“I’m sorry, sir.”I looked down at the girl before me. She watched me with huge blue eyes and parted lips. Then I realized who the girl was Ayla Rizzo, my future wife.I stared, beside me, Felix was holding back laughter, but I wasn’t close to fucking amusement. The woman—the girl—who would become my wife in less than three months had just called me “sir.”My eyes raked over her body, taking in her bare feet, slender legs, ugly denim dress, and the flowery atrocity she wore as a top. Finally, my eyes settled on her face. She still had bangs, but the rest of her hair was long and wavy, trailing down her bare shoulders.She raised her eyes when I didn’t make a move to let her pass and stiffened, obviously surprised by my unwavering attention.I had to admit that the bangs didn’t look half bad. She was very pretty. A lovely girl. That was the problem. Dressed as she was, she looked like a teenage girl, not a woman—definitely not a wife and mother.She touched her bangs with shaking fin
I was still shaking when I entered my bedroom after my first encounter with Jaxon . He had been intense and cold, not to mention dominant. Ordering me to change my wardrobe? How dare he?“There you are! Where have you been?” Mom asked, ushering me toward my walk-in closet. “We need to get you ready. For God’s sake, Ayla , what are you wearing?”She tugged at my clothes until I started undressing, still in a trance. Mom gave me a curious look. “What’s with you?”“Nothing,” I said quietly.Mom turned to the selection of dresses she must have spread out on the bench before I’d arrived. “I can’t believe you don’t own a single decent dress.”I’d always avoided going to official events because I hated the insincere schmoozing and backstabbing attitude of those who attended them. “What’s wrong with the dresses I own?”Mom had chosen the three least quirky dresses from my collection. All of them were in my favorite retro Audrey Hepburn style. She picked up a sky-blue dress with white dots. “D
The four months until November flew by—an endless row of sleepless nights, teary tantrums, and hard workdays.On the morning of my bachelor night, I squatted in front of Lisa . He was staring down at the iPad, watching a series he liked. His hair was tousled in the front and knotted in the back, but he refused to let Sybil comb it. I hadn’t had the patience to hold him while she did it. We’d have to buzz it short once the wedding was over. “Lisa , I need to talk to you.”He didn’t look up. I reached for the iPad, but he twisted around. “Give it to me.”His small shoulders rounded in. It was his only reaction. I grabbed the device and pulled it away. “Soon someone will move in with us. She’ll be your new mom. She’ll take care of you and Hailey .”Lisa ’s face scrunched up, and he threw himself at me, pummeling my legs with his little fists. “That’s enough,” I thundered, grabbing his arms.My anger disappeared seeing tears running down his face. “Lisa .”I tried to hug him to my chest,
I waited at the front of the church for Ayla . Felix stood to my right and across from him waited one of Ayla ’s friends, who looked awfully young. A reminder of my own future wife’s age.When the music started, I turned my attention to the entrance of the church where Felix entered with Ayla at his side. She was dressed in an elegant long white dress with a long-sleeved lace top. Her hair was pulled up, except for her bangs.She was smiling slightly as her father led her toward me, but her tension was unmistakable. When she arrived in front of me, I noticed the small sunflowers woven into her hair and bridal bouquet. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment I caught the hint of defiance in them, surprising me. Then her father handed her to me, and Ayla became tenser, her smile wavering.She looked marginally older thanks to the makeup and her elegant dress. Still, her fine-boned, clammy hand in mine and the innocence in her eyes reminded me of her age.Despite her youth, she kept her h
After the dance with my brother, I wanted nothing more than to find a quiet corner to get a grip, but Jaxon ’s father limped toward me.I gave him a smile as my brother slinked away after a curt nod. Mr. Moretti held out his hand. “Will you give this old man the honor of dancing with the bride?”“Of course, Mr. Moretti,” I said with a small curtsy.“Mansueto, please. We’re family now.”I nodded and took his hand, wondering how this was going to work with his cane. He smiled wistfully. “We’ll have to dance in one spot if you’re all right with that, young lady.”Again, I nodded and stepped a bit closer. He handed his cane to a man I didn’t know and lightly touched my back. Then we began to sway to the music.“You’re very quiet. From what I hear, you’re not a quiet girl.”My cheeks heated, wondering who had given him that piece of information. Christian? Definitely not my mother.Mansueto’s eyes were kind, but like his son, his reputation was chilling. “My son’s reputation makes me proud
Her eyes widened, those red lips falling open. “I… I’m not… I…” She bit her lower lip and looked away. The moonlight highlighted her smooth skin, unblemished and soft-looking.“Will you look at me?”She raised her eyes. I ran my thumb over her fingers to the ring, and she shivered slightly. “This ring makes you mine.”She tensed, and I realized I should have chosen different wording, something that didn’t sound like I was a Neanderthal about to claim her, not that it wasn’t true. I would claim her tonight, if only to follow traditions we both couldn’t evade, and she was mine, but that wasn’t what I meant to say. I wasn’t sure what to say to set her at ease. Maya and I hadn’t talked much. She’d screamed or cried and sometimes talked sweetly when she wanted something.“Tradition binds us, Ayla . Not just you, but also me.”I’d sworn to protect her, like a husband was supposed to protect his wife, and I would do my best to do a better job this time.“I know of our traditions,” she said
