"Boss, copy. I'll be outside. I'm going to wait for Ariella, as surely she'll be on a rampage when she arrives." Brit concludes, and he leaves the room. When Kyle and I were alone, I turned my attention back to him and urged, "Double-time on the report validation, Kyle. We'll need to have more concrete information." "I'm working on it, Elliot. We'll get to the bottom of this soon, don't worry." I strolled over to the couch and sat down. I'm completely spent. Since Ari's declaration to end our friendship, followed by all the reports that came in about Dimitri, I've struggled really hard. It's steadily draining whatever last strength I have, but I know I can't give up. Not until I've assured myself that Ariella isn't caught up in the chaos. "I want everyone to —" My statements were stopped just short when the door to my office burst open, allowing a seething Ariella, followed by an exasperated Briton, to enter the room. "Leave, Kyle!" Ari ordered before I could even say anything, an
"You let me out, Elliot! You're a dickhead, Elliot Allister! Somebody let me out! Let me get the fuck out of here! You three stooges can't keep me in here forever! Assholes!" The boss, underboss, and capo have been massaging their foreheads incessantly. Since Ariella was brought here to Elliot's mansion, they had not spoken to each other. They never had the chance with all of Ariella's shouting and hysterical fits booming in the four corners of the estate. And she hasn't stopped screaming, cursing, and yelling at the top of her lungs from Elliot's room since she was brought here until now. The reactions from the three are unimaginable. Who would have thought that Ariella could be this loud? It's even a wonder to behold that Elliot managed to somehow get Ariella to come to his house following her tirade at his office. It took the three of them just to restrain her and prevent her from trashing and wrecking anything further at Elliot's workplace. Elliot had to lift Ari onto his shoulde
Ariella was jolted by the unlocking of the door, but she gathered herself and prepared herself for the action ahead. She literally can not believe Elliot was so nefarious as to drag her to his place against her will. Simply put, Elliot kidnapped her once more. And she's more enraged than ever that she was taken this time consciously. If the three assholes didn't just restrain her, they wouldn't be able to bring her here because she will truly not give up without fighting. "Where the hell is your boss?" Ari screamed as soon as she saw one of Elliot's men open up the door. "Call him, you moron!" She also added. When Ari saw Elliot walk into the room, the guy who may have been guarding her door chose not to respond, but instead just took a step back and left them alone. Ari can't help but stare at Elliot despite her indignation; yes, he appears exhausted and worn, but despite that, he's still just as attractive and sexy as ever. "You!" Ari yelled, struggling to dismiss her amorous thou
And Ariella, in an instant, managed to pick up on what Elliot was trying to express. "I have to let you go because my life is damned. For the life of me, I let you go because I couldn't bring you into this dangerous world. I cannot see you being at the center of the chaos in my life." She began to cry, hearing him, pondering what might have been for the two of them if Elliot had not been handed this cruel lifestyle. "For ten years, Ari, all I could think about was giving up everything, but I couldn't. This may not be the life that I want, but this is the life that my parents chose and handed me, and I am obliged to embrace and live it even if I don't want to. And I'm offended and hurt that you've been condemning me all this time without even understanding what I've been through. My life was never easy, Ari, and when I had to lose you, it became harder." Those sentiments struck Ari deeply. Elliot is right; she had been passing judgment on him the entire time. She was only concerned w
"They've arrived! The visitors are here!" One of Elliot's men started yelling, prompting Brit to step outside and personally welcome the recently arrived men. It is his task as a capo to do just that. Multiple men in black suits and spectacles were exiting several tinted vehicles as he came out. A good number of their guys huddled behind Brit and waited with him. A man got out of the vehicle in the middle and walked directly to Briton's position. "Capo," he started out by saying, his countenance stone-faced. "Sotto Capo, the boss and the underboss are expecting you." Brit said, with a courteous nod and a gesture forward towards the palatial entryway. With a nod, Sotto Capo fully recognized Brit's presence and followed him inside. His own capo trailed behind him. Kyle, Elliot's underboss, warmly welcomed them into the receiving room as soon as they managed to enter. "Sotto Capo, Ethan Gregory." Kyle says, extending his hand to the guest, who shakes Kyle's hand back. "Where has she
