ARTEMIS POVThe face-off was scary and I didn’t like it. I felt like if I didn’t do something, a full-blown brawl could take place right here.“We should get a drink or something,” I said and Aidan's head snapped to me. “He's not coming,” he said pointing to his brother and Kane shrugged.“You don’t speak for her. She can decide” Kane said and Aidan growled.“She is my girl,” he said and Kane laughed. He pushed back his hair.“Come on, Aidan. I know you two aren’t working out so fine. It’s gonna be a...” “She should probably be carrying my child now,” Aidan interrupted and Kane stopped. His eyes darkened and he turned to me.“Hmm,” He said finally. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, but it didn’t bother me. I liked Kane but I was in love with his brother.“I thought you two weren’t on the best of terms,” he said looking at me directly and I sighed.“We are. We are umm good,” I said, not sure what to say. Kane nodded.Aidan took my arm and led me out of the room,” he looked p
AIDAN POVI had never felt so much about a girl as I did for Artemis. She was just different, she had a tongue like fire. She was smart and brave. She wasn’t even scared of anyone and she was damn stubborn, stubborn as a mule. She didn’t know of courseShe didn’t know how I felt about her.For some reason I couldn’t just tell to her yet, maybe I was still convincing myself, or maybe I was just scared.I stared at her sleeping form and kissed her cheek. She muttered something like “Kiss me on the lips” and I grinned and kissed her softly there. She let out a contented sigh and went back to sleep.I smiled to myself. Being with her these days reminded me of how it was going to be getting married to her, and yes she didn’t know that either. I wanted her, I wanted her to be my wife. I wanted her to bear my children.I walked into the bar grabbed a bottle of beer and poured it into a glass.Daymon nodded his greeting to me and I patted him on the shoulder and poured a drink for him too.
ARTEMIS POVEsther was a genius. She knew how to certainly make one look so regal. Istare at myself in the mirror and can’t even find Artemis, all I saw was a red-haired woman in a smoldering red dress.There was a party tonight and according to what Daymon told me, it was for the high class and Aidan had wanted me to look in my very best. Not to impress the people but for ‘something special’ as he had put it.I felt like he was planning something massive, like a surprise for me but I couldn’t tell because he didn’t leave any hints.Aidan was waiting for me at the driveway looking handsome in his dark suit and well-tailored trousers. Daymon stood behind him looking good as well. I grinned at Aidan. He smiled slowly.“I am tearing that off you tonight.” He said and I blushed. He took my hand and helped me get into the car.Throughout the ride Aidan kept playing with me, tracing his fingers up my thigh and I had to swag his hand away. He couldn’t seem to be able to stop touching me and
ARTEMIS POVThe tears streaming down my face hindered me from seeing properly and I didn't stop even when I fell down, when I bruised my thighs and knees, when my heels broke, and even my ankle got sprained. I didn't stop when the security men tried to stop me, rather I fought furiously, slapping and hitting them until they released me. I ran through the pain, numbing everything else around. I didn't know where I was going but I needed to be far away from him. I didn't know how far I had gone from there when the rain started, it was almost like even nature felt angry with what Aidan did to me.The rain poured heavily on me, drenching me like a wounded cat and I sat down with my wounded heart, the scene in which I had met Aidan where he had been kissing another girl. Hot tears that contrasted with the rain against my skin, started flowing down my cheeks, the rain washing it off. The rain soothed my throbbing heart and whimpering slightly, I lay by the side of the road in a curled u
ARTEMIS POV I trailed off as I noticed his eyes darkening but for a brief second, one I wouldn't notice if he wasn't sitting so close to me. “What I mean to say is, why exactly are you helping me despite knowing I'm in love with your brother?” I asked, cupping the cup in my hands. For a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, without thinking, Kane's lips brushed against mine. Soft. Gentle. As if seeking permission. ‘Don't do it woman!’ The last shred of willful dignity screamed at me. Of course I knew I shouldn't be doing this, not after Aidan, but my body seemed to have a mind of its own. He pulled back slowly, whispering against my lips, “I told you Artemis. All I want is just your happiness…” “Fuck!” I cursed, holding the cup with one hand while I used the other to press his neck against me. Parting my lips slightly, I kissed him back and soon we were all tongues and teeth. He took the cup from my hand and I heard a small clink of the glassware against the b
AIDAN POV“What do you mean you can't find her?” I boomed from across the wine cabinet where I stood, pouring out the wine in a glass cup. “Boss, I...” Daymon began but I cut him off immediately. “It's a heavy downpour out there,” I raged, my hold on the glassware hardening ever so slightly. “We searched everywhere for her. I have my men currently searching possible places she must have gone,” Daymon said.“That is not enough!” I yelled. “You were supposed to be guarding, why did you let her come look for me? I put you in charge of her because I trust you.”“I will have the rest of the men extend the search and I'll also check the CCTV footage on all roads that lead away from the building,” Daymon assured me but I was in no mood for that. “I don't care what you do Daymon,” I began, slamming the glass cup as well as the wine bottle down on the counter. “Just make sure Artemis is in this house in the next twenty four hours.”Daymon didn't say anything else, rather he turned on his h