Her voice tore through my rising arousal. “Of course.”The gruffness in my voice made Ayla risk a glance up at my face. Then she hurried into the bathroom. Terrifying my young wife before I had to claim her was a fucking stupid thing to do.Loosening my tie, I walked over to the bench and sank down. My wedding ring, similar to my last one, seemed to mock me. I set my tie down beside me, listening to the sound of running water. Ayla would need patience and care. I had never had much of either to begin with. Since the mess with Maya , even less than before. I propped my arms up on my thighs, trying to reach a state of mind that would allow me to treat my young wife right. I didn’t want her to resent me.The door opened, drawing my attention to it and Ayla . She wore a dark blue silk nightgown that reached her knees and hugged her slender frame. Her hair fell down her shoulders in soft brown curls, freed of the too-cute sunflowers. Ayla didn’t move from her spot in the doorframe and n
Anger surged through me. I moved over her, bracing myself beside her shoulders. Her hands came up as if to ward me off, soft palms pressing against my chest. Her eyes widened, and she darted them to my pecs, her fingers shaking against me.“Listen up. You’re right, you’ll be the one who’ll experience discomfort, but I can guarantee you that being bratty about it doesn’t help. If you work with me, it’ll be better.”“It’s not just the pain. Until this moment, men were allowed to kiss my hand or dance with me at social gatherings, nothing more. And now you’re here, over me, half naked, and I’m half naked, and soon we’ll both be naked, and you’re going to…” She sucked in a deep breath.“I know,” I said quietly. “Don’t start to cry.”She drew her lower lip between her teeth. After a moment, she said firmly. “I won’t cry.” Then she peered up at me. “Why do you care? You’ve seen worse than someone crying.”I had. Far worse, and I hadn’t given a shit. But Ayla was young, too young, and my wi
One month later..."Careful baby, You don't want to hurt yourself." I said to the kids as they were playing under the ramp. I begin to reminisce back to everything that happened over the course of one month.I could still hear the words of the doctor to Ayla and myself. I had escaped the hands of death because the bullet missed my heart by an inch. Everything had changed since that moment, the company was back to fully functioning and I had dropped all shady deals that Alex had signed using the company's influence. The underworld had gone back to the way it used to be, with Levi being given a befitting tribute by every gang out there I suddenly felt arms wrapped around my torso and her cologne would always mesmerize me. She placed a kiss on my neck, as I squeezed her hands gently."You know something babe, I have been thinking we should move out of our comfort zone. This house would always bring the trauma of past events and we want to be happy right?" Ayla suggested and I agreed
Once the door to the elevator opened, we rushed outside the company to find Alex already surrounded by the police. "It's over Alex, just give it up. Your time has come to an end." I yelled out. "You had this all planned out didn't you?" He asked, his hands raised in the air. "You failed to prepare properly. I have been planning a raid on you for the past weeks, watching your every move constantly. I want you to know that when the time comes, the law will always catch up with you."One of the policemen with the cuffs stepped forward and held his hands. In a matter of seconds, I watched him pull out a gun from the police holster and I felt something hit me in the chest.My vision became blurry as I also watched Alex fall to his knees. I looked at my hand and realized he had shot me with the gun."Jaxon! You will be alright." Levi’s right hand man was beside me. I couldn't think of anything in the world other than staying in the arms of Ayla at that moment. As my eyes closed, I rea
I stepped into the company at the strike of midnight fully aware that it was going to be a tough confrontation with Jaxon . The moment I opened the door to my office, I found Jaxon sipping a cup of Hennessy with several documents on the table and a smile plastered across his face."You know I never thought you would have the balls to make a move, I will give it to you. I never expected you to go for Steve, our lawyer." I commented, standing by the door."Our lawyer? Oh so you now choose words to use now? Steve deserves death. He was the brain behind your action and I figured it was perfect I ended him." Jaxon said. I watch him hold a paper in his hand."Right here in my hand is the deed to the company. You asked for it, now I have brought it for you." I stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was up to."You must think I am a fool Jaxon . I know your tricks and I know you won't be willing to sacrifice your last hope to secure the company from me easily. So what do you have hidi
