Fanny just didn't expect to actually see him again."And you're sure it's him?" Michel asked back, mentioning that she had told him it was Archibald with two other men who broke into her house and killed her father.She nodded, and took another sip of bitter wine, grimacing."The other two men are at your house, have you seen any of them today?"Biting her lip, she tried her best to recall the events that had taken place but ended up feeling useless because she couldn't help."It all happened so fast, I couldn't...""No problem." He took the glass from her hand and placed it on the wooden table.Holding her in his arms, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, hoping that her scent would calm his nerves so he wouldn't take his gun and completely go and kill anyone who dared to talk to him. His family just got attacked and that bastard Archibald is still on the run."I swore to kill Mr. Aiden, but I want you to know that I don't just mean him. Anyone who ever laid hands on you, Fann
Kaylin still remembers clearly in what condition they found her and how hard it was for her to lose her father like that.So, giving herself a little push, Kaylin took a deep breath and shrugged, trying to sound casual."Listen, I know you don't like me and I'm not crazy about you. But don't you think my actions are at least believable?" Kaylin began, stepping closer to the Black Roses leader's girlfriend."I helped find you, you know. I'm the one who tracked down that damn Phoenix house and I'm also the guy who shot down three of the assholes who ruined the wedding a few days ago. ""What do you mean?" Fanny held her gaze, waiting for Kaylin to continue."Meaning the last time you went out, it was with Gwen, an unreliable bitch you don't know well. I'm not forcing you, but I'm just suggesting that if you feel like living life alone. little, at least I can protect you if something stupid happens."Fanny was silent for a few seconds, curiously looking at the tall girl. "Why are you try
However, one thing is for sure, the incident left the nurse extremely shaken and distressed."For God's sake, Charles. Don't just stand there, get that woman a glass of wine." Michel hissed at his second-in-command, who also didn't seem to be himself.Ever since he walked into his office ten minutes ago, Charles hasn't acted like the usual collectible and actual mafia member he's known for.He seemed to be everywhere, focusing on Rosabella and trying to help her while his eyes kept drifting back to his boss, waiting for some guidance that would somehow fix the situation.Deep down, however, Charles knew that this wasn't going to happen. What happened, there was nothing he could do about it. That's exactly why he felt so lost.Handing Rosabella a glass of scotch highball, he noticed her hand was still shaking so he finally brought it to her lips so she could take a sip, hoping it would calm her nerves soon.Michel waited a moment, pulled up a chair, and sat down when he gave them the f
"We got this. It's Archibald's. Maybe we can use it to get to Mr. Aiden. We can seduce him by setting up a fake meeting. He'll think it's Archibald's."Michel let out an exasperated breath as he took the device and spun it in his hand. It seems to be unlocked, which seems to be at least something."We have to act fast. The escaped bastard might be telling Mr. Aiden about what happened when we talked. Charles, let's step outside for a minute. I need to talk to you." Michel spoke sternly as he turned towards the door, with the second commander following him.Though, they were soon stopped by a small voice."Michel," Rosabella called weakly, gulping as she watched the Black Roses leader turn to immobilize her with a menacing look."What?"Biting her lip, Rosabella did her best to keep her nerves at sea level, grateful that the brandy she had drunk earlier helped her do so."I don't want Fanny to know... you know... what I did." She stammered, hoping she got her message across.Keeping ey
"I was actually just starting my sophomore year of college when my parents passed away." Kaylin began to speak, keeping her voice impassive."I'm so sorry...""It had nothing to do with the mafia. It was a hit and run and they literally died in the car right after." She interrupts Fanny, making it clear that this is not really the heart of the story."Anyway, my sister was only ten at the time. So I had to drop out of college to support her. And I did. I worked as a waiter and cleaned the house, but I didn't. could never make enough money. My parents were simple people so they didn't leave us anything but the house we lived in. Not long after that, I started working at a house.""The Cabarets?""No, that's another one." Kaylin interrupted her words again."That's the hole you might mean. And I didn't know it was on the Phoenix turf.""You are a member of Phoenix...""No, I just work there."Since this was Kaylin's third time interrupting her, Fanny decided to let her speak, allowing h
"So Michel taught you how to...""Shoot? Yes, he did. But just the basics, I trained myself to be this good."Fanny was silent for a moment, replaying not just a story but Kaylin's real life, suddenly feeling overcome by a deep sense of guilt.While she focused on her own difficult life, Fanny acted completely insensitive to those around her. She's clearly not the only one dealing with the gruesome loss of a loved one and the reality is Kaylin - a woman she finds very tough on and unaffected by anything - having been through such things, really opened her eyes.Licking her lips, Fanny stared. "I'm sorry about your sister, Kaylin." She honestly said.Kaylin nodded curtly, clearly uncomfortable dealing with these many emotions. Even as she shared this with Fanny, she still didn't want to go down this pit of pity and disgust."Can I ask you something else?"Kaylin frowned at Fanny as she let out another chuckle. "You certainly have a lot of questions." She shook her head, a smile still o
