Claire's Pov"Salvatore?” I widened my eyes at her. From the corner of my eye, I saw Elsye raise her palm to her mouth as she gasped in shock. “Yes, Salvatore” She replied, more tears streaming down her face “He was the one behind the explosion because he gave me the baby and no, I'm not working for or with him. The baby is mine. He's my grandson” She dropped the bombshell “You have a son? You never mentioned to us that you have a family” I chipped in softly. Don's blazing eye was more than enough to cause Madam Desi to pee on herself. I knew this was a shocker but, he still needed to listen softly."I'm sorry Don, I am.""This is not about the apology!" Don growled. "You worked for Salvatore. Why the fuck did you do this?""Don…" I placed my hand on his palm but instead, he stood up refusing my comfort. "Please let her complete her explanation.""Whatever story she is about to cook up. The bottom line is, she betrayed us!" He snapped in annoyance."Please go on, Madam Desi" I urged
Don's POV It was around 9 pm and dinner was over a long time ago. Madam Desideria was not at the table. I hadn't sent her out of the house, Claire wouldn't let me. But I have not spoken to her either and she would not step out of her room. Claire and Elyse visited her often, but that was just it. I made it known to Madam Desi that I was still going to do something about this and she shouldn't think she would be forgiven that easily. She had been in her room for days since they got back from the hospital feeling sad, sorry, and lonely. Baby Nolan was also with her, he had already slept. I suggested that Claire and I watch a movie since it had been a long time we watched one as a couple and to also take our minds off the tension in the house. We sat on the couch, opposite the TV in the living room, and a movie had just begun. I had been so worn out about the recent scenarios that I hadn't had the time to spend some moments with my wife. She had specially asked for these fun moments
Don's POV I placed the card key against the large iron door in front of me and it gave way into a basement. I stepped in and closed the door behind me with a loud bang. I just hoped it didn't wake anyone. It was dark, so I groped for the switch on the wall and when I found it, I inserted the card key into it and the lights immediately came on. I squinted to get used to the sudden illumination and when I finally did, I proceeded to descend the stairs of the basement. I had a backpack on my shoulder. This was Romano's basement; an ammunition house where he stored all kinds of dangerous instruments, ranging from large firearms to smaller ones, knives, chains, clubs, explosives and whatnot. It was a kind of mini armory and he had not only granted me access, but also given me the go ahead to make use of any weapon of my choice in whatever way I deemed fit. I finally reached the end of the stairs and I moved to where the first set of arms lay. Pistols of different kinds. Glocks, shotgun
Salvatore's Pov ---I slowly opened my eyes, laziness clinging to me like a veil. But before I could shake off the remnants of sleep, a chorus of cheerful voices attacked my ears."Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Salvatore, happy birthday to you!"I sat up, rubbing my eyes in surprise. My cooks, house cleaners, and gardeners stood in my bedroom, beaming with smiles. They held a large, cake adorned with candles and colorful balloons - something very unusual or almost forbidden. All. Those colors were not necessary."And what is this about?" I frownedMaria, my head housekeeper, stepped forward. "We wanted to make your special day extra special, Mr. Salvatore. We prepared your favorite breakfast, and—""Thank you, everyone," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic, a tired smile registered on my face. "This is... quite a surprise."But I wasn't enthusiastic. Not really. This wasn't my style. I preferred low-key celebrations, not this... fanfare."Listen, e
Claire's POV I recalled that Nick had been sent home the next day by Don the previous time he was sick and Salvatore had brought him. After Don told me Luke was Salvatore, I immediately figured everything out everything that had happened.Just like with Luciano, Nick had betrayed me again. I didn't believe Nick was involved with robbers. What I believed was Salvatore had lured him to my apartment.I hadn't told Don about it, because I knew he would immediately ask me to cut all ties with Nick. However, I needed to hear from Nick himself.We had planned a little hang-out to catch up. He had also said he was feeling better now."Where are you going, all dressed up?" Don asked when I placed my bag on the shoulders."Date with Nick. He's doing better now and just wanna catch up.""Nick? When was this planned""I told you he had called two nights ago and I was on the phone for a long time. I told you our plans immediately, why did you forget?"He rolled his eyes."You've been forgetful of
Don's POV I drummed my fingers on my temple as I paced back and forth in the living room. The television is on but I don't give two shits about whatever it is that was playing. I was worried about my wife. She wasn't home yet. My eyes darted to the wall clock and it read 10:36pm. It’s late but she wasn't home yet. Where in New York’s corner was Claire? How long was her date with Nick going to take? Forever? I regretted why I had let her go on the date in the first place. Maybe I should have told her no. To make things worse, she wasn't picking up her calls. The bodyguards she had gone with weren't picking up either. For Pete's sake, there are bodyguards for a fuckin' reason!! I was paying them to ensure that my wife's security was their utmost priority. Goddamnit! I inadvertently kicked my foot against a couch. “Don, can you please calm down? Claire would call us as soon as possible” “Don't fuckin' tell me to calm down, Elyse” I said through gritted teeth, jaws clenched, as I whi
