the hall.”
Eventually, she pushed her way through a door to a small room. In the office beyond, a man was visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to me. He must have been the CEO. My new boss. I’d never met him at my interview; it had been with the HR manager. I guessed people like him didn’t need to worry about people like me. His arms were gesturing, suggesting he was talking on the phone, his broad shoulders stretching with each hand movement.
“This is Mr Knight’s office—our CEO. Sometimes you’ll have to take work to him,” explained the receptionist.
Mr Knight? My heart jumped into my throat.
No, it couldn’t be.
She started walking back through into the main office, and I hurried to keep up.
We stopped at a small desk near the back. It was modern and white, the stationery neatly arranged around it—a contrast to my life, which seemed to be an utter mess right now.
“This is your desk.” I nervously glanced down, tugging at my sleeves. “There are details of how to log in to the laptop. Once on, it will prompt you to complete your recruitment documents for HR. If you have any issues, they will be able to help you.” She smiled again and left. Nervously looking around at everyone, who no longer seemed at all interested that I was there, I sat down, turned the laptop on, and followed the instructions.
It hadn’t taken long to complete and submit the HR forms, and now I was treating myself to a well-deserved coffee in the break room. The machine finished making my cappuccino, and I grabbed the cup, placed a lid on it, and turned around—straight into someone. He grabbed my arms to steady me, and I froze at the familiar scent of citrus and spice, a scent I hadn't encountered since—
“Aria?” he whispered.
I didn’t want to look up, but my eyes had other ideas.
That perfectly sculpted jawline showed his rugged side, a shadow of stubble defining its shape. Tattoos were trying to escape the collar of his shirt. I took a step back, releasing my grip on his toned arms. I knew this face too well. Knew the crystal-blue eyes that stared straight into my soul.
Sebastian Knight.
Of all people, it had to be him.
I’d escaped one past, only to be slammed back into another.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I … I work here,” I replied hesitantly.
His eyes widened briefly, a flicker of surprise passing through his gaze.
“Small world, little sis,” he said as he leaned casually against the wall.
“Don’t call me that.”
We were never related. Our parents met one summer and tied the knot, some whirlwind romance that turned into a nightmare. For the two years they were together, all they did was argue.
“Still as sassy as ever.” He chuckled.
“What are you doing here?” I questioned.
“I’m the CEO.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
Sebastian was my … boss? My cheeks burned. Could he tell how flustered I was? I touched them to check, but they were ice cold—probably from shock.
“I’ve got work I need to do,” I said abruptly.
He put his hand out, gesturing that I could go.
I swallowed hard.
The last time I’d seen Sebastian was the night he’d left me standing in the kitchen, four years ago.
CHAPTER 2
SEBASTIAN
Isat back in my chair, the black leather creaking, and stared absently into the untouched glass of whisky in my hand. My screen flashed with a meeting reminder, but my thoughts lingered on Aria Summers.
When I’d last seen her, she was an eighteen-year-old. That girl was a vibrant little soul. She’d notice the beauty in everything, full of empathy and compassion for others. Her presence had a calming effect on anyone around her. She was preparing to start uni to study social work, to pursue a dream of wanting to support people through their hardest times.
She still smelled the same, that fresh green apple scent.
Seeing her again stirred something in me. Something I hadn’t felt in years. Something I wasn’t ready to admit to myself.
Alongside that was guilt.
It had been years since the night I’d left her, bright-eyed and full of sass. I was twenty-two, already consumed by a shadowy underground world my family knew nothing about.
I downed the drink, pushing those memories back down as far as they would go, then got up and made my way into the main office, reaching Aria’s desk at the back.
“Let’s get lunch.”
Her eyes darted around at everyone, undoubtedly all looking at us, before they met mine. I couldn’t care less that people were staring. None of them would dare say a word to me.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said quietly.
I held out my hand, and she hesitated for a second but then took it and stood. Her touch was gentle, like it was when we were younger. Placing my hand on the small of her back, I guided her out of the office.
It wasn’t long before we reached the restaurant and the waiter greeted me, taking us to my usual table. I pulled the chair out for Aria, and she sat with her hands in her lap, looking around, before sitting opposite her.
“Usual?” the waiter asked.
“Yes, and a cappuccino.”
He gave us a curt nod and left. I looked over at Aria, who gave me a tight smile. Before I could speak, Hayden Lyons, my brother in all but name, strolled in, his coiled hair bouncing. I’d met Hayden ten years ago when I was sixteen, in the dark world of a crowded underground ring, both of us young, ready to take on a world that offered us more than the life above.
He was quick in the ring, but his comebacks were quicker.
He was my first fight, and he quickly became my brother—and when I left that world, he stayed, but so did our friendship.
His eyes widened as he realised who I was sitting with.
“Aria Summers. It’s been too long.” He smiled at her, and she got up, giving him a small hug.
“Hey, Hayden. What are you doing here?”
“Come to see this guy.” He whacked me on the shoulder. “Didn’t realise you were back.”
