NICO’S POV~In the middle of the damned ocean! Lost.. all because I wasn't brave enough to save her.I stared at the beeping red dot in the middle of the vast ocean, she’s still alive, she’s moving means she’s probably stuck on an island.Lorenzo came in, “Are we ready Lorenzo?” I asked id tasked him with the purchase of a boat for her rescue, we had to go quietly.There’s been tension going around the underground world since I acquired DM Holdings, the previous owners were not too happy about the new change but they had to run everything by me now, and I had no idea what the business world is like, but pearl knows.she was a brilliant CEO at one point in her life.“Sir, there’s been a slight change of plan, we can't go, at least not right now” he argued.I turned and looked at him, “Why ever the hell not!” I snapped angrily, I'd wasted too much time.“You realise Sophia’s. life hangs on us successfully retrieving her?” I asked.“Yes sir,” he said, giving me a small nod, he was abo
PEARL’S POV~By the time I took Hunter his dinner, the other women had retired for the night.Sarah led me to his compound, inside I saw a housing area where the children sleep.“Do their mothers ever visit?” I asked, “Once every week they come to our side of the island, they will come tomorrow after your ceremony” she replied.“That’s sad Sarah, these are all your grandchildren look at them, look at what Hunter is doing to them” I appealed to her.I saw a flicker in her eyes then she kept a strange face, before we stepped in through the door she grabbed my arm.“Your questions will put us all in trouble girl, here we all belong to Hunter, even me” she said.I gasped in shock, “did he?” she looked away, “there’s no escape” she replied in defeat.“No Sarah, there is, there’s hope, there’s a boat and we need to try or we die trying, im not going to let this go, it either you get on board or I do it alone, either way, I'm going to find that boat and get out of here, this is not life, id
PEARL’S POV~The plan was set and each woman knew her role, so we set out to start the day.Preparing breakfast disgusted me, even though it was only the hunter and his men who were cannibals the women were forced to participate, he says it's good for his unborn children to crave the taste.But it nauseated them and they couldn't take it anymore.Sarah, Kira and I had gone towards the stream to fetch clean water and catch fish for breakfast, there’s no way in hell i'm eating human flesh.“You know I saw you” Sarah started, we both turned to her, “wandering around the island, I knew it was a matter of time before you were taken, lady luck wasn't on your side washing you up on this island” she commented.“Maybe not on our side, but maybe she was on yours because if we didn't come here you wouldn't know how badly you needed saving, there’s a beautiful life out there Sarah,” Kira smiled before patting her.There was a guard a few feet away watching us and we had to be careful, so as not
PEARL’S POV~The gates opened and every child ran into their mother’s waiting arms.“Lexi! Levi!” Cathy called as her twins jumped into her arms, they looked about 6 or 7 years old.I watched each mother embrace their child, as though they lived a million miles away.“You look so beautiful” I heard Sarah say to her son, I didn't know she had one.He looked older, maybe 16 or 17.It was horrifying to think about, my heart went out to her as she embraced the boy fondly.“I've missed you Mom” he started before kissing her cheeks, “I saw Dad hit you,” he sobbed.Sarah touched his cheeks, “it's nothing okay Mom’s okay are you doing okay? How are the others? What have they been teaching you?” she asked slowly, luring him away towards the back, and then they slowly disappeared.I saw Hunter come out and he gathered around with his men behind him. We killed one earlier and now there were about 6 left.With the drugs we had mixed in the food earlier, it was enough to knock them out and make o
PEARL’S POV~The bright light struck my eyes and I squinted, i raised my hand to my eyes to deflect the rays of the light before slowly getting up.What happened, I'd dreamed that Nico saved me, again.“Slowly, you hit your head pretty badly” I heard his voice, I turned immediately, “Nico” I called.He came and sat beside me, “are you alright?” he asked, raising me.I felt the soft wind blow against my face as we slowly came to, I looked around.The boat was moving on the water, I sighed, it wasnt a dream after all.But Kira…. Hunter had taken her right leg and he made me watch.I burst into tears.“Are you okay Pearl?” he asked taking my hand, I nodded and touched his face softly, “if you hadn't come when you did” I mentioned before shaking away the thoughts from my head.“Im sorry you had to go through all that, rich people can be assholes can't they, I thought Logan had held you captive on that island but the Asian lady was kind enough to explain,” he said.“She’s alive?” I asked,
NICO’S POV~Leave a life of crime? No sweet girl I can't do that, that’s all I live for, but im not going to tell her that.“How are you so calm knowing they did that to Sophia?” she asked, and that question got to me.As she raved on and on about how my lifestyle was endangering my daughter all I wanted to do was lift the weird cloth she had on and fuck her right there.“Fine,” I said stopping her, “fine?” she retorted.I nodded, “no more crimes”“I mean it Nico, I can't keep getting wrapped up in the wars you create with enemies I've never met in my life, whatever you and my ex-husband are fighting about, whatever messed up money shit you have tied me to I want out of it, for Sophie’s sake, if I die there goes her chance for survival” she chided.I hated to admit it but she was right, this war between Logan and I wasnt ending soon, he started it and I'll make sure I'll finish it with a bang.“I promise, no more life of crime, im just going to be a plain businessman now and that’s wh
