Aurora's POV A massive black truck was parked across the main road ahead, completely blocking our path. Its headlights were off, its presence ominous.They were waiting for us.“Dominic…” My voice barely came out.“I see them,” he muttered.The truck didn’t move. It was as if they were taunting us, waiting for us to come closer before making their next move.Dominic’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel, his jaw clenching. For a split second, I thought he might try to ram through, but then his gaze flicked to the side—A narrow side street.Without warning, he twisted the wheel and veered sharply into the small road. My body slammed into the door from the sudden turn, my heart racing as we barely squeezed through the tight alleyway.The tires skidded against the pavement as Dominic navigated through the maze of narrow streets, dodging dumpsters and parked cars. The further we went, the darker and more unfamiliar the surroundings became.I turned in my seat, expecting to see t
Aurora’s POVThe car tore through the darkened streets, Dominic’s grip firm on the wheel. His entire body was tense, his jaw locked, and his eyes burning with lethal focus. I could still hear the voice from the call replaying in my head—“You must die on that road tonight.”My stomach churned. Whoever was behind this wasn’t done yet.And I was right.Just as we turned onto a seemingly empty street—a black SUV screeched to a stop in front of us, blocking our path.Dominic slammed the brakes, the tires screeching against the pavement. My body lurched forward, but my seatbelt yanked me back.Then—gunfire erupted.Glass shattered as bullets ripped through the windshield. I screamed, ducking instinctively as Dominic cursed under his breath.Without hesitation, he yanked open the glove compartment, grabbing a sleek black gun.“Stay down,” he ordered, his voice deadly calm.But I barely had time to process his words before he shoved open his door and returned fire.The deafening sound of gun
Aurora's POV Dominic exhaled, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he nodded.The room was dimly lit, casting shadows across Dominic’s face as he sat on the edge of the bed, his injured arm resting on his lap. His shirt was already stained with blood, and the sight made my chest tighten.“You need to take that off,” I said softly, reaching for his sleeve.Dominic raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest as I carefully unbuttoned his shirt. The fabric was sticky with blood, and I had to be gentle as I peeled it away from his skin. His body tensed slightly, but he didn’t make a sound.As soon as his shirt was off, I swallowed hard.Even injured, he looked… breathtaking.His toned chest and sculpted muscles were covered in scars—some old, some new, each telling a story I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. But it was his eyes that caught me. Dominic was staring at me.There was something in his gaze—something dark, intense, undeniably captivating.I forced myself to focus. This wasn’t the ti
Aurora’s POVThe tension in the room was suffocating as Dominic silently moved toward the door, his injured arm barely slowing him down. His sharp eyes darkened as he reached for his gun, his movements smooth, calculated.I held my breath, watching as he pressed his ear against the wooden door. Silence.Then another knock.Dominic slowly turned the doorknob, cracking the door open just enough to peek outside. His entire body remained still, his grip tightening on the gun.My heart pounded in my chest. Was it them? Had they already found us?I inched closer, straining to hear.Then I heard it—a low voice muttering something.After a moment, Dominic let out a quiet breath and shut the door.“It’s just a waiter,” he murmured, tucking the gun into the waistband of his pants. “He’s knocking on the next door.”Relief flooded me, but it was short-lived.Dominic’s face was still hard, his expression unreadable. Something still wasn’t right.I frowned. “You think someone sent him?”Dominic exh
Aurora’s POVDominic’s words echoed in my mind as I slowly made my way up the grand staircase.A war among the Big Four families.The Maranzanos. The Valentinos. The Riccis. The DeLucas.I had heard whispers about them before, but I never thought I would be caught in the middle of their power struggles. I never thought the man I loved was one of them.My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, a protective gesture. If Dominic was in danger, that meant our child was too.The weight of everything pressed down on me, my thoughts racing, my vision blurring slightly as exhaustion washed over me. Last night has been a nightmare. The chase, the gunfire, the threats… and now, this revelation.I needed rest.I gripped the railing as I climbed the last few steps, but just as I was about to reach the hallway—My foot slipped.Everything happened so fast.A sharp gasp tore from my lips as my body lurched forward. The staircase blurred as I tumbled down, my arms flailing desperately to catch onto
Aurora's POV “Are you certain?” Dominic’s voice was sharp, laced with something I rarely heard from him—shock.“Yes, sir. The information is solid. She’s alive. And she’s looking for Aurora.”My heart stopped.Who?I pushed the door open without thinking. Dominic and Luca both turned to me, but I was already staring at Dominic, my chest rising and falling.“Who’s looking for me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Dominic held my gaze for a long moment before answering.“Your mother, Aurora. She’s alive.”My breath caught in my throat as the memories rushed back—ones I had buried deep, ones too painful to remember.Tears welled in my eyes before I could stop them. I shook my head, my voice trembling as I whispered, “No… I didn’t know.”Dominic’s grip tightened slightly, grounding me, but nothing could stop the storm inside me.“My mother… she had a fight with my father,” I began, my voice cracking. “It was bad. I was just a child, but I remember the way they yelled at each oth
