Zeke's POVAs I sat in the car, a flood of memories washed over me, pulling me back to the conversations I'd had with my grandfather. He had been adamant about me marrying Kamille, but why? Was it because he foresaw the dangers that now threatened her and her family? Did he know what was coming or was he only making me marry his friend's daughter?Questions swirled in my mind, did Kamille's grandmother know about the danger that lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike? Was that why she had urged us to marry? I felt lost in between worlds.If that was the case, then I had failed everyone, most importantly Kamille. Closing my eyes, I tried to push aside the feelings of guilt and regret that threatened to overwhelm me. Memories flooded my mind, pulling me back to the times when I had wanted to take Kamille to the hospital to check her fertility status. It had been a persistent concern, fueled by the revelation from her family that she had suffered a devastating accident at the age of
Zeke's POVEntering the casino, I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that always accompanied the flashing lights and pulsing music. As I made my way to the VIP lounge, I couldn't shake the image of Kamille's face from my mind.I have to be the first person she sees when she wakes. I sat and the bartender quickly served me with a glass of sapphire royale. I wanted to drown out my thoughts. If only for a little while.“Brother!” Zane echoed from behind me. Finally they were here. My heart danced in joy.“What’s up brother?” Fletcher asked, his voice laced with concern.I offered them a weak smile. “I just need a drink for now.” I replied, taking the vintage style glass in my hand. “I bet my brother's heart has been toyed with.” Zane said, turning towards Fletcher.“No bro. Leave the heartache to me. I bet his skin was sullied by lowlifes.” Fletcher countered and they both laughed. I smiled.“Why are grown up men acting like silly kids?” I asked as they settled in and the bartender
Zeke's POVWe boarded our different cars and they trailed off after me. I decided to make a stop at the mall to get what the kids would need. As we entered the mall, Zane and Fletcher followed me closely as we made our way through the aisles, searching for the perfect items for the kids.“Alright, boys, let's get down to business.” I declared with a grin, scanning the shelves for anything that might catch my eye. The excitement of shopping was different.I was shopping for my kids and the woman who made my heart flutter. Zane and Fletcher exchanged a knowing look before diving into the racks of clothes and shelves of toys with gusto. “Hey, Fletcher, since you're such a ladies' man, maybe you should be the expert on kids too.” Zane teased, holding up a tiny onesie with a playful smirk. “You can learn a thing or two from Zeke here before your own little bundle of joy arrives.”Fletcher rolled his eyes, feigning offense at the suggestion. “Please, I'll have you know that I am a natura
Ellen's POVAs I groggily opened my eyes to the soft light filtering through the curtains, my mind slowly emerging from the depths of sleep, I reached for my phone on the nightstand. I unlocked the screen and my heart sank as I read the message from Martha the maid I planted at Zeke's place.Mr. Reid is in town, but did not sleep at home.A sense of unease settled over me like a heavy fog as I assimilated the information. Where could Zeke have gone? What could have kept him away all night?As I sat up to gather my thoughts and make sense of the situation, the realization dawned on me with a jolt of apprehension. Zeke never slept out. It simply wasn't his style. The only time he stayed away from home overnight was when he was out of the country, and even then, he would use his private jet to return home as quickly as possible.So where could he have gone? And why hadn't he returned home?A thousand possibilities raced through my mind, each one more troubling than the last. Had he been
Kamille's POVAs I woke up, grogginess clouded my mind, my thoughts immediately turning to Royer. I gave him an affectionate pat before dragging myself out of bed to clean him up and ensure he had enough food.Once Royer was sorted, I tended to myself, moving through the morning routine in a haze. The next thing was to check in with Amanda and Belle. I dialed Amanda's number. “Hey Amy. How are you all holding up? Have the kids eaten?” I asked, my voice etched with concern.“Hey girl. We're good and are on our way to the hospital.” She revealed. “That's good.” I replied, releasing a breath I didn't notice I was holding.“For breakfast, Zeke sent a private chef over.” She added, her tone filled with gratitude for his thoughtful gesture. “Alright then. I'll be expecting you guys soon.” I replied, then we hung up.In that fleeting moment of reflection, I couldn't help but marvel at Zeke's meticulous care. Despite his usual fussing yesterday, his unwavering support and consideration for
Zeke's POVI watched as Tyris giggled and babbled excitedly about her toys, I couldn't help but smile. Her joy was infectious, filling the room with warmth and laughter.Zane and Fletcher were easy going with Kamille and her friends. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Moments like these make me realize how far I've come.Growing up as an only child, I often felt isolated and lonely. My parents' strict upbringing left little room for friendships, and I struggled to connect with others. But now, surrounded by their happy laughter and chatter, I feel a sense of belonging that I have always longed for my entire life.For the first time, I felt like I've found my place in this world, like I'm part of something greater than myself. At that moment, surrounded by so much love, I felt complete.I turned just in time to notice Zane's lingering gaze on Belle. She was engaged to be married. Whatever Zane's plans were, he would have to suspend it or kill it.She was off-limits, and I woul
