Vivian POVThe second that idiot left the doctor sat next to me and started checking my vitals. He didn't say a word and it was getting a little uncomfortable."Everything seems to be ok. Capo mentioned you haven't been eating. Have you been feeling nauseous or dizzy the past few days?""I've eaten some, just not a lot. I have been getting little dizzy spells but my emotions are all haywire. I'm fine though. I'll be sure to eat some more fruits and protein."He scratched his chin thinking. "Do you think maybe, you could be pregnant?" My mouth dropped open. "Absolutely not! You gave me pills the other week, remember.""I do. I also recall Capo stating he hasn't been wearing a condom at his last checkup. Birth control isn't 100% effective.""Ew! Why would he tell you that? And no, I'm not pregnant. Life can't be that fucking cruel.""I actually didn't need to know. He wrote it proudly on his form. I won't repeat what it said though. Capo is a... complicated man. I know he shows little l
Niko POVMy mind was racked with worry all day over that woman. I sensed her anger at the table and I knew it was for me. She was the one that denied me. She was the one that never fucking listened. She was the one that told me she would never touch me and to have a fucking orgy for all she cared. Now she is pissed at me. I knew this all stemmed from trading Michael and a part of me wanted to just kidnap the kid again so she would stop pouting. On top of that the little girl gave me nothing but sadness and fear when she looked at me. She wasn't my responsibility. Amy was some other asshole's child. I'm letting her stay and providing for her yet I'm still the bastard in Viv's eyes. She needed to get off her high horse already.After we ate Viv quickly retreated to her room. I told her guards they weren't allowed to leave unless for food and no one was to break that order for any reason. I didn't need Vanessa trying to cause more shit either. Fuck, this is going to be a mess with both
Vivian POVFinally, we boarded that damn flight and I let out a long sigh of relief. My life wasn't any better in New York though. Why did Niko even bother bringing me to Chicago? I would have lost my shit if he took the kids and left me, but why did he care? He took Michael from me anyways. Was it just to have me at his beck and call when he had an itch? Probably! I hope his dick falls off one day. It was a large beautiful dick, but it was attached to a fucking monster.Amy was uncomfortable around all the large men yelling out war stories and drinking. She knew she was a Grasso and they all spoke often how they hated every one of them. I was worried about her safety. I had to try and talk to Niko about it but that meant I needed to not bite his head off the second he was near me. Something I was finding impossible not to do. My hatred for him grew more every second of the day.He had Vanessa seated next to him, which irritated me. Every time I saw them close to each other my mind pic
Niko POVI was hoping to get Viv alone in my office but then she invited Paul to walk in. It was probably for the best since I knew she was still pissed at me. She asked her demands and I didn't mind giving her any of them. She was learning the rules and her limitations which made me happy. I was fucking tired of fighting with her about not doing stupid things that would get herself killed.Her body language was tired and her tone fed up. She was losing that wild spirit in her and it made me cringe inside. She wanted things she could no longer have, but I still liked how she fought for what she wanted. Now she was being polite and actually asking me. I didn't know how to feel about it.In two days, we go after Joseph and I really didn't have the time to worry about her. I wish she could just get her shit straight already. Maybe mothering the little girl will make her happier. She'll find a purpose beyond her old desires to be a doctor. I had to admit she would have been one hell of a
Vivian POVNiko just walked out like nothing happened. Why did I completely melt to him like that? He caught me off guard and I caved to him. The entire time I showered I thought of him and even considered pleasuring myself. Now I was thoroughly satisfied by the real monster and unsure how to feel about it. There was no denying I wanted to feel his hard body take mine as his again, but emotionally I couldn't handle it. I wasn't a weak woman that allowed a man to hurt me the many ways he did, then just give into him. I gathered myself then washed quickly and headed to bed. My body felt like blissful jelly and my mind was complete mush. I could internally smack myself tomorrow for letting him make me feel this good. The next morning Niko was grinning at breakfast. He told Vanessa to handle the business affairs for the next few days because he had more important matters to deal with. I didn't know what he meant by that, but I did hate that he relied on her so much. She was a clear remi
Vivian POVI gathered myself in the bathroom after having a good cry then walked out. I heard the kids chanting in the room next to me and the second the words became recognizable I ran to Amy.Three boys and four girls were surrounding her. Two of the boys had Zander held back as he tried to defend her. The one little snot nose brat got in Amy's face and spewed nothing but vile words to her. "You're nothing here. Just a bastard of our enemy. One day our Capo will rip your heart out, giving you a death a traitor deserves."Now, I don't believe in harming a child, ever, but I lost my shit. Call me over protective or call me emotional, but that little bitch was about to get her ass spanked. I grabbed the girl's ear rough in my fingers and dragged her out the room. I stood in the middle of the meeting room with all the adults and screamed. "Who the fuck does this spawn of Satan belong too?" Everyone's eyes diverted to me as I roughly tugged on a small child's ear as she cried for help."