All that could be heard were sobs from all four corners of the room. There were no words spoken, but sorrow and misery could be felt through all the cries and weeping that could not be suppressed or hidden. Pain can be felt, and as much as they wanted to stop it, there was no way. It is inevitable at this point. Ariella was in excruciating discomfort. She knew now that Elliot and Matt weren't the only ones who had been lying to her. What's bothering her even more right now is the idea that her own family, her own parents, have been lying to her all her life. They claimed to live a well-ordered and comfortable life, but it was all a sham. Her parents made her believe that she came from a well-mannered family, but now knowing that they were criminals, they crushed her whole world. She and her family will never be able to live peacefully and securely since they will always be threatened because of their dirty links. Ari is even more humiliated and feels even more ashamed by the fact th
Despite her resistance and determination to defy them, Ariella was still unable to win the challenge that was thrown before her. Not when her own brother and Elliot conspired to make sure she followed through on their demands. And as much as she doesn't like to go back home, at this point, that is her only viable choice. And it was at this point that she noticed their resemblance. Ethan and Elliot are both controlling and demanding. And, no matter how much she refuses to acknowledge it, the reality is staring her straight in the face. Her own brother is a vicious criminal, just like Elliot. Her blood, like that of the people she constantly condemns, is of a criminal line. She absolutely hates it. She hates knowing the truth about her family. She refuses to acknowledge having to confront this tragic reality of her life. She would not choose to know the whole truth if she had the option to go back in time. Because the reality is that this is the greatest truth that will ultimately ruin
Ariella hasn't stopped crying. She is attempting to stop the tears from gushing, but no matter how many times she tries, she is unable to do so. Today is her dreaded day for both her and Ethan to leave. They should have departed yesterday, but Ethan and Elliot have been extremely busy with the arrangements and preparations for their return trip home. Ari hasn't seen or talked to Elliot since yesterday, and Ari isn't sure whether he'll be able to bid her farewell or if he'll just let her go without even saying goodbye. Despite the fact that they are not on really good terms, they are civil enough for her to want him to be around when she leaves. Her heart is racing with fear at the prospect of being separated from him once more, and maybe for good this time. Yes, she had yearned for this before; she wanted to be away from him and his chaotic life, but now that it is within her grasp, she is at a loss for words. A part of her screams that she doesn't really want to, but Ethan had alrea
Finally, the story has come to an end. Apologies, as it took longer than I had expected because of a lot of circumstances and my busy schedule. This is not perfect as well, and I know that, but I really want to thank you all so much for the support and for giving this book a chance. I deeply appreciate all the readers and followers who are supporting my stories in GN. Please support and keep reading my other stories in GN: English: (On-going) The Dragster's Mafia Heiress The Runaways' Second Chance Mate Taglish: The Invisible Love of Billionaire (completed) Married to the Runaway Bride (completed) Falling for the Replacement Mistress (On-going) The Rise of the Fallen Ex-Wife (On-going) Entangled to the Hidden Mafia (On-going)
Two men could be seen discreetly bickering over something in the stillness of the night. And although what was happening was visible to the rest of the men on the ground with them, they all chose not to interfere at this moment. They know better than to meddle with something that is not their concern. No one can genuinely understand what the verbal hubbub that is occurring between the two is all about as well. But whatever it is, it begins to appear to be about something big and important for the two to face off on the grounds just like that. The two men exchanged dirty, mean looks as they awaited each other's next move. And it also seemed as if they were about to each draw their firearms and end this ordeal between them, but both of them subsequently changed their minds and thought better of their situation. It really shouldn't reach such an extent once more. They now behave more calmly and rationally with each other than they used to in the past as a result of the changes in their
The wedding ceremony is happening in a blur for both of them. They are just too focused on each other all the time, as they are both holding each other's hands. The couple is so overjoyed about everything that is happening that they were smiling all throughout. And why wouldn't they? They are getting married! "Now that you can, Elliot, you may now recite your vows." The priest directed him. Elliot wasn't accustomed to these situations, of course. He's never been kind to express how he really feels, especially about love topics, and most of all not in front of other people. Kyle and Brit are the only people who could possibly know everything about what his heart desires. Nevertheless, today, he is willing to voice his opinion openly about Ariella and take away all his inhibitions because he wants Ari to understand how important she is to him. Before actually beginning to say his vows, he even took a deep breath to compose himself. "Hey, you know how hard this is for me, Ari, sweetie.
