I woke up this morning with a feeling of excitement and happiness radiating around my body. I couldn't remember the last time I was this happy these past few days. I didn't wait to be awoken by his men as I usually do. I finished bathing very early in the morning and went down for breakfast. When I got to the dining hall, Mace wasn't there as usual. I felt bad, not because I wanted to see him, but just maybe he had a change of mind regarding going to see my dad.I inquired from the maids, and the chief maid, Olivia, said he left early in the morning and instructed her not to make breakfast for him. I slumped into one of the chairs, feeling dejected."Is everything okay? Is the breakfast not to your liking?" Olivia asked, pointing at the dishes on the table."I'm not hungry," I replied as I made my way to sit on one of the couches in the sitting room. I was patiently waiting for him to return. A lot of thoughts ran through my mind. I tried convincing myself that he had only forgotten t
I opened my eyes, and everything seemed dreamy. The roof was spinning, I shut my eyes right back, my head was aching so much, and my whole body was damn sore. I was still trying to figure out what happened and where I was when someone came to my bedside, staring down at my face."Thank God you are awake," he said, holding my left hand. "Get the doctor!" I heard him bark orders at one of his men. I lay on the bed astonished; the face staring right back at me was none other than Mace. I couldn't help but wonder why he was relieved that I was awake. He was still clutching my hand. The doctor rushed in a few minutes later and ran some checks on me; he turned to Mace and began explaining to him."She will be alright; it's just a head concussion and a few bruises," he immediately sighed in relief."So there is nothing else, right?" He asked the doctor."Yes, Capo, she will be dismissed in a matter of days" The doctor replied. "It better be," He snarled.The doctor took a step backward, t
I was excitedly waiting for Mace to enter but was disappointed when a bodyguard came into the room to inform me that the car was ready.I tried so hard to resist the urge to throw stuff at him that I banged my spoon on the table and stormed off. I was about to enter the car when I realized his face was new. I guess he is the new guard that was assigned to me. I have never really seen much of this new bodyguard, nor have I seen Niko since the accident. And I kept forgetting to ask Mace.The new bodyguard, Leo, wasn't much of a talker; I didn't feel relaxed with him, but maybe it was because of the near-death experience that made me so distrustful.I arrived at Nyx Bridal, and Ana was patiently waiting for me while going through the catalogs. I tried out tons of wedding gowns before we got the one she finally approved of; it wasn't an easy feat getting her to approve this wedding gown, as she was looking for the one that would be perfect for the wedding of her son and her dearest daught
It has been weeks since the incident in my room, and I have buried myself in the wedding preparation while avoiding him like the plague. I never thought I had it in me, but I guess alcohol brings out the vile nature of even the purest. If I didn't know better, I would say he was also avoiding me; he automatically vanished from the house.It was the wedding day, and I was trying everything possible not to break down. The whole house was flooded with people, most of whom I didn't even know. I would have loved to have one person from my side, but it was not up for negotiation, and the last thing I want is for Dad to see me in this mess.As I sat in one of the many rooms to be dolled up, Selena walked right in."Aren't you the most beautiful bride I have ever seen?" she screamed excitedly and smiled back."You are so lucky," she chipped in. I wondered what luck I stumbled on this time around—not Mace of course.She kept going on and on about the wonders of Mace, I was tempted to beg her
I woke up with a headache the next morning. I wanted to stand up from the bed, but I felt a heavy load placed on me; it was like someone was pressing me into the bed. I turned to see Mace lying down next to me.It took me some seconds to remember why I had a splitting headache and why I was in bed with Mace.He had his leg thrown over me, and his erection was pressing into my back. I often imagined what it would be like to be in bed with him. But now that it was happening, I wasn't happy about it.I pushed his arms off me, and he rolled on his back.I turned over to have a clearer view of him, and I took my time admiring his features. His jet-black hair was disheveled. His face was chiseled, and he was very ribbed. I often saw his muscles when he walked around the house with no shirt on, but it was never up close. It was my first time in bed with him. I had always imagined how romantic it was going to be, but right now, it hurts more than it pleases me.He had tattoos on his chest, ar
MACE'S POVI couldn't hide the feeling of satisfaction I felt this morning. I obviously can't remember the last time I was this relaxed or even slept this much. I tried stretching myself when I felt someone pressing on my right-hand side. I turned only to see Matilda sleeping peacefully in my arms, her black wavy hair covering some part of her face, and her pale white skin glowing effortlessly in the morning sun.I never believed anyone could change me this much, but here I am getting all cozy with her, wanting to spend each waking moment with her, craving to be by her side and to see her beautiful smiles. The tiny, timid girl that I welcomed into my world came with a bulldozer, breaking down every last one of my defenses till there was nothing left to hide in.I had no other option but to come out of my shell to meet her halfway, to care for her, and to protect her with my life. I brushed off the hair covering her face while patting her gently as I cont
