"I do love you, Ivy," Zeus confessed. I dropped my fork in shock. How the Hell do you respond to someone like this? He's forcing me to stay here, telling me he's going to take my son once he's born, and now expects me to believe him? "I want to trust you," I lied. He guided my chin to meet his gaze. My heart stopped as I looked down at one of the largest diamonds I'd ever seen on a ring. "Marry me, Ivy," Zeus proposed. My eyes widened in shock. He's insane. "Marry me, Ivy," he repeated, "Cartier Destinee Solitaire, Platinum with 4.99 carats." I couldn't move as he slid the ring on my wedding ring finger. "I need Eric and Tanya." He froze, and I could see the unhappiness on his face. "Why? I can give you what they never could." "They're my family," I gritted, "I need them. I'm sorry, but my connection to them will never disappear. Let them move here if you want me to forgive you." He shook his head in dismay, "That's too much to ask." I added, "Tanya's son is of
"Wait-" Dimitri pressed his lips to mine once more. I tried to speak, but the invasion of his tongue on mine silenced me. A familiar taste and desire came flooding back over me. I freed myself briefly from the hold he had on me. "He'll kill anyone who touches me," I warned. "He won't kill me," he reassured, "He'll just punish me." "I don't want you getting hurt," I reasoned. He placed his lips to mine and began devouring me. His rough, familiar fingers slid gently over my sex; he felt so good that I hadn't realized how much I missed his touch. "I should have known you couldn't keep your hands off of her," Zeus's booming voice interrupted. Dimitri briefly froze, then continued. "Are you crazy?" I pushed Dimitri off of me. "No, keep going," Zeus commanded. "What?" I cried. "Dimitri knows he'll be punished, but I'll let him fuck you this last time," Zeus smirked. "You'll let him fuck me-" Dimitri kissed me so deeply and passionately that I couldn't help
"Tanya! Eric!" I cried while running into their embrace. "Hi!" they both jinxed. "Let's go get something to eat! I saw this amazing sushi bar not far from here!" Tanya offered. "No," Zeus declined. Tanya diverted her gaze to him. A look of annoyance overcame her, and she didn't try to hide it. "I was talking to Ivy. Not you." Zeus clenched his jaw before turning back into his home. "I'd love to go," I agreed. We hastily began running back towards the car. "Ivy!" Zeus hollered. I froze in my tracks, my eyes closing shut in fear. I felt his rough hand on mine before turning me around. Instead of cruelty, he placed something familiar in my hand. "Don't forget your phone," he said, "Call if you need me." He pecked me on my cheek as I tried my best not to lean away. I rushed into the car's back seat, eager to leave this place. "Can we please leave!" I pleaded. They both looked back at me in confusion. "What's wrong, Ivy?" Tanya asked. "Please just go! Go ba
"What the Hell are you doing here?!" I shouted, "How did you know where I was?!" "That's not important," Zeus dismissed as he and two suit-clad bodyguards accompanied him on approach. I thought you were running." Smack! My eyes widened in shock when I saw Tanya's palm come into contact with Zeus's face. "Who the Hell do you think you are?!" she defended. "I'm the man whose roof you're living under now," Zeus answered, "Come with me, Ivy. Your friends can follow behind my bodyguards." I backed away, and he seized my wrist with a vicious jerk. "Get your hands off of her!" Tanya hollered. She tried to lunge at Zeus, but his bodyguards intervened. "Bring them in your car, and one of you bring theirs up to the house instead," Zeus victoriously smirked. "Wait-" Zeus climbed me over his shoulder and marched back to his car. The sight of anger was in both of my friends' eyes. "I'll see you at the mansion!" I hollered with a half-assed wave. I didn't want them to wo
When he put Eric and Tanya on the fifth floor opposite me, Zeus made his intentions known. Even though they were here, I couldn't have immediate access to them, and I could easily get lost trying to find their rooms. "Hey, beautiful!" Tanya greeted me while walking into my room, holding a tray full of fruit with melted chocolates, jams, and whipped cream, "I brought a special treat! Made it myself!" I ran over to help her with the tray. It looked heavy from all the fruit she had piled on it. "I thought we could talk, hang out," she smiled. We got situated on my bed when I saw Eric not coming through the door. "Where's Eric?" I asked. "He's hanging out with Reign and Dimitri. Trying to understand Zeus better," she answered. "Okay," I hesitated. "Don't worry," she consoled, "Eric's smart, he'll be okay." I took a deep breath before Tanya shoved a white chocolate-dipped strawberry into my mouth. The intense sweetness followed by the rush of sourness was refreshing. I
"Zeus?!" I shouted, "Eric?!" "I ran into Eric in the kitchen and found out he didn't have a tuxedo for next week's wedding rehearsal," Zeus commented. "Wait, what? What wedding rehearsal?" I questioned. "Our wedding rehearsal is next Saturday," he explained, "Since Eric is going to be here, he has to attend the wedding. He is your best friend, after all." I froze while still straddling Tanya in confusion. What the Hell was he talking about? We never discussed having our wedding, let alone having a wedding rehearsal, and in just one week?! Was this man losing his mind or trying to make me angry? I crawled off of Tanya in a hurry. "May I talk to Zeus Alone for a moment, you guys?" I asked. Tanya and Eric looked as though they wanted to stay but understood with one look from me that I was serious. I folded my arms over my chest as the door closed behind them. "What the Hell? I don't remember you speaking to me about any of this! We never discussed when we were getting marrie