ARTEMIS POV“That was Aidan,” I murmured, staring at Kane who had now disconnected the call. “You called him?” I asked again, tethering at the edge of the couch where Kane sat. ‘Why the hell, are you so affected by him so much?’ I questioned myself angrily but it did nothing to ease the throb I felt when I heard his voice. “It was a business call,” was all Kane said, while watching me intently. “H-he didn't look for me?” I managed to choke out. The truth suddenly pressed down on me and I realized it's been two days since I had been staying with Kane.“He definitely didn't find you,” Kane said with a small chuckle as he reached out to hold me. ‘Ouch, that had to hurt,’ I thought, wincing slightly as I adjusted closer to Kane who reached out to wrap his hands around me.“D-do you think he cares about me?” I suddenly asked, unable to help it. Kane didn't say anything, rather he peppered kisses down my neck but I wasn't into whatever he was doing. Thoughts of Aidan had consumed my m
ARTEMIS POV“Hey darling, how are you doing?” Kane asked, kissing me from across the counter.“I'm great so far,” I said, grabbing a pack of juice from the fridge immediately, circling the table to embrace him in a hug. “I missed you so much,” he said, groaning in my hair, his grip around me tightening. I giggled at his words. “It has been barely 20 minutes since you left to go take a run,” I said, pushing his chest back slightly as he had begun to pepper kisses down my neck. “It's still too long,” he said, his breath already ticking me already. “Oh stop it, you're tickling me,” I said, playfully fighting to get out of his grip. “One more kiss,” he protested, his grip on my waist still tight, just not too tight to be uncomfortable. “One more kiss to take me through…”I didn't let him finish before I pressed a kiss to his lips. One too quick that it could be called a peck on the lips. “Done, now let me go,” I said, digging my fingers in between the arms and my waist to pull his a
(Artemis’ POV) I knew something was wrong the moment I tried to stand. Pain. Sharp, deep, and all-consuming. For weeks, I had ignored the discomfort, brushing off Aiden’s concerns, assuring everyone that I was fine. I had always been strong—had survived things that should’ve killed me. But this? This was different. I braced myself against the vanity, sucking in a sharp breath. Aiden was already watching me from across the room, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable—but I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands flexed, ready to catch me if I fell. "You should rest today," he said, stepping toward me. I rolled my eyes. "I’ve rested enough." "Artemis." His voice was firm, a warning. I turned, meeting his gaze, ready to argue—when the pain struck again. It was like my bod
(Artemis’ POV)Pregnancy wasn’t supposed to feel like this.I had expected discomfort, sure. I had expected my body to change. But this… this was something else entirely.The exhaustion was unbearable.At first, I thought it was just the lingering effects of our honeymoon—late nights in Paris, stolen kisses in hidden alleyways, and mornings wrapped in silk sheets with Aiden refusing to let me leave the bed. But then the nausea started, and I knew something was wrong.I tried to push through it, keeping up with my work, but even Naomi noticed."Boss, you look like you’re about to pass out," she said, frowning as she set down a stack of files. "You should rest.""I'm fine," I muttered, waving her off, but the moment I stood, the room spun.I barely heard Naomi calling my name before strong arms caught me."Artemis."Aiden.His voice was tight, controlled—but his grip was anything but. He held me as if I’d shatter, his eyes scanning me for injuries."You’re not fine," he said. "We’re goi
I woke up sore.A deep, aching soreness that was both a reminder and a warning. Last night had been… intense. More than I expected. More than I could have imagined. My body felt like it had been claimed, worshipped, and thoroughly ruined, all at once.Aiden wasn’t in bed, but the warmth on his side hadn’t faded yet. I blinked up at the ceiling, barely able to move, and then I smelled it—coffee. The scent curled into the room, rich and inviting, followed by the quiet creak of the bedroom door."You're awake."I turned my head and found Aiden standing in the doorway, carrying a tray.My stomach flipped. He was shirtless, his sweatpants hanging dangerously low, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. But it was the look in his eyes—the satisfaction, the possessiveness—that made my breath catch.He set the tray down beside me. A glass of water. Coffee. Toast. Painkillers."I figured you'd need this."I huffed out a laugh. "You think?"Aiden smirked but didn’t argue. Instead, he sat on the e
