MAVERICKI started to hyperventilate the longer I stayed alone, and tears kept rolling down my cheeks.I was terrified that Lake and everyone outside might be hurt. I gave a jolt as I heard someone must have twisted the doorknob from the outside.My hands were sweaty as I held the gun up. Until I finally heard five knocks. I released a shuddering breath as I got up and stuffed the gun in the band of jeans. Then I fumbled to unlock the door.The door swung open. The first person I saw was Lake, smiling at me. I lunged straight to him, jumped into his arms, and squeezed him tight. “I was so worried.”“I’m fine, baby. Thanks for listening to me.” He hugged me tight and kissed my temple. “Sorry for leaving you alone.”As I pulled apart, he looked at me, eyes filled with pain. “You’ve been crying.”“I thought I would be left here alone.” I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I was worried you’d get hurt.”He beamed at me, cupped my head, and kissed me hard, and that was what exactly I wanted— to prove
MAVERICKThere were bruises all over Celestina’s chest and probably more all over her body. If I were her, I would have been in a coma. How did she tolerate that pain was a miracle?“That motherfucker!” I jumped at Terzo’s voice, booming inside the study. He said something in Italian before the door slammed next, vibrating in all corners.The room went utterly silent, but my sobs.“Shit.” I thought it was Linden.I turned to find his voice, and he just went to the door. “Gabe, what is it?”“They took Giosue with them,” said Celestina. “Terzo is gonna torture him in inhumanely possible.”I swallowed hard as I found it hard to digest. “You should take a rest.”“I’m fine. I’ll rest later.”“I can find you some painkillers.”“I’ll go find a medicine cabinet,” Lake volunteered.“So you’re Lake, the husband?” asked Celestina.“Yeah, the husband. I wish we’d met not in a circumstance like this.”She smiled. “Don’t ever raise a hand at her, or I will kill you.”I held my laugh as I sat next t
LAKEShe worried me. What she’d just witnessed was traumatizing that she shouldn’t have seen. And she just slept it off and didn’t want to talk about it.I informed Owen. “When is the jet going to be ready? I have to take Maverick out of here.”“I’m so sorry, boss. She must have been terrified.”I shook my head without a word. There were no words to describe what had just happened in two days. These people were terrible for her and would do nothing but cause her pain and put her life in danger.That was my biggest regret of digging up her family tree. I’d seen and experienced it since she learned about her father. If only I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have taken her here.“I’ll get it done as soon as possible.” He gripped my shoulder before he left.I went inside the room where we stayed for a night. After what happened at the compound, I wouldn’t trust a hotel room. Conti loyalists could have come after Siciliano.I hadn’t reached the bed when Maverick started screaming and jo
MAVERICK“You’re not even wearing a swimwear.”I shrugged. The water was so revitalizing. This was what I wanted after all those shits happened in my life for a week now. I needed a getaway, and my husband made it possible.“You only live once, Winston! Take off your clothes and skinny-dip.”He laughed in amusement. “I enjoyed watching you then get my ass frozen.”“It’s not even cold. You won’t get blue balls. Come on, Winston. Have fun. You have money, influence, power, and a sexy wife waiting for you. Just take a leap and jump!”The more I talked, the more he laughed. “That’s true. I have a sexy wife.”He stood up, took off his shirt, and showed me what I missed for days. He looked ripped. His glorious chest and magnificent abs were on full display.I held my breath and bit my bottom lip in anticipation as soon as he opened the fly of his jeans. Damn, those strong thighs. Unfortunately, he kept his boxers on before he jumped into the pool.Within seconds, he was in front of me, cupp
LAKEShe was half asleep as she sucked a breath, feeling my fingers sliding in her heat. She squeezed her thighs together in response.“Open your thighs, and let me make you feel good.” My voice was deep, my cock hardening as a rod in anticipation.Once she relaxed, I lightly rubbed her clit. Her hips tilted, and she began rocking into my fingers.I kissed her cheek and whispered, “Do you want to come?”She nodded instantly, eyes opened, biting her lip.I rubbed her harder, kissing down her jaw, sucking the skin on her neck, nipping her earlobe. She moaned instantly. I quickened my pace, fucking her with my fingers.“Babe,” Her moan grew louder, and her breathing turned to pants. Her hand came to my wrist, gripping it, seemingly in chaotic thoughts to pull away or keep it there.My fingers were coated with her wetness, dripping down her hole. She felt so warm and tight, and I was so hard, yearning to be inside her.The moment she clenched around my fingers, I pressed my thumb on her c
MAVERICKIt was a beautiful day despite my being too tanned and exhausted. After our boat ride, we watched the sunset at Oia and had a dinner date. It was nothing fancy, but I loved the fact that he could be an ordinary man while he was with me.I was glad Owen and Homer watched us from a distance, and I didn’t see people checking him out. Sometimes, having a lack of privacy can be annoying.Then, we ended our night strolling at the private beach down the villa. I even forgot what happened in Sicily for a while. I had so much fun, and I was grateful that this trip happened.When I struggled to walk on the sand with my sandals, Lake shook his head. He was entertained with my struggle.“Let me help you with that.” He went on his knee to undo the straps, took my sandals off, and carried them for me.“Thanks.”“No need to thank me.”“No, it’s about this trip. I didn’t realize I badly needed it until I had fun with you today. It feels like, right now, some weights lift off my chest.”Owen