We landed at our New York home at 11:50 p.m. and we alighted from the helicopter, heading into the house. I went straight into my room, looked around for a while, landed on the bed with my back, and closed my eyes to reminisce about the events of the past few hours. My rest was cut short midway by a knock on my door. I opened the door, and it was one of Mace's men who brought my luggage. I took it from his hand and dragged it in. I placed it on the bed and was unpacking when I heard the door of Mace's room bang. I dropped the clothes I was holding and ran out of my room. I looked down the stairs to see Mace all dressed in a black outfit. He was giving orders to his men. I went down the stairs to meet him. He came to where I was standing, placed his hands on my hips, pulled me close to him, and my face was pressing on his chest. He patted my hair for a while, raising my face, and pressed his lips on mine."I will be back before you know it; don't miss me too much," he whispered with a
MACE'S POVI came back from the hunt so tired. I spent the past few weeks slaughtering my enemies into bits and picking up the pieces of my dead men, Killing was in my DNA, and I enjoyed slicing any asshole that ever crossed my path. I had been patient with the mother fucker that had been messing with my family, but not anymore.I discovered some of their hideouts, but there was no concrete information about their leader. I couldn't get the image of the dying Alexander off my head, and since I couldn't bring him back to life, I decided to avenge him. I would find the idiot behind the clown mask even if it was the last thing I did. I had always enjoyed hunting, but just this once, I couldn't wait to go home to her. I missed looking into her beautiful gray eyes, hearing her laughter, and feeling her soft, slender body against mine. I fucking missed running my hand over her soft Ass. Maybe she flipped a switch in my brain because even my body can't bear an
MACE'S POVI had so many thoughts running through my mind as I raced up the stairs. I prayed so hard, but it wasn't what I was thinking. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her.I was in disbelief looking at her standing like an avenger with a gun in her hands and Sarah lying down dead beneath her. I never thought Amorino could fire a gun, but here I am looking at the very impossible staring me in the face.I ran towards her, took the gun from her, and handed it over to Ray.I looked her over before hugging her. I was glad she was okay and even happier that we both saved our son together."Amorino, are you okay?" I asked, peering into her face."I'm fine; where is Vey?" she asked immediately, looking from me to Ray."Vey is fine," Dad replied. She quickly ran to him and grabbed him from his hands, hugging him so hard."Mammy!""Mammy is here, Vey," she said, smiling at him."Hold on, were you going to accept this crazy bitch proposal?" S
MACE'S POVThose very words were what I had been waiting for this whole time. I paused immediately when I heard Ray say he had found the bitch. I let out a devilish grin because I knew what I had in store for that mad bitch.She had taken more than she could chew. If she had messed with me, I would be lenient, but you mess with my family, and I will send you to the afterlife in pieces."Where?" "Right under our nose."Tilda jumped off the bed while hurriedly heading to the door"Honey, where are you off to?" Mom asked her. "To get my son!" She screamed, her voice filled with pain."Amorino," I gently called her; she didn't answer, nor did she glance my way. I touched her shoulder, and she turned towards me."I promise to bring our son home; I give you my word," I reassured her, looking her in the eyes while patting her hair."Mace, I want to bash that weirdo's head in for causing me pain.""I will make her pay for all the pain and misery she has caused
MATILDA'S POV"Ma'am, is everything okay?" Martha asked immediately, she rushed into the sitting room. I sat down, mopping like a fool, still unable to process what was happening. I began feeling dizzy, and the whole room was spinning nonstop in my eyes."Ma'am," she called yet again, but I was slowly losing sense of my surroundings. I heard her beckoning on the guards to come, but before I knew it, I had lost consciousness.I opened my eyes, but the light was too bright. I shut my eyes, but I could hear Sergio and Mace arguing over God knows what. I managed to open my eyes, and I tried a little harder to keep them open as my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the light."Darling, you are awake?" I heard Ana's voice. I followed the voice only to see her seated on the chair next to the bed.I was a bit confused about where we were and what was going on."What happened to me?" I asked Ana. I tried getting up, but Ana held me down."Honey, please stay put." I
MATILDA'S POV"Keep it wet; we will make Lavey's sister when we get back," he whispered into my ears, and I giggled like a teenage girl.We quickly rushed our bath; we were running out of time, and the last thing I want is grace nagging my ass. We prepared to leave for dinner. I came downstairs to find Lavey and her nanny all dressed up. She was on the phone when we came downstairs, but quickly put the phone away when we showed up."You guys ready?" I asked the nanny."Yes Ma'am" Mace took Lavey from the nanny, and we set out for dinner.Our little adventure in the shower delayed us a little bit; when we got to the Castillo's, the room was already packed. It was a lovely sight to behold; there were no outsiders in attendance, just family. Sergio, Dad, and Ray were having a hearty conversation while the ladies were laughing over something Kimberly said."There they are," Ana announced, all smiles. I hugged Kimberly while Mace was busy speaking with Pearl.
