Anya De Luna POVClimbing out of the car, I take Vincent’s hand and walk toward the park where moms come so their kids can play. I make a point of coming here once a week so Vincent can interact with other children. Just because I have social anxiety doesn’t mean he has to suffer.“Jonas,” Vincent calls out, already tugging at my hand so I’ll free him.“Fine,” I chuckle. “Go play with your friend.”I watch as he makes a beeline for Jonas, and they head to the jungle gym.Finding a seat in the morning sun, I pull a book from my handbag. For a while, I watch Vincent have fun before I open the book to continue reading. I like fantasy and sci-fi books because they’re pure fiction and transport me to a different world. Every now and then, I check on Vincent. The sound of laughter and the conversations from other mothers fill the air.“Anya?”My head snaps up, and seeing the customer from the store who I didn’t call, my stomach sinks.She smiles brightly as she pushes the stroller closer. “
Alexander Vittorio POVAfter a shit night’s sleep in the foreign bed, I’m walking the perimeter of the estate to check for any vulnerable spots.Every time I come across a guard, I stop to introduce myself.I’m busy in the backyard when Luna, Viktor’s dog, comes trotting toward me.“Hey, girl,” I whisper. I pat her head before continuing to check the wall.“Are you taking over my job?” I hear Alexei call.Turning around, I wait for him to catch up with me, then he says, “I take a walk around the estate every morning.”“I’ll leave you be.”He shakes his head and nods for us to walk. “We can check the perimeter together.”Yesterday he said he wanted to spend some time together. Not knowing what to expect, my nerves twist in my stomach. The last thing I want to do is disappoint Alexei.We walk for a while, then he orders, “Tell me about yourself.”“Sir?” My gaze darts to him. “I’m sure you know everything about me.”“I know you’re the second son of Andre Vittorio, that you were good duri
Anya De Luna POVA shipment of books came in, and I’m busy unpacking them when a man comes into the store. I’ve seen him here before, and usually, he likes to check the thriller section.“Morning,” he greets before he starts to browse the shelves.“Morning. Let me know if I can help you find anything.”“Thanks.”My eyes flick to where Vincent is coloring in a picture of an elephant before I continue to unpack the books.Every now and then, I check what the man is up to before glancing at Vincent.“Do you have any books about baking?” the customer asks.“Yes.” I leave the counter and head to the aisle where he’s waiting. Grabbing a book off the shelf, I hold it out to him. “This one is pretty straightforward. You don’t need a degree to follow the recipes.”“Oh good.” He pages through it then gives me a smile. “I’ll go with this one.”“Great.” I take the book from him and head back to the counter.“Hey, little man,” I hear him talk to Vincent. My eyes flick to my baby before they settle
Alexander Vittorio POVI’ve been in Brooklyn, New York for three months, and it already feels like home. I love working with Viktor, and getting to stay busy helps keep the demons at bay.But at night, they stream back in.Driving away from the docks where a shipment of weapons came in, I stop at a red light.“I don’t trust Brayden Kelly as far as I can throw the man,” Viktor mutters from the passenger seat.We had a couple of meetings with the arms dealer over the past two months.“Yeah, there’s something off about him,” I say as I watch the cars pass in front of us.“My gut tells me he won’t deliver.”“Your gut is probably right.”When the light turns green, I drive down the street. I glance to the right, and my eyes lock on a woman who’s holding a toddler's hand.The air wooshes from my lungs, and instantly my heart thunders in my chest.Anya.She disappears into a Starbucks.“Xander!” Viktor snaps just in time to stop me from driving into the car in front of us. “Jesus Christ.”“S
Anya de Luna's POV“Yesterday, some idiot raced past us as if he was participating in Formula One,” I complain to Rosemarie. It’s the first time I’m visiting her at her home, and let’s just say I’m blown away. I knew she came from money, but the mansions (yes, plural) are spectacular.“The driver was a freaking maniac.”She shakes her head. “It’s insane.” She glances over her shoulder, then asks, “How many sugars?”“Two, please.” I look at the living room where Vincent is trying to teach Roman how to play with cars. Rosemarie’s son is trying to eat them while mine is patiently saying no, then showing how to push the little cars on the tiles.I have an amazing child.Rosemarie places a cup of coffee down in front of me. “Have you heard from that guy again?”“The one who wouldn’t take no for an answer?” I pick up the cup and take a sip.“Yes, that one.”I shake my head. “No. I’m glad he got the message.”She scrunches her nose then gives me a playful smile. “So you really don’t want to
Anya Santini de Luna POVRosemarie forced me to drink a whole glass of sugar water.Vincent calmed down once he got to play with Roman again.Viktor is blocking the sliding door like a damn thundercloud, as if he’s scared I’ll try to make a run for it.I’m sitting on a couch next to Xander, and I have no idea what to say. I dreamed about this moment for years, but now that it’s happening, I don’t know what to do.I feel close to him but also miles away from him. It’s been four years.It takes Xander longer to recover from the shock of seeing me. Up until now, he hasn’t taken his eyes off me, but when Vincent lets out a burst of laughter, Xander slowly turns his gaze to his son.He tilts his head, and a frown forms on his forehead. “You have a child?”“Baby, let’s give them some privacy. Bring the kids,” Viktor says.I dart up from the couch, my eyes wildly flying to Vincent. “No, my child isn’t leaving my sight.”Viktor holds his hands up. “Okay.”“You have a child?” Xander asks again
Alexander Vittorio POVI can’t explain how I’m feeling. I get to hold her again. I get to taste her.She’s alive.I kiss Anya with every ounce of insanity I felt the past four years. I give her my broken heart and shattered soul, and she makes them whole.I can’t stop myself from pushing for more. Now that I have her back, there’s no controlling my need to make us one.Anya lifts her hands to my chest and starts to push against me. “Wait,” she mumbles against my mouth. “Xander.” She pushes harder and manages to turn her face away from me. “Wait!”Out of breath and overwhelmed with emotions, I grip her tighter so she can’t pull free from my hold.I’m never letting her go again.Never.“Wait,” she gasps. Her eyes meet mine, and she keeps her hands braced on my chest in an attempt to stop me from kissing her again.It takes a couple of seconds before I see the nervous expression on her face.“I need a moment,” she says, trying to pull away from me. When I don’t free her, she gives me a p
Anya de Luna's POVMy God. Now it all makes sense. Rosemarie’s guards. The estate. All the freaking guards. I’m right in the freaking heart of the Bratva. Dear God, I can’t believe after being so careful, I let this happen!I run to Rosemarie’s house and burst into the living room, I go straight for Vincent. I grab him off the floor and swipe my handbag from the couch.“Mommy!” Vincent exclaims. “You made me drop my cars.”“Anya? Is everything okay?” Rosemarie asks just as Xander appears in the doorway.Feeling cornered, my eyes dart wildly between Xander, Rosemarie, Viktor, and Alexei.“Let me leave,” I beg. “I won’t tell anyone anything about the Bratva. I’ve kept quiet for four years. I have a child. Please, don’t hurt us.”“That’s enough!” Viktor snaps, and my gaze zooms in on him. He holds up a hand. “No one’s hurting anyone. Let’s all calm down.”The nightmarish two months of torture and starvation are all I can think of.“Mommy,” Vincent cries, rattled by the volatile situation