Niko POVThe second my eyes caught Viv in a nearly see-through dress I almost lost it. My body instantly went to hers, needing to feel her every curve. Tonight, we were celebrating the end of the Grasso's reign and the heads of many families were present.They knew I was the Boss, but I still needed to be prepared for anything. Me standing there drooling over an outsider wouldn't look well in their eyes. My body didn't care once she was close though, and it made my mind spin out of control. She denied me yet again then walked off. I was getting tired of this game. At least she was jealous of Vanessa and that gave me some hope. Then I saw how Dennis immediately approached her once she was alone. Vanessa grabbed my arm into hers and led me over to them. In my rage for her denial and another man touching her I started building my walls stronger. She was trying to start trouble with Vanessa and I liked how worked up she got. I didn't realize I agreed to marry Vanessa though. She already
Niko POVA week went by with no disturbance. Vivian didn't complain, fight, or give me even a hint of attitude. She and Amy remained in her room most of the day, joining us every night for dinner. I didn't have any guests over because the hour we sat at the table was barely enough time with her. I wasn't going an entire day without her close to me. Conversations carried on around us, but I was lost in the morbid dark seas she surrounded me in. Vivian had no happiness in her face and she barely ate. I asked the staff to update me on her meals from breakfast and lunch and they said she eats about half her plate. Amy was also quiet. Whenever anyone spoke to her, she hid behind Viv who just rubbed her arm or caressed her hair. I couldn't stomach watching them this way, but I had no choice. Viv's outburst twisted my hand and I couldn't trust her around the families anymore. I thought of allowing her to return to work with Dennis, but I didn't like her alone with him either. Vanessa spent
Lucy POVI thought I was brave, running after my best friend, trying to save her life. I was just stupid though. My face stung from being punched by a large man, my eyes burned from crying for so long, my heart ached both from the fear inside me and the fear I had for Amy. To top it all off, my savior in this horrible mess, was Michael. The one man I feared more than anything else in this world.Michael searched the dead men that took us, the men he killed. He flipped their bodies like they were just piles of blankets, pocketing their cash and credit cards. "Find me and pick me up!" Michael barked into one of the phones then dropped it on the floor."Are we going home?" I asked shakily. Michael seemed to be in the zone. It was like I could actually see his mind weaving his next move, and it terrified me."No speaking!" He ordered, grabbing my wrist to head out the only door this dark cold place had. For a brief moment my body relaxed. His large hand wrapped around me, tightening to
Michael POV All my blood rushed to my head, pounding my skull and demanding someone's death. The car ride was a blur of suffocating heat and clattering metal, the trunk a tomb I could barely breathe in. As the minutes dragged on, I listened to the men up front talk about the so-called "fun" they would be having tonight, including the twisted plans they had for the girls they'd taken. Every vile word sent a shiver through me, but it was the sharp intake of breath from the other captive that made my rage boil over. The sound was small, weak, pathetic. I clenched my fists, resisting the brief, irrational urge to silence her myself. It seemed easier than listening to her cry. The voices around me blended together, Irish accents thick with mockery, and Italian tones that made my stomach churn. A few of the voices were even familiar. This wasn't just the Irish attacking Niko. It was a joint effort from the Irish gang that had set up shop here a few years ago, and men from my own blo
Michael POVSmoke curled through the air, thick and suffocating, the heat of the explosions still searing my skin. I barely stumbled back to my feet before the chaos truly set in. Screams. Gunfire. The acrid scent of burning flesh.Lucy had run inside, slipping through the smoke before I could catch her, but Amy, where the fuck was Amy? I couldn't remember the last time I saw her. I had been distracted, caught off guard, and now I was lost, unsure of my surroundings and who was accounted for.My eyes darted to Niko, who was struggling to extinguish the flames on his arm. Panic started to crawl up my spine, but I shoved it down, forcing myself to focus. Viv was on the ground, her kids huddled beneath her, half her face burned.I grabbed her chin, not the injured side, and forced her to look at me. "You good?""I'll live," she rasped, her wild eyes locked on Niko. "Where's Amy?"My gut twisted as I scanned the wreckage. "I don't know." I admitted with fury. It was like I was in a haze
Lucy POV"Can I have my keys now?"I had spent the whole night avoiding him, but I finally gathered enough nerve to confront Michael. The second his dark blue eyes flicked to mine, my confidence completely disappeared. Why did he have to be so intimidating?"The night isn't over. Cake is about to be served." His voice was dismissive, and posture tense, like he'd rather be anywhere but here.I sighed in frustration just as Marie stepped onto the patio, balancing the enormous rocket-shaped cake. I stepped closer to the crowd, excitement bubbling inside me. Everyone began erupting into song, and I moved closer, smiling at Mikie's wide-eyed amazement.Amy should be here. She would love this.I scanned the yard, singing along with everyone else, but something felt off. My stomach twisted in discomfort. Where was Amy? Movement from the back patio caught my eye. It was Zander shoving his way through the crowd, his face twisted in panic.My brows knitted together. What in the world was he do
