CHAPTER TENNICKOLASI watch the glass cup that was just in my hand a few seconds ago bounce off the wall and come crashing down in tiny pieces all across the floor. The anger I feel in my soul at this very moment can burn up a room and of course it was caused by her, I mean who else could make me feel this way. Fourteen years down the line and I still hated her just as much as I did the first time I realized what she had done. If anyone told me I would have this much hatred for Lily when we first met I would have blatantly denied it because She was the first person that made me feel the word “love”. I remember the day I first ran into her like it was yesterday.The weather was so cool that afternoon, the sun was at the right height in the sky and everything felt good. I decided to accompany my dad that day for one of his meetings, he told me he would be delivering something at a house and I would just wait for him then we could go and grab ice cream afterwards.The house we drove i
CHAPTER ELEVENLILYI watch my father as he paces around the room, he has been on phone call after phone call ever since he was released. I told him how I had talked to Nickolas and he was livid with anger but I make him understand that I have seen through his fraud. I do not go into the details with him about what I and Nickolas talked about, I guess because a part of me still thinks there can be a possibility that he might just be right. Stupid, I cannot even believe I am thinking of this right now after all he has done. This has always been how it is with me, always trying to seek out the good in people. My mind keeps on playing the events of that night back to me and a part of me wishes I had summoned the courage to support Nickolas the last time I saw him when we were kids. I wish I had not waited till I got inside the house like I had done.I remember standing in the living room waiting for my father when I got into the house. He spent quite a long time outside talking with Ni
CHAPTER TWELVENICKOLASI hear my phone ringing beside me as I stir on the bed. Who could possibly be calling me at this hour? I definitely had not made any plans today because I desperately need this rest, It has been an exceptionally busy week.I look down at my phone and see her name pop up. Lily. What could she want with me now? Our last call had not ended on a very good note so why was she reaching out to me now. What scheme and lies has she conjured up this time?I sit up on the bed and pick up the phone, putting it on speaker as I reach across the bed for my shirt. “Is it not a bit too early for us to get under each other's skins or you could not just wait a few hours to hear my voice.” I say with all the sarcasm I can muster.That seemed to have thrown her off guard and I wait for her response.“I am definitely not calling to hear your voice. If I had my way I would never want to hear it again.”“So why are you calling then?”“It is about the boat cruise.”“The boat cruise?”
CHAPTER THIRTEENLILYWhat did he mean by what he just said? I probably should not have even called him. He always finds a way to get under my skin. God how much I hate him right now. I get up from the chair I am sitting on and the chair falls on the ground due to how fast I get up. I stand there for a few seconds looking at it, completely lost and confused. I bend over to pick it up and that is when I see my father standing right there at the door. “That was him right?” he says as he sees that I had noticed his presence. I do not know how long he has been standing in that spot. “You keep on looking for every opportunity you can to defy me. Don’t you? At every chance you get you keep on bringing me disgrace.” He raves“That is not what I was trying to do.” I say in a small voice“Okay then. Tell me what you were trying to do.” he says as he walks into the room “tell me what was so important that you had to discuss with that lowlife.”I am a bit hesitant to talk because I know how m
CHAPTER FOURTEENNICKOLASI buzz Scot into the building and walk over to the door to unlock it for him to be able to come in. I called him earlier for us to talk. I need him to look into a couple of things for me and I need to talk to him as well. Scot has been my best friend for over 10 years now. We met shortly after I moved to the City and we had been through thick and thin together.His parents took me in as their own and cared for me like a son, even on days when I had no place to sleep. Everything I am today I owe a lot of it to Scot.I see him waltz in through the door holding up a crate of beer. “Are you ready?” He says loudly. “Not today Scot I have a lot to do.” I am laughing as I reply to him. He has always been a free spirited soul, sometimes I found it hard to believe he was even a detective, maybe that is what makes him so good at his job.“What do you have to do? I thought we were just watching the game today.” he says as he sets down the drinks and grabs one to open.