Kamille's POV As Zeke left, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. I was happy everything was going well. Except for Belle's sullen attitude.Turning to Belle, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. “Are you really okay?” I asked, my voice filled with concern.Belle met my gaze with a reassuring smile. “Yeah, I'm fine.” She replied, though there was a hint of weariness in her eyes.With a nod of acceptance, I chose not to press further. Belle was strong and capable, and I trusted that she would confide in me if she needed to.“How bout I drop the kids off in school, while you stay here with Royer?” She suggested.I felt a surge of gratitude. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to me. “Thank you so much Belle. Zeke had some security ready to follow them to school, but with you there I'm most grateful.” I smiled.“It's alright Kamille.” She smiled back. I turned towards the kids. “Time for school guys.” I said hoping to get excited squ
Ellen's POV As I sat in the car, I remained lost in my own thoughts. My mind was still consumed with thoughts of what Liz had said.Was Liz truly losing her mind, fractured by the turnout of events? I couldn't deny the chill that ran down my spine at the thought, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end as I considered the possibility of Kamille's vengeful spirit lurking in the shadows, biding its time until it could exact its revenge upon us.But no such things exist. Kamille's spirit was dead with her and there is nothing that could be done to change that. I turned to Ava who had positioned herself at the extreme corner, away from me.“Why are you there?” I asked, my tone unconvincingly calm and gentle.“Uhhh…. Nothing Ma'am.” Ava stuttered as she repositioned her glasses to suit her eyes better.“Good.” I replied. Suddenly the ringing of my phone startled me.Ava, my assistant hesitated for a moment, clearly taken aback by the tense atmosphere in the car, before tentativel
Belle's POV The sun was warm on my skin, the breeze gentle and soothing as it drifted through the open patio where we all sat, the laughter of our loved ones filling the air. It was a picture-perfect moment—the kind of moment I used to dream about but never truly believed would come. We were all gathered around the long, sun-dappled table, the warmth of the day reflecting the joy that radiated from everyone’s faces. Zane was sitting beside me, his hand resting comfortably on my leg, our twins, Sean and Clara, gurgling happily in their bassinet close by. The twins were the center of attention today, as they were most days. Kamille’s kids, Reon, Torin, Tyris, Royer, and little Phoebe, were running around the patio, shrieking in delight as they chased each other. I glanced at Kamille and Zeke, who were sitting across from us, laughing and chatting while keeping a watchful eye on their children. Amanda, was helping prepare the meal, occasionally smiling in our direction as the kids d
Zane's POVI stood there, fists clenched, staring Dave Scott down. Every fiber of my being wanted to lunge at him, to make him pay for everything he’d done. But I couldn’t—at least, not yet. The recorder in my pocket was still running, capturing every damning word that fell from his mouth. I could feel it, a tiny weight pressing against my ribs, reminding me that I had to play this smart. For Belle. For Kelly. For justice.Dave, on the other hand, was as smug as ever, leaning back with that infuriating smirk plastered across his face. He had no idea that his time was running out.“You think you can just waltz in here and act like you own the place?” Dave sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. “You’re nothing, Zane. A nobody playing hero in a game that’s way beyond your league.”I bit back my anger, forcing myself to remain calm. His words didn’t matter. Not when I had the truth on my side. I took a deep breath, my fingers brushing against the stop button on the recorder hidden
Belle's POVWalking into the living room wasn’t easy. My legs felt heavy, like I was dragging weights with each step. The air in the mansion was suffocating, thick with tension and unspoken fears. My heart raced, a wild, chaotic rhythm that matched the pounding of my thoughts. I could still hear my mother’s frantic voice behind me, begging, pleading for me to stay with them, to hide, to escape into the secret bunker.“Belle, you don’t have to do this!” she cried, reaching out as if she could physically hold me back. Her eyes were wide with fear, her voice trembling. “Come with us. We can hide. We can survive this.”I stopped, my hand resting on the doorframe, my back to her. I couldn’t turn around. I couldn’t let her see the turmoil etched on my face, the way my hands trembled from the weight of what I was about to do. My family was scared—terrified, really—but the idea of running, of leaving Zane behind to face this monster alone, felt like a betrayal I wasn’t willing to commit.“W
