Nico’s pov~I dove between two military trucks when the radio came on, “status” I asked. “I've called for reinforcements, I can see men mobilising I think they know we are here” Lorenzo’s voice came next.I growled in anger, this could be Tony, I never could trust that weasel to do anything.No matter how many times it sheds its skin, a snake will always be a snake.“Where is Tony? I can't reach him” Lorenzo inquired, “the bastard asked for 10%, he knows I'll kill him when this is over” I stated.Lorenzo went quiet, “ are you at the loading dock, ” I inquired.“Yes but I can't get in, it's locked, and it needs some sort of key, but I can hear voices inside, it's not just Pearl in here Boss” he mentioned.I looked around and saw a guard room, “I can see a guard room, I'll check it out, stay hidden, we can't risk being spotted, I'd like to maintain our cordial relationship with the army” I said.I snuck into the guard room and hid among the cloth rack, there were two guards and they we
PEARL’S POV~I was moved hurriedly into another room, and Logan wouldn't tell me where or why. I knew Nico would come for me and for the first time, I was grateful I signed those dotted lines.I heard murmurs outside my door and then a gunshot followed, the door opened and Liam stepped in, he hurled me out of the room, I passed Shadrach the pervert, whose head had been blown off, I smiled, happy he had gotten what he deserved.“We want you to see this pearl” Liam exclaimed pulling me to where his brother stood close to a blood-stained wall. Logan gestured for him to bring me over.Logan pointed through the shattered window and I saw Nico just a little distance away, I grinned excitedly, “Ready to hand me over aren't you? I knew you were fucked” I looked again but nothing was happening, he stood there motionless.He looked startled, “im here! Nico! Nico!” I called, he looked up to see me and he immediately looked away like I didnt exist.I was confused, my heart started beating out
PEARL’S POV~“Liam!” I exclaimed sharply, before pointing at a living breathing Kiko Watanabe, “She’s alive, they told me she’s dead, what the hell is going on here?” I asked.Kiko bowed low and left the room shortly after, “I dont understand you, You see her dont you? Shut the hell up and eat your dinner, it's going to be a long sail so get some sleep” he interjected before slamming the door behind him.What the hell is going on? Did Nico lie to me? I just saw Kiko, living and breathing!She’s been working with them all this while, what did I expect from a woman who had been deceiving me from the start, but I heard the gunshot?I tried to recall the last thing I remembered before I fell unconscious that day. I felt terrified and confused all at once, plunged into a life of crime.I looked around the room, there was a small round window, I walked towards it and peered out of it.All I could see was the ocean, how did my life go downhill? Tears streamed down my face as little Sophie
PEARL’S POV~“What do you mean her sister” I paused, I never knew Kiko had a twin, all my time with her I was so concentrated on my problems and I never asked her about her life, a shocking surprise to know she was the kaichou wife.“I'll tell you everything, but first we need to escape from here, I've got to go now, I'll come back later tonight with a plan, from now on when you see me act neutral, Liam can't know who I am,” she said.I was confused, “but he was there when Kiko….he betrayed us” I explained.“He was just as surprised but I was able to convince him,” “But how? Kiko was shot!” I exclaimed, “Yes and that was how convincing I needed to be” she informed me, “oh God did you shoot yourself?” I inquired placing my hand against the door.“This is nothing compared to the pain our mother feels, kiko was supposed to come home for Good, she had a son waiting for her, I haven't seen my sister since we were 16, she was sold off by our father to work off his debt” she paused.“I'll b
PEARL’S POV~As we watched on I saw the men below arrange a rafter in the ocean below, the wind blew and it was mighty.“I think there’s going to be a storm tonight,” Liam mentioned, he pulled me close and I was instantly irritated, I managed a smile and I looked away almost immediately before stylishly backing away from him.“Oh look I think it's started!” I exclaimed excitedly, “Thank you for bringing me up here Liam, I needed it,” I said.He smiled, he was about to lean over to kiss me when his phone rang and I was thankful for the distraction.“Stay right here pearl, dont move from this spot, dont make me have to take you back downstairs. Dont bother trying to find help, everyone is directed to report to the captain and you know what that means” he mentioned.It means im fucked if I dont do this right, I nodded, “yeah ill stay right here” I replied.As he walked away he took occasional glances until he was a distance away where I couldn't hear his conversation.I watched on as I t
PEARL’S POV~ THE MISSION: DUPLICATE THE KEY AND HAND IT TO AKIRABack when I was The Ceo of my own company when I needed shit done and employees were being useless I took the reins and I had to do it myself.I guess that’s what I have to do right now, locked up in this space with Liam.I looked around, there was a vent and that was our only source of oxygen.“God pearl! Why can't you just listen? Now look!” he thundered before kicking the door. “maybe take a breather, someone should be by soon” I replied putting on my shirt and buttoning the lower half.I can still salvage this.“No one uses this passageway didnt you notice? No one came through this way without my say so and now we are fucking stuck God!” he groaned in frustration.I could tell he wanted it, his ego was probably wounded by my rejection and now he didnt want to seem too desperate for me, but from the way he kissed me I could tell he still wanted me.“Maybe it's a sign?” I questioned, he turned giving me a puzzled loo
