KELLY'S POVThe silence of my room was deafening, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves brushing against the window. I couldn’t shake the echo of Alex’s words from earlier tonight."By fifteen, I’d taken my first life."He had delivered the confession with a calmness that was chilling, but his eyes betrayed him. Beneath the steely exterior, there was pain, guilt, and a weariness I hadn’t fully grasped until that moment. The weight of those words pressed on my chest, making it hard to breathe.I lay sprawled on the bed, staring at the ceiling, willing sleep to come. But how could I sleep after hearing that? My thoughts raced, colliding into one another like waves crashing against a rocky shore.Who was Alex, really? Was he a protector, a savior who had risked everything to keep me safe? Or was he something darker, someone whose past was too dangerous to outrun?And yet, despite the turmoil in my mind, I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him. It wasn’t just his mysterious al
Alexander's POVThe early morning sun filtered through the blinds in my office, casting long streaks of light across the polished floor. I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, though it was far too early for bourbon. My thoughts were tangled, replaying last night’s meeting with Devon. Every word, every smirk, was etched in my mind like a puzzle begging to be solved.Finn strode in without knocking, his usual casual confidence exuding from every movement. He dropped a file on my desk before taking a seat across from me."Well?" he asked, leaning back. "How’d it go with Devon?""Exactly as I expected," I replied, setting the glass down. "He’s playing the long game, but it’s not as clever as he thinks. He wants to make his move, Finn, and he thinks I’m too distracted to see it coming."Finn frowned, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "And the part where he blatantly admitted to wanting your company? Bold. Too bold. What’s the play now?"I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.
Kelly’s POVDaniela’s energy was like a storm when she entered a room—impossible to ignore. She swept into my space early the next morning, carrying a bag that seemed far too heavy for someone in heels that high.“Good morning, sunshine!” She announced, dropping the bag onto the floor with a loud thud.I groaned from my spot on the couch. “Why are you so loud? It’s barely 7 a.m.”“Because today is the day,” she said with a sly grin. “The day we turn you into a phoenix.”“What does that even mean?” I sat up, wincing as my shoulder protested the movement. The stab wound was healing, but it still ached, reminding me of the price I’d paid for being a best friend and a lovely girlfriend.Daniela perched on the armrest of the couch, her sharp eyes scanning me like a sculptor sizing up a block of marble. “It means you’re about to rise from the ashes, darling. No offense, but you look like someone who’s been through hell. I know I helped pick a line of clothes for you the last time, but I thi
Kelly’s POVThe next few days passed in a whirlwind of routines I never thought I’d experience. Daniela wasn’t just persistent—she was relentless. My mornings started with grueling workouts that made every muscle in my body protest, but I couldn’t deny the strange satisfaction that came with pushing myself.Plans for my school were also in place; I was less bored.True to her word, she didn’t let my injuries excuse me completely, but she was mindful enough to adjust the intensity when I felt I couldn’t continue. Her sarcastic remarks and blunt humor somehow made the sessions bearable, even when I wanted to collapse on the mat and pretend the world didn’t exist.“Do you feel that burn?” Daniela asked one morning, hands on her hips as she watched me struggle through a set of lunges.“Feel it? I’m pretty sure my legs are about to disown me,” I replied, gritting my teeth.She smirked. “Good. That means it’s working. Pain is weakness leaving the body, Kelly. Remember that.”As much as I ha
Kelly’s POVThe morning sun streamed through the large windows of the mansion, its golden rays bouncing off the polished floors. As I descended the grand staircase, I heard hushed voices coming from the sitting room. Curious, I crept closer, pausing just outside the door.“Time is running out, Alex,” Daniela’s voice was sharp, cutting through the stillness. “If you don’t move soon, we’ll lose any leverage we have.”“I know,” Alex replied, his tone heavy. “But pushing her too fast could backfire. She needs more time.”“You’re gambling with her life,” Daniela shot back. “If she’s not ready when they come—”“She’ll be ready,” Alex interrupted, his voice steely. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”My heart pounded as I leaned against the wall, trying to process their words. Who was coming? And what kind of leverage were they talking about?The floor creaked beneath my foot, and their voices abruptly stopped. Before I could retreat, Alex’s commanding voice called out, “Kelly, you can com
Alex’s POVMy phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the relative silence of the study. Finn’s name lit up the screen.“Boss, you’re about to miss your flight,” Finn said without preamble.I frowned, glancing at the clock. “I’m not late. I’m ready to leave the mansion. Did something come up? Weather? Some last-minute change in the schedule?”“It’s not the weather,” Finn said grimly. “It’s Devon. He knows about the summit in Bangladesh. He’s got men both here and waiting for you there.”“What the hell are you talking about?” I snapped, straightening in my chair.“He wasn’t bluffing when he said he’d go after the business,” Finn replied. “This is more than just a message. It’s an ambush.”“How did you find out?” I demanded.“Our security detail in Bangladesh flagged a suspicious personnel change. Someone swapped our regular guys for a new team. I looked into them. Turns out they’ve worked for Devon before. It’s not a coincidence, Alex.”“And you’re sure?”Finn didn’t hesitate. “Positive.
