MEGAN’S POVEverything in me hurts.The right side of my face, where that brute hit me, is swollen, and it feels like he dislocated my jaw. My throat burns from shouting, and my heart aches with fear. What have they done to my baby?“Elena? Give me back my baby!” I shout again, slamming my hands against the door. The pain in my hands is unbearable now, from repeating the motion over and over. But still, there’s no response.It’s as if no one on the other side cares about what I’m saying.I don’t know how long it’s been since that man left, but no one has come in. The silence around me is suffocating.I sink down onto the cold floor, and the tears flow without my control. Why would anyone kidnap me? Is it because of Lorenzo again? But the first time this happened, I was alone. Now, I have Elena with me. What if they hurt her?“Please, God, if you really exist, and you can hear me, please save my baby. Don’t let them hurt her. Please keep her safe, Lord. I promise, if you do, I will don
MEGAN’S POVI felt a knot of fear tighten in my stomach when the man smiled after hearing the gunshots. At such a moment, I expected him to be shaken, maybe even worried, but instead, he grinned, as if everything was going according to his plan."What's happening? Where are you taking me?" I shouted, struggling to resist, but he only chuckled and gave me a look that sent chills down my spine.It was a look of superiority, like a parent watching a child, a toddler, who thought they could get away with something they had no business doing. It was condescending, and in that moment, I felt small—like a fish trapped in a tank. His tank. I could see the way he looked at me, knowing I was struggling, knowing I was going to die. And there was nothing I could do to change it. All my feeble attempts at resistance would amount to nothing.I was afraid. Terrified. Not for myself, but for Elena. I didn't want to die, not without knowing she would be okay."Please, Mr. Gambino," I begged, my voice
LORENZO'S POVThe sight of Megan tied to a pole and my little daughter floating in a small tank, slowly filling with water, was the first thing my eyes landed on as we defeated the last group of thugs preventing us from reaching them.“Save mama, save me!” Elena cried, and my heart almost stopped.Megan didn't say anything, but I could see the tears and the dejection in her eyes. She avoided looking at me, and that hurt even more.But who was this man, and why had he taken my wife and child?“Who are you?” I asked, trying to concentrate.If I wanted to save them, I needed to think straight and not be distracted.“Oh, you don’t know me? Not surprising, though, because I made sure to keep a low profile until I was strong enough to take you on. Six years, Lorenzo! I’ve waited for this day for six years!” He said, and again, I couldn’t place his face.I took a step forward, but he immediately pointed his gun at Megan.“One more step, and this bullet goes through her heart,” he said, and I
MEGAN'S POVI watch helplessly as Rael beats Lorenzo, turning him black and blue. Blood pours from his body, and he’s stopped moving. The pain swirling in my chest is unbearable."Please stop!" I shout, but the more I scream, the harder Rael strikes, and the harder Elena cries.The water is now at the level of her stomach, and her voice is faint. She’s trembling, fighting the rising fear. Elena has always been strong, but I can see the fear in her eyes, and I don’t know what to say to make her feel better. She’s watching her father whom she only saw in pictures be beaten as if he were nothing more than a fly.Rael’s cruelty knows no bounds. He’s using a poisoned dagger to cut Lorenzo, knowing that just one cut would be enough to make the poison spread. Lorenzo—the man I love, the one who would move mountains to get to me. The man who would do anything to make me stay by his side, even if it meant making me sign a contract. And now, he’s dying in front of me."Didn't you say that you w
LORENZO'S POVI was in a dream.I knew because Megan and Elena were with me—alive, warm, and laughing.Snowflakes danced in the air, landing on my skin like whispers of a forgotten life. The world was bright, crisp, and full of laughter, the kind I hadn’t heard in a long time.“Daddy! Look! I can fly!” Elena’s voice rang out, high and thrilled, as she sped past me on her skis, arms spread wide like tiny wings. Her dark curls peeked from beneath her beanie, her cheeks flushed with excitement.“Be careful, darling, or even your father won’t be able to save you from me when you're done!” Megan teased, panting beside me, her gloved fingers brushing mine as she adjusted her scarf.“I will, Mama!” Elena’s giggles carried over the snow, pure and free.I didn’t want to wake up.Because in my waking world, they weren’t there.The ache in my chest was a familiar, gnawing thing. How had I made it this far without them? How had I learned to breathe in a world where Megan’s touch and Elena’s laugh
LORENZO'S POVI stare into her eyes, unable to look away as emotions rush in like a tide I can’t control.If someone had told me there would come a time when I couldn't mask my emotions because of love, I would have laughed in their face and thought them a fool.But here I am, stripped bare, completely exposed—because of this woman who owns my damn heart. Only God knows how much I care for her and our little angel.I owe her everything for giving me something so pure, so untouched by the darkness I live in.She blushes under my intense gaze, shifting slightly in her seat. "You should stop staring."A slow smirk spreads across my face, widening as the color deepens on her cheeks. The sight of it makes me want to get out of this damn hospital bed, take her somewhere private, and show her exactly how much I want her. Need her. Crave her."And you should stop blushing," I counter, my voice low, teasing.Her blush intensifies, and I swear she looks edible—like something only I should be al
