Salvatore's POV FLASH BACK I stepped out of my sleek black sedan with a bottle of bourbon in my hand, closing the door behind me with my free hand. I had instructed my men to wait for me at the base, the large house where we usually had our meetings, hidden away from the eagle eyes of society. Leaving my cigarette in between my lips, I pulled my card key out of the breast pocket of my shirt and placed it against the door. The door gave way and I walked in, moving straight to my chair. I dropped the bottle of bourbon on the table before settling in my chair. My men –some sitting, some leaning– all stood up the moment I walked. “Boss” They greeted, bowing their heads. I raised my hand briefly at them, acknowledging their greetings. I took a long drag on my cigarette, the ember glowing bright.“Listen up, boys” I growled, exhaling smoke. “We've got a job to do” “So Don’s girl, Claire will be going to her alma mater tomorrow for the supposed diploma verification process” I made ima
Claire's PovMr. Nice Guy; Luke's eyes brushed my face, searching for an answer. He had done enough, taking me from such a lonely road to the buzz of the city. He made appropriate conversations and entertained me with his sleek humor.However, dropping me off at my destination? No, I wouldn't accept that. Firstly, I was extremely worried my phone was not with me and I could not contact Don, but I was excited I was close to my destination as evening already approached. Secondly, Luke was still a stranger and for my safety, I could not let him drop me off at the new place Don readied for me. "Luke. I'm sorry. But I would just drop off and take a cab"He hissed his teeth but smiled again. "How about your phone and car, how do I reach you when my men are back from the mechanic""That's easy," I said, tapping Cowen from the front seat. I requested his ID card and handed it over to Luke. "Reach out to me on this line""No, Claire. Do you mean you want your men to come pick it up for you?
Salvatore's POV I ran my hands through my hair as the warm water from the shower head poured, cascading down my shoulders. I applied soap once more on my head and massaged my hair thoroughly before washing the lather off. I washed all other parts of my body and in no time, I was out with a towel wrapped around my waist and another was in my left hand wiping my hair dry. Water trickled from the side of my head from underneath my hair, down my torso. My eyes darted to the wall clock. The time read 10:08pm. Jax was taking too long. I had simply asked him to bring me pictures. What could be taking him so long. He was never one to delay at delivering tasks assigned to him. I made a mental note to call him as soon as I was done wearing my pajamas. A knock on my door made me stop in my tracks on my way to my closet. “Identify yourself” I looked at the door, hoping it was Jax. Those pictures were important. “It’s Axel, boss” “What is it, Axel? I wasn't expecting you. I didn't send f
Claire's PovAs I rolled on the bed, the knock on my door increased. With a raspy voice and probably swollen eye too, I sat up on my bed and ushered the person in. Cowen walked in with a bow. He stretched his phone to me."Sorry to disturb your sleep, but Don has been calling for quite a while now" "Did you inform him that I was asleep?" I yawned."I did." I took his phone to see that Don had called him over fifteen times. "The man, Luke also called just now," he let out like I was going to question the strange number on his phone. "He said we can come to get the car and phone now""Oh". I said. " I think we should do that" I stood up from my bed. "I will just take a shower and join you.""How about Don? Wouldn't you call him back?""I will just wait till I get my phone, so we can talk privately," I said. He nodded, walking out of my room as I went into the bathroom for a quick shower.In no time, we were ready. Cowen suggested we shouldn't take one of the cars as it wasn't a far dis
Don's POV The door to my study creaked open, making me whip my head in its direction. Romano walked in with two bottles of The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926, one of my favorite whiskies. He brought alongside with him two whiskey tumblers and placed all four carefully on the table. My eyes darted to my phone in my hand. I was calling Claire on FaceTime but she hadn't picked up yet. I knew she was with her phone and that she had seen the call but I didn't know why she was ignoring my call. We had to talk. Why did she leave her lodge just like that? And for fuck’s sake, at night! I'm not even sure if she went with any bodyguards or not. The call came to an end. Claire still hadn't picked. I was getting furious and frustrated with each passing second. “Boss, do you want your whiskey neat?” Romano asked, uncorking one of the bottles of whiskey which was mine. He poured a good amount of its contents into one of the tumblers. “No. On the rocks” I replied, dialing Claire's line again.
Claire's Pov.Couples fight, don't they? Don and I had been through things like these before and we were going to get over it. We were both stubborn for no reason and no one wanted to give in.He hadn't called this morning. Why was I expecting his call, though? I glanced at my phone and nothing yet too.I walked into the backseat of the car with Cowen busting in the passenger's as usual. The car moved and hit the road. In a few minutes, it's parked at the school parking lot.I walked through the school gates, Cowen following me behind, my bag slung over my shoulder. I had a purpose today - to confirm my Degree Verification (DV) date with the bursary. The email I received the last time still seemed a bit unclear. We were to stay a whole week for the verification, but what are the processes to be done before that time? I had come to ask.As I entered the bursary office, I greeted the familiar face behind the counter. "Hi, Mrs. Johnson. I need to confirm my DV date."Mrs. Johnson's fing
Claire's POV “Thank you, Cowen, I'll take it from here” I said to Cowen as I reached out to get the two large brown paper bags from him. I had just returned from grocery shopping. The time was 08:02pm. After my conversation with Luke, Cowen and I went to the spa and I had forced him to get some manicure and pedicure the same way I had gotten. From the spa, we went to a boutique and I got clothes for the baby, Madam Desideria and myself. I got some jewelry and a Chanelle bag for Elyse, two Boss Hugo shirts for Don which I wasn't planning on giving him anytime soon until we settled the issue between us. I also got a jersey and matching shots for Romano. I noticed he loved wearing them whenever he was in the house. I didn't mind shopping that much whenever I got the chance to. Shopping was my hobby. “I'll carry them to the kitchen” “Trust me, I can handle it from here” I laughed “I insist, Ma'am” He smiled a toothless smile “Besides, you have three shopping bags in your hand alre
Salvatore's PovAll plans were falling into place. The dumb bitch was getting too friendly, easily convinced. I needed to claw her by the wrist of her arm, where escape would be the first thing she thinks of but cannot get. And I was getting teeny close to achieving that.If it took me millions to spend on her to keep my nice guy status, it was a spare change. Offering to take her for coffee was the first step, and then shopping - something she could hardly resist. She bought a lot of things but offered to pay for them, and I refused. She ended up getting things that I knew weren't for her use and paid with her card before I could argue. Don dared ravage my drugs!The billions spent on the drugs I planned to ship could break my net worth and I had lost my guard by not knowing Don would reach for it. He had the victory now mine was next.Oh, what I would do to Claire. The thoughts danced around my head waiting to be done. She would pay for a lot of his sins, her parents and Don's and