My heart drops like a stone as I rush to Dad’s side. He lies there, unconscious and badly bruised, the evidence of Kai's violence all too clear. Tears well up in my eyes, but I force myself to stay composed; I know this isn't the time for emotions. I have to get Dad out of this dreadful place as quickly as possible. Kneeling beside him, I carefully set the gun down on the floor, my focus solely on waking him.I gently tap his cheek, my heart racing with every second he remains still. He seems completely out of it, almost as if he is drugged. Dad is never a deep sleeper, but now he feels like a heavyweight, unresponsive to my touch. I shake him a bit harder, desperation creeping in as I try to rouse him, but he remains lifeless. Frantically, I glance around, scanning for any signs of CCTV cameras that might be watching us. Once I am certain we are safe from prying eyes, I lean in closer, my voice barely above a whisper as I plead, "Dad, wake up," while continuing to tap his cheek, but
I slowly start to wake up, but the first thing that hits me is this intense throbbing headache. It feels like a relentless drum pounding away in my skull, each beat sending shockwaves of pain radiating through my head. I can barely keep my eyes open; the bright light surrounding me is blinding, intensifying the throbbing sensation. I'm trying to piece together what happened, but my thoughts are muddled and foggy, as if I'm trapped in a daze. I struggle to remember why I was out, but the headache is so overwhelming that dizziness begins to creep in, making me long to curl up and escape the noise and harsh light.As I try to move, I realize my body is stuck in one position. Confusion washes over me, and I glance down to see that I’m tied to a chair, my wrists bound tightly. The initial shock gives way to horror as I notice Dad lying unconscious on the floor nearby. At that moment, everything comes crashing back; the memories flood in, and I understand the gravity of the situation. Panic
Uncle Joe is the real villain behind Dad's story. He has always been against Dad, harboring a deep-seated hatred for nearly everything Dad has or does. It feels as if he’s an enemy rather than a brother, and I struggle to comprehend the irrational animosity he holds toward Dad. Dad has been nothing but kind and genuine to him, yet Uncle Joe only seems focused on bringing Dad down, creating chaos in his life at every turn.As Uncle Joe stands before me, his piercing gaze locks onto mine, and it feels like he’s trying to dig through my very soul. My heart races in my chest, the panic rising like a tidal wave as I sense his menacing presence. He takes another step closer, a deadly smirk spreading across his face, and I can see the glint of malice in his eyes. With a chilling calmness, he leans in slightly and says, "Delilah, how are you?" The way he says my name sends shivers down my spine. I don’t reply to him as I keep my gaze locked on his, trying to decipher the twisted thoughts swi
I don’t think I've ever felt this level of terror in my life. My heart is pounding in my chest, racing uncontrollably, and it feels like I’m on the brink of a panic attack. The room is dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls as Kai steps closer, his presence looming ominously. He leans in, his voice cold and menacing, demanding, "Now, before we kill your father, tell us where the diamonds are." "I don’t know," I reply, my voice trembling. The moment the words leave my mouth, a hot slap lands on my right cheek, the sting radiating through my skin. I scream in pain, my heartbeat quickening to a frantic rhythm, and Kai’s eyes narrow as he presses on, "Tell me where the diamonds are!" His tone is unyielding and direct, filled with an intensity that sends chills down my spine. Again, I insist I don’t know, desperation lacing my words, which earns me a brutal slap across my left cheek. A heavy gasp escapes me as I scream, the sound perhaps too loud, causing Dad to stir from unconscious
Dad's eyes are squeezed shut, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and I can see that with one more jolt, he might lose consciousness, which could lead to a heart attack since Dad is a heart patient. My mind races, torn between the urge to protect him and the fear of what revealing the diamonds might cost us. Just as I grapple with my decision, a gunshot rings out from outside the room, the sound slicing through the tension like a knife, leaving us suspended in a moment of uncertainty and dread.Kai’s actions of zapping Dad suddenly pause, and he looks at me, confusion evident in his eyes, a mixture of uncertainty and fear. He quickly glances over at Uncle Joe, then at the guards standing tense around us. "Go check what that noise is," he commands, his voice steady but laced with urgency.The guard nods, a look of determination on his face as he strides out of the room. It’s barely a minute before another gunshot rings out, sharp and jarring. This time, it feels like the guard Kai sent
I feel a surge of relief as my eyes connect with Richie’s, a moment that feels surreal. I can hardly believe he’s actually standing in front of me; the whirlwind of joy, sorrow, and grief at his presence is almost too much to bear as I feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Richie’s eyes soften as he gazes at me, trying to decipher the chaos in my expression. "Rach," he says softly, reaching out to cup my face with his warm hands. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Are you hurt?" His voice is filled with concern, searching for any signs of bruise.I nod, my heart racing as I plead, "Yes, please get me out of here." There’s a desperation in my voice that I can’t hide. Without hesitation, he pulls a sleek blade from his pocket, the metal glinting in the dim light, and begins cutting through the ropes that bind me to the chair. Each snip seems to release the tension in my body, and as soon as I’m free, he envelops me in a tight embrace. I break down in his arms, tears stre