Dave's POVI had been waiting for over an hour, sitting there, staring at the doors leading to the rooms, expecting Belle and Zane to finally step out. It wasn’t like them to hide this long, especially Zane. But instead of the two people I was dying to confront, what I got was the Perri family, practically groveling before me. Pathetic.The Perri patriarch, Mr. Perri, stood in front of me with a forced smile, his hands clasped in front of him as though in prayer. His wife hovered behind him, wringing her hands nervously. “Please, David,” her father began, his voice trembling. “We don’t want any trouble. Just… drop the lawsuit. We’ll leave quietly, I swear. We won’t cause any problems.”I couldn’t help the smirk that stretched across my face. They were so desperate, so weak. This was the kind of power I craved, watching them squirm, knowing I held all the cards. “You won’t cause any trouble?” I repeated, mocking his words as if they were a joke. “Oh, trust me, you wouldn’t be able
Zane's POVBelle’s tears were too much for me to handle. The way her shoulders shook, the soft sniffles she tried to hide—it broke something inside me. I couldn’t stand seeing her like this. Without thinking, I reached out, pulling her into my arms once more, holding her as tightly as I dared.“It’s going to be okay,” I whispered, my lips brushing against her hair. “I swear to you, Belle, this will all end today. I’ll make sure of it.”She pulled back slightly, her wide, tear-filled eyes meeting mine. There was a small, hopeful smile on her lips, but I could see the doubt lingering beneath it. It killed me to know that she still didn’t fully believe everything would be fine, that she didn’t fully believe in me. But I didn’t blame her. After everything that had happened, after all the lies, how could she?God! I needed her to trust me.I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips again, my hand cupping her cheek gently. When I pulled away, her eyes fluttered open, and I saw a leve
Belle's POV“I’m scared, Zane,” I confessed. My voice trembled, and my arms tightened instinctively around my belly. I felt so vulnerable, standing there in front of him, exposed and raw. How was I supposed to face Dave? What would he say? What would he do?Zane hugged me tighter. His warmth, his strength—it was like a lifeline, grounding me in the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. He pressed a soft kiss to my hair, his lips lingering there for a moment before he spoke.“You don’t have to be scared,” he murmured into my hair, his voice gentle yet filled with quiet resolve. “I’m here. No one is going to hurt you. Not Dave. Not anyone.”I closed my eyes, leaning into his chest, letting his heartbeat steady mine. His words were soothing, like a balm to my frayed nerves. Dave had always had a way of getting under my skin, and now… with everything that had happened…“Go get refreshed,” Zane said, pulling back slightly to look into my eyes. His fingers brushed a loose strand o
Zane's POVI cursed under my breath as we broke the kiss. I let her take a while to arrange her silk gown. I moved a bit from her as my mind played over what happened the night before.Belle couldn’t sleep all night; I could tell from the way she kept shifting in bed, her body tense beneath the silk sheets. I lay beside her, watching her.I thought back to earlier that night when I walked into the Perri mansion, my mind filled with chaos, only to be confronted by an entirely different reality. I remember the way Belle’s mother was yelling, her voice shrill with rage, but none of that mattered the second I saw Belle. She stood there, so fragile and strong all at once, and without thinking, I crossed the room and pulled her into my arms. Her soft, warm body pressed against mine, grounding me in the middle of the madness. She was everything. The only thing that made sense. The world could be burning down around us, and I wouldn’t care, as long as I had her.Belle’s mother, however, didn
Belle's POVI hadn’t moved from my spot on the bed. Not an inch. I sat there, staring blankly at the wall across from me, my mind heavy with thoughts, swirling memories of last night that I couldn’t quite shake. Everything felt so distant yet so vivid, playing over and over again in my mind. The weight of it all bore down on me, rendering me numb.Opposite me, Zane sat with his back against the headboard, his eyes wide open, just watching. He had been watching me all night. He hadn’t said much, but I could feel his presence, steady and unwavering, like a tether keeping me from completely unraveling. His gaze hadn’t left me, and for some reason, I found comfort in that. My thoughts drifted back to the moment it all came crashing down. The nausea that hit me like a brick after the shouting match with my mother, the way she had followed me into the bathroom after I threw up, concern etched across her face despite the earlier anger.“Belle, are you alright?” she’d asked, her voice surp
Dave's POVThe sun was barely up, casting a dull, gray light over the city, but the weight on my chest was already heavier than the day before. The shipment I had been waiting for was just a few hours away. The timing couldn’t have been worse, not with Belle out there and Zane still breathing. I needed to tie up loose ends, and fast.I sat on the brown leather swivel chair in my study, my hands running over my face as I tried to think. I needed to find a way to get the attention of the drug enforcement agency off my back before the shipment arrived. Every second counted, and I knew that one wrong move could bring it all crashing down.I reached for my phone, my fingers tapping rapidly as I sent out a message to my men. It was time to surround the Perri mansion. We need to bring Belle's family to their limit. Once that was done, they would bring out Belle. Or rather, she would bring forth herself. Then that nosy Zane Caruso will come for her and I get to silence him forever."Surrou