I nodded, seeing the sense in his suggestion. โSure,โ I said, pulling out my phone to call Michael. He informed me he was at the hospital now and gave the name. โLet's go,โ I said to the cops. I drove ahead in my car, leading the cops, while they followed closely behind. We arrived at the hospita
(DWAYNE'S POV) I stood outside of the headquarters building of the Italian Mafia family, overlooking the eyesore that was once the sprawling building of the family. The sound of machineries and men at work shouting orders filled the air as I watched them try to repair and fix the harm done as a res
Shivers licked down my spine at her words, and I tried not to consider the implications even though the thoughts in my head were beginning to spin wheels. Not like I didn't have my own doubts back then, but I didn't invest in it. Why had Sofia left Jared many years ago? Why had she rejected him des
(JAREDโS POV.) I paced about the room restlessly. More officers had arrived at the scene over time and the place was brimming with them. Perhaps, that has something to do with the fact that Iโd suggested Michael Langley was a likely suspect in everything. The officers seemed to be talking all at th
I dialed the contact Iโd been given. He was supposed to be the best freelance security personnel in the country. Well letโs hope he lives up to the hype now, I thought aloud. โYes?โ his gruff voice cut through the line after a couple of rings. โAm I speaking with Fletcher? I have a little job for
(ARIELLEโS POV.) The air felt cold and the floor underneath me rough to touch. I couldnโt tell how much time had passed since Denzel picked me up. Heโd put the blindfold back on. At some point, weโd switched locations. For some reason, he didnโt feel comfortable with the dock. But I could still sme
(ARIELLE'S POV) The figureโs face was obscured because of its posture, but I could sense the fear and vulnerability emanating from them. My heart clenched painfully in terror and desperation. Was that my son? Was Maverick really the one in there? As if watching me even without being in the room,
(JARED'S POV) The docks were a battlefieldโcops on one side, Fletcherโs men on the other, weapons drawn. Gunfire erupted as enemies emerged from the shadows, but they were no match for our trained force. I crouched behind a crate, my mind only on Arielle. Was she here? Was she safe? When the gunf
The possibility of getting to cook again filled me with strength. โLetโs make a stop at a grocery shop,โ I said to Ashley. โOf course. Weโd also pick up something for you to eat as well. You havenโt..โ โNo!โ I said more sharply than intended. โPlease. Iโll eat when Iโm done cooking,โ I maintained
(ARIELLEโS POV.) It felt like stepping out of a dream. A long one. The world was a blur around me, full of bright colors swirling into each other in a dizzying dance in the corners of my eyes. Slowly, my vision settled and the colors faded into the fluorescent bulb hanging down from the ceiling. I
(JAREDโS POV) The next day, I pulled out of the hotel's driveway, Arielle and Ashley chatting away in the backseat. The atmosphere was lively, with Arielle's infectious laughter and Ashleyโs bright smile. I was glad to see Arielle so carefree, even on a day like today. Ashley's presence was a bless
โOkay, how aboutโฆ the bartender from that rooftop dinner we went to?โ โArielle!โ Ashley exclaimed, feigning offense. โSeriously? A random bartender?โ I shrugged. โHey, you never know. Besides, you said it yourself that he was your type.โ She rolled her eyes and didn't say a word. I continued the
(ARIELLEโS POV) I halted, my mind going blank. Pregnant? Ashley? It felt unbelievable. The Ashley I know would never let a man knock her up without marriage, she was that uptight. My eyes darted from her beaming face to the hand she was now placing on her stomach. โPregnant?โ The word escaped my l
(ARIELLE'S POV) โSurprise!โ She exclaimed, her face beaming with smiles as she stepped fully into the room, pulling a small suitcase behind her. My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. She looked tired from her trip, but her radiant smile masked it well. โAshley, what are you doing here?โ I asked, st
(ARIELLE'S POV) Back in my room at the hotel, I sat in front of my phone that was placed on the bedโs dashboard, waiting for my mom to answer the phone. Excitement coursed through my system like an unending river, and I couldn't wait to share the good news with my loved ones, my mom topping the cha
โI wonโt be long in the shower,โ he promised as he dashed into the bathroom. I picked up my phone and found a couple of missed calls from Michael Langley. A little frown crossed my face until I realized he mightโve worried after checking on me at my suite. I didnโt owe him any explanations of cours
(ARIELLEโS POV) I was awakeโeyes closed, but very much aware of my surroundings. I could feel the gentle early morning breeze dance over my skin as it traveled across the room. The warmth of Jaredโs skin against mine, his spring arms wrapped around me like a second blanket, brought back very vivid