Artemis' POVParis.The city of love, of whispered promises, of things that felt like forever. It wasn’t the first time we had been here. The last time had been chaos—high-stakes deals, power plays, and the weight of a contract binding us together. But this time? This time was different.The garden where we stood was secluded, hidden away from the noise of the world. White roses lined the aisle, their scent mixing with the crisp autumn air. The Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance, its lights just beginning to flicker against the darkening sky.Aiden stood at the altar, watching me.No guards. No enemies. No ulterior motives.Just him. Just me. Just us.My dress was simpler than the first one I had worn. No heavy jewels, no extravagant embellishments—just clean, elegant lines that moved with me as I walked. But Aiden? Aiden still wore black, sharp and commanding, his presence impossible to ignore.As I reached him, he took my hands in his, his grip steady, grounding.“We’ve done this b
Aiden’s POVI wasn’t used to an empty house.The penthouse was quiet, the kind of silence that made me restless. Artemis had left early, slipping out before dawn, her scent lingering in the sheets beside me. She had a fitting today—something about finalizing designs before her next trip. I hadn’t asked for details, but I knew she was busy.I ran a hand down my face, exhaling.She was everywhere, even when she wasn’t here.The coffee machine was still warm, the cup she’d set aside for me untouched. A plate covered with foil sat on the kitchen counter—breakfast she’d made before she left, knowing I probably wouldn’t eat if she didn’t.In the closet, one of my suits was laid out, ironed, with a note tucked into the sleeve: Wear this one. You look good in navy.She did things like that. Little things. Thoughtful things.For someone who had grown up fighting for every scrap of control, she gave so freely—to me, to the people she cared about.And I—I hadn’t given her nearly enough.I leane
Aiden’s POVFor the first time in my life, there were no contracts. No lies. Just her.But peace was an unfamiliar thing.I still woke up before dawn, instinctively reaching for the gun that wasn’t under my pillow anymore. My body was trained to react before my mind even processed that there was no longer a war to fight. My enemies were either dead, exiled, or too afraid to make a move.Yet, I found myself restless.The empire was still mine. The city still ran on quiet threats and well-placed alliances. But Artemis had planted a dangerous thought in my head—what if I ruled differently? What if I built something that wasn’t always on the verge of burning to the ground?She was asleep beside me, her breathing steady, her body curled toward me like she belonged there. And she did.I ran a hand down my face and exhaled.I couldn’t just sit still. That had never been my nature.So, I got up.---The sun had barely risen when I walked into the warehouse where my men were gathered. Conversa
Artemis' POVThe battle was over, but the aftermath lingered. Scars—some fresh, some old—marked more than just skin. The weight of the past did not simply lift because the fighting had stopped.I sat on the edge of the bed, watching Aiden pace near the window. His reflection in the glass was sharp, rigid, like a man still expecting a knife in the dark. The empire was his now, but peace was foreign to him. Stillness felt unnatural."You don’t have to stay," he said, his tone measured, unreadable. "You’ve done enough."It wasn’t a command. It wasn’t even a suggestion. It was a defense mechanism. Aiden didn’t push people away forcefully—he gave them an exit and waited for them to take it.I tilted my head, pretending to consider. "And if I don’t want to leave?"His gaze flickered toward me, just for a moment, then away again. "Then you’re a fool."I rolled my eyes, standing. "That makes two of us."I closed the distance between us and pressed my palm against his chest, feeling the steady
Aiden’s POVThe study smelled of aged whiskey, leather, and cigar smoke—just as I remembered it from my childhood. Nothing had changed. The same books lined the shelves, the same decanter of bourbon sat untouched on the desk, and the same man occupied the chair at its head.I stood in front of Don Carlo, the weight of everything that had led to this moment pressing down on my chest. Kane was gone. Hera was locked away where she belonged. The war was over. And yet, the victory tasted bitter. It felt like exhaustion.My father—Don Carlo—sat behind his massive desk, his expression unreadable. The same man who had doubted me. The same man who had once called me weak."You’ve proven yourself," he finally said, voice heavy with reluctant acceptance. "The empire is yours."I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I studied him. The man who had shaped me, tested me, pushed me to the edge time and time again. And for what? To prove I was worthy of something I never truly wanted?"You thought I’d
Aiden’s POVHera screamed as the guards dragged her away, her shrieks cutting through the air like the wail of a banshee. She kicked and thrashed, her dark hair wild, her emerald-green eyes blazing with madness."You can’t do this to me!" she screeched, her voice raw. "Aiden, you think you’ve won?! You think locking me away will change the truth?! You’ll regret this—I swear it!"I stood motionless, watching as the woman I once knew was forced back into the nightmare she had clawed her way out of. My hands were clenched at my sides, my pulse steady, my face unreadable.The weight pressing against my chest wasn’t fear or anger. It was relief. A slow, settling kind of relief that came when a battle was finally over.There was no regret. No hesitation.She belonged there.The black van’s doors slammed shut, muffling the last of her wails. The driver exchanged a brief nod with the men guarding the facility before stepping into the driver’s seat. With a low, mechanical hum, the vehicle roll