The waiter came over with our drinks and nodded at Hayden, wandering off again to get him his usual.
“I’ve only been back for a short while,” she said as they both sat down.
“You didn’t tell me.” Hayden looked over at me.
“I didn’t know.”
Confusion ran over his face.
“She started at Luxe Corp today. I had no idea.”
Aria tucked her natural blonde hair behind her ears, then her hands fell to her lap again.
The waiter brought Hayden’s rum, and he took a sip.
“We should go out for a drink tonight. Catch up,” he suggested.
I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, then brought it to my lips, my eyes fixed on Aria.
“Oh, erm, I’ve got plans.”
“C’mon, it’ll be fun.” He flashed his smile at her. “I’ll bring Serfina. You remember her, don’t you?”
Hayden’s girlfriend loved a night out. Any chance she had to get dressed up and parade him around, she took.
She bit her lip, and my eyes dropped to it for a moment.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “You don’t have to, if you’ve already got plans.”
“Erm, sure …”
“Great.” Hayden patted me on the chest. “Sebastian will pick you up.”
A knock at the door sounded, and I looked up to Aria entering my office.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Ah, yes. Sit down.”
She did, and a silence fell over us for a few seconds.
“I’m in the market for a new PA.”
She arched her brow, confusion in her eyes. “Ok …”
“So, go get your things, and bring them to the desk outside my office.”
“What?”
“I’m making you my new PA.”
“Sebastian, I’m not qualified to do that. I’m fine where I am.”
I stood and leaned against the desk next to her.
“Aria, you know me better than anyone. You’ll be fine, and anything you don’t know, I can show you.”
“But isn’t there meant to be some kind of process—”
I cut her off, tilting her chin with a finger for her eyes to meet mine. “All the paperwork is done. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
She chewed the side of her lip, her hands playing with her sleeves. I took hold of them.
“You’ll be fine, I know you will.”
She smiled, and her grey eyes shimmered in the light. “Thank you.” She jumped up, wrapping her arms around my neck to hug me.
I’d missed her and how we used to be. I’d never expected Aria to walk back into my life, but now that she was, I was going to keep her as close to me as possible. I’d do anything for this girl, and if making her my PA would put a smile on her face, then I’d take that and anything else that came with it.
It wasn’t long before she returned with all her things and sat at her new desk.
I leaned in behind as she logged on. Fuck. That damn apple smell of hers tingled all my senses at once. I placed my hand on top of hers that rested on the mouse. It felt angelic, like it had never been touched before.
My eyes flicked down her body, slowly trailing back up to meet her own for a few seconds, before locking onto the screen. “If you click over here into this program”—my hand moved the mouse, taking hers with me—“you can do it all from there.”
My hand lingered on hers, and I turned to face her. Her cheeks were flushed, and she soon pulled her hand from underneath mine, placing it firmly in her lap.
“Thanks.”
“If you need anything at all, you know where I am.”
With that, I straightened, pulling my cuffs down, and walked back into my office.
Of course, I sat there watching her out of the window. It was a view I was going to enjoy.
I picked up my phone and scrolled through the contacts until I brought up Scott Langley’s number.
“Sebastian Knight, what can I do for you?”
“I’ve got a business opportunity I thought you might be interested in.”
“You know I’d never pass up a chance to work with your name.”
“I thought you’d say that. My PA will set up a meeting next week.”
“Looking forward to it.”
With that, I hung up. The Langleys were a powerful, wealthy family. My father had done business with Scott’s father before I had my dad removed from the company. The Langleys weren’t in our league, but they weren’t far off.
“Aria?” I called out as I opened the office door.
She turned to face me.
“I need you to set up a meeting for me.”
“Ok.” She smiled.
“Do you need me to go through how to do it with you?”
“I’m sure I can work it out,” she replied, then turned to face her screen.
She probably could, but I was still going to watch her.
CHAPTER 3
ARIA
Ithrew my bag on the floor and sank into the sofa. What a day. I rubbed my forehead back and forth, then let out a yawn, brushing my hair back. I bit my lip, debating for a moment whether to simply not go back tomorrow.
Sebastian was here, of all places? And now I was his PA? Four years and I still felt those butterflies in my stomach.
He’s your boss now. You need to move forward.
At least I’d managed my first day without any hiccups. That was a small victory.
I looked around at the unpacked boxes scattered on the floor. It had been a few weeks since I’d moved from Leeds to Woolwich, yet I couldn’t bring myself to fully let go of the past. It wasn’t the nicest place to live, but it was all I could afford right now. My intention was to find somewhere better with the money from this new job.
I took my phone out of my pocket, noticing a text from my mum.
Mum: Hi darling, how was your first day? X
Oh, it was great. I only bumped into my former stepbrother who I’ve had feelings for the whole time I’ve known him, and guess what? He’s my boss.
No. I couldn’t tell her that.
Aria: Yeah, today was good. I was just getting settled really x
Mum: That’s good to hear, darling. Hope I can see you soon. I miss you x