When I arrived at Steve's apartment, the weather had become warm once more and I helped Steve turn on the air conditioner, while heading to his room. Steve was an adept reader that hates being disturbed, but I needed his help, if I ever wanted to get the deeds.Upon stepping into his room, there was no sign of Steve . The tables were littered with books. Typical of him to always be unorganized.While I went down to get the pillows, I noticed something unfamiliar. I looked to see Steve slippers at the front of his bathroom. Steve never leaves these things in the bathroom before, so what was going on? I made my way slowly to the door of the bathroom, where I leaned closer to get a grasp of what was happening.The shower was running and it appeared that someone was having their bath. The moment I opened the door, I gasped in disbelief at the scene of horror displaying itself right before my eyes.I was staring at the lifeless body of Steve , who appeared to have been drowned in
"You must surely love him that much." I said after she had hung up."He is my husband and I can't let bad things happen to him." Her way of expressing her love reminded me of Alex and I hated that he had become so vile. Getting up from the couch, I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to make some juice for us, when I noticed something odd. A black van parked at the side of the gate and immediately I knew something was amiss.I rushed back into the living room, pulling the curtains apart and seeing several armed men making their way to the entrance of the door."Shit!" I exclaimed, drawing the curtain close."What's the matter?" Ayla asked."Police officers. I don't think they came without instructions from Alex . Here...." I handed over my car keys to her. "There is an exit by the far end of the apartment. Use the exit and get out of here once they pick me." "What? I cannot watch them take you?" Ayla replied."There is no time to argue Ayla! I know how to handle Alex , just go!" I
The moment the cab stopped, I looked at the agency and realized the plan to report Alex's dirty deeds to them could go either way, but all I could hope for was for it to go in my favor."Good morning" I greeted the receptionist, who was buried on her computer. The moment she looked up in my direction, she pointed up the stairs, taking me off guard. I whispered my gratitude and moved towards the direction, uncertain as to what to expect.I saw the tag at the door and realized this was the head of the agency office and after a series of knocks at the door, I would eventually be allowed to gain access into the office."Mr. Jaxon , nice to see you." The man behind the desk said, getting up to his feet and extending his hands for a handshake. "I have to say that we have been expecting you." He added with a smile on his face."I came to discuss something important with you." I said the moment I would make myself comfortable at the seat that I had been offered. "Before you say anything, I j
"I still have one last document that shows my claim over the company. We can use this as a bait to lure Alex into our trap and make sure that he takes it." I explained the plan in detail to Levi and the boys."I hope you are aware that Alex is smart, he would know that forfeiting the documents willingly is suspicious, we need to act ahead of him." "I know Alex more than any of you. He is my business partner. Since he is after signing the next big deal that would make the company become his own, he would be needing this document. His clients would ask for the deeds and that's when he would realize they are with me. He will come for it and we will take immediate actions against him." I looked at their faces and noticed a lot of them were buying into the plan and this gladdened my heart."So first, we already know he is going to meet up with the Chinese investors tomorrow, I need you to tell your spies to pay close attention to everything they say or do. If anything goes wrong, we wi
My father stared at me for a moment, apparently looking for the right words to explain his ordeal. I knew not to be harsh on him, but I could not help it, even after all these years and everything he had done to me."I know things have been rough in the past, between the both of us and that is why I beg you to just listen to what I have to say.""You know what, I cannot stand any of this again!" I got up on my feet despite the plea from his wife.I could not stand seeing his face, after all the horrible things he has ever done to me in the past. There was too much trauma involved.By the time I arrived at the house, I took a deep breath, not willing to step inside because I knew that Jaxon was in there.Summoning the last courage, I made my way into the room and found him on the couch watching the news."How did your trip go?" He asked, but I chose to keep quiet. "Come on Ayla, you don't have to be like this. There is a reason why we are called a couple and that is because we argue an
I drove down the street to my father's residence in tears as I remembered how it all started, the first time he raped him.He staggered into my bathroom heavily drunk that unfortunate day. I was actually taking my bath and he stood at the door staring at me with a lustful gaze while licking his lips.The little innocent me, I was just eight years old then, was calling out to him to come carry him like he always does whenever he comes back from work, "Daddy! You're back so late tonight, I miss you. Common, come carry me""You're so beautiful" he said as he walked towards me while I giggled happily as I stood under the running shower."You look so ripe, I'm sorry for this" he said while I stared at him with confusion wondering why he was apologizing when he suddenly started touching me in ways that didn't seem right. I tried to push him away to no avail.My nanny was the only one that knew about it, she took care of me for days while my dad bought me all sorts of stuff and everything I