LorenzoThe old man was right about one thing ;bastard or not,I am still a massimo. The Massimo blood pumps through my veins. Whining like a child is not something I am expected to do. That doesn't mean I am forgiving him for making me look like an idiot. Maybe my life is messed up, maybe it has been one fat lie but there's something I am never going to allow and that is letting Javier take over the family business. I’d be doomed to do that. Besides,that fucktard can't manage his life. How can he manage an Empire like the masimo family business? It's not only about the shipping company but the hundreds of businesses under the family. If grandfather makes the mistake of making him the head of the family,that will be signing a contract to downfall. While I can still manage myself with my side businesses under my name, what will happen to the men I have been working with over the years?They don't deserve any of that and that's why I am here, ready to start a new day at my office. Th
LorenzoAfter getting that disturbing package the only thing I could think about was Megan.I left the office in a hurry. Hugo tried stopping me, reminding me that I might just be paranoid, and, even if this so-called secret the sender was talking about was Megan, I was only going to make things worse by visiting her. I didn't care. I only wanted to see my baby doll and make sure that she is safe. So, here I am standing at the front porch of their house and ringing the bell. This is something I never thought I'd do yet here I am. Maybe Hugo is right. I fucking care too much about Megan that it is showing to my enemies. The door opens a minute later and my baby doll's eyes widen when she sees me. I offer her a smile but her face remains rigid, shocked perhaps. “What are you doing here Lorenzo?" she asks, her eyes darting around and looking behind her. Something tugs inside me after hearing her question but I school my emotions and smile even wider. “I came to see you of course.”
MeganI cast one last glance at my choice of outfit today and smile in satisfaction. Clutching my purse, I collect my brown envelope and start walking downstairs. My father is settled in the sitting room reading his daily dose of newspapers. My footsteps alert him and he looks up,acknowledging me with a smile. “Are you sure about this?” He asks and I nod, walking to peck him on the cheeks. “Definitely I'm going to prove to you that I can get a job and be an independent woman.” I reply and he gives me a smile. “I know my daughter is capable. That goes without saying.” He says pride evident on his face. I'll see you in the evening.” I announce and start making my exit. “Good luck Megan,” my father shouts from behind me and I smile. It's been two days since Lorenzo left our house. That asshole had the guts to come here and behave like he didn't ignore me like a plague when I went looking for him. His reactions made me sure of one thing; Lorenzo feels nothing for me. The little bu
MeganWhen I open my eyes again, there are no more gunshot sounds. On the contrary, haunting silence accompanied by wave sounds resonate. I survey my surroundings and a realisation hits my senses; I have been kidnapped. The fading blue paint on the walls is peeling and the floor seems like it could use some cleaning services. My hands are chained above me and I am in a kneeling position. I am half naked with only my panties and bra. I hiss when I try to frown and that's when I feel it, the swelling on my face. Seems like someone had some fun punching my face with how much pain I feel. My eyes trace my thigh covered legs and that's when I notice the blood soaked cloth tied around my waist. I try to shift around and I feel no discomfort between my legs. A sign escapes my lips. I don't know if I should be thankful that no one touched me or pray they don't do that soon. This time, I have a feeling that Harriet nor my evil sister are involved in this. Those gunshots I heard before I
“ What happened?” Hugo asks from besides me, maybe after sensing my change in mood. I lift my face to stare at him, enunciating every word, “ They have Megan.”The words leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth and I suddenly feel like I can't breath. “ What? Who has her?” Gino asks this time and I clench my fists, my nails almost drawing blood. “ That bloody asshole Hunter. He wants his shipment in exchange of her.” I answer his query. Gino face hardens and a darkness I am so familiar with clogs his eyes. “ That means…” I nod, not needing him to finish his statement. That pussy knows that I sold him out to the feds and used Megan to threaten me. Without a word, Hugo makes a call and we both turn to look at him, hopefully. That hope however is shattered a moment later when he shakes his head. “ Our contact said they can't do shit. The operation is down as planned.” I punch the steering wheel in frustration. “ I can't fucking lose her, man.” A line tear slips past my eyes. If the
Lorenzo The day drags itself painfully. Every minute,the only thing I think about is Megan and how to get her out of there.After securing the shipment, Hunter informed me that we would do a transaction at a location of his choice.The shipment in exchange for Megan.I am no fool to believe his bullshit. After double crossing him, he will definitely retaliate. The most probable way is getting the shipment back then killing Megan to get back at me. He knows I am desperate to save her and he is going to use that to hís advantage.I also know that if I want my woman alive, I need to make the first move and rescue Megan then get rid of that fucker.I have been trying to locate his hideout and so far, I have no positive news. It's like the bastard disappeared from Chicago. I know better than to assume that. The rat Is just so good at hiding.I can't concentrate on anything. I don't think I will until I get her back. When my office door creaks open, Hugo enters with a careful look on his f
MeganI have been in and out of consciousness these past hours. I don't know if it's blood loss or hunger. That bastard has denied giving me food and water.My throat is parched, and I can feel the headache pounding through my head.My vision is blurry. Everything is blurry and dark. I'm trying to look around, but I can't see a thing.The place reeks of mold and the musty smell of water and urine.I don't know what he has planned for me.What he will do to me.He said something about me being his plaything after he kills Lorenzo. I don't know if Lorenzo has realized that I am missing. He probably has already received a message from that crazy bastard. He did say something about striking a deal with Lorenzo. I don't know something about a shipment. A deal he plans not to honor but use as a trap to kill Lorenzo. Oh God! I hope Lorenzo doesn't fall for his plot. That will be like delivering himself on a silver platter. Yet the hope of leaving here alive has not left me. Now, my head i