PEARL’S POV~Someone was shooting at us, I ducked, my heart beating out of place as I thought of who I'd save.Kira unconscious on the floor who I've surprisingly grown extra fond of, or the man who risked his neck to save me.I saw Lorenzo and the other men rush up the stairs and soon they returned fire, I looked on the horizon to see there was another boat chasing after us.“Who the hell is that!” I heard Lorenzo ask, “I dont know, but Nico fell over!” I cried.Lorenzo didnt waste any time jumping into the water, he didnt resurface for a while and when he did he was alone.“Where is Nico!” I asked, he shook his head and dived back in, I heard Kira slowly start to come to.“What’s going on?” she asked slowly as she reached for me, “you fell, we need to get you to a hospital before you bleed out” I replied, and she nodded.“But for now I need you to go below, some people are after us and we have no idea who they are” She nodded again and soon I'd taken her below deck.I ran back up to
PEARL’S POV~ I watched them wheel Kira into the hospital, an oxygen mask over her face a nurse compressed her chest.“Is she going to be okay?” I asked in a shaky tone, “Ma'am come this way please, tell us what happened” a nurse called.She walked me toward the nurses’ station and took down all the information I could give her.Nico didnt come with me, and I knew it was more than just a war with Logan because Lorenzo was suddenly missing too.I waited for the nurse to come back with some news, she walked up to me with a worried look on her face, “Is she okay?” I asked, and she touched my arm.“Yes she is, the doctors are with her now, she had a serious infection a few more hours she would have gone into septic shock, she’s out right now but you can go in later when she’s awake” she smiled.I beamed with joy, “Oh thank you!” I hugged her.“But that’s not all, you are Pearl Cavill right?” she asked, I nodded “Yeah I am” “I need you to come with me to see Dr Thompson about Sophie D’Ang
Camille’s POV – The air stuck in my chest and im unable to breathe. Staring at my reflection, my hands trembled aggressively as I held onto the edge of my vanity. I picked up my brush and struck it at the television.“Fuck I want her dead!”My chest is pumped faster and faster as my eyes bulge out with hate. My flawlessly painted lips are pushed into a narrow line. My mind keeps repeating the headlines. ‘A Love Like No Other: DM holding owner, Nico D’Angelo and his new wife, his appointed Ceo Pearl Cavil, Survive Another Attack!" I want to yell, scream the roof down!I should be Nico’s wife not that bitch who just strutted in like she owned the place. This was meant to be handled by Kenji, but he has done a pathetic job of killing her!Simple clear instructions!Kill her and let the child Go!Pearl should be dead and decaying in a ditch, out of sight and out of fucking mind. Rather, she is alive and absorbing all the pity while draped over Nico like a tragic heroine. Oh Go
Nico’s POV ~Mr Winters is a charming man, isn't he? Suddenly logan was no longer my competition, it was a strange-looking man.Making Pearl my wife in the way I did, without raising suspicions or making Camille so on edge that she’d release my documents to my enemies was the perfect plot.It took the grace of God in me not to snap his neck in two the day I married her.He dared to kiss my wife!I've been surveilling him, scratch that've been surveilling everyone Pearl has been in contact with, forgive my obsession but I can't help it.Some have soon disappeared overnight and she would never know.Camille, I had plans for her, I just can't come through on them yet, I'll hurt anyone who hurts my wife a thousandfold and only I know that.As it prepared to take off, the private jet's engines hummed as it sat shining in the sun. August had pulled all the strings to ensure Pearl and Sophie enjoyed a sumptuous three-day getaway.Reasons I'd never know but I knew my obsession would soon urg
Pearl’s pov~Something happened last night, something I had to remember.Nico averted my gaze now and again but there was this smile that lingered too often.I excused myself to go to my room when he cleared his throat, “I had them put your things in my room since we are now married….”“No!” I interjected, “I will not be staying in the same room as you, I w…”“Then you shouldn't have said I do” he interrupted.“We share a room now and that’s final” I looked back at him, unable to understand what he was thinking.I fumed and raced up the stairs to my room.I couldn't for the life of me understand what I'd put myself into.I'm married again!I sobbed, picking up the snow globe from the dresser, I stared hard at it.I shook it and The globe whirled. I couldn't tell if the sluggish, creeping haze clouded my mind or if the wind rushing past me was to blame. I was unable to release my fingers from the around the round object, I fixated on it like my life depended on it.My mind let loose