After their fight, Michel did not see Fanny again that night.Instead, he focused on an emergency meeting he held at the office, filling out all the Black Roses members about the situation and planning to use Archibald's phone to contact Mr. Aiden.When everyone had left, he went to the large living room and sat at the piano, running his fingers over the keys in the dark before hitting the opening notes of the gentle melody he had composed many years ago.He needed to lose himself for a moment, just let go of all the emotions that had tortured him for the past few hours.It's not obvious to most people, but as the leader of the Black Roses gang, the responsibility falls heavily on his shoulders and he sometimes has trouble dealing with the realities of his situation. Michel played for a few minutes, the soothing sound swallowing him whole until a floorboard creaked behind him.Cutting off the middle note, he turned to find Fanny standing there, her uncertain eyes on him.Her long hai
Fanny's eyes remained on him, unmoving as she looked at him."There's something you didn't tell me, right?" She asked softly.Her tone was not accusing at all. Instead, it brings with it more anxiety. Unable to keep up with the charade, Michel sighed and let his shoulders drop, nodding."Can't you tell me?"He shook his head.Fanny continued to watch him for a few more seconds before she reached out and caressed the side of his face affectionately. "Do I need to know?"Michel gulped, wondering how Fanny would react if she knew that Rosabella had killed one of their greatest enemies. But that's not where he told her this.And technically, there isn't any urgency that she really needs to know this. So he shook his head, allowing her to step closer and look deeper into his eyes."Okay. I believe you, Michel."Leaning down, he pressed his lips gently against hers as his hands wrapped around her body."Let's go have breakfast."---Rosabella seems to have changed.At least she's not acting
"What makes you think we're going to have sex here?"Eyes wide, Rosabella reached forward and patted his chest, earning a mischievous laugh from him."Damn it."He laughs again but rests his head on her leg in his hands again to continue sucking."Like I could stop now..."Looking at her, all mischievous eyes then disappeared."But before we do... I want you to do something for me."Rosabella licked her lips as she watched him run his tongue over her pedicure-red toes."What."Charles' fingers massaged her legs a little harder."Touch yourself, Rosabella." He whispered.Rosabella inhaled sharply at his words.This isn't the first time he's asked this of her because Charles loves foreplay as much as she does. However, each time he utters any wish, it just makes her that much more interested.Slowly, Rosabella reached under her skirt and pulled her legs apart further as she let her hands move up to her inner thighs.She could see that he was looking down, watching her fingers trace her
Shrugging, Charles drank his wine before answering. "I don't mind the handcuffs I put on you a few days ago, so I assume you won't mind the ball and the leash." He joked.The two spent the next few minutes watching Michel and Fanny cut the cake before they resumed their conversation."So what if we make a deal?" Charles hands her a plate of cake."Oh, no way.""Why?""Really, Charles? We're terrible at making deals. We were supposed to just screw around and now we're talking wedding plans. I don't follow their arrangement. I'll go the way we want."She stuck a cake fork between his lips."Oh my, you're right." He gaped in response.Rosabella nodded firmly. "I'm always right and getting...""And you get what you want." He gulped, quickly kissing her lips."You know you always get what you want. Except in bed. Because that's where I'm king." He frowned at her as if challenging her.However, Rosabella just shrugged coldly, eating some cake herself."I have no problem with that, Charles."
"It wasn't a diamond ring but when a member of the Black Roses proposed, his future wife wore his Black Roses ring. You've seen it on Audrey, Farrah, and Fanny."She looked up from the box and looked him in the eye."Propose?" Her voice was soothing immediately, her heart pounding in her chest.Charles gently stroked her cheek. "You hate big gestures, Rosabella. But you're getting a ring. It's non-negotiable."Speechless, Rosabella held out her hand as Charles took out the ring and stuffed the box into one of his pockets.He was about to slide it in when she stopped him."Wait..." She quickly withdrew her hand, seeing the confusion on his face."I need you to promise me one thing before we're officially engaged.""Star?" He looked at her with concern."There's really two things..." She licked her lips as she tried to find the right words.Charles stood in front of her, patiently waiting for her explanation."If we have kids, I want them to have the option to get out of this life if th
Looking around them quickly, she wanted to make sure no one heard their conversation before she leaned over and whispered in his ear."Let's go upstairs...""Rosabella," He chuckles."I'm the best man, you're the bridesmaid, how do you think we can work on such a disappearance?"She knew he was right, but Rosabella simply couldn't help her.Instead, she continued to whisper more in his ear. "I want you to show me how much you own me, Charles. How much you don't like another man's hand in mine..."Charles put both of their drinks down on a nearby table and immediately wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her into his body."Are you trying to kill me?"Rosabella giggled, feeling him fix his mouth on her pulse point that he began to suck lightly.Unable to resist her body's reaction, she arched into him, making him smirk against her skin. She smells flowers and her very own delicious scent."God... so you need a reminder, Rosabella? How to behave? Do I need to keep you up all night?