MATILDA'S POVI brought my hands to my mouth in awe; I couldn't believe my eyes. I never expected that he could be this sentimental. I guess being a father comes with some changes."It's beautiful," I said, smiling at him as he held me in his arms."I wanted to give our prince the best," he said proudly.It is the best nursery I have seen. There was a beautiful white baby bed at one end of the room. The wallpapers were so beautiful. I couldn't get my eyes off the drawing of a lion's head and the family motto written boldly on the wall."A lion?" I asked Mace while pointing at the drawing."Yes, Amorino, we need to always remind him that he is a hunter," Mace replied while kissing my hair."Of course," I said, rolling my eyes."Do you think Lavey would love it? I painted the room myself," he whispered.I was a bit surprised to hear he did all this by himself. I brought his hands close to my lips and kissed him."He will adore it," I said to him, and I went
MACE'S POV "What lady?" Ray asked, giving me the What the heck are you talking about Look. I read the room and didn't ask any further questions."You got this, right?" I asked Ray, pointing at the building."Get the hell out of here, tell Tilda that I will be right there."I quickly entered one of the cars, leaving Ray behind to clean up the building.I got to the safe house. Jumped out of the car the minute I turned off the ignition. I ran into the house frantically in search of Amorino. I met Ray's mom in the hallway, all smiles."You made it, Mace, this way," she said, pointing to one of the rooms at the end of the hallway.I opened the door to see Mom seated next to Amorino on one side of the bed, while Grace sat on the other side."Ocean!" mom screamed. I went over to Amorino; she looked a bit worn out, but I was glad she was ok."My love here is our son," she said, holding our peanut wrapped in colorful clothing. I couldn't contain my joy when I s
MACE'S POVI rushed to the torture room, where I found Dad seated. I told one of our men to lead Dad into the room and away from Ricci's minions. I came closer to see a dead body lying on the floor. I guess one of Ricci's fools thought he could kill Dad seeing he was wounded. I went over to his side; he was losing a lot of blood. I got more worried. What pained me most was how to explain to Mom that Dad got hurt. Why would he take the bullet,"It should have been me," I kept whispering to myself.I fished out my phone from my pocket to call a doctor, but my dad wouldn't let me. He grabbed my hands, looking me straight in the eyes. I could tell the amount of pain he was in."Don't," he said."We should get you a doctor, dad.""I'm fine, ocean; the bullet just grazed my skin. Patch me up or get our men to patch me up, and I will be good as new." I was lost for words, looking at my old man asking to be patched up the old-fashioned way. I sometimes forget he
MACE'S POVI was still at the study sipping a glass of whiskey while Dad had his face buried in a piece of paper he was holding. I didn't bother checking what he was reading because I had a lot on my mind.I couldn't get the thoughts of Amorino off my mind. I was missing her badly. The picture of her sleeping soundly in her lingerie kept playing in my head. This is the first time she is sleeping outside the house after we got back together. I was fighting the urge to go get her. I knew I couldn't bring her home just yet, not when the baby could pop out any day from now. I can't give her the attention she needs right now, and besides, Francesco won't go easy on her if he ever finds her.I need to put an end to this shit as fast as possible. I was still lost in thought when Ray called me. I looked up to see Kieran standing next to Ray."You're here," I said, looking at Kieran. He nodded."I heard how things went in Italy," he said.I smirked, pointing at
MACE'S POVI woke up the next morning to the beeping sound of my phone. I checked the time, and it was 5 a.m. I pulled my fingers that had been buried under my pillow out and got off the bed to prepare. I had some scores to settle this morning. It was time to rain blood on Ricci and his minions. I warned that fool that I might be my father's son, but I'm not my father. I was already prepared to leave, but I was checking out my outfit when Ray called to inform me that he was downstairs.I turned to the bed to find Amorino still soundly asleep. I didn't want to wake her, so I wrote a note on a piece of paper and placed it on the bedside table where she could easily find it before leaving. I came downstairs to see Ray sitting comfortably while munching the last bite of the cornflakes on his plate."Making yourself at home," I asked him."What can I do?" he replied, wearing a smirk."Besides, I need all the strength I could get, you know."I wasn't ready f