PEARL’S POVI waited anxiously that night after I'd skillfully discharged Liam who wanted more, but the gig was up and I didnt have it in me to prostitute myself any further.“Are you sure you are okay?” he asked. " Yeah, I just need to rest for a bit. I'll be good as new in the morning,” I replied with a smile.He pulled me close and kissed me, “I guess this changes how I see things now” he smiled, “Get some rest I'll see you in the morning”I waved at him as he closed the door behind me, I heard the key click twice, and I rolled my eyes.Still a prisoner Liam, Nothing has changed, but im going to change my fate and im not leaving it to chance.I paced the room as time passed, my mind in a thousand places at once. " Where the hell is Kira?” I asked myself. I couldn't see much outside the window, just a small part of the ocean and the bright full moon.There was no clock in my room, no tv either, I was damn near going crazy and I had to do something to make it stop, but I couldn't.Di
NICO’S POV~“Hurry Nico!” my grandmother’s voice rang over and over in my head.How did my pet snake get out? Who else knows the combination of her cage?“I have a rat in the house,” I said to Lorenzo who nodded.I didn't want to tell him the truth I discovered about my shipment but I could smell a set-up.Pearl……… my mind wandered to her, calling my name, calling me to save her.I instructed, “Call Adam and tell him he needs to come back home. His time in Malta has expired. I need him home.”“What about the deal with the Maltese Mafia?”’ Lorenzo asked, a bit shocked.I was shocked too, but I needed to recall everyone and stop all operations until I could gather all the information I needed.“Someone is fucking with me, and it's not about Kenji and Logan or Tony, No this person knows far too much I think Langdon is alive and has found a way to contact Camille, I want her watched without her notice, his biggest mistake was calling me” I finished.“But Don, Langdon is dead, you killed h
PEARL’S POV~“Im sorry im what!” What am I hearing? Is this a prank? Perhaps a dream.But how? It's just been a month since I married Nico and honestly, I thought i could never get pregnant not after the last time.My heart pounded against my ribs as I gazed at the physician."Congratulations," he repeated. I looked at his identity card. “Dr Gibson, you are mistaken; I'm not pregnant.” He chuckled, his voice softer this time, as if he were worried I would lose it totally from confusion. "Yes, you are. You're pregnant."The impact of the words was far greater than that of any bullet, betrayal, or fall that had become a part of my identity for so long.I'm expecting a child…. This was the last thing I ever thought could possibleI felt my gut turn around and my knees sway. The whole room swayed, but the door slammed open with a crash before I could comprehend it."Pearl!" The hospital wing was filled with August's voice.I turned just in time to see him lunging through the doorway, ga
Lorenzo’s pov~I followed the van closely, and soon we headed for the Bronx. I sent a message to Adam, and he wasted no time arranging enforcers.I got out of my car and slid into the shadows. I watched them hurl both women out of the car and into a house that looked like it had not been lived in years.I quietly snuck in just as the door was about to close.I walked over to a dark corner just as one of the guards moved to shut the door.“Well, lucky me killing two birds with one stone, bring them over here.” I heard Camille's voice next.I hid and peered through the darkness to see what would happen next, I couldn't take on the guards in here without help, all I could do was hope Adam came just in time to save them.She injected both women with something and soon I could see them groaning as they came to.“Hello, Pearl,” she started with a smile. Pearl turned around just in time to catch her disdain, “what the hell! Where is Sophie?” she yelled not caring about herself.She was a sel
PEARL’S POV~Devina finally left.And this time, no drama at least Not in a big way. No flipping hair in my face, No last dig on my personality.She just looked in both directions, hung her belly in the air and left.I guess that's the last I'll see of her, I take it means she’s not going to attend the pageant. Leaving the disposable phone like a corpse. I sat still. Listening. Reflecting. Making a plan. Camille had always been the one. Behind the glass at all times. behind the mask In the back of this twisted, decaying labyrinth. Used people conveniently like Nora, Langdon’s daughter.But wait, the story is getting me more and more confused.Think Pearl what are the facts,he made Nico who he is, meaning my bastard of a husband owes him fuck all, but what happened between them that has led them down the rabbit hole.First, he was black and now white?Who is Langdon Mosely What have I really found, everything always led to Camille and Nico.Who sent the bomb and why was Camille