LORENZO’S POVIt has been almost two weeks since I came home with Megan, her house and I don't regret coming here. If I must be honest, then this was the best decision ever.I have a lot of time to spend with my cute little doll and Megan and today, we are out to a park after out little doll force us to take her there.Fortunately, I have been gaining my strength or else I would have turned into a laughing thing to my intelligent doll.If someone had told me that out of all the things I’d faced—ruthless enemies, gunfights, betrayals—the most difficult challenge would be a tiny, four-year-old girl with my blood in her veins who is now standing in front of me, her hands on her waist and ready for a challenge, I would have laughed. Hard.The park is livelier than I expected today. Well, maybe it is as I don't come this other side. Children run in every direction, their laughter blending with the chirping of birds perched on tall, leafy trees. The scent of fresh-cut grass mingles with
LORENZO’S POVA month later.The Chicago airport buzzes with life—travelers rushing past, flight announcements echoing overhead, and the occasional wail of an impatient child. I stand near the arrival gate, hands in my pockets, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.It’s been a long week. No, a long month.After I regained my strength, I took off to Chicago to check on my business and for that one month, I had a lot to deal with.Thankful, everything went as planned.But today, things change, no work today. I was here for my two most precious people in the whole world, who I could give anything for.I check my watch for what must be the tenth time in the last five minutes as I wait, my sunglasses on.I want to feel annoyed but I can't with the thought of my two women coming.Megan’s flight has landed nearly half an hour ago, but customs can take forever. I exhale sharply, glancing toward the exit where passengers are trickling through.Then I see them.Elena is the first to sp
LORENZO’S POVA month later.The Chicago airport buzzes with life—travelers rushing past, flight announcements echoing overhead, and the occasional wail of an impatient child. I stand near the arrival gate, hands in my pockets, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.It’s been a long week. No, a long month.After I regained my strength, I took off to Chicago to check on my business and for that one month, I had a lot to deal with.Thankful, everything went as planned.But today, things change, no work today. I was here for my two most precious people in the whole world, who I could give anything for.I check my watch for what must be the tenth time in the last five minutes as I wait, my sunglasses on.I want to feel annoyed but I can't with the thought of my two women coming.Megan’s flight has landed nearly half an hour ago, but customs can take forever. I exhale sharply, glancing toward the exit where passengers are trickling through.Then I see them.Elena is the first to sp
LORENZO’S POVIt has been almost two weeks since I came home with Megan, her house and I don't regret coming here. If I must be honest, then this was the best decision ever.I have a lot of time to spend with my cute little doll and Megan and today, we are out to a park after out little doll force us to take her there.Fortunately, I have been gaining my strength or else I would have turned into a laughing thing to my intelligent doll.If someone had told me that out of all the things I’d faced—ruthless enemies, gunfights, betrayals—the most difficult challenge would be a tiny, four-year-old girl with my blood in her veins who is now standing in front of me, her hands on her waist and ready for a challenge, I would have laughed. Hard.The park is livelier than I expected today. Well, maybe it is as I don't come this other side. Children run in every direction, their laughter blending with the chirping of birds perched on tall, leafy trees. The scent of fresh-cut grass mingles with
LORENZO'S POVI stare into her eyes, unable to look away as emotions rush in like a tide I can’t control.If someone had told me there would come a time when I couldn't mask my emotions because of love, I would have laughed in their face and thought them a fool.But here I am, stripped bare, completely exposed—because of this woman who owns my damn heart. Only God knows how much I care for her and our little angel.I owe her everything for giving me something so pure, so untouched by the darkness I live in.She blushes under my intense gaze, shifting slightly in her seat. "You should stop staring."A slow smirk spreads across my face, widening as the color deepens on her cheeks. The sight of it makes me want to get out of this damn hospital bed, take her somewhere private, and show her exactly how much I want her. Need her. Crave her."And you should stop blushing," I counter, my voice low, teasing.Her blush intensifies, and I swear she looks edible—like something only I should be al