LAKE“Give me my pussy.” I held her waist, pushing her up. She quickly complied, grabbed the headboard, and sat on my face.She was drenched as always, and her sweet, succulent taste flooded my senses. I inhaled her scent before I went on feasting. Her clit pulsed as I suckled into my mouth. Her thighs quivered, her scream echoing in the room.“Baby, you might want to tone down your voice. The door to the veranda is opened, and they will come running, thinking someone screams a bloody murder.” I kept the door open, the white curtain dancing against the salty breeze.“Fuck you. Then don’t eat me.”“No can do.” I chuckled before I flattened my tongue against her folds, laving up her clit.“Fuck.” Shuddering, she pushed her pussy into my face, grinding against my mouth.With my thumbs, I spread her pussy lips before I plunged the tip of my tongue inside her. I knew she was going to come sooner, so I fucked her, and she began rocking her hips into me. It didn’t take seconds, and her body
MAVERICKAs we boarded the jet, I barely said a word, flying back home, yet my silence spoke volumes. My pain and tears were deafening. That was hours ago.“Baby, say something.” Lake never left my side, pulling me in his arms.I shook my head.“Baby, please?”When I couldn’t stand the twinge of pain in his voice, I lifted my gaze. He was worried about my silence. “She’s on medication and watches her diet. Her only guilty pleasure is pecan pie. She can be a handful and complains a lot, but she takes care of her health the moment she’s diagnosed.”“I’m sorry that you have to go through this heartache, but you’re not alone anymore. Talk to me, Maverick.”I rested my head on his shoulder as I felt my defeat. “How did she get a heart attack? The doctor said that during our last visit six weeks ago, He said she was drastically improving. Her blood work was better than before.”“We’ll soon find out.”“Before we left Italy, I made sure she had her medicine complete.”“Don’t blame yourself. Y
TERZOThe thick wooden doubled-door swung open to my father’s office. It was one of the biggest rooms in the house where business was discussed and where the most secured safe and panic room were situated, where he kept his most valuables.I was assaulted by the scents of cedar wood and expensive cigars hung thick in the air.I let go of a shuddering breath as I stepped inside. Gaetano Siciliano, the patriarch of the family, the Don— one of the most powerful and feared heads of the mafias in Italian history— my father was sitting in his chair before his massive desk. His thick brows knitted together, hanging low over his dark caramel eyes and gray hair cut stylishly. In his sixties, he was still fit, strong, and could beat me in the ring if he desired to, but he always humbly said his prime was over.“Figlio.”“Come va, papa?”Papa nodded in acknowledgment. “Come in. How’s your sister?”Standing in the left corner that caught my eye was Celestina, my other beautiful sister who had bee
MAVERICKI smiled as we finally had time for each other. Atlas just fell asleep.Lake cupped my face and traced my lips with his thumb. “Thank you for making me complete, the happiest man on this planet, and for being my wife.”My heart exploded with his words with so much joy. “Ditto. Now, no more talking. Just get rid of your clothes.”He held his laugh, shaking his head as we began taking our clothes off. There was nothing much to strip off. I was in my sexy red lingerie, and he was in his pants.To be honest, our only problem was our time for both of us— most of the time while we were naked in bed, Atlas began waking up and started to cry.“I love you, baby.”I parted my lips as I watched the desire flicker in his eyes. He then dipped down, tagging my bottom lip between his teeth. He groaned as he pressed his hard cock against my lower belly and then cupped my ass as he finally captured my mouth in a passionate kiss, gliding his tongue inside, dominating me.Moaning, I instantly w
MAVERICKEight months later, Southampton I had a teary-eyed earlier as Cooper carried the precious angel I’d never thought I could love beyond anything in this world. He was five months old today and became the center of our universe. He was our ringbearer, and everyone, oh and ah, as he put on a cute little suit, while Nana and Beatreigh had been giggling since I walked down the aisle with my father, Gaetano.Like what he promised to my husband when Lake asked for the blessings he would be here, my friends and family, everyone I loved, including Terzo and Celestina. Lake did his luck inviting my mother. Surprisingly, she was here alone.“What’s in your head, baby?” the most handsome groom I’d ever seen smiled. He still took my breath away when he did that.After all these years of finding my perfect one, he came to me at the right time, even for the wrong reason.Then, our whole universe, Atlas Sawyer Bates Winston, came into our world, adding more colors to our lives. Sawyer was my