PEARL’S POV~For a heart as loud as mine the city was too silent. I should have let it go and gone home. Devina said something that didn't sit well with me.Her anxiety had been too convenient, and her eyes had darted too quickly from Me Lorenzo.She claimed that Camille was "crazy," but Devina and her fiance feared being controlled more than anything. She was terrified of Camille My mind still wasn't at ease, if she's communicating with her, I also wanted to hear Camille's lies. So, I told Lorenzo and Adam that I needed air and slid into the closest taxi, guiding it to the small private airport, rather than returning to the apartment.According to Devina's itinerary, her flight was departing from New York to Paris tonight. A vacation. A clean break. Not at all. This late, the terminal was silent. A couple of pilots milled about, and an attendant who looked drowsy waved me through after thinking I was a Davis-Malone. I didn't try to correct her, I smiled and walked right in. If
PEARL’S POV~It was hard convincing August to go along with my plan seeing how worried he was about me.“This isn't right Pearl, you almost died in that station and now you are off again to find Camile, are you sure this is not about Nico?” he asked, stopping me just as I was about to grab the door knob.“Everything I've been through has been all about Nico, don't you get it?” I scoffed, “Everything!” I exclaimed.“But I can't leave Sophie to pay for his misgivings, she’s a harmless angel August, im not letting her die” I continued as the thoughts of Sophie entered my mind.“Fine but I'm coming with you Pearl and I mean it” I sighed and turned to him, I took his hand and pulled him close to me.“I need you back at the office August, everyone is counting on us to make this pageant a reality, this is my legacy im not letting Nico steal this from me, I'm respected enough to be included in the inner circles, I'm not letting that go for a bastard who took great pride in ruining my life”
Pearl’s POV~When I awoke, the harsh smell of hospital antiseptic and the soft buzz of machines greeted meThe ceiling was excessively white and it burned my eyes. I felt a wave of nausea wash through me and the urgent need to throw up stung my gut. My chest hurt the most, but my entire body felt as if I had been struck by a train. My hands were chilly and rigid beneath the blankets, and my fingernails were still dry from the blood. I was definitely in the hospital, the smell was too distinct to ignore.Once more I'm in the hospital because of Nico, my life keeps getting worse with each passing day. I kept thinking about Nico's blood, Camille's sneer, the station, oh my God the explosion. The monitor next to me beeped more quickly, and my breath caught the attention of the nurse outside the door. A nurse entered, the same one Nico fucked right in front of me, smiling politely. "Now that you're safe and awake, Miss Pearl, you need to relax, okay?”I felt a dull agony clamp acros
PEARL’S POV~Like fingers pulling secrets through the air, smoke coiled through the station's hallways.I took off running.The whole building had shaken from the blast, and now sirens were screaming everywhere. My mind was racing, and my ears were ringing."Nico!" As I ran down the west wing hallway, one palm to my ear, I shouted into the comms. "Do you see him, Lorenzo?, there’s so much smoke I can't see him!”I tried to look through the dust but all I could do was cough and my eyes were blinded from all the debris lingering in the air.Breathless, Lorenzo answered, "No! Not yet, but pearl all I can see is blood, Lots of it”I froze as I turned a corner, blood, does that mean?My body quivered in fear as I stepped into a pool of red thick blood.It soaked into the white tile in a pool, still warm. The wall was marred with smudged handprints that looked like someone trying to crawl. Iron, smoke, and something worse clung to the air.But, there was nobody, no Nico.I looked around
NICO’S POV~The interrogations were no easy feat, I'd been hammered by different officers wanting to know everything.How I started my empire and who my mentors were.How long have I been doing all of this?They wanted to know how long I've been Nicolas D’angelo, the feared don of the entire New York City.More painful than the handcuffs on my wrists was the chilly air inside this flimsy holding cell, now that the bribes have stopped they no longer respect me.Even though my blood was boiling, I continued to focus on the grey metal table below me with my head down and my hands folded. I sensed Pearl, Adam, and Lorenzo were observing, their comma open waiting to hear every secret spill. Especially pearl…I considered them All rats in what they believed to be a maze, a maze each one was determined to get out of. They can never know Camille, not the way I know her.The first night I met her, her adopted father was my mentor, and if I was visiting him for some wise words, back when ton
Lorenzo’s pov~My strategy was already underway by the time evening arrived. Despite the tense atmosphere in the precinct, I navigated it with ease, no one knew who I was.I had disguised myself as though I was one of them.Every utterance, every muttered command, was a meticulously practised lie to get what I wanted. And by Tonight, Nico D'Angelo would be taken into custody. All this was a plan to lure Camille Devaux, and that bastard Langdon out of hiding and right now if all went according to plan we could succeed andSophie would be home by breakfast. I rested against the wall on the other side of the glass briefing room. Pearl's strained, hoarse voice echoed from within, and Adam sat beside her, clearly worn out. Nico? Like a trapped panther too astute to think this wasn't another treachery, he was pacing, glancing from one person to the other.All he knew was we had given him up willingly.And for that, He was not mistaken. To save his daughter Sophie, I had to betray him.