LORENZO'S POVI was in a dream.I knew because Megan and Elena were with me—alive, warm, and laughing.Snowflakes danced in the air, landing on my skin like whispers of a forgotten life. The world was bright, crisp, and full of laughter, the kind I hadn’t heard in a long time.“Daddy! Look! I can fly!” Elena’s voice rang out, high and thrilled, as she sped past me on her skis, arms spread wide like tiny wings. Her dark curls peeked from beneath her beanie, her cheeks flushed with excitement.“Be careful, darling, or even your father won’t be able to save you from me when you're done!” Megan teased, panting beside me, her gloved fingers brushing mine as she adjusted her scarf.“I will, Mama!” Elena’s giggles carried over the snow, pure and free.I didn’t want to wake up.Because in my waking world, they weren’t there.The ache in my chest was a familiar, gnawing thing. How had I made it this far without them? How had I learned to breathe in a world where Megan’s touch and Elena’s laugh
MEGAN'S POVI watch helplessly as Rael beats Lorenzo, turning him black and blue. Blood pours from his body, and he’s stopped moving. The pain swirling in my chest is unbearable."Please stop!" I shout, but the more I scream, the harder Rael strikes, and the harder Elena cries.The water is now at the level of her stomach, and her voice is faint. She’s trembling, fighting the rising fear. Elena has always been strong, but I can see the fear in her eyes, and I don’t know what to say to make her feel better. She’s watching her father whom she only saw in pictures be beaten as if he were nothing more than a fly.Rael’s cruelty knows no bounds. He’s using a poisoned dagger to cut Lorenzo, knowing that just one cut would be enough to make the poison spread. Lorenzo—the man I love, the one who would move mountains to get to me. The man who would do anything to make me stay by his side, even if it meant making me sign a contract. And now, he’s dying in front of me."Didn't you say that you w
LORENZO'S POVThe sight of Megan tied to a pole and my little daughter floating in a small tank, slowly filling with water, was the first thing my eyes landed on as we defeated the last group of thugs preventing us from reaching them.“Save mama, save me!” Elena cried, and my heart almost stopped.Megan didn't say anything, but I could see the tears and the dejection in her eyes. She avoided looking at me, and that hurt even more.But who was this man, and why had he taken my wife and child?“Who are you?” I asked, trying to concentrate.If I wanted to save them, I needed to think straight and not be distracted.“Oh, you don’t know me? Not surprising, though, because I made sure to keep a low profile until I was strong enough to take you on. Six years, Lorenzo! I’ve waited for this day for six years!” He said, and again, I couldn’t place his face.I took a step forward, but he immediately pointed his gun at Megan.“One more step, and this bullet goes through her heart,” he said, and I
MEGAN’S POVI felt a knot of fear tighten in my stomach when the man smiled after hearing the gunshots. At such a moment, I expected him to be shaken, maybe even worried, but instead, he grinned, as if everything was going according to his plan."What's happening? Where are you taking me?" I shouted, struggling to resist, but he only chuckled and gave me a look that sent chills down my spine.It was a look of superiority, like a parent watching a child, a toddler, who thought they could get away with something they had no business doing. It was condescending, and in that moment, I felt small—like a fish trapped in a tank. His tank. I could see the way he looked at me, knowing I was struggling, knowing I was going to die. And there was nothing I could do to change it. All my feeble attempts at resistance would amount to nothing.I was afraid. Terrified. Not for myself, but for Elena. I didn't want to die, not without knowing she would be okay."Please, Mr. Gambino," I begged, my voice
MEGAN’S POVEverything in me hurts.The right side of my face, where that brute hit me, is swollen, and it feels like he dislocated my jaw. My throat burns from shouting, and my heart aches with fear. What have they done to my baby?“Elena? Give me back my baby!” I shout again, slamming my hands against the door. The pain in my hands is unbearable now, from repeating the motion over and over. But still, there’s no response.It’s as if no one on the other side cares about what I’m saying.I don’t know how long it’s been since that man left, but no one has come in. The silence around me is suffocating.I sink down onto the cold floor, and the tears flow without my control. Why would anyone kidnap me? Is it because of Lorenzo again? But the first time this happened, I was alone. Now, I have Elena with me. What if they hurt her?“Please, God, if you really exist, and you can hear me, please save my baby. Don’t let them hurt her. Please keep her safe, Lord. I promise, if you do, I will don
LORENZO’S POV“It’s all your fault.” Angelo shouts immediately we are back at our temporary meeting place. Angelo’s voice is raw with anger, shaking with the force of his rage. His fists clench at his sides, his eyes burning into me with unfiltered hatred. “Six years ago, she almost died, and now we’re here again. I blame you for all of this!” He shouts, a glare fixed on his face. I don’t argue. I don’t even lift my head.Because he’s right.Megan is in this mess because of me.If it weren’t for the fact that—My phone vibrates in my hand, a sharp intrusion into the suffocating silence between us. I glance at the screen.Hugo.I answer immediately. “Hugo?”“Boss, we lost the trail.” His voice is tight, frustrated. “It’s like they’re toying with us. We also found another note.”A notification chimes before he can finish, and I already know what it is. My stomach twists as I open the image.Same paper. Same handwriting.Lorenzo,Loving it so far?How does it feel?A taunt. A reminder.