LAKE“Oh, my God!” My mother was the first to react, seeing the golf ball pop into blue smoke as soon as my uncle executed a stroke.“I knew it. Look at her abdomen,” Augustine said to my mother.“I told you, remember?” Mom seemed to find a new good friend in Augustine. They went to coffee or shopping together and sometimes baked at home. I was glad they got along so well. They were going to be excellent guides in raising our child.When we held our gender reveal party, Maverick was already six months pregnant. It was worth the wait. Everyone was here— our families, close friends, her friends from the Bazz, and, of course, our extended family.“You should promote my baby products, Maverick.”Amused, I shook my head at Estelle. “Give my wife a break.”“You’re the one who’s not giving her a break,” London replied. “She’s going to wear LH maternity dress for the photoshoots.“Congratulations, cuz.” Striker came to me.“Thanks.” We hugged each other.“Are you ready to be a father?”“I don
MAVERICK“Whoa. Why the long face?” I shoved a spoonful of butter pecan ice cream into my mouth as I watched Lake’s face seemingly in deep, miserable thoughts. “Babe?”“Yeah?” He looked at me, looking guilty.“Did you just cheat on me in that four hours?”“Baby, why do you always think like that?”“Lake, cheating doesn’t only mean you’re sleeping or kissing the other woman. Could be lying, keeping something important from me.”“I know.” He rose from the chair to join me on the couch. Then he pulled me close to him so he could hug me. “You like that?”“Yeah. You want some?” I scooped and offered, but he shook his head.“I want to tell you something.” I could feel the heaviness of guilt in his voice. Whatever he was about to say, I was sure he had reasons.“Shoot.”“I went to Nana.” It lightened up my chest when he called my grandmother Nana. One time, when he talked about my father, he called him Papa even though I still called Gaetano by his name.“And?” I met his gaze.“Your mother w
LAKE“She did not ruin your life. You ruined your own life by sleeping with the most dangerous man,” Augustine spat her anger out.I felt her anger towards her daughter was decades long, and she just had time to let it out of her chest.“You were only eighteen,” she added. “I had high hopes for you, but you disappointed your father. You were reckless and stupid and slept with a married man. You didn’t even know what care and love meant, and after you were gone for months, you came to me five months pregnant. Don’t blame your miserable life and poor choices on the poor, innocent child. She’s been through enough and all of that because you caused her so much pain.”“What do you want from my wife, Florence?”She lifted her chin. “I just wanted to meet her.”“Why now? Why not before when she didn’t have a mother at her first school recital? On her first time having a period? I’m your last to get out of here without being dragged into a van. Terzo is still in town, Florence.”She blinked t
LAKE“Are you okay?” I glanced down at Maverick working on her tan beside the pool.She looked pretty satisfied and comfortable in her yellow two-piece swimsuit and sunglasses, which shielded her eyes from the blazing sun.“Why do you keep asking me that?” She slightly lifted her chin.“Did you put enough sunscreen on?” I wanted to see her eyes but was disappointed that she kept her sunglasses on.“Don’t worry. I need more Vitamin D.” She strolled her gaze at me.“My Vitamin D isn’t enough for you?”When she saw me smirking, she slightly tipped her head down, glaring. “Not everything is about your dick, Lake. Going somewhere?”“Yeah. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”“A date?”“Yes, Maverick. I have a date. You might as well put Airtag on me.”“Can you buy butter pecan ice cream for me?”“Of course. Anything else?”“Bring your cock back untouched.”I laughed, making her frown. “My cock is exclusively yours, baby.” I bent down to cup her face and kissed her on the lips. “I promise yo
MAVERICK“Linden made fun of me. He sent me every copy of the books he read while Estelle had their first baby, Gabrielle. I’m done reading the first two books.”“Is that why you’re so calmer than me because of these books?”“You may be stubborn, but when it comes to our unborn child, you’re very responsible. Hence, we never argued about it. We most argued about money and my spending on you.”“I did not tell you that I love the ring.” I raised my hand. It was a Marquise cut, the same size as my first engagement ring.“Thank you, baby. I have good taste, you know.” I found some meaning in his words.“I bet.”Once he was done eating, he went to a small fridge and brought two bottled water. He opened one and gave it to me.“Thank you.” I drank it.“Can you stay a little longer?”“Why? Isn’t a chairman and CEO has a lot of work to do?”“That can wait.” He stood before me, cupped my head, and kissed me hard.My hands came to his arms, gripping them as he deepened the kiss and shoved his to
MAVERICKWe finally found out the gender of our baby this morning. I could see the joy in Lake’s eyes as the doctor told us. He was excited and couldn’t wait to meet our baby. He was even teary-eyed as he kissed my tummy.One thing he assured me was that he didn’t care about either a boy or a girl as long as our child was healthy, and I couldn’t agree more.On the other hand, I was a little bit scared of a lot of things, including labor and the pressure of being a first-time mother.I was still astounded at how lucky I was to be his wife. Aside from being overprotective and bossy, he was also thoughtful and loving.After Beatreigh, Nana, and I visited a bridal boutique, we had a late lunch, and then I decided to pay a visit to my husband, who was never invited to the Chairman and CEO’s office. The last time I planned on walking into this building was my confrontation with Wallace, but it didn’t happen.So, I thought I would surprise Lake.I knocked on his office door when Venus told m