Amy POV"Maybe we need to collide more often." I smiled seductively, images of him backing me into the bathroom playing in my head. A little pleasure would be a nice adventure to get the tiredness to rest for a bit. Sex always had a way of easing all my discomforts. "I would like that." His fingers brushed my face, green eyes locking onto mine, like I was something he needed to own for a few hours. God, I wanted to kiss him, just get lost in his large hands and tall body. But this was wrong. I can't do that now, here at my little cousin's birthday. "I should get back. We're about to do the cake. But maybe..." I gestured vaguely toward the party."Or," he leaned in slightly as he held up a tray of champagne flutes, "we could sneak off and have our own dessert."His teasing tone wrapped around me like silk, smooth but edged with command.I should say no. Something about this moment felt off. But the thrill of it was intoxicating.I bit the side of my lip. "Maybe just one drink," I mur
Amy POVI wasn't paying attention when I walked straight into someone, my shoulder bumping into a tray of drinks. The glasses wobbled, but the waiter caught them effortlessly. He steadied me with a light touch on my arm, and I felt the heat of his skin even through the fabric of my dress."Sorry, Miss." His voice was smooth, low, with a slight accent I couldn't quite place.I glanced up, my gaze locking onto his striking green eyes. For a second, my breath caught. He was tall, lean but strong, with dark brown hair that framed his sharp features. Something about him felt familiar, but I couldn't place why at first, then I remembered."Kyle?" My eyes widened in surprise. We'd met before, a handful of times. At a club. A café. Just brief, passing encounters. He wasn't someone I really knew, just a face I recognized, a good-looking one at that.He looked so clean cut in his waiter's outfit. Tattoos hidden, and those toned muscles covered. His hair was dyed darker than I remembered, and it
Lucy POV"I can't believe he stole my car!" I paced, heels clicking against the hardwood. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, heat rising to my face.Amy, sitting on the bed, calmly buckled her heels. "If he wrecks it, I'll ask Uncle Niko to buy you the newest model." I shot her a glare. "That's not the point, Amy!"Michael always did whatever he wanted. No consequences. No regard for anyone else. And what made it worse? I couldn't stop thinking about him.I caught my reflection in the mirror as I pinned one side of my hair back, the long, golden curls cascading over my bare back. I looked stunning, sure, but I was too furious to even appreciate the effort I'd put in tonight.Amy sighed softly and stood up, coming over to me. "I know. I'm sorry." She reached for my hand, and I reluctantly let her take it. She had styled her hair the same as mine, her dark curls pinned back with a matching flower clip, and in any other moment, I would have smiled at how perfectly we matched."I'
Amy POV"You ready for tonight?" I grabbed Lucy's hands and twirled myself in her arms as we walked out of school. Not even two weeks left and we graduate. We had prom, senior class trip, awards ceremony, and then graduation prep."Why are you so happy?" Lucy giggled at me dancing down the sidewalk to her car. She had seemed off all day. I felt bad that we stayed up so late drinking. "I only have two exams left and then everything else is just parties! And tonight," I moved closer to whisper to her. "I invited James as my date and he said yes!" I was so excited I could burst. The hot boy from Chemistry class actually said yes!"What about Michael?" She immediately panicked. What the hell did he have to do with anything?"You mean Zander? Why would my brother care... oh, right. I'll have a talk with him." I cursed to myself. My brother was an overbearing, overprotective prick. I really didn't want James to get his face smashed in like Jared did. "Well, good luck with that." Lucy saw
Lucy POVI stared at the kitchen door for at least twenty minutes before I finally picked my jaw up from the floor.I didn't just kiss him.It wasn't just any kiss either. It was an earth-shattering, mind-blowing kind of kiss. The kind you lose yourself in. The kind that makes your stomach twist and your knees weak.I never felt that before. Not with anyone.Maybe I should drink more often.I stabbed my fork into the cake, taking another too-large of a bite before shoving it back into the fridge. I needed to sleep. I kissed Michael. Amy's brother. A man who probably kills people for a hobby.And I liked it.Scratch that, I'm never drinking again."You okay?" Amy asked as I crawled under the covers."Yeah, just too much alcohol and sugar," I mumbled, hugging my pillow tighter.Amy let out a knowing sigh. "Did you eat cake, Lucy?"I groaned. "Just one."She playfully scolded me, but I barely heard her as she curled up beside me. For years, I practically lived here, always sharing a bed