•GIANNI•Once we landed in Mexico we went straight to the hotel room.Luca and I were sitting at the small table on the balcony, and despite Barnabas wanting to be involved, he stood near the railing speaking to Kinley.She laughed at something he said and I looked over at them."Boss, if you keep doing that, we're never going to formulate a plan."I knew Luca was right, but I didn't like how friendly my cousin was being. In my opinion, he was pushing it a bit too much for my liking."Gianni."I turned back to Luca, "I know, Luca. But look at him, he's practically throwing himself at her."Luca looked over at them before turning back to me, "I'm failing to see what you're seeing. Barnabas is being friendly with your wife. Would you rather he treats her badly the same way his mother does?""No. But we all know the Esposito men. He's hoping to get her into his bed."Luca sighed, "You're being jealous. Kinley would never entertain that idea and you know it. Now can you calm down and pay
•KINLEY•Gianni let me sleep while the three of them continued making plans.When I woke up I had some greek yogurt Gianni had bought me.The three of them were still on the balcony, even though it was beginning to get dark.After eating, I made my way out to them, "How is the planning coming along?""We have it all planned out. How are you feeling?" Gianni asked as he extended his hand out toward me."A little better. Are we going tonight or tomorrow?""Tonight."I knew that we all wanted this over and done with, so I wouldn't argue with that.I sat with them until it was time to leave.Originally I had felt fine about this, but now that we were actually in the car and on our way to Jade I was beginning to feel a bit queasy at the idea.As we drove, Gianni skimmed over the plan for me. We would stop near the front of the villa, and Barney and Luca would go around the back while Gianni took me through the front.To my surprise, just as we were getting out of the car, he handed me a gu
•KINLEY•When Gianni returned to the hotel, we went to the beach, leaving Barney and Luca to do their own things.He held my hand in his as we walked along the sandy shore."Do you think we should announce the pregnancy soon?" He asked, breaking the comfortable silence."Soon. Maybe once I reach fourteen weeks." I was only just reaching the twelve-week mark now and didn't feel ready to make the announcement yet."Whenever you are ready. Now that this is over, I would like to tie up any other unfinished business, such as the deal with King. Barney can start handling business with the guidance of Luca, I want to focus on us and the baby more."I nodded, "I would like that. I know we still have time, but we have a lot we still need to do before the birth. We don't have anything set up, it will be nice to have you involved in that."He brought my hand up to his lips, kissing the back of my hand, "We have a trusted therapist, I was thinking about going to see her.""Oh?" This was a surpri
•KINLEY•Today was the day, and I felt sick to my stomach over it.Gianni had set it up perfectly, all King had to do was show up.I had opted to remain home, wanting no part in setting up Billie's family.Luca was pretty much ordered to stay with me too.He went to wait for me at the pool while I went to the room to change.I needed to get my mind off of things and I hoped swimming would do the trick.I had just changed into my bikini when I walked back out into the room and saw Talon standing at the door.I instantly knew someone had let him out, there was no way he could have gotten out on his own.His shirt was off, and bruises, cuts, and scars littered his bare chest. His pants were filthy and stained."What are you doing in here?"He leaned against the wall and I could only assume it was for support, he had lost a lot of weight and looked very weak."Appealing to the good in you. I need to get out of here."I scoffed, "And you think I'm going to help you after what you've done?
•KINLEY•I could never have known how terrible things would begin to go when I opened my eyes.I was just walking out of the bedroom when I heard a loud bang that sounded out.I think deep down, I knew what had happened, but a part of me didn't want to believe it.My steps were slow as I turned towards the stairs that led down to the tunnels.I didn't even have to go down the stairs though.Talon was stumbling out of the doorway, blood pouring from the middle of his chest."Oh, my God!" I exclaimed as he fell at my feet, his hands clutching at my legs as he stared up at me.Gianni walked out behind him with the gun still in his hand."Gianni!" I looked down at Talon in shock. I couldn't will myself to move. I simply stood staring at him in a mic of shock and horror as his grip loosened before he slipped to the ground face down."You killed him. I asked you to help him, and instead, you killed him." I couldn't believe this.Gianni shrugged, a cold look on his face, "I eliminated the pr
•KINLEY•Gianni came in a few times while I was in the hospital, but I couldn't face him. I didn't want to see or speak to anyone, but especially Gianni.I felt some sort of resentment towards him, I knew I had agreed with him helping King.But I still blamed him for what happened, and I wasn't sure how to change the way I felt.I was signing my forms on my way to go home when I saw Luca waiting for me.I was hoping I would be able to leave the hospital without any of Gianni's people.I pulled my cardigan on and walked over to Luca, "Hi.""How are you feeling? I'm-"I held up a hand, "Don't do that apology thing. It wasn't your fault," I sighed, "Luca, I don't want to go back to the mansion right now.""I can take you somewhere else until you're ready."I looked down at the floor, "I don't think you understand me. I don't want to go back at all."Luca frowned, "What? As in you want to leave Gianni?"I shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe? Did he tell you KIng thinks this happened because of
•GIANNI•I was losing her. I could see it and feel it.As the days passed by, she spoke to me less. She seemed to be going out of her way to avoid me.She would be asleep before I got to bed, and during the day she would leave with Luca.She would eat alone before I was done with the day.I ran a hand over my face just thinking about it. I never experienced something like this before.I was always the one who got bored and moved on when it came to women.But now I was madly in love with Kinley and I was watching her fall out of love with me.It made me feel a rush of panic. How could I allow this? I didn't want her to leave me. I needed her in my life.I got to my feet as I paced. Kinley promised she wasn't going to leave me. But, here we were.It was coming, I could see it from a mile away.I shook my head, no, I couldn't allow this to happen.I had to stop her.I had to keep her with me. I was sure I could make her love me again. Walking out, I slammed the door shut and went to lo
•KINLEY•When I opened my eyes it took me a moment to remember what had happened.I sat up, ready to start screaming again, despite my raging headache.But I didn't need to. Gianni was sitting on a chair near the door.I noticed he was still in the same clothes as the night before."You locked me in here. Who the hell do you think you are to do this to me again?"He looked over at me with an unreadable expression on his face, "You were drunk and acting irrationally.""Why? Because I refused to allow you ownership over me? Or because I asked for a divorce?"The moment I said it I saw the anger flash across his face."We are not getting divorced."I scoffed, "And once again, you think you have the right to tell me what to do," I got out of bed, "Gianni, listen to me. I don't want to do this anymore. You don't own me. You have no right to lock me up and keep me captive every time you don't get your way." Even though I loved him dearly, I knew that this was a toxic situation between us an