Don’s POV I stood frozen, gazing down at Nick's lifeless body on the deserted street. The only sound was the distant hum of a lonely engine, which was the car that I had parked just a few steps away. It wasn't just Nick, other men lay dead too including mine, blood spurting around in the street, I wondered why the police were not here already. Walking towards one of the men I saw the snake tattoo sign on his wrist. Salvatore had attacked in response and he was taking lives too just like I did. The clock on my phone read 12:24 AM, a haunting reminder that time was ticking. Where was Claire? What had he done to my wife?As my mind raced, I turned to Elyse, who stood beside me, her eyes wide with fear. "You need to get out of here, now," I told her firmly, my voice low and urgent. "Take a few of the bodyguards and go home. I'll take care of this."At this point, I feared that my bodyguards wouldn't be able to protect Elyse too as they did Claire. It was known that both of each of the gr
Don’s POV I stirred as sun rays from the window hit my eyes. My eyes finally fluttered open and I turned myself only to realize I was sitting in a chair. Memories of last night came flooding in and I realized I had fallen asleep on the chair I had sat on while annoyed that Claire had not come home and all my efforts to find her after realizing Nick was dead went down the drain. I tried to get up but my knees felt like jelly. I also had a splitting headache and it felt like my head was going to explode. My vision was a bit blurry too. I was having a terrible hangover. I sat back in the chair and ran my palm across my forehead for a while before I attempted to stand up again. I succeeded after a third attempt and for some reason, I poured some of the remaining liquor in the bottle on the table into a tumbler and downed it in one gulp. My face twisted as it burned the back of my throat. I managed to walk myself to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face, then brushed my teet
Romano's POV "And what the fuck is wrong with me going to my wife's party and kissing her?" Don bellowed.It was the next day, he wouldn't let me come into the room all through the night. I knew he had sneaked into that party and Claire was right."What is risky about showing my identity?""Because the news might get to a certain person who put you in this condition and you're not in the exact position to exert the revenge you want on him." I barked also.He was silent, for some while, before he finally opened his door. "Tell me all about this certain person? Is he a threat to my marriage?""Don, if you had enough rest like you were told, you probably would have remembered my now. Brad specifically said your memory would come in days, but you're stressing too much and making things worse."He paced the room for a minute and then turned back to me. "You're fucking my sister" he bellowed angrily, and that caught me unaware.He grabbed me by the trousers, almost squeezing my scrotum. "Do
Claire's PovDon!It was Don. No one else kissed like that, no one else gripped me in such a way. His scent, no one else had it. I was hallucinating, right? Don was dead. It has been months. I needed to get this off my mind. But no, I couldn't. Even if I wanted to, tonight wasn't the right time because I felt his body, his build, only one had that.I had just taken Davidson to the toilet and dropped him off with his Nanny when I was heading back inside for the birthday party. It was time I announced Don's death to his friends, but now my mind had been changed.I ran towards Romano when I saw him coming with Elyse. "Don" I panted. Elyse came over to my side, easing my breathing."What happened?" Romano asked."I saw Don. I met…I…it was Don…he kissed me. I recognize his smell, he's…Don""Claire, be calm," Elyse said. "You said you kissed who?" She asked with a little frown on her face like she couldn't believe what I said and was concluding I had made out with someone else."I promise
Don's Pov"You cannot go!" Romano yelled. He had been doing a lot of yelling lately and I didn't like it. "Don, look" his voice was back to normal and calm now. "No one can see you like this. I already informed you, your memory first before stepping out of here" he said."Why don't you just tell me what happened? I trust you.""Brad asked me not to. You need to remember yourself. You know all the details, the anger would be fueled in you if you remember yourself."What anger? Why did I need to be angry? Did something bad happen? He wouldn't tell me."It is my wife's birthday today. There is a party and you asked me not to go. I am not hurt anymore, I am healing from the wounds, what else is making me stay back? Claire would be delighted to see me!"All my efforts in convincing Romano proved futile. In minutes, he had dashed out of the house for Claire's party. I shared this treatment and hated that I couldn't see any of my family. I needed to remember something. To fucking remember w