Julie’s POVMy breath came in short, frantic gasps as I pressed myself against the cold brick wall, listening intently for any sound of approaching footsteps.Joanne was looking for me.She had men everywhere, and if they found me, I knew what my fate would be.I had spent years in hiding, running from the people who wanted me dead. But this time, I wasn’t running for myself. I was running to find my daughter, Amber Raven.She was out there somewhere, and I had to get to her before Leo Levine did.I peeked around the corner, my heart pounding. The street was empty. For now.I pulled my hood lower over my face and moved quickly through the shadows, keeping to the narrow alleys. I couldn’t risk being seen. I needed a place to stay—a place where Joanne’s men wouldn’t think to look. I stopped in front of a small, rundown house at the edge of the city. The porch light flickered weakly, and the paint on the door was peeling. It had been years since I had last seen Samantha Carter, but she
Julie’s POVI clenched the earring in my palm, my fingers tightening around the cold metal.Joanne. My sister.I had spent years mourning my family, believing that I had lost everyone I loved. But now—this changed everything.She had been here.Why?had she been here the night everything fell apart?I had a thousand questions swirling in my mind, but I knew one thing for certain—I needed answers.And there was only one person I could trust right now. The streets blurred past me as I hurried through the dimly lit roads, my heartbeat loud in my ears. I could barely think straight as I rushed back to the only place I could call home now—Monica’s house.Monica had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. She was the only one who had stayed when everyone else disappeared.I reached her small apartment and knocked quickly.Seconds later, the door swung open, revealing Monica’s concerned face.“Julie?” she asked, taking one look at me. “What happened?”I stepped inside, locking
Chapter : Final Fight Aurora’s POV“Hold on, Dominic. Please.” My voice trembled, fear clawing at my chest.Leo stood in front of us, his expression unreadable. He exhaled sharply, then turned to his men. “Take him to the hospital. Now.”Two of his men moved forward, carefully lifting Dominic. He groaned in pain but didn’t fight them. I could see how much it took for him to stay conscious.Leo’s cold eyes flickered toward me. “You, stay here.”Panic surged through me. “No! I’m going with him!”He raised a hand, silencing me. “He’ll be taken care of. But we’re not done yet.”I swallowed hard, my heart hammering in my chest.Leo turned to the rest of his men, his voice low but sharp as a knife.“Find Joanna. Bring her to me. I don’t care what it takes.”The air in the room felt suffocating. I could barely breathe.The drive to the hospital felt like a blur. My hands were covered in Dominic’s blood, my heart pounding so hard I could barely think. The moment we arrived, the doors burst o
Dominic’s POVWe moved in quietly, our steps light against the wooden floor. The house smelled of dampness and old cigarette smoke.As soon as we stepped inside, I saw her.She was sitting in a chair, her hands tied, her face pale but alert. The moment our eyes met, she froze.I could see the relief in her eyes, but also the fear. If she reacted, Patrick would notice. I quickly lifted a finger to my lips, signaling her to stay calm.Aurora’s lips pressed together, and she barely nodded. She understood.Patrick was standing a few feet away, his back turned as he spoke to Isabella."This is taking too long," Isabella snapped. "Joanna should be here by now!"Patrick sighed. "She’ll come. She has no choice."I glanced at my men. One wrong move, and Aurora could get hurt.I didn’t waste time.With one swift motion, I pulled out my gun and aimed it directly at Isabella and Patrick."Don’t. Move." My voice was cold, steady.They froze. Shock flashed across their faces. Isabella’s mouth opene
Aurora’s POV“Hold on, Dominic. Please.” My voice trembled, fear clawing at my chest.Leo stood in front of us, his expression unreadable. He exhaled sharply, then turned to his men. “Take him to the hospital. Now.”Two of his men moved forward, carefully lifting Dominic. He groaned in pain but didn’t fight them. I could see how much it took for him to stay conscious.Leo’s cold eyes flickered toward me. “You, stay here.”Panic surged through me. “No! I’m going with him!”He raised a hand, silencing me. “He’ll be taken care of. But we’re not done yet.”I swallowed hard, my heart hammering in my chest.Leo turned to the rest of his men, his voice low but sharp as a knife.“Find Joanna. Bring her to me. I don’t care what it takes.”The air in the room felt suffocating. I could barely breathe.The drive to the hospital felt like a blur. My hands were covered in Dominic’s blood, my heart pounding so hard I could barely think. The moment we arrived, the doors burst open, and doctors and nu