Alex's POVThe tension in the air was electric as Finn and I huddled in the mansion’s study, the scent of coffee and adrenaline mixing in the air. Devon’s bold move to infiltrate my security and try to kill me had crossed every line. Tonight, it was time to end this.“Boss, we’ve confirmed his location,” Finn began, his voice low and clipped. He spread a detailed map of the east side warehouse district across the desk. “He’s holed up here, in a makeshift hideout. He brought more men, but they’re spread thin.”I studied the map intently, my eyes narrowing. “What’s the situation?”“Our surveillance team has eyes on him. He’s using the back entrance of the warehouse as a base of operations. There are at least six men stationed outside—more inside, guarding him. But here’s the thing: they’re not expecting us to make a move this quickly.”I nodded slowly, formulating a plan in my head. “Good. We’ll strike before they can regroup. What about the security detail here? Kelly and the rest?”“D
Kelly’s POVThe air in the mansion was cool; Alex and Finn had bottles of champagne taken to the room I was restricted from going into. I could hear men cheering on; Daniela gave me a glass of champagne too.I knew what had happened. I knew Devon, who was planning to kill Alex, was gone, and for some reason it increased my interest in Alex instead of growing my fears. Just about then, Alex walked into the room; I smiled at him, and he flashed back a smile.“Now that Devon is gone, how safe do you think we are?” I asked softly, my voice breaking the stillness like a crack of thunder.Alex’s back was to me, shoulders taut under the weight he carried. He turned his head slightly, his jaw sharp in profile. For a long moment, he didn’t answer, and I wasn’t sure he would.Then, finally, his voice came low and steady.“Yes, Devon is gone, but we still need to be careful, as he isn't the only enemy I have.”.I swallowed, pressing my palms into my knees to keep my hands from shaking. “So in
Alex & Kelly’s POVA Night to RememberThe auction night arrived like a whispered promise, an elegant affair draped in exclusivity, where power dressed itself in silk and ambition clinked against crystal glasses. It was held at a private estate in the hills, a place chosen for its air of discretion. Security was tight, invitations scarce, and every guest was a shark in designer suits or gowns that cost more than some made in a year.Alex stood at the entrance, the epitome of calm power in his tailored black suit. The weight of the night rested on his shoulders, but for once, he wasn’t carrying it alone. Kelly was beside him, her confidence as sharp as the diamond-studded heels she wore. Her beauty was her accessory. Her midnight blue dress hugged her figure in a way that made more than a few heads turn, but her eyes, sharp, calculating, and always ten steps ahead kept them at bay. For she was the Don's wife, a lioness."Ready?" she murmured, adjusting his tie with the familiarity of a
Alex’s POVThe evening was settling in, casting a golden hue over the hospital room. The air smelled like antiseptic and vanilla cake, an odd combination, but fitting for the warmth that surrounded us. My mom was still gushing over Ivy, Richard was side-eyeing Denise like she was his personal moon, and Nora? Well, she was busy sneaking extra icing off the cake when she thought no one was watching, like a kidKelly sat beside me, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the sleeve of my shirt as she chatted with my mom. It was one of those rare moments where everything felt… steady.Then my phone buzzed.I fished it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. Concierge.I got up, stepping out onto the hospital’s private balcony. The air was crisp, a reminder that the seasons were shifting. I answered on the third ring."Mr. Delano," the deep voice on the other end greeted smoothly. "Everything is in place."A slow smirk formed on my lips. "As expected.""The shipment arrives in exactly
Kelly’s POVFrom when I gave birth I counted Ivy's age like I was paid for it. And now the little me is 1 week.I watched Alex take a deep breath, his eyes unfocused for a moment as he stared at the system in front of him.His fingers twitched, and I could tell he was lost in thought. I didn't want to interrupt but he's supposed to know."Our baby is a week old today," I reminded him softly, reaching for his hand.He blinked and let out a deep breath. "One week already?, she's growing so fast, wait you think I forgot?" His voice was distant, like he was trying to grasp the reality of it."Yeah," I whispered, squeezing his fingers. "Can you believe it? Ivy’s been with us for a whole week, yes you forgot babe."Alex ran a hand over his face and chuckled under his breath. "Feels like just yesterday you were yelling at me in the hospital for breathing too loudly."I smirked. "You were breathing too loudly."“There's no such thing as breathing loudly, the labour process simply made you easi
Alex’s POVI stared at Kelly, waiting for her to say she was joking.She wasn’t.“You must be joking when you said you want to see the gang. I'm correct right?” I repeated slowly, watching her carefully. She should be joking.“No I'm not, I want to be there, I want to meet people you're close to, don’t you think if you had related more with them and showed them your family before they saw it on the news they might feel they had a place in your home?” Her voice was firm, her eyes locked onto mine with that unshakable determination that I both admired and feared.I ran a hand over my face, exhