Chapter: Chapter 78 - SethI have had so much on my mind lately. Now that Mayson was out of the hospital and on the mend we could get the project back on track. Whenever I have talked to Holden, he said she was so ready to get back to work. The project has been on hold ever since Mayson’s attack. The investigation into Holden caused a couple of sponsors to pull their funding. Luckily the amount pulled wasn’t going to impact the overall budget. We are behind the eight ball on the time frame. It will take a miracle for the project to be completed on the original timeline. As soon as Holden gets back into the office, we both need to be making calls to contractors to get them back into town. We could not afford to pay contractors that were not working for over a month. Thankfully, this project isn’t the only thing that the firm has going on. There are a couple of projects in Clinton that have come in that have kept me busy. It has kept Amelia busy too, which keeps her calm. Ever since Mayson was attacked she’s act
Last Updated: 2024-12-18
Chapter: Chapter 77 - AmeliaThat bitch just will not die. Mayson seems to have nine lives like a mangy cat. I am so over this whole thing. She should have stayed gone eight years ago. My life would not be so complicated if it were not for her. There is no way that I will be able to get close enough to her again to try to finally rid this world of her. After the incident in the hospital, she has not been without some sort of guard dog, Seth included. I had thought about slitting his throat in his sleep many times over the last couple of months because of Mayson. She sucked him into her perfect world just like everyone else. I can’t help but go back to the night of the attack and try to figure out what I did wrong. My footsteps sounded like thunder as I ran across the driveway behind the house. I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. I was so scared that someone was going to see me sneaking through the back yard. I almost could not catch my breath, but I had to keep moving. The stench of the roses that Ma
Last Updated: 2024-11-29
Chapter: Chapter 76 - HoldenI ran my hands all over her body, exploring every inch of her soft skin, I let my fingertips linger on the lacy edges of her lingerie. Mayson’s own hands began to work on the buttons of my shirt, one by one. I could not help but moan as she traced the lines of my abs with the tip of her nail. I quickly moved to the clasp of her bra, freeing her breasts with a gentle touch that sent a shiver down her spine. Our kisses grew deeper, more urgent, as we were both seeking to reconnect with the passion that we had lost. The fabric of our clothing seemed to melt away, leaving us both bare to each other's touch. Mayson’s breath hitched as I slid my hand down her back, cupping her ass and squeezing gently. She had to feel how hard I was pressing against her. She rocked her hips slightly, teasing me. I could see in her lidded eyes how turned on she was and she was enjoying the power she had over me. The air was charged with electricity as our eyes met. We were making a silent promise of a pa
Last Updated: 2024-11-10
Chapter: Chapter 75 - MaysonI really did not want to go lay down for a nap. I was tired of laying in a bed, but I could see how I really did not want to go lay down for a nap. I was tired of laying in a bed, but I could see how worried Holden was about me. He is blaming himself for what happened that night. I don’t blame him at all. I blame whoever walked into our house like they belonged and tried to take my life from me. I suppose it is a good idea to just leave Holden with his thoughts for now. If I could just remember something about that night after I got home. I know Mama said that I talked to her, but I don’t remember the whole conversation, just bits and pieces. What I really want is to be able to reconnect with Holden. Our love for each other has not diminished, but there is this cloud hanging over it because of what happened here. We need to find our way back to each other. It has been too long since we have laid in our bed together and I miss him so much. I want to feel his arms around me. Holde
Last Updated: 2024-11-07
Chapter: Chapter 74 - HoldenIt felt so good to bring Mayson home to our house. These last few weeks of her being in the hospital has been hard. I felt so helpless that I was not able to protect her that night. I am still worried that she will not feel safe with me or safe in the house. I will build her a new house if she does not want to stay here. I want the home that we will spend our lives in, raise our children in to be a haven for her instead of a bad memory. I could see that she was a little unsteady on her feet when she got out of the car. I went over to help her. “Holden, I am so glad we are finally home. This was a wonderful and unexpected surprise.” She looked so happy, but I was still so worried about her. "Holden, what’s wrong? You are so quiet," Mayson whispered as she placed her hand on my cheek. I leaned into her touch. I have missed being like this with her, just the two of us. "Just thinking," I replied, trying to keep the emotion from my voice. The house looked the same as it had the nig
Last Updated: 2024-10-21
Chapter: Chapter 73 - MaysonI am so glad that I can finally get out of this hospital, I am going stir crazy. I have been here for over three weeks. I am ready to be in a comfortable bed. I hate that I have to go back to my parents, but the police have not released the house back to Holden yet. There is only one good thing about being in the hospital this long, it has given me time to think a lot of things over. It has also given me time to do some internet searching on Jennifer Martin. I need to know all that I can about her. She tried to ruin my romantic night with Holden, and she says she is carrying his baby. I am still not sure how I feel about the whole baby thing. It hurts my heart to think that I won’t be the one to give him his first child. I believe him, now, when he says that he always used protection during sex until we were together. Condoms can break and if she was on birth control that could fail as well. The reality is that I may have to face being a stepmother to Holden’s son or daughter. A
Last Updated: 2024-10-07
Chapter: Chapter 49 - ClaireI had trouble sleeping most of the night. I am worried about Rawls doing something to Jonathan after what happened yesterday. I love him dearly for wanting to protect me, but I don't want him to do something that will land him in jail. Claire: Thelma, I need to meet with you before we get started with work. Thelma: What's up sugar plum? Claire: It's about Jonathan. Something happened and I really need to talk about it. Thelma: Ok. Meet me at the office at 730 and we can have time before anyone else gets in. I don't know what I would do without Thelma. She has been my rock and confidant through so much. Rawls wasn't going into later to the office, so I snuck in and gave him a quick kiss before I headed out the door. I thought he was asleep, but he was just pretending because he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me down on the bed. "Where do you think, you are going to so early, my love." He was kissing down my neck and his facial hair was rubbing on my neck and g
Last Updated: 2024-12-18
Chapter: Chapter 47 - ClaireI had trouble sleeping most of the night. I am worried about Rawls doing something to Jonathan after what happened yesterday. I love him dearly for wanting to protect me, but I don't want him to do something that will land him in jail. Claire: Thelma, I need to meet with you before we get started with work. Thelma: What's up sugar plum? Claire: It's about Jonathan. Something happened and I really need to talk about it. Thelma: Ok. Meet me at the office at 730 and we can have time before anyone else gets in. I don't know what I would do without Thelma. She has been my rock and confidant through so much. Rawls wasn't going into later to the office, so I snuck in and gave him a quick kiss before I headed out the door. I thought he was asleep, but he was just pretending because he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me down on the bed. "Where do you think, you are going to so early, my love." He was kissing down my neck and his facial hair was rubbing on my neck and g
Last Updated: 2024-12-18
Chapter: Chapter 48 - RawlsIt took everything in me to not go to Claire's office and beat the hell out of Jonathan Cramer. How dare he try to lay a hand on my woman. Makes me wonder how many other women he has tried this with. The image of Claire's tear-stained face and her trembling voice recounting the assault played over and over in my mind like a horror movie. I know I had to be smart about this. I couldn't just go in there and start throwing punches. That would only make things worse for Claire. But the urge to protect her was burning a hole in my chest. I couldn't sit around and do nothing while that scumbag was out there, breathing the same air as her. I had to come up with a plan. As the day dragged on, I found myself unable to focus on anything but the rage simmering just beneath the surface. The office felt like it was closing in on me, each tick of the clock a reminder of the injustice that had occurred. I knew I had to channel this anger into something productive. After a restless lunch,
Last Updated: 2024-12-17
Chapter: Chapter 46 - EvieWhen the nurse came in this morning, I was feeling a little bit better. They were cutting back on my meds. I was going to have a group therapy session today. Guess they want me to be lucid in order for me to bare my soul. The therapist, Mrs. Hennessey, reminded me of a grandmother. She had a gentle way about her that made it easier to talk about the darkest moments of my life. But today, she was going to get more than she bargained for. The group therapy was small, only five of us, all young women with sad eyes and no smiles on their faces. We all had our reasons for being here, our own demons to face. I was the quiet one, the one who didn't say much. But today, I had to tell them. I had to get this secret off my chest. Mrs. Hennessey, the therapist, sat in the circle with us. She had a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, like she had seen too much pain in her career. "Let's start with you, Toni," she said, turning to the girl with short hair that was dyed blue.
Last Updated: 2024-12-17
Chapter: Chapter 45- RawlsAs soon as I heard the backdoor, I was so happy Claire was home. "Baby, I'm in the kitchen. How was your day?" As soon as I look at her, I know something is very wrong. Her eyes are red and puffy, and she is visibly shaking. I rush over to her, wrapping her in my arms. "What happened? Are you okay?" "It was Jonathan," she whispers, her voice trembling. "He...he attacked me in the parking lot." I pull her closer, my heart racing. "What? Are you okay?" "I...I think so," she says, her voice shaking. "I kneed him and got away. But he's so angry, Rawls. So much angrier than I ever thought he could be." My protective instincts flare up, and I hold her tighter. "You're safe now," I murmur into her hair, trying to soothe her. "Let's go into the living room and you can tell me everything." We sit down on the couch, her voice shaking as she recounts the incident. I listen, my jaw clenched, as she describes how he grabbed her and tried to kiss her against her will. The room fee
Last Updated: 2024-12-17
Chapter: Chapter 44 - ClaireAs soon as I walked into work, I see Thelma. I can't wait to tell her about my weekend. "Claire, you are in bright and early this morning. And that is a pretty big smile on your face." Thelma looked up from her a big smile on her face. She had been my confidant through all of this, and I could tell she could see the change in me. "I have something to tell you," I said, my voice filled with excitement. "Rawls and I are back together, and we are going to make it work, no matter what anyone says." Thelma's eyes widened, and she immediately stood up, rushing over to give me a hug. "Oh, Claire, I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed. "But what about your parents?" "It's complicated," I sighed, taking a seat at my desk. "They're still upset, but I can't keep living my life to please them. I need to do what's right for me and for Rawls." "Let's go to the park for lunch and you can fill me in on all of the details." "Yes, ma'am. I can't wait." Today was one of those days
Last Updated: 2024-12-17
Chapter: Chapter 7 - JosephAs I took a seat at the table, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the family on my shoulders. The Rossi name was synonymous with power and responsibility, and now Selena was part of that burden. Yet, every time I looked at her, I felt something different. It was a warmth, a feeling that was alien to the cold, calculating world of the mafia. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was her resilience that truly captivated me. Despite the hand she'd been dealt, she remained strong. The urge to protect her, to claim her as mine was growing stronger by the second. It was confusing, to say the least. As Don of the Rossi family, my life had always been about power, loyalty, and control. Emotions were a weakness, something to be kept in check. Yet, Selena had waltzed into my world and thrown it into chaos. I couldn’t ignore the way my heart raced whenever she was near, the way my body reacted to her presence. It was like nothing I had ever felt before. I sat at the head of the table, my t
Last Updated: 2024-12-12
Chapter: Chapter 6 - SelenaOnce we were upstairs, Marta showed me to the guest bathroom. The bathroom was bigger than my bedroom. I could have never even dreamed about anything like this. The warm water from the shower washed away the grime and fear of the day. I felt the tension in my muscles begin to ease. I had never smelled something as nice as the shampoo and body wash that was in the shower. My mind was racing with thoughts of escape, but she knew it was futile. The house was too secure, too many eyes watching my every move. Plus, I was so tired, tired all the way to my bones. As I stepped out of the shower, Marta handed me a soft towel. She was kind, her eyes filled with a motherly concern that was foreign to me. "Here, let me help you," she said, her voice gentle as she wrapped the towel around my body. She led me to a room that had been prepared for me, the bed freshly made with clean, crisp sheets that smelled of lavender. The room was the polar opposite to the cold, unfeeling apartment I was use
Last Updated: 2024-12-08
