Chapter 27Grace PriestPOVToday is the day, today is my wedding day. Well the big grand wedding. Rowan and I got married in Vegas a month ago. It feels like just yesterday that we getting ready for the wedding. Yet here I am in a wedding dress with my mother in law. Gaby talking to the wedding planner. It feels unreal how big this wedding is.I’d love to say that I’m deeply in love that his is the happiest day of my life, but when I think of today I think of a theater show we’re putting on fooling all those people into believing we’re madly in love.Recently I’ve been feeling a little guilty about the whole secret we’re keeping from the world. Though telling people you bought your wife at an auction is a little weird right? Out of this world. Spending that much money to make someone your wife than the kicker is, he spends even more money to provide for me. The wedding in Vegas, flying out the hairstylist Carly for this wedding. He has done so much for me, I don’t know how to feel ab
Chapter 28Rowan PriestPOVSitting in my penthouse apartment in the dark on my wedding night with a drink in my hand. It’s my fucking wedding night and I can’t help thinking about my first marriage. The happiest on Angie’s face when we got married in my parents’ backyard, she wanted an intimate wedding and most of our marriage was kept private.When I close my eyes, I see Angie’s face. She’s my only wife, the only woman I’d ever love. I could never give my heart to another woman. I know I came up with the whole marriage thing in the first place so I wouldn’t be betraying Angie’s feelings but the further the day progressed the more I wanted to back out. The guiltier in felt.========FLASHBACKSix and a half years ago 12th January 2014I am so nervous; my hands are trembling. I haven’t been happier in my life. Today I marry the light of my life. The reason for all my smiles. Angie and I have been together since we were in diapers. She’s the only reason I tolerate the violence, my fam
Chapter 29Rowan PriestPOVSitting in the dark remembering my wife's smile is one of the many ways I love torturing myself.I love self-torture. Self-love? I don’t know a damn thing about that. How can a man who hurts the people he loves love himself? How can a man who is the reason his wife is dead love himself?Ah the joys of being me. Making another woman my wife is one of them. Disrespecting my wife’s memory by sleeping with other women.Then making Grace my wife. Grace… Someone like Grace. Someone who sees everything through this sunny perspective. I don't know how to put it into words. She's something I haven't seen ever. Growing up in this life I've come to realize that nothing has a bright side. Yet since Grace has come into my life my days have become brighter. My mind wonders to her when I'm not with her. I can't wait to hear what she's reading next. What new funny scenario plays out in her mind. It's entertaining...I bite my lip and take a swig of my lukewarm whiskey.I s
Chapter 30Grace PriestPOVI'm so excited I haven't been to a mall since I was a little girl. I remember being in one for the first time. Mom was pregnant with Jamie at the time and had to stay clean.We didn't buy anything of course but we looked at all of the clothes they had there. All the baby clothes mom needed for Jamie. This time is a little different. I'll be going alone well not alone I'm going with my four guards. And I have money last night Rowan placed a bank card on my bedside table telling me my monthly allowance is on it. I should get a couple of school supplies and new outfits for school. Sandra was supposed to come with me, but something came up.I didn't blame her; I'm used to being alone anyway.I've been married for a week and last night was the first time Rowan has been home since our wedding day. He told me he was staying at the apartment because it's closer to his work. I understand he has been missing a lot of work because of me.He looked tired so I didn't bo
Chapter 31Rowan PriestPOVLife always has a way of giving you a wakeup call when you need it the most, or that’s what I call this… Sitting in a meeting with the capo’s and under bosses of the family business was an event I never saw coming. My life will always be in danger whether it is from this business or travelling for the legal one. The blue contact lenses itches my eyes, the silver mask has me sweating in my face. These people are here together to ask about marriage. When Angelica died many of them wanted their daughters to be my next wife. Damian sits with an amused expression on his smug face. He knew they were going to spring this meeting on me and didn’t warn the bloody bastard.I didn’t inform the people of this life of my marriage. Grace has no ties to this life other than being sold at auction. I had no way of hiding her from them once I announced my marriage. There’s a reason for that, Grace’s hair is distinctive, the color of her eyes is even more distinctive. I never
“What happened?” I ask again when Damian doesn’t answer me the first time."Do you know if Grace’s parents are still alive?" he asks.I nod. “Yes, they’re staying in Chicago last I checked. Why?" I ask.He hands me his phone. It’s a social media post about how Grace abandoned her family to be with me. How her brother is sick and being with me made her ignore their pleas for help."Get rid of this post and anyone who tries to spread this..." I tell him. Damian nods.Andre swears under his breath and speeds up.“What’s going on?” I ask.“Someone reported Damian to the police” he says.Fucking hell. This was one bad thing after another. When were we going to get a fucking rest day.“Damain, you need to get out of the car, and I’ll have someone pick you up and take you to mom and dad’s place. They’ll be your alibi you’ve been with them all night to you hear me?” I warned my brother.He can’t mess this up.He sighs and nods. “I didn’t go out last night. I was in my apartment all night…” h