"Come here..." He pulled her forward, so he could bring her body closer to his.Rosabella let him kiss her, enjoying his warm lips gently brushing hers as he let out a satisfied moan.Taking a step back, she locked eyes with him as she knotted her fingers through his hair."Did I ever tell you that you're a good kisser?" She whispered low, seductive voice.Charles bit her lower lip lightly. "No, but I won't stop you..." He chuckled as he bent down to her again and kissed her again.He locked his lips deeper, letting his tongue gently touch hers as his fingers continued to pull her shape to mold into him.Panting and heart pounding, Rosabella parted again, her eyes sparkling in satisfaction."Uh, sure you're a good kisser." She giggled.---Four months later."Congratulations." Everyone joins in, sipping champagne as they stand, all gathered together in the downstairs living space that has been decorated in a T with elegant floral arrangements and lighting.They invited key businessmen
"I did, but it's because you surprised me with it. I didn't think I could have this choice again and suddenly I was offered something that I thought I wanted. I didn't even really think before I said yes."He nodded but said nothing.Charles was tired of making the first move, always chasing Rosabella.This time he wants to hear something from her.She sighed, her brown eyes tired."You think I'd leave anyway if you weren't shot? That's what everyone thinks, maybe even Fanny."He kept his face neutral."Isn't that the truth?""No, that's not true." She frowned at the window, her cheeks flushed with emotion."You know that moment we were in that hotel room, when Archibald was about to kill you, that I didn't want to lose you. I know that, but I still don't want to admit it to anyone. I was stupid and I'm the same wretched Rosabella as ever. And once I've agreed to your offer, I'm too proud to tell you that I don't even want my stupid freedom, I don't want to leave you, don't want my ol
Michel nodded. "You should do the same."Rushing out of the room, the nurse bowed to them, quickly taking the opportunity to disappear.Surprised at the rapid turn of events, Rosabella turned to look at the leader."And you can't start with that?"He shrugs slightly. "Not as much as I give you a chance. You flew off the handle there."Rosabella let out another growl. "That damn nurse did a half job and I don't have it. So if she makes a fuss, I want you to threaten that bitch to shut up and let me do the job or have to deal with it. face the barrel of your gun."He frowned at her. Even so, Michel knew better than to argue with her. Because for the first time, he understood how much she cared about his second-in-command.And as he watched her act that way, unable to control the process she held, Michel finds himself speechless, acknowledging the fact that she is somehow a good fit for his family.That woman was a lunatic - just like the rest.---A soft hand grasped his.Charles opened
Unable to form any kind of reaction, feeling completely frozen, Michel continued."You did enough damage. So you might have five minutes with him, but after that, we're done. Is that clear?"She did not answer."I ask you a question.""Are not.""Sorry?"Rosabella stood up and crossed her arms."You heard me. I stayed."Michel took a step forward and towered over her."You listen to me. This has turned sour enough already, so I hope you go so far that you won't find your way back. I'm his boss and if I say you're not good enough for him, that's what it is. Charles will do his duty to his family and move on.""You may be his boss, but I'm his woman so we'll take a look at that."The two stared at each other without blinking.Standing there, it all suddenly made sense to Rosabella.She feels freer than before. She has been fighting her feelings for so long and has suppressed herself for no good reason.Now that she had said all that needed to be said, she felt relieved.Perhaps all of t
Finally losing the battle to keep calm, Kaylin pushed Carlos who was on the way to go to Rosabella, slapping her in the face.Fanny screamed and ran over, grabbing Rosabella to pull her aside."How dare you?""You two need to shut up. Get out of our faces or you'll be next, Fanny."Knowing that emotions were running high and that grief for Bellamy and Kieran was most likely weighing heavily on female member Black Roses, Fanny dropped her shoulder and decided not to push it any further.No, she will wait for Michel to come home and, in the meantime, get to the bottom of her own question.Specifically, facts that everyone but her seemed to already know.---"Why don't you tell me? All this time you've led me to believe that you hate Charles when in fact there are clearly emotions involved." Fanny asked Rosabella gently as they were both in one of the smaller living rooms, waiting for someone to come and give them any news after that night's incident.Rosabella used her sleeve to wipe th