Chapter: Chapter 5 - JosephCapo Vincent walked in and he did not look happy. "Don, I have spoken to our contact, Rafael. The Columbians are not backing down. They believe Selena is part of the deal. They're demanding she be handed over to them, or else they will consider it a breach of contract." His words sent a cold shiver down my spine. "What do they want in exchange?" I asked, keeping my voice steady. “Do they not understand this was not a deal brokered by the Rossi family?” Vincent took a deep breath. "They want what George promised them. They want Selena." My fists clenched under the table, the wood groaning under the pressure. The audacity of the Columbians was unbelievable. To think they could just come into my city and demand Selena like she was a commodity to be traded... it was infuriating. I had to keep a cool head, though. The family's future was at stake, and I couldn't let my personal feelings cloud my judgment. "Tell them they're wasting their time," I said, my voice a low growl. "Sele
Last Updated: 2024-12-08
Chapter: Chapter 4 - JosephI hate to see a look of defeat on Selena’s face. She must see me as her captor at this point after everything that just happened. If she only knew the real truth. Her father did not deserve the protection I was giving him. I was only sparing his life because of his daughter. There was something that I could not figure out that was drawing me towards Selena, giving me this strong desire to protect her. To protect her even with my own life if necessary. It did not make any sense to me as to why I was having these feelings. I have had my share of women over the years, but I have never had any strong feelings for them. Never had I felt the need to protect any of them. Looking into her eyes I saw a fight in her that I think rivaled my own. I never want to see that fight in her eyes disappear. I needed a woman like her by my side that would stand up to anyone. So far, she seems to have come to terms with her fate, but I have a feeling deep in my soul that she truly has not come to term
Last Updated: 2024-11-27
Chapter: Chapter 3 - Selena Just when I thought my life could not get any harder, it just did. My father would never win any parent of the year awards, but this was beyond anything that I thought he was capable of. I am being used as collateral for his gambling debts. I am basically being sold into servitude to a mafia Don as a maid. Considering dad’s debt is pretty large, I will be a maid for the rest of my life. I could feel Joseph’s eyes on me the entire drive. It made me a little nervous but also gave me a warm feeling deep in my core that I had never felt before. I had never been alone with a man before. At least not this close together. I had been alone in the bodega with Mr. Antoine but that was pretty much it. I did not have any friends since I was no longer going to school. I never even spent time with any of my neighbors because either I was either working or I was at the library working on my courses. I am sure he was looking at me out of pity because of my circumstances, but I did not want
Last Updated: 2024-11-17
Chapter: Chapter 2 - JosephWhen Selena walked into the room, she took my breath away. I had seen her countless times walking outside of her apartment and I was attracted to her. Now that I am this close to her, I can see her real beauty. She had the most beautiful black hair, big green eyes, and porcelain skin. She had the rare natural beauty that did not need makeup. She looked perfect in my eyes. Just thinking about her being sold to the Colombians creates a rage inside of me that makes me want to kill her father right here. I would enjoy slitting his throat and watching his blood stain the carpet. He does not deserve to be a father to Selena. “Dad, what is going on?” I could hear the quiver in her voice. I guess it should be expected. I doubt that she had figured on her father coming home with two very large men. Her voice may show her fear, but her eyes showed a strength that has taken me by surprise. For a girl so young, she has a fiery spirit. Just the thought of that fiery spirit beneath me in my bed
Last Updated: 2024-11-06
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