In a brief moment that feels like an eternity, Richie and Papa emerge from the shadows, and I help Dad to his feet, supporting him as best as I can. Just as we’re about to make our escape, we turn and freeze, confronted by Kai, a sinister smile creeping across his face, as if he’s been waiting for us.He steps closer, the cold steel of his gun aimed directly at us, and a vicious expression reflecting on his face "Well, well, well," he says, his tone dripping with malice. "If it isn’t the Maranzano’s and the Sinclair’s. It’s a pleasure to have both families here." He takes another deliberate step forward, the tension in the air thickening as he continues, "Looks like it’s a great family reunion, one built on betrayal." His eyes dart from the others, finally landing on me, and a sudden frown twists his features. "You Delilah! I warned you."He strides closer, and I instinctively take a step back, my heart racing. "I fucking warned you not to work with Richie Maranzano, but you didn’t li
As I make my way toward the last place I see Richie and Kai, the sounds of a struggle reach my ears—shouts and the unmistakable thud of bodies colliding. I quicken my pace, adrenaline coursing through me, but just as I near the door, I hear the chilling sound of a gun being cocked behind me. My heart stops, and I freeze, realizing that someone with a weapon is right there, and they mean to shoot me down.I freeze, my body feeling like it’s been rooted in place as if the ground has claimed me. Taking a deep breath, I begin to turn around, bracing myself to face my demon, but before I can fully pivot, the sharp crack of a bullet shatters the tense silence. Just when I think this might be the end, a sudden force pushes me to the side. Warm arms wrap tightly around me, pulling me close and pressing my head against his chest, where I can hear the rapid thump of his heartbeat. A whirlwind of emotions crashes over me—surprise, disbelief, and a flicker of hope—but amidst it all, I can’t deny
~ RICHIE’S POVWatching her sleep is something I would never forsake- I love it. I think of it as a small bonus from having the best night and the best sleep then you wake up to watch the best woman in your life sleep- It feels like a bonus to me. A sweet, sexy bonus.As I keep watching Rachel sleep, I can’t help but smile. Her peaceful expression makes my heart swell with love. I really love her and I love that I get to spend my days with her but that’s not all I want. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I want her to always be there with me. The thought of having Rachel all to myself for life fills me with excitement. I wish I could just marry her right now and make her mine forever. That idea strikes me like a bolt of lightning, and I can’t help but wonder if I should really consider proposing. Sure, it feels a bit soon, but what’s the point of being together if it’s not to build a future and spend the rest of our lives together?My thoughts come to a gentle stop when
After dinner, Richie and I walk them out of the house, exchanging warm goodbyes and promises to get together again soon. As we close the door behind them, I feel a sense of satisfaction from the evening. Just as I’m about to head to the dining area to tackle the mountain of plates, Richie suddenly grabs my hand, pulling me closer to him. He wraps his arms around me from behind, planting soft kisses along my neck. "You’re not going anywhere," he whispers, his breath sending shivers down my spine as he kisses my neck again."The dishes won’t wash themselves, you know," I tease, trying to keep the mood light.He chuckles softly, his voice low and playful. "The dishes can wait, but I can’t." With that, he turns me around, and I find myself gazing into his eyes, which sparkle with mischief. He smiles, leaning in closer, and presses his lips against mine with a tenderness that feels electric. It’s soft and delicate, like the flutter of butterfly wings, lingering just long enough for me to i
It had been two weeks since Richie and I got together, and every single moment felt like pure bliss. I absolutely loved having him around; it seemed like every second was filled with joy and warmth. There was nothing that could make my life better than that. The peace and happiness I found in our relationship were incredible, and I could see that he was just as happy too. It felt like we had created our own little paradise together.After we decided to let go of everything that was weighing us down, we also made the choice to part ways with the diamonds. They couldn’t be destroyed, but they could definitely be hidden, and we made sure they were tucked away safely so they wouldn’t complicate our lives. I didn’t want anything causing drama or risking the relationships with the people I cared about most. It was high time I focused on living a good life, free of worries, and just enjoyed the love I had with Richie.At that moment, I was in the kitchen preparing a warm dinner for my guests
