Artemis’ POVI drove like a madwoman.The wind cried out against the car, but it wasn’t loud enough to drown out the ringing in my ears. The gunshot replayed over and over, splitting my mind in two.Daymon was gone. I couldn't believe it. The only man after Aiden to show me love in ways I didn't expect—died right in front of me and I couldn't do anything to help. I only watched it happen and sped off like the coward I was. I didn't deserve the love he showed me and I wish he hadn't come to my rescue then he'd still be alive right now.I gripped the steering wheel, my fingers aching from how hard I squeezed. My vision blurred, but I kept going, pushing the car past its limit. I didn't know where I was heading, but I knew one thing—I couldn’t stop. If I did, I’d have to face the truth.Daymon was dead because of me.My chest tightened, a choked sob ripping through my throat.I should have stayed. I should have fought with him. But I ran.I was an idiot, a fool.The car skidded as I turn
Aiden’s POVMy fists clenched at my sides. I was seeing red. Daymon was gone. Killed. And the man responsible was still breathing. Kane murdered him, and I was supposed to just let it go? I wanted nothing more than to make him pay, to make him suffer for what he did.But then my father called me into his office that afternoon, ruining my trail of thoughts.I had spent hours thinking of how to deal with Kane, of how to make him regret ever trying to hard to destroy my life. I walked into the room, barely masking the storm raging inside me.“Good day, Dad,” I greeted, though the words felt empty.“Good day, son.” His expression was unreadable, but I could see the weight of everything pressing on him too.“I called you in to tell you not to do what you're thinking.”I stiffened. “No, Dad. I will kill Kane. I promise you. He must die, he has to pay for what he did to Daymon.”“You will not touch Kane, Aiden.”“I must.” My voice came out harsher than I intended. “He took a brother from me.
(Artemis' POV)I curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging my knees to my chest. The room was silent, but my mind was anything but. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it—Daymon stepping in front of me, his body jerking as the bullet tore through him. I heard the sound of it, felt the warmth of his blood on my skin. I was tired. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally—down to my very soul. Every breath felt heavy, every step a burden. The weight of Daymon’s death sat on my chest like a stone, suffocating me.I gasped, shoving my face into my hands. This is my fault.If I had trusted Aiden, if I hadn’t followed Kane like a fool, Daymon would still be alive. I let my guard down, and now I was paying the price.A knock on the door made me tense.“Artemis.” Aiden’s voice was soft, careful.I stared at the door, heart pounding. I didn’t answer.A sigh. Then, “I know you’re awake.”I swallowed, forcing the lump in my throat down. “What do you want?”“To talk.”“I don’t want to talk
Aiden’s POVI had always known that love and power were two sides of the same coin. In our world, emotions were liabilities, and marriage was nothing more than a strategic move—a way to consolidate strength, form alliances, and maintain control.For years, I had known how to command power, how to instill fear. But with her, I was just a man—bare, exposed, uncertain. And I hated that I was scared of losing her more than I had ever feared anything else.But with Artemis, it had never been just about power.Don Carlo had summoned me early that morning, his expression unreadable as he motioned for me to sit across from him in his study. The heavy air in the room told me that whatever he had to say would change everything."You need to marry her," he said, his voice firm and absolute.I stared at him, unblinking. "Excuse me?""Artemis," he repeated. "The family needs stability, Aiden. After Daymon’s death, after Kane’s betrayal, there are too many loose ends. People are watching, waiting f
(Artemis’ POV)The weight of this veil felt suffocating. Every step down the aisle felt like a mistake I couldn’t undo. He still looked at me like I was the only woman in the world.I swallowed hard. Could I really do this? Could I stand before him, before everyone, and vow myself to him, knowing the wounds between us hadn't fully healed?The whispers in the crowd weren’t subtle."This is a power move.""Does she even love him?”I kept my eyes ahead, locked on Aiden, trying to ignore the whispers rippling through the crowd. People saw this as a power move, a political strategy orchestrated by Don Carlo. None of them knew the truth.None of them knew that my heart was a battlefield, torn between anger and something far more dangerous—hope.Aiden stood at the altar, his suit pristine, his expression unreadable. But his eyes… his eyes held something I wasn’t ready to face.I had dreamed of love, of marriage, of finding a partner who would stand by my side without secrets or betrayal. But
Aiden’s POVI woke up before sunrise, my body tense with the unfamiliarity of sharing my space with someone again. Artemis was still asleep, curled up on her side, her breathing soft and steady. The golden glow of dawn cast delicate shadows across her face, and for a moment, I just watched her.She looked peaceful like this—like she hadn’t spent months pushing me away, like she wasn’t still doubting whether she’d made the right choice in marrying me.I wasn’t going to let her regret it.Slipping out of bed quietly, I moved to the balcony, lighting a cigarette out of habit before remembering she hated the smell. I put it out almost immediately.A new life. A new version of me.I wasn’t naive. A wedding ring didn’t magically fix the fractures between us. But I had promised to prove myself to her, and I meant it.I was going to be the husband she deserved.---Over the next few days, I made small but deliberate efforts.I was there when she needed me but never too overbearing. I pulled o
Kane’s POVAiden was slipping.I saw it in the way he carried himself—his shoulders tense, his mind elsewhere. He was too preoccupied with his new wife, too absorbed in playing the devoted husband.And Don Carlo? He had forced Aiden into this marriage, believing it would make him stronger, more stable. But now, he wasn’t so sure.Our father valued power above all else. He had spent years molding Aiden into the perfect successor, but lately, doubt had crept into his gaze. I had seen it firsthand.That was where I came in.For years, I had been cast aside, treated as a lesser son. Aiden was the chosen one. But now, I could sense the shift.And I was ready to take my place.---The Bianchi family had been watching closely. When I met with them, their concerns mirrored my own."Aiden is distracted," one of them said, sipping his whiskey. "He hesitated when he should have struck. That’s not the leader we need."I smirked. "That’s exactly what I’ve been saying."Another voice chimed in. "Bu
Artemis’ POVI never thought I’d find myself here again with him. Yet, as I sat curled up on the couch, watching Aiden pour us both a drink, I felt something I hadn’t allowed myself to in a long time.Peace.It scared me.He handed me a glass of wine without a word, then settled beside me, close but not too close. He had been careful with me lately, not pushing, just waiting.“You always make sure my glass isn’t too full,” I murmured, staring down at the deep red liquid.Aiden let out a quiet chuckle. “You always forget to pace yourself.”I did. And maybe that was the problem with us. I had dived headfirst into loving him once, and I drowned. I wasn’t sure I could survive it a second time.He turned his body slightly to face me, his expression softer than I was used to. “Artemis,” he said, my name almost a whisper. “I fought this for so long. Loving you. Wanting you. I thought it would make me weak.”I swallowed, my fingers tightening around the glass.Aiden reached out, brushing his
(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