Claire's POV I couldn't stop smiling as I hung up the phone with Nick. It felt amazing to reconnect with my old friend. It's been a long time since we last saw each other. We had so much to catch up on. Where had he been? Was he in love now? Did he have a boyfriend already or was it just a train of fling after fling? There was so much to talk about. He called when I was in the kitchen doing the dishes. I had just finished eating my favorite dish and I was about to take a shower. Now I had to suspend that and fix something for Nick. I had to receive him in grand style. I quickly texted Nick my address, eager to see him soon. His visit would be a lovely surprise to brighten up my evening. I grabbed a packet of spaghetti from the cupboard and threw the strands into a pot. Pasta and meatballs were Nick’s favorite so I was just going to prepare that for him. I moved around the kitchen from one point to the other, picking ingredients and throwing them into the pot. I stirred and taste
Claire's PovHe was brutally injured. Why must anyone do this to a human? The flesh in his wounds oozed out blood. The doctor didn't arrive on time and I could not help but pace the room fearing it would be worse even with Luke calming me down.As the doctor packed up his medical supplies and bid us farewell, a sigh of relief escaped my lips. Nick's wounds were tended to, but I bet the emotional scars would take longer to heal."Thank you, doctor," I said. Nick's eyes lingered on mine, I could see the fear settled in his eyes. He must have been so terrified by the robbers who assaulted him. "I'll be here tomorrow," The doctor said and left."It's late, I need to go," Luke said, taking off the hood of his clothes from his head."Please, Claire, let him stay," Nick immediately jumped off his bed like he could stop Luke, but the pain held him back as he groaned falling back on the bed."He can't go back to that place, not after what happened." His eyes pleaded with me, and my heart ra
Don’s POV “Don?” Her jaw dropped as her eyes widened My unexpected arrival at her lodge caught her off guard. It was obvious. She hadn't expected me to show up, especially after our heated argument the previous days. I was the last person she wanted to see. The tension between us was thick like double duvets on a bed. My anger had boiled over. What was she thinking, letting another man into her space? The images from the cameras I'd installed flashed in my mind – two people had come in, even three cause someone in a doctor's uniform followed suit.The first was a familiar face, Nick. He was rushed in by someone whose appearance disturbed me as he was wearing a hood and looked like he was deliberately avoiding the camera. The one time he pulled his hood off, he was behind the surveillance.Claire, smiling at that stranger, touching her waist, burned me. The moment these people had entered, I had taken my car keys and burst out of the house with Elyse and Romano asking where the fuc
Don’s POV My stomach rumbled just as soon as Claire walked out. Left alone now and unsure of what exactly to do, I began walking towards the kitchen. Not like I was sure I was going to find food but I just went anyway. Maybe my stars would be lucky to find something edible.I stormed into the kitchen, my hunger and fatigue getting the better of me. The argument with Claire still hung in the air, but my growling stomach demanded attention. That's when I spotted two pots on the counter. I got closer and opened both and the aroma of deliciously cooked pasta and meatballs filtered into my nostrils. My stomach growled once more. My mouth watered as I scooped out a generous portion onto a plate.I devoured the pasta and meatballs, unaware of Claire's arrival until she cleared her throat."Don, what are you doing?" Claire asked, her voice tinged with annoyance. I glanced up, fork mid-air. "Eating. I'm starving."Claire's eyes narrowed. "That's Nick's dinner."I shrugged, taking another b
Don's PovAs our lips met, the tension between us let loose. My hands roamed her body, relearning every curve as she repaid with her fingers tracing the lines of my face. We had been longing for each other for way too long and the kiss deepened.We broke apart, gasping for air. I carried her up on my waist, wrapping her in my arms. "I need you, Claire," I whispered, my voice husky with desire.She nodded, her eyes locked on mine. I carried her to our bedroom and laid her on the bed, Claire's hands reached for me. I pulled off my clothes, my eyes never leaving hers. "Make love to me, Don," Claire whispered, her voice shivering with desire as her hands wrapped around my neck.Our lips curled into each other once again as I hovered above her. And, tongues intertwined. Claire's fingers dug into my back, her nails tracing my ways of pleasure. Every touch, every kiss, every whisper was as passionate and special. No man could replace doing this to my wife. I would not take it, not stand i
Don's Pov Cowen walked into my domain - just a side of the diner that I had gotten extra comfortable in. He wore a serious look on his face. "Don. I've got something," Cowen said, handing over the bag. The small bag containing the camera tapes. I raised an eyebrow."Tapes from the cafe and mall. I think you'll find them interesting."My eyes widened. He had done the job real quick, just like I wanted it. I quickly inserted the first tape into the player. The coarse footage showed Luke entering the cafe with my wife, but the most interesting was his face was visible.Just like I predicted. This was all I needed."Is this...?" Cowen's voice trailed off.I nodded. "Luke, aka Salvatore. His face is on our database. It's a match." I turned over the laptop to Cowenas he checked Salvatore's file. I had requested that Romano send them to me this morning.My expression turned fierce. "I knew it. He's been trying to play us all along."However, there was more. The second tape showed Luke meeti
Don's POV I adjusted myself in my seat, crossing my right leg over my left as I scanned the packed hall. Today was Claire's diploma verification award day, and I couldn't miss it for the world. My girl was finally graduating and would soon be able to pursue her career as a luxury event planner. The auditorium buzzed with excitement, filled with graduates, families, and friends. Claire's university had transformed the space into a celebration hub, with balloons and streamers adorning the walls.The uniform clapping of persons present in the hall distracted me from the COD game I was playing, making me raise my head. In a bid to show some iota of respect to the gray-haired man who had just finished talking, I joined in the clapping which soon came to a stop. My eyes darted to where the graduates sat and after moving over the heads and profiles of different men and women, I finally spotted Claire. She sat aglow in her graduation gown and her hair was styled perfectly. Her make-up arti
Claire’s POVMy head swam. “Luke is Salvatore” Don’s words reverberated in my head. How was that even possible? Luke and Salvatore were clear opposites. So, how could Salvatore be Luke? “Don, that’s impossible. Luke can’t be Salvatore. Salvatore is a Mafia Boss, Luke on the other hand can’t even hurt a fly”“Wait until he hurts you. I guess that’s when you’ll believe me” Don replied, eyes on the road. Although it was dark, and aside from the car’s headlights, the ceramic tints of the car made us see perfectly well as if it were morning. “I need proof, Don. I just can’t swallow what you said hook, line, and sinker”He tapped his breast pocket repeatedly before sliding down to feel the pockets of his tailored pants. “Are you looking for something?”“Yes, my phone. The proof that you so badly need is in there”“You tossed it in the backseat when we got into the car, remember?”“How come I‘m having memory lapses? I mean, I’m not even forty yet”“Boy, you getting old” I spanked the bac