As I stood beside Kyle, my heartbeat was thumping frantically in my chest. I am anxious and excited, and I can tell that every person in the hall is feeling the same way as I am. This is where it all ends now. This is the culmination of everything that we've worked so hard to achieve. Today is a very special day for me and Ari, and everyone present here today is going to celebrate this momentous occasion with us. And I've honestly been eagerly awaiting this moment as well for a very long time now. But, in addition to that, I am currently experiencing a wide range of emotions. And for the very first time in my life, I can feel my hands and legs trembling at the same time at just the thought of Ariella Gregory. A distinct kind of nervousness is what I am starting to experience because, even though I'm anxious as I stand here with my best man, my excitement for what today will bring outweighs my nervousness by a long shot. Today is my most anticipated day. I'm going to get married tod
"There may still be time for you to make up your mind and change the decisions that you made, so are you sure that this is exactly what you intended to be doing?" Markus is acting like an a-hole as usual at this moment. "Sure, everything else with the villains of your lives is done and over with, but are you absolutely able to say that you wanted to marry him, that douche? Just tell me, Ariella, and I am willing to save you from this misery that you are about to get yourself into." I scowled at him as I crossed my arms in front of my chest to just let him know that he was not in the least amusing me and that I was beginning to get upset and clearly annoyed with him. "Markus, are you done grating on my nerves? If you are, can you shut the hell up now?" "What the heck, pumpkin? Why are you being so rude and surly? I'm merely trying to provide some clarity to your muddled and disorganized thinking. And I just want to let you know there is still enough time to back out." "Shut the heck
"It’s alright, dear. It's actually a very sweet gesture from you. And it just shows how much you really love my daughter." "I really do love her." He said proudly. Ari is too pleased, and she can feel the butterflies in her stomach again just hearing Elliot's words of affection for her in front of her mother. "And I love him too, so much, mom." She said proudly as well, then turning her attention to her fiance she said. "And yeah, I'm actually making your breakfast, but I thought that something must have happened because you kept calling and shouting my name that I have to see you. Are you seriously missing me all that much?" He replied confidently, "I certainly do." Then he lowers his voice and whispers to Ari, "Let's go back up into our room and I'll show you how much I miss you and how much I love you." "I like that." Ari answered grinning. She then turned to face her mother asking her, "Mom, will you be an angel and take over in the kitchen? Elliot and I just need to discuss s
Elliot immediately woke up from his sleep when he dreamed about Ariella not being beside him. He tried to reach for her but was surprised to find out that she was really no longer lying next to him. "Ari!" He exclaimed in an instant. He's been so protective of her since the recent incident that the prospect of losing her again fills him with dread. He has lost her so many times in the past that he will not allow it to happen again. He jumped out of bed and briskly walked into the bathroom to look for her. "Baby?" He called out to her again but still got no response. He then tried looking for her in the walk-in closet, but still, she was nowhere to be seen. "Baby, where are you?" He says to himself. Instantly, he began to feel uneasy. How could she have gone anywhere without him? Did she abandon him? But why? What did he do to merit that from her? He tried reaching out to her all the time, but Ari is still finding it hard to get through the events of last time, and as he and Ethan d
It is extremely simple to fool this young man who thinks so highly of himself, and as Mattias nods his head in agreement with Lucio, the elderly man feels he has done an outstanding job. With that being said, he has to leave immediately before Mattias poses a lot of questions that he wouldn't be able to answer. After concluding his report, he said, "With all of that information revealed to you, I will put it to rest at that for the time being." He then grabbed the money and, having to put it in his bag, rose up from his seat and proceeded to go. "I need to leave right now because I have somewhere I need to be. Call me if your big boss has another assignment for me." He declared, turning to leave without waiting for Mattias to respond. "The Allisters—what's up with them then?" The moment Mattias posed that query, Lucio halted in his tracks. "What? What about the Allisters?" "Isn't it that you told me you have information concerning both Gregory and Allister?" Mattias inquired as he
Lucio was so excited about this meet-up that he greeted Mattias as soon as he came through the door, saying, "Mattias, it's been quite some time since I last heard from you. What surprises do you have in store for me now? Did the boss seem to like everything that I had to say about the Gregory and Allister families? I need details about what went through with your plans." The most recent incidents involving the Wilsons, Gregorys, and Allisters are still unknown to Lucio. He still doesn't know that Mattias and his men have been captured and are under direct orders from Elliot, nor does he know that Matthew is already dead. He made the decision to maintain a low profile after receiving numerous threats from an anonymous gang, and since he doesn't have anyone to back him up solidly, he decided to stay put and keep silent for a little while. And now he's overjoyed that Mattias has summoned him. He may not have information now, but Mattias won't know that, so it will be easy money for