Chapter 32Grace PriestPOVSeeing them today really put me on edge. I didn’t expect to see them at all. They all looked well taken care of, my mother’s yellow teeth replaced with white rows now. Did they really get better once I was gone?Am I really the reason they’ve struggled so long?I sit in the dark room Mia said I should wait for Rowan. I try to stay calm but it’s not happening, what if my parents demand things from Rowan?I could never live with myself if they caused trouble for him.Life has been a dream since I’ve moved in with Rowan, I have full meals every day, I have all the technology known to man. There are so many books available for me to read. I’ll never be able to finish reading all of the books here.I bite my nails as I wait. I hope my parents didn’t cause trouble for Rowan. I pray they didn’t.“Grace?” Rowan calls out to me.My head snaps up. I jump up. “I waited for you…” I say softly.He nods a strange expression on his face. He switches the light on. I see a
Chapter 33 Rowan PriestPOV“I’m sorry I pushed you when you weren’t ready…” Andre says from beside me.We’re sitting on the beach front watching the waves in the dark.I look over at him before shaking my head. “I was just remembering the day I asked Angie to be my girlfriend. This isn’t your fault…” I tell him.“I know you don’t want to hear this, but Angie wasn’t perfect. The way you remember her might not be the way everyone else saw her…” he says softly.My head snaps to him. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask him.He looks away from me he traces his finger in the sand. “My sister had a lot of secrets she had even more darkness inside of her we didn’t have. I know she’s my little sister but sometimes she scared me…” he confesses.I look over at him, but don’t say anything. Andre and Angie were never close. She was a daddy’s little girl her father got her whatever she wanted; I spoiled her as well. Andre had to work blood sweat and tears to even see a penny.When he realizes I
EpilogueFive years laterSofia PopovPOVAlex turns me around roughly he glares at my jumpsuit. “What fuck is this? Why won’t the dress go over your hips.” he growls.I bite my lips to stop myself from laughing. “It’s called a jumpsuit. It doesn’t go up your hips, it’s not a dress.” I tell him.“What the fuck is a jumpsuit? Why would Sasha let you something so ridiculous?” he asks.Before I could say anything, I felt him rip the jumpsuit right off me.I stare at the fabric laying at my feet in shock.My eyes move up to my husband.He smiles innocently. He shrugs his shoulders. “I couldn’t get it off you and we don’t have much time before Sasha’s and the kids come looking for you.” He wasn’t joking.Today was Sasha’s wedding day and we were supposed to be downstairs at the reception, but Alexsei wanted some time alone away from everyone.Me being pregnant with our fourth child we barely have any time to ourselves anymore. Ellie’s nearly ten now and the twins Shasha and Dasha are three
Chapter 53Damien PriestPOVA few minutes ago, when my daughter was born, I watched her laying on her mother’s chest. She’s got a head full of dark hair similar to mine."Would you like to hold her?" Amara asks.I nod."Where’s the baby bag?” Amara asks.My eyes widen. “In the car…” I forgot to bring it in with us.I take Sutton from Amara and hold her in my arms. She’s so tiny.“Hello Sutton, it’s your father…” her little fingers form fists. she’s so fucking cute. I’ve never seen a prettier baby.“Why don’t we run a few tests and have little Sutton cleaned and we’ll have her back to you before you know it.” the nurse suggests.I nod handing her over to the nurse.I kiss Amara’s forehead. “You did great momma…” When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect the day to end holding my baby in my arms.What I didn’t expect either was my wife being a fucking trooper through it all. I thought she’d be biting my head off cursing me out. She fucking took the pain I wouldn’t have known she was
Chapter 51{Three months later} Amara PriestPOV I’m sick of this. I’m so fucking sick and tired of this shit!!!!I’m so done with all of this pregnancy shit. I’ve been pregnant forever now. I’ve been pregnant for almost a fucking year.This little shit won’t get out. We’ve tried everything, spicy food, walking, sex we have sex almost five times a day and she still refuses to leave my damn body.If I could evict her I would. Damien’s been walking on eggshells around me because every time I so much as look at him I want to throw something at his fucking head! He put me in this situation in the first place.For the last month I’ve been to the hospital almost every week. I’ve been having those damn fake contractions. They don’t feel fucking fake to me though.Sutton is our rainbow baby; Damien and I’ve gone to therapy and had every hospital check up possible. We made sure she was healthy. Fear grips us no matter what we do.The longer she’s in here the more I worry. On the one side I w