I’ve never felt as scared as I am right now. Seeing a box filled with my things shatters my heart. It feels like Richie has intentionally packed my belongings, wanting to cut me out of his life completely. He doesn’t need me anymore. I know what it means when someone puts the other’s things in a box—they want to get rid of them, and it’s clear he doesn’t love me anymore. Tears well up in my eyes as my heart pounds heavily in my chest. I can’t understand why Richie is doing this, why he wants me gone. With my eyes brimming with tears, I glance at the letter. I open it, and my heart sinks. As I read each word, the pounding in my chest intensifies. The pain is overwhelming, and I can’t wrap my head around it. Why is this happening? Each line leaves me with more questions about what went wrong. Richie and I have had our fights before; we’ve separated but always found our way back to each other. But now, it feels like there’s no coming back. For the first time since we met, it seems like
I jump into a taxi and give the driver the address, my heart racing with every passing moment. As he starts driving, anxiety washes over me, and I can’t shake the feeling of dread mixed with hope. I really hope Richie is willing to talk because right now, all I can offer is communication—just a chance to express how I feel. I can’t do anything more than that, but I’m really hoping he has room in his heart to take me back. The thought of not having him in my life feels unbearable. It’s like a dark cloud looming over me, and I can’t picture my life without him. The thought of not being with him hurts so much that I can hardly bear the idea of living without him. I’ve thought about it a lot, and honestly, life without Richie feels like just existing on this earth with no joy or purpose at all.When I was leaving, Arthur offered to drive me to Richie, but I turned him down. I really don’t want Richie to think there’s anything between me and Arthur because there isn’t. He’s just someone I
I don’t waste a single moment as I hurriedly pack my belongings from the room, my heart racing as I step outside. Tomorrow can't come soon enough; I need to meet Richie and make sure everything is on track between us. I can’t afford to lose him again. I’m done with the little arguments, the big blowouts—I'm finished with all of it. It’s time to step up my game and finally do the right thing.As I walk out of the room, dragging my small suitcase behind me, I catch sight of Arthur. He rushes over, concern etched on his face when he notices my bag. "Why do you have a suitcase with you?""I’m leaving," I reply, my eyes scanning the hallway for Rebecca. I need to find her to say goodbye before I go."What!" he exclaims, his voice rising in disbelief. "Why? Did something happen? Is that why you look like you’ve just cried?" He probes, but I keep moving, determined to locate Rebecca. The sooner I find her, the sooner I can leave and meet Richie to mend things between us."Rachel, come on, wh
I always despise the mafia men, the entire mafia world, and everything that comes with it. I remember the fire in my heart, how fiercely I want to ruin them, to shatter their existence completely. I hurl insults at them, calling them cruel, wicked, and so many other names, never imagining I could ever become one of them, never believing I could sink to that level.But after years of facing harsh realities, I become the very villain I loathe. The villain I refuse to acknowledge, the one I write about in all my stories, always as the antagonist. Tears stream down my face as fear grips me tightly, causing my head to throb and my heart to race uncontrollably. I’m terrified of myself, scared that I’ve morphed into something I never thought I could be—something I’ve always feared. When I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, I feel a wave of panic wash over me. I can’t bear to look at the person staring back, so I bolt out of the bathroom, as if I’m fleeing from an unseen pursuer.
Rebecca’s wedding is such a joyful occasion; it is filled with laughter and excitement. The atmosphere is electric, and I find myself having a couple of drinks at the reception. I promise myself I won’t drink, but as I look around and see everyone toasting and enjoying themselves, I can’t resist. I get caught up in the moment and end up having more than I intended."So tell me one fun fact about you, Rachel," Arther asks me while we stand together at the open bar, the music softly playing in the background. We have been chatting for a few minutes, and I really enjoy his company. He’s a cool guy, easy to talk to, and I feel a connection."I don’t have a fun fact," I reply, taking a sip of my drink and trying to think of something interesting."Come on, I know you do," he urges, a playful smile on his face."I don’t really have one, but I guess a fun fact about me is that I can stick my tongue to my nose," I say, feeling a bit silly but also playful."Really?" he asks, clearly intrigued
I wake up to a loud knock on my door, groaning as I rub my eyes with my hands, trying to shake off the sleep. Slowly, I push myself up from the cozy warmth of my bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion on my shoulders. I shuffle over to the door, open it, and there stands Rebecca, practically glowing with a wide grin plastered across her face. "It’s my wedding day!!" she exclaims, her excitement practically radiating off her. I let out a heavy sigh, a mix of happiness for her and sheer tiredness. I really want to celebrate with her, but all I can think about is how much I need more sleep. So, I start to turn back toward my bed, hoping to catch a few more minutes of rest. But Rebecca, quick as lightning, steps in front of me, her eyes sparkling. "It’s my wedding day!!" she exclaims again, her enthusiasm unwavering. I smile back at her, trying to muster some energy. "I know, and congratulations! But I really need some more time to sleep; I wasn’t able to sleep at all last night," I admit