Pearl’s POVThe D'angelo Residence had turned into an endless battlefield fought with whispers, sidelong glances, and carefully sown seeds of doubt and confusion rather than the typical swords and bloodshed. Camille was an experienced warrior in matters of this nature.She was a natural-born Amazon displaced from her people. Although Sophie had always been a bright and self-reliant child, something felt strange tonight, it lingered in the air and I could taste it. I didn't come out from my new room until later that evening when I was in there thinking about the worst.If this is a fake like Camille said then have I just destroyed my chances with August forever?Sophie, sat across from me at the dinner table, frowning and picking at her mashed potatoes, stabbing them with her fork, as if she were punishing them for something. "Not hungry, sweetheart?" I asked, attempting to sound light, she’d noticed I'd been distant all dinner long.“I overheard Aunt Camille talking,” Sophie admit
Am I in a dream or is this real?I was drifting…. My body felt weightless, stuck in a dream that didn't feel like mine, it felt like I was watching another version of me getting her happy ending.A part of me that wanted Nico too, somewhere between truth and illusion. Like a scene from a movie I wasn't sure I had agreed to star in, the wedding played out in front of me, I saw myself shocked beyond reasonable doubt, my mind in endless fractions, imagining and reimagining scenarios.Nico was in front of me, something I couldn't quite put my finger on smouldering in his black eyes. What was it that covered his beautiful hazel eyes as he gazed upon me?Love? Want? Lies? As he spoke his vows, his smooth and deep voice enchanted me.And I still couldn't believe what was happening. "I knew” he started, touching my lips softly, “from that night I saved you from that car wreck I knew you were going to be my wife” he smiled.What were these words flowing out of his mouth?“ I recognized som
NICO’S POVAll I could see was Sophie's little hand holding mine as the celebration whirled around me, complete with music, laughter, and the soft murmur of conversation. She looked excited, as though she couldn't wait for her special day.Even at the age of seven, she possessed her mother's keen gaze and quiet resolve. Her mother was Pearl, in this case, the confusion lingered.Who exactly is my daughter’s mother?"Are you certain of this? There’s no going back now Sophie, are you sure you want it" I crouched to her level and whispered. She smiled toothily at me, her loose tooth smiling at me."Don't you trust me?" she giggled.I let out a sigh and shook my head. That problem I do, a grown man trusting a child, what has the world come to?” She fled with a loud giggle, squeezing past guests like a cunning sprite, waving at them and shouting “It's my birthday!” she let out a giggle. At that moment, my grandmother came over, her shrewd eyes piercing me, she tapped my shoulders ligh
Pearl’s pov~Something is off with Nico, what did he mean by he knows they are up to something?I thought he had believed them, but still, there was a familiar disdain when he saw August coming around or calling to familiarize last-minute details with me.I had created a beautiful wonderland on the D’angelo Estate. Beautiful floral arrangements adorned the tables, a magnificent carousel had been prepared for the kids, and sparkling fairy lights streamed down the marble archways. Only Sophie, Nico D'Angelo's daughter, could have such a spectacular birthday, a birthday fit for a princess of her status, no expense was spared.I watched as they mounted a wedding podium right after it.It sickened me to watch Tilly strut around making final adjustments for what seems to be her wedding day.I navigated the crowd, feeling alienated at a party put together. Sophie's day was supposed to be today, but now her aunt had put her selfish interest and had convinced her father to follow suit.Key
Pearl’s pov~I knocked while my fingers were shaking in the dark hallway outside Nico's door, my heart beating like a machine was pounding yam on top of it. I had been caught off guard by the vow renewal, what the hell was that?How did Tilly get him to do that? And where the hell was the guard when this was going down? I should have never asked her to pretend now she thinks it's all real?But still, my mind raced endlessly and I couldn't get over it.What was this feeling I felt? Hurt?Why do I need to hear it from him? I needed clarity, I needed closure.My heart was broken, I thought we had something special together and now he is marrying a woman faking this to upgrade her lifestyle!He was wearing a black silk robe, his hair still fresh from a shower, when the door flung wide, he groaned softly, yet weakly as he held his side.The corner of his mouth tipped slightly as he saw me and he raised an eyebrow, he grinned and winced in pain again.Swiftly I walked to his side."You ju
Pearl’s POV~Sophie’s seventh birthday was just days away, and I was drowning in last-minute preparations. With Nico’s sick ass at home, Camile has been making my life miserable, and Tilly is MIA. A birthday fit for a princess—that’s what I wanted for her. Balloons, a cake so big she could barely reach the top, and a day so perfect she’d forget, even for a moment, that our lives were entangled in chaos.She hasn't needed my blood in a while, the doctor says everything is going fine, “she’s a fighter” He smiled as I fought back tears.It had been an amazing family reunion between Nico and Sophie, he seemed to remember her now but he called her my daughter too often and it made me wonder if he still thought I bore sweet Sophie.But, of course, Camille had other plans.I should’ve known, everything with her was a fight, a fight no one ever took my side for.And I was sick and tired.Everything was going smoothly until it wasn’t. Orders were mysteriously cancelled.The venue manager cal