Chapter 50Sofia PopovPOV"Ladies and Gentlemen please help me in giving a round of applause for Mr. and Mrs. Popov…" The MC’s voice boomed throughout the ballroom.My brothers were very generous when it came to today’s proceedings, Damien paid for the bridesmaid dresses, Rowan opened up his house for us for today.Growing up my brothers and I weren’t close, they had responsibilities they needed to take care of, I had to learn how to take care of a family while they learnt how to protect their own.Alex and I walk into the hall hand in hand. He squeezes my hand as we approach the table with my grandmother and some of my friends from Ireland.Ellie rushes off to her friend. They flew out to America thankfully. Everything happened so suddenly Ellie couldn’t even say goodbye.“Hello everyone.” I greet them. They stand. Wendy Moira’s mom hg me first. I introduce her and her husband Henri. All five of their kids were in attendance. Addis, Adeline, William, Rush, and Moira. Addis and Adeli
Chapter 49 – The WeddingTWO MONTHS LATERAlexsei PopovPOVToday was one of the biggest days of my life. Today I change the last name of the woman I plan to spend the rest of my life with. Sofia stayed over at her parent’s house last night while I stayed over at Sasha’s new apartment.My sister got her own apartment so I could get the house we were staying in, she said it was the perfect home for a family and she didn’t want to get in the way of our family time. I thought it would be better if she stayed with us, but she didn’t feel the same way.I stand at the end of the aisle, watching Sofia’s brothers stand with their wives. Amara was seconds away from popping.I had no idea how far along she was, but she looked ready to pop. Not that I know much about women’s bodies and how they work.A slap on my back brings me out of my thoughts. I turn to see Sasha.Wearing a teal blue dress.“What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be with Sofia…” I remind her.She rolls her eyes. “Th
Chapter 48 – the dress part 2After everyone told Randy which dresses would look good on me.Randy asks me. "Please this way."He leads me to the dressing room. A woman is waiting for us when we walk in. “This is Samantha, she’ll help you into the dresses and have it fitted to you.” He introduces her.I nod. We talk a little more. After that he goes off to check out dresses.I am told to change into a robe and to wait for him.When Randy returns, he has a huge bag in his arms.“I want you to try this one on. Your father picked this one out…” he tells me.He walks back out.Samantha unzips the bag and I gasp out. The dress was stunning huge but stunning.An A line dress, it looked like a ballgown dress. It was white the material looked like mesh with lace appliques. The top was a boat neck, and the sleeves were off the shoulder.Samantha helps me into the dress, and it fits perfectly. It fit me so well. Tears well up in my eyes just looking at the dress on me.“It looks so good on you.
Chapter 47 – The dressSofia Boyle - PriestPOVToday is one of the best days of my life and the day hasn’t even started yet. Today is my wedding dress appointment.Today I’m getting one step closer to walking down the aisle.I have no idea what the men are getting up today, but Alex said Rowan and Damien asked to see him. I’m also well aware of the fact that if they didn’t, he would find a way to sneak into my appointment. He hates leaving me alone, even when we’re with family.He's constantly looking over his shoulder making sure Ellie and I are okay.Ellie will be joining us at my appointment today, she’s just as excited to pick out her own dress.All the women are joining. My mom, Amara, Grace, Sasha, Mia, Rayna and Ellie"What are you doing up so early?" Damien asks walking into the kitchen."I couldn’t sleep…" I say taking a sip of my coffee.He smiles he leans against the cabinet crossing his arms and legs.“What?” I ask.He shakes his head. “Just I never thought the day would
Chapter 46Four months laterDamien PriestPOVWe’re at a studio getting Amara and my pregnancy photoshoot.She’s only six months pregnant. But there’s are for our baby shower, Amara has this whole plan for the baby shower, she’s been planning it since she found out we’re pregnant again.This being our rainbow baby, Amara’s been extra cautious. She’s handed the reigns over to me. letting me take care of her.Do we still mourn the baby we lost before, yes. She’d insisted we get scans as soon as she found out she was pregnant. She wanted something to hold onto. We didn’t have anything for the baby we lost, no stuffed bears, no scans not a piece of clothing nothing.“I’m so excited to get this done…” Amara says with a smile. “Sutton will look back at these pictures and love them…” her smile bright her blue eyes shining brightly.Sutton our daughter’s name. We found out last month. We haven’t informed our family yet. We’re doing it at our gender reveal in three weeks.Sutton Wren Priest…
Chapter 45Rowan PriestPOVSitting in bed with my wife I keep thinking about how to be there for Andre and Rayna without overstepping.Andre was there for me through my darkest moments, I want to be there for him, help him.I don’t want to overstep by telling Rayna the truth. Andre helped me realize that was in love with Grace, he told me to move on with Grace and I know we wouldn’t be where we are without him.“What’s going on with you?” Grace pauses her show and looks at me.I shrug my shoulders. “This whole drama with Andre. I want to help.” I tell her honestly. Though it wasn’t the whole story, Grace knew there were parts of my life I could never be honest about.She’s never held it against me. When I say Grace is an angel, I’m not lying. She knows I’m a terrible man, that I’ve killed people. That our empire was built on other’s bones, yet she still finds it in her heart to love me.She’s not only an amazing wife but an amazing mom to the twins. I don’t know what I’ll do without