Claire’s POV I sat in front of my mirror, doing my routine skin care as usual. A pregnant woman still had to look pretty and peng. Tomorrow is my birthday, by the way. Intermittently, I caressed my bump, feeling how rounded and big it was. I also couldn't wait for my baby boy to get here. My EDD was due anytime soon. I just hope it doesn't happen tomorrow. Just as I reached out to grab a pimple popper from the vanity table, my phone on the bed rang. That should be the baker. We had agreed that she should deliver the cake today so that there would be no unnecessary delay tomorrow. Only my hair stylist and makeup artist were going to come tomorrow as early as possible. By the way, the dress I was going to wear tomorrow was also ready. I couldn't wait. Before I could push the stool backwards and fetch my phone, the ringing was already exhausted. Fortunately, whoever the caller was called again and I picked up on the second ring. It was Davidson. “Hellooooo, Claire!” Her cheerful voic
Romano's POV I was back with Brad and we both watched and listened, waiting for Don to start talking. It seemed kind of difficult at first because it looked like he was putting a strain on his ability to remember but eventually, he began to talk. Brad stood nearby, concern written all over his face. “Take your time, Don. We’re here for you” He encouraged, his voice reassuring. I nodded in agreement, eager to hear him speak already, so we would know how far his recovery had gone. Don’s eyes closed for a while, then fluttered open some moments after. “I remember, Claire. She was my wife. I remember her scent. It was like….fresh flowers, maybe lilacs, or even lilies” He recalled. My heart swelled with emotion. He was indeed getting better. “Okay, what else do you remember?” I pressed, hoping to hasten his ability to respond He closed his eyes, trying to struggle. But Brad calmed him. "It's okay. Perhaps you remember something about a lodge?" He asked.He was stretching his memory
Don’s POV Darkness, light, darkness, and then light again. My eyes flickered open as I saw the ceiling of where I was. This wasn't anything like…Wait…The banging in my head and a buzz ringing in my ears and I had to lay back. There was an oxygen tank beside, it wasn't just that, a lot of other medical equipment followed.This wasn't our honeymoon, was it? I tried to search my memory for how I got here. The thing I could remember was a group of men attacking us on our way to the helicopter on the rooftop.Claire and I had planned to go for our honeymoon and, I was… attacked, shot in the arm. Claire had been bleedingI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in the view of the room I was in. Everything was a blur. I had no idea where I was or how I got there. My mind was a complete blank.I tried to sit up, but dizziness washed over me again, forcing me back onto the pillow. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm myself down.As I lay on the bed, feeling lifeless, I started to
Claire's POV "Why are you here?" I asked when I opened the door to my room. "How did you get in here Salvatore? How did you find me?"His eyes, were softer this time. "Somehow, I found you, Claire."My heart raced when he began to unbutton his shirt. "I was a fool to be upset with you. You did all you could to stay away from me and I have no judgements. I was wrong, Claire, I was."As he spiked, all I wanted to know was how he found me in the penthouse. Or was this the penthouse? As I turned back to look at where we were, the room changed - into Salvatore's room.I was confused… but Salvatore's voice brought me back. "I know you want me Claire" he had pulled his short this time. "And I want you too" he approached me, trailing his hand on my body.I was wearing my light nightwear. "Don't be scared, Claire* he said.In a swift move, Salvatore cocked my head to the angle he wanted and kissed me hard. Hard and rough. His tongue devoured mine, seeking authority. Surprisingly, I kissed ba
Claire's POV I knew Elyse suggesting that we should go to Romanthe's house to discuss a baby shower was a ploy to see her man.Getting to his entrance, I caught both of them giving each other a familiar look and a blush on Romano's face. His gaze met mine and I raised my eyebrows, not believing Romano could blush.He ushered us in without hesitation and offered us a glass of juice."So, what's the plan for the baby shower?" Romano asked."We were thinking of renting a multi-purpose hall," I said. "But then we thought, maybe it would be better to have it, at your house, Romano," I said, according to Elyse's idea."My house? Why's that?" Romano asked."Well, it's a family celebration, and we thought it would be more intimate and cozy at your house," Elyse said. "Plus, it's a lot safer than a public hall.""That makes sense," Romano said. "My house it is, then." Was he responding only because Elyse wanted it to?"Great," I said. "We can set up the backyard or the living room or whatever
Claire's POV"I'm so excited for the baby shower," Elyse said, looking up at me with a smile. "We need to start planning the details. What's your theme? Have you thought about games and food?"Elyse and I were resting on the couch in the penthouse, enjoying a lazy afternoon together. We'd just finished lunch, and Elyse couldn't get over her excitement about the baby shower I was planning.I laughed. "Slow down, Elyse. I've barely had time to think about it. But I do know I want something simple and intimate. Maybe just close friends and family."I was almost due…oh, I could feel this baby coming and I was excited at the thought of going into labor and birthing Don's son.Elyse nodded. "That sounds perfect. And I've already started thinking about baby names. I have a few favorites for a boy."I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What are they?"Elyse grinned "Well, I think 'Atticus' is a great name. Or maybe 'Ethan'?"I chuckled. "Those are both nice names. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. W