"It might help if you describe to us what style you're looking for," the female representative explained, "That way, we can find a selection of dresses you can try on. If you dislike the style, we can always try something different." "Something not so white," I tried to express myself, "Do you have anything red or black? Or both?" The female representative made an uncomfortable smile, "I can have a look to see what we have." Once she left, I stopped my fake smile and looked at the champagne; I could use a drink. "Jeez," Tanya expressed, "Black? Do you think anywhere will carry that type of dress?" "I don't care," I scoffed. I caved; I needed a drink. I began pouring a glass. "What are you doing?!" Tanya rushed and pulled the glass from my grasp, "You're pregnant!" I covered my face. If only I could express how unhappy I was about this, but if I did, she'd convince me to run here and now, and I wouldn't hesitate to follow. "Then add a ton of ice and fill most of it wi
It was the night before our wedding rehearsal. To say I was nervous was an understatement. The thought of marrying Zeus so soon made my stomach turn in knots to the point where I was throwing up every day. I blamed it on morning sickness. Why was he pressing so hard? What was the point? If everything he said was true, why did he want to marry me so soon? Yes, his explanation was sound, but why the hard push? "You look stunning!" Tanya beamed, "That dress is perfect for tomorrow!" "I mean, she did put a rush on all the dresses. I'm surprised she got all four done in such a short amount of time," I commented. I love how our dresses are nearly identical—just the sleeves are different." "So expensive," she added. "Yeah, never had a dress so nice, not even when Callista and Dimitri bought them," I concurred. Knock. Knock. Knock. "Come in," I called. Eric entered my room. He was so handsome. His wet, loose, touseled hair fell around his face. He was wearing a black suit wi
How could such a man be so naive? I never gave him an answer. Instead, I left the room and went back to my own. I knew it bothered him, me not answering. From the looks of it the following morning, it drove him crazy. Zeus made me a luxurious breakfast, eagerly awaiting an answer, which I still refuse to give. "Why not, Ivy?" Zeus pressed. I bit into the juicy strawberry. The hint of sweetness followed by the rush of jaw-clenching sour made everything much more enjoyable. "I like you son more than I like you," I admitted, "And Dimitri." "What if I told you they aren't who you thought they were," Zeus reasoned. Narrow-eyed, I annoyedly glared at him, "What do you mean?" "What if I told you they knew I was alive all along, and we made a bet," Zeus added. "What type of bet?" I pressed. "Now that takes the fun out of the bet," he taunted. "Fuck you," I scoffed while hastily rushing back to my room. Zeus always knew how to lift me and get under my skin. "Asshole,"
Everything was such a blur. I don't remember what happened. Zeus was pinning me down, then nothing. I blinked; it was dark, and only the roaring fire lit up the dark far corners of the room. This was Zeus's room. My throat was dry. I could barely breathe. I tried rolling over when something caught on my wrist. "What the fuck?" I yanked again, this time hearing metal clanking. Both my wrists and ankles were shackled to the four-poster bed frame. "You're awake," Zeus commented. Looking at him furiously, I could prop myself on my elbows and say, "Let me go, now!" "No," he denied. "Now-" "No one is here, so there's no point to scream," he interrupted. "Why the Hell did you shackle me to your bed frame!" I shouted, "I would have fucked you if that's what you wanted, but instead, you knock me out. I began coughing uncontrollably, and Zeus rushed to my aid, raising the water glass to my mouth to quench my thirst. "You knew you would be punished," he reminded. "How do y
"Do you like frustrating me? Making me angry? Toying with my emotions?" Zeus growled upon approaching me. "Yes," I teased, "You look like a hurt little puppy." "What about these past five years? Does that not matter? Have the nights we spent together meant nothing?" Zeus questioned. "I do love that the boys have father figures in their lives, but I already spoke to them about it, and they want to move back as well," I sighed, "As for the nights, a woman needs sex too." "Their children!" Zeus's anger grew, his eyes turning dark. "If you're doing this to get back at me, I'm sorry. I've been apologizing to you for the past five years. Can you not see that?" While sauntering over to Zeus, my eyes locked onto his. The fury beckoning behind them made me want to do conniving things. I took his glass of whiskey and downed its contents. "I do see it, and I don't care if it hurts you," I lied. Zeus gripped my wrist; this time, it was painful, not in a fun way. "Ah!" I winced.