Dominic’s POVI stared at the flash drive in my hand, my grip tightening. How could I be sure this was the real evidence? Patrick was a snake, I wouldn’t put it past him to hand me something useless just to trap me."How do I know this is real?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.Patrick smirked, his confidence irritating me. "You don’t. But do you really have a choice, Dominic?"Before I could say another word, a weak but urgent voice cut through the tension."Dominic, don’t trust him!"My entire body froze. My eyes snapped to Aurora, who was still tied to the chair. Her lips were dry, and her eyes were filled with desperation.Patrick cursed under his breath, moving toward her, but I lifted my gun, stopping him in his tracks."What did you just say?" I asked Aurora.Patrick clenched his jaw and glared at her, but the moment he released the cloth gagging her mouth, Aurora gasped for air and spoke again, this time stronger."Dominic, that’s not the real flash drive! He’s trying to t
Chapter : The final Fight Isabella’s POVPatrick leaned against the table, his eyes dark with satisfaction as he lit a cigar, taking a slow drag before exhaling the smoke. His gaze shifted to Aurora. "Joanna is on her way here," Patrick said, a wicked smirk curling on his lips. "And she’s bringing Dominic’s baby with her."I froze, my breath catching for a moment. Dominic’s baby? I hadn’t expected that.Patrick chuckled, clearly enjoying my shock. "The moment she arrives with the child, Dominic will have no choice but to give up everything for me. His power, his wealth, his loyalty, everything."I narrowed my eyes, stepping closer. "Are you saying you plan to trade his own child for his empire?"Patrick shrugged. "Why not? Dominic isn’t stupid. He’ll do anything to protect what’s his. And if it means bending to my will, he’ll do it."I crossed my arms, watching him carefully. "And what if he refuses? What if he fights back?"Patrick exhaled another puff of smoke, his smirk never fal
Isabella’s POVPatrick leaned against the table, his eyes dark with satisfaction as he lit a cigar, taking a slow drag before exhaling the smoke. His gaze shifted to Aurora. "Joanna is on her way here," Patrick said, a wicked smirk curling on his lips. "And she’s bringing Dominic’s baby with her."I froze, my breath catching for a moment. Dominic’s baby? I hadn’t expected that.Patrick chuckled, clearly enjoying my shock. "The moment she arrives with the child, Dominic will have no choice but to give up everything for me. His power, his wealth, his loyalty, everything."I narrowed my eyes, stepping closer. "Are you saying you plan to trade his own child for his empire?"Patrick shrugged. "Why not? Dominic isn’t stupid. He’ll do anything to protect what’s his. And if it means bending to my will, he’ll do it."I crossed my arms, watching him carefully. "And what if he refuses? What if he fights back?"Patrick exhaled another puff of smoke, his smirk never faltering. "Then he loses ever
Julie’s POVI struggled to breathe, my body aching from the relentless fight, but I refused to give up. Joanna and I clashed again, our hands grabbing, pushing, and striking at each other like wild animals.She lunged at me, her nails clawing at my face, but I ducked just in time. My fist connected with her stomach, making her stumble back with a sharp gasp."You witch!" she spat, her eyes filled with pure hatred.I didn’t waste a second. I spun around and grabbed the baby from the bed, holding the child close to my chest. My heart was racing.I needed to get out. Now.Joanna must have realized what I was trying to do because she let out a furious scream and charged at me again. I turned my back, shielding the baby, and felt her nails scrape against my arm, trying to pull me back."You're not leaving with that baby!" she shrieked.I kicked backward blindly, my foot slamming into her leg. She yelped, losing her balance for a moment. It was all the time I needed.I rushed toward the doo
Joanna’s POVJulie clutched the baby tightly, her eyes filled with fear and determination. “I will never let you go with this baby,” she hissed.I let out a slow chuckle, stepping closer. “Oh, Julie, don’t be so dramatic.”Tears welled in her eyes, but her grip on the baby only tightened. “You’ve already taken everything from me! You stole my inheritance, destroyed our family, and left me with nothing! You kept me away from Aurora, my own daughter, for years! And now you want to take her child too?” She shook her head furiously. “I will never let you have my grandchild!”I sighed, tilting my head. “You always did have a way of making yourself the victim, didn’t you?”Julie’s face twisted with anger. “You are the reason for everything! You lied, manipulated, and ruined my life. You wanted me gone, and you got what you wanted. But I won’t let you win this time. Not with Aurora’s baby.”I smirked, taking another step forward. “And how exactly do you plan to stop me, dear sister? You’re w
Dominic’s POVMy hands tightened around the steering wheel as I drove through the dark streets, the city lights flickering past like ghosts. My mind was racing, my chest tight with fear.Aurora’s signal had led me here, to Patrick’s old office building, not to the address he had given me.I knew Patrick. He was a snake. A master of deception. He wanted me to go to the wrong place while he did whatever sick thing he had planned.The tracking device on Aurora’s phone had been steady for the past few minutes, but then…“Sir, the tracking has stopped.”My heart slammed against my ribs.“What?” I barked, gripping the wheel tighter.“The signal just cut off. It’s gone.”Damn it.I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. This wasn’t a coincidence. Patrick was covering his tracks. He must have found out Aurora had a tracker.I inhaled sharply, pushing down the wave of panic rising inside me.I couldn't afford to lose focus now."We’re still going to that building." My voice was firm, le