CHAPTER FIFTEENLILYI empty out the box I am trying to pack for what will be the 3rd time in frustration. What am I even doing? Maybe my father is actually right. I had no business going for this cruise, I should have just accepted Nickolas' offer to cancel. Now here I was fighting with a box and a wardrobe looking for what to wear all to no avail. I mean how does one even pack for a boat cruise with an enemy. Would I be needing Knives?Refusing to go at this point after I had already sent my address out to him is definitely not something that would do me any favors. No. I have to see this one through. I pluck out my beautiful flowing silver dress and stuff it into my box. I pick out my favorite sundress that always seems to enhance my shape anytime I wear it and toss it in the bag as well. It is just a two day trip, I can survive two days at sea with that bastard. I am no more than that fragile girl he once knew, I am grown now and fully determined to show him.I finally pick up my
CHAPTER SIXTEENNICKOLAS“Where exactly are we going?” She asks as we drive along the road.“Scared much?” I reply as I look at her. I see her face turn into a frown. She has her pouting face on, the same one she always had on when we were kids and I said something to get under her skin. I always considered her cute when she did that.I catch myself constantly stealing glances at her. Earlier I had caught a whiff of the scent I had gotten her when we were younger, she still wears it and I had wondered why for a bit.“What is so funny and why are you smiling?” she asks out of the blues. I did not even realize that I was smiling and so I fix up my face. “You still wear it.” I say, without looking at her.“What are you talking about?” “The perfume. I would recognize the scent anywhere.”She says nothing but I can feel her eyes stealing glances at me and I can feel the rise in the rate of my heartbeat.This was not the time to get déjà vu. I was on a mission and one I had to do.Her ph
CHAPTER SEVENTEENLILY“You rented a yacht?” I blurt out.“Nope. I own a yacht.” He says as he smirks at me.Looking at this thing I still can not believe my eyes, It is huge. With its gleaming white hull and majestic lines, the yacht’s exterior was simply majestic. Its exterior had a captivating blend of timeless design and contemporary sophistication. At the bow, a sleek and pronounced figurehead, carved with intricate details, gazed steadfastly forward, evoking a sense of purpose and determination across the open waters. The hull, which looks expertly crafted from the finest materials, bore a subtle glimmer in the moonlight, a testament to the meticulous care and craftsmanship that had gone into her construction.It indeed looked so massive and beautiful sitting on the dock.“Pardon me if I am a bit lost for words.” I say as i catch him staring at me. I must have been admiring the yacht for too long. “I have a thing for ships.”He smiles at me and then extends his hands out.“Are
EPILOGUE SCOT SIX MONTHS LATER I could feel the wind in my face and the harsh glare of the sun on my skin. I inhaled, sighing at how content and fulfilled I felt with the woman in my arms. It has been six months since everything went down… six months since my life changed for the better and since I realized I would live and die for the woman I held in my arms. We had gone on this holiday after cutting all her ties with the clan and bidding them farewell. She was no longer with that life and the danger it entailed. She had no idea of course about everything I had planned for today and I could not wait to see the look on her face when she realizes that I am going to ask her today to complete me for as long as the world and our lives continue. I turned to the left, to the man holding the signal and he winked in my direction to let me know that everything was in place and it was time for the commotion. “Hey baby” I whispered in her ear, feeling her stir and open her eyes. “I think
ONE HUNDRED AND FIVECATALINADespite all the air flowing all around in the open yard I can feel myself struggling to get air into my system, the whole atmosphere around is so tense as both Dante and Scot face off in the middle of the square.This looks extremely familiar to me, I have watched so many fights take place in this same yard during my training but none of them held as high a stake as this. Everything is hanging on this showdown, whatever happens here is definitely going to change a lot of things drastically.“You came,” Dante says to Scot, “I see you are not a coward after all. Just a man with a death wish.”“Yes I have a death wish, but not mine.” Scot says laughing,I can tell Dante is furious by the blank look he has on his face as he turns to me, he still has the same expressions from when we were younger.“So this is it, your plan is to challenge me with this lowlife.” he says, addressing me.“He is not a lowlife.” I reply,“And now you defend him. What went wrong, Ca
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURSCOT“You should get dressed.” I tell her as I get up from the bed and begin to search for my clothes which are strewn across the floor.I can see the fear in her eyes as she clutches tightly onto the sheets and speaks,“No, please, you can’t go. This will be suicide.”Looking at her as I grab my shoes from the corner of the room and begin to put it on“I do not think we have a choice anymore, you heard what they said.”“There’s always a choice,” she says, getting up and rushing to kneel right in front of me as I put on my shoes. “We can run, go anywhere else but here, that’s a choice.”Her eyes tell me that she means everything that she says as they reflect the deep pain and worry which she feels right now.“Are you willing to elope with me?” I ask,“Yes.” She says without hesitation, cupping my face in her hands. “I will go with you wherever and we will be able to get away from them.”For the first time in a long time I understand what this feeling is no