MeganWhen I open my eyes again the pounding headache is no longer there. My eyes scan my surroundings and I find myself in my room. My memories are hazy and I can't remember how I ended up in my room. All I know is that some stupid bastard was about to force himself on me when a lady barged in and rescued me. “You are finally awake,” A sweet voice says from beside me, making me snap my head in the direction. The lady from earlier is seated on a chair next to my bed, her eyes fixed on her long manicured fingers. Slowly she lifts ahead and looks my way. “Since you are awake,it's about time I go on with my business.”she declares, casting me one last glance. She is on her feet,ready to exit. My hands reach out to her and she turns around to look at me. “Where is Lorenzo?” I blurt out the first thing that comes into my mind. The lady chuckles at my question. I don't know what she finds funny but the amused look on her face makes me frown. “I was expecting you'd ask any other quest
Megan povTwo years laterSometimes, life plays out differently than we expected or planned. As I stand before the mirror, admiring the woman reflected in the mirror, I can't help but smile. Sic years. That's what it took me to realize that the only place I belonged to was by Lorenzo's side. And today is that day we are gonna tie the knot and unite in holy matrimony. What started as a contract marriage is transforming to something special and beautiful. The past two years have been nothing but eventful. About a year ago, I gave birth to our second child, a son. When we learnt about my pregnancy, Lorenzo wanted us to get married immediately. I didn't like the idea of wearing my wedding gown with a bulging belly. It didn't help that I had a lot of work to do. From managing my fathers company in Chicago to my own company in Vegas. Lorenzo was also busy with the real estate project his company was working on in Vegas so we agreed to hold the wedding at a later date. After all, in the
MEGAN’S POV Katalina stirred her cappuccino, watching me over the rim of her cup with a smirk that I didn’t trust. “How long has it been since you started living together?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.I leaned back in my chair, letting the scent of roasted coffee beans and vanilla swirl around me. My favorite coffee shop, my favorite corner, and yet, she had dragged me out of my office, claiming I was overworking myself.“Three months,” I said, smiling as I traced the rim of my cup with my fingertip. “And it still feels like yesterday.”Three months since I moved back to Chicago. Three months of waking up beside Lorenzo, of feeling his warmth seep into my skin, of watching him keep every single promise he had made to me.Lorenzo wasn’t just loving—he was attentive, as if he had memorized my every need and made it his mission to fulfill them before I even realized what I wanted. He treated me like a queen, making up for every second we had lost.I lifted my cup, craving
MEGAN’S POV I couldn’t even remember how the rest of the evening played out because Lorenzo was glued to my side like he was afraid I’d disappear. Every time someone tried to steal a moment with me, he would find an excuse to pull me away—into random rooms, dark corners, anywhere he could have me to himself. And every single time, he kissed me like his life depended on it, like he had been starving and I was the only thing that could satisfy his hunger.Then, as if nothing had happened, we’d step back into the party, his arm wrapped tightly around me, his smirk daring anyone to question it. Everyone noticed, of course. They weren’t blind. But no one said a word. Not when it was our night. Not when I was finally going to get married—for real this time.By the end of the celebration, after receiving endless congratulations and well wishes, we left. Lorenzo’s father had insisted on keeping Elena for the night, claiming he wanted to spend more time with her. And honestly? We were too eag
MEGAN’S POVLorenzo was on one knee, his dark eyes locked onto mine, his face illuminated by the soft glow of lights I hadn't even noticed turning on. The world around us had faded into silence, leaving only the sound of my pounding heart and his steady, expectant breaths.“Megan, will you try me for real this time?" His voice was rough with emotion, his grip on the velvet box tight, as if he feared I might vanish before he could place the ring on my finger.I couldn't speak. My throat closed up. The sight of him kneeling before me, the weight of what he was asking, settled over me like a storm. I had promised him another chance—I had vowed to try—but this? This was something bigger, something permanent.This was me handing over my heart, my trust, my life to him once again.And the last time I'd done that, he'd shattered me.Lorenzo saw the hesitation in my eyes, his brows drawing together, his fingers tightening around the ring box. “Megan," he whispered, his voice hoarse, "I know I
MEGAN’S POVThe past month had been...i don't even know how to describe it, a storm of emotions, but somehow, everything had fallen into place. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could breathe.Who would have thought that after what Rael did to Lorenzo, he’d survive?Yet here he was—alive, strong, and laughing as he played with Elena, our daughter. The sight of them on the floor together, her tiny fingers tugging at his shirt as he pretended to lose a playful tug-of-war, warmed me in ways I couldn’t describe. I curled up on the couch, sipping my favorite wine, letting the moment settle over me like a comforting blanket.Then, for what felt like the twentieth time today, Lorenzo’s phone rang."Excuse me, I have to take this," he muttered, already standing.I watched as he strode away, his back tense, voice low when he answered. I had never minded his work calls before, not when we first moved to Chicago, not when he had to step away in the middle of a meal, but lately… som
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