My bar was engulfed in roaring flames. Tears streamed down my cheek as Veronica tried to deviate when the fire department arrived and finally extinguished the fire. I stood there, listening to people speak about property insurance and the time it would take to rebuild everything that had burned. "Ivy!" Zeus hollered, running up to me. "What are you doing here?!" I panicked, "Aodhan-" "Ariel called your phone, and she told me what happened. She's watching him," he reassured. His eyes widened in shock, and he looked at the catastrophe the fire left behind in its wake. Zeus was about to speak when he pulled aside the man trying to talk to me about the building. My blank expression spoke volumes. Hours passed in a blur, and Zeus returned home with me. "So it seems, perhaps three years, the bar can be rebuilt. They have to tear everything down and start from scratch," Zeus explained. "So, I lost everything?" I whispered. "No, Ivy," Zeus looked at me, trying his
"What?!" Zeus snapped. "You heard me. If I let you be a part of my boys' lives, then there would be no need for a DNA test, right?" I repeated. The rage building behind his eyes gave me the satisfaction I needed in this situation. "Why is it such a big deal about knowing who their father is?" he diverted. "Why do you care if I allow you to be in their lives without issue?" I debated. "She's not wrong," Ariel giggled while pecking me on the cheek. "Hey, now, she's not all yours, you know," Zeus reminded, I began to kiss Ariel passionately. "All right, fine, I concede," Zeus surrendered. Ariel and I began to laugh hysterically like candy from a baby. "I suppose me offering you to stay in Ireland with me is out of the question?" he asked. "Not necessarily; we could always use it to escape the city," I smirked, "Keep it." Ariel scurried off to work, and success reared its corner when I could see the jealousy in Zeus's eyes. "It doesn't bother you that I fuck Di
I could not sit at the dinner table and keep my thoughts to myself. I hadn't drunk since giving birth, but today, I was having a liquid dinner, whiskey. "You sure you don't want any lasagna?" Zeus offered. "It's delicious, Mom," Aodhan agreed while placing his dish near the sink. However, he was still too short to reach past the countertop. "Yes, baby, why don't you go with Ariel and get ready for bed?" I ordered. "but mom-" "No, but baby," I groaned. "Come on, I know a great movie we can watch before bed tonight," Ariel beamed while tickling Aodhan to the bathroom. "Come on, Ivy," Zeus grumbled while filling the dishwasher, "Do you need to be so dismissive? He was having a good time, and you shut him down." "Who the Hell do you think you are?!" I spat while grabbing the crystal pitcher full of whiskey. I stumbled up the stairs to a separate bedroom that wasn't my own. I knew what would happen tonight; I knew what Zeus wanted. I might enjoy it myself. I giggle whil
Knowing what Zeus could do made trusting any doctor with my blood work nearly impossible. He could manipulate anything to his will, which was infuriating. Rowan didn't look like him; I don't know what he looked like when he was younger. Reign and Dimitri were doing everything they could to help me cope with the current situation, but all it did was make me sick. It made me wish I could shoot Zeus again. "Ivy? Ivy?!" Ariel's voice broke my concentration. I blinked back to reality, her soft hand tenderly caressing mine. "Are you alright?" "I don't know," I confessed, nibbling on my lower lip. "I don't trust Zeus, but I don't know if he's not Aodhan's father. I don't want to know." "How come?" she questioned. I glared at her, not rudely, but as if to wonder why she would ask such a stupid question. How come I didn't care to know? Was it such a big deal to know who the father of my children was? Part of me thinks they're mine; it's no one else's concern. I'm the one who carried
Only a few doctors in Ireland could get me a DNA test. Zeus did this on purpose, and he knew it. There was no way he couldn't find out who Aodhan's father was, and he had to change his money within the blink of an eye to ensure he was his father. "You knew what you were doing. Admit it, Zeus. You've always been a conniving, selfish man," Dimitri commented. Ivy wants to go back home and have a doctor of her choosing. Not to ensure that there were very few near here, so few that you could manipulate it into ending the way you want." "Which is what, exactly?" Zeus sighed, "Is this because I punished you? Are you still not over that?" "You're lucky I didn't kill you," Dimitri growled. "Did you like what I did to you? Is that it? Do you care about me-" Dimitri swung, his fist landing its target, Zeus's chin. Zeus staggered, a small trickle of crimson blood seeping from the corner of his lips. The sadistic smile that came across his face said it all. The blood coming across
"There's no way Rowan is your son," I stated, "I'm going to do this DNA test with a doctor I choose. One you have never met and will never meet. Doctor Rick can go fuck himself if he thinks I'll believe anything he says to me." I threw the DNA papers on the floor. Their results had to be faked. There's no way he's Aodhan's father. Then again, how would I know? If he is Aodhan's father, there's no way I'd let him know. The type of man he is scares me. "What makes you think I've ever agreed to something like that?" Zeus scoffed. I dropped my head, taking a step closer to Zeus, making sure that he knew I was serious, "If you mess with me or my son, if you even think it, I'll shoot you again." Zeus cleared his throat before walking to the window, "How am I supposed to believe that?" "You don't have a choice," I glared. "What makes you-" "Try me, Zeus!" I hollered. My voice echoing the walls of his new mansion. From all the information I gathered, Doctor Rick and his team