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND THREECATALINAHe sleeps so soundly.I have a smile on my face as I look at Scot’s face as he lay there with his eyes closed. Last night was extremely draining for the both of us as I recall the nasty things we did to each other all through. Some of the best sex I have ever had in this life is definitely with this man who is laying here clutching on to my naked body. He had not let me go all night, the memory of me disappearing on him like the last time definitely still haunts him but this time is different though, I have no plans of doing such. I love it here, snuggling closer to him.“Is that how you always stare or am I just that special?” he asks, with his eyes still closed.“You are awake.”“Yes, I could feel you looking.”“Sorry I woke you,”“It’s fine, you could have been more creative about it though.” he says,“Oh really.” I reply, gliding my hands into the bedspread that covered our bodies and tracing his abs till I reach his lower region.The gasp escape
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND TWOSCOT“Do you want to get out of here?” she asks, out of the blues.The question takes me by surprise as I stand there still looking at her. Before I can say anything she grabs my hand and begins walking really fast towards the exit. Watching her from behind, it is a surprise she is moving as fast as she is in that dress and those heels she has on. She looks extremely hot.We get out of the club and turn right, continuing our little stroll in silence as the music blasting from the club gets more and more distant, eventually fading away completely. A brief look behind us reveals to me that we are being followed by the men who had thrown out the madman at the club earlier.“Friends of yours?” I ask, as we continue walking.“More like CCTV.” she replies, without bothering to turn around.“I count three of them, don’t you think that’s too much for your security? I mean you did say you can take care of yourself after all.” I say, shooting the snide remark in her dire
CHAPTER HUNDRED AND ONECATALINAThe room is spinning right now in my mind as I struggle to get my thoughts together. It’s harder to do thanks to the mixture of alcohol coursing through my veins and the shock that I can still feel reverberating through my entire system as I see him standing in front of me.This all feels like a dream, a trance that I am not sure what to make of. Is he really here? I am tempted to reach out and touch him in order to confirm but I try my best to hold myself. Scot in Italy? What the fuck could he possibly be doing here? Especially now that I am trying to let go of the past, trying to forget the one man that has consistently ruled my thoughts for the past week and now here he is standing before me once again.Short of words right now as my brain is still processing all of what is happening, trying to make sense of it. All I can do now is stare at this gorgeous hunk of a man standing before me. In the sim light of the club, all his features seem more prono
CHAPTER ONE HUNDREDSCOTA week…Seven days I have spent here and still I haven’t been able to get in contact with her. I know where she is but then I also know if I show up over there I am going to be dead before I will have the opportunity to even get to see her face. Javier is definitely not going to stand for it.Making enquiries about them had all led to the same thing.Stay away from the Vega’sEveryone I had asked turned out to be scared of them, even all of Nickolas’s contacts that I had reached out to when I first landed hung on me when they heard the name I was asking about. I knew they were a big deal in Italy but I never thought it would be up to this.What was I expecting though? Javier runs the biggest crime syndicate in the country, Of course they were feared.Recalling what Pascal; the man I had spoke to yesterday said,“If you keep on asking about the Vega’s you will end up dead, besides how good could the pussy have been for you to want to fly over from the states fo
CHAPTER NINETY NINECATALINA“I don’t think I should give you more drinks, anymore and you will be puking your guts out by the side of the road.” the bartender says to me,“Oh come on, I deserve it.” I say in between giggles, “After what I have gone through in the past couple of days, I most definitely need it.”He gives me a look and I reply with a pleading look of my own.“Pleaseee” I say, mustering the biggest baby eyes I can manage to pull in the state that I am in.“Fine,” he says, “two more and then no more. I will have the men take you home.”“You are no fun, let loose a little. I know that’s why I am here.” I say,“Well I am on duty, this isn’t as fun for me as it appears to be for you.” he says, chuckling.“How about me and you having a little fun?” I say, winking at him and putting on my best flirtatious smile.He looks back at me as he gets what I am hinting at.and a smile breaks across his face. Even in the dim light of the bar, I can tell how handsome of a man he is with
CHAPTER NINETY EIGHTSCOTWe all stand around in a circle with Javier’s man in the center of the room and the bag by his side. I do not want to let him out of my sight as we wait for the arrival of Javier. He had already made a phone call earlier and had indicated that he was already on his way. I told a couple of men to keep an eye on the entrance of the building so we would know exactly when they were coming.Finally he will be here soon and we will be able to settle all of this nasty business once and for all. My top priority is Catalina but in the event that the opportunity to take both her and Javier in safely arrives then I will take it as well. It will be a very big arrest for the department and I am sure the chief will be willing to look past the stealing of drugs and some of the other things I have done to achieve the goal. Catalina is the first priority though, all other things are secondary. Once I have her then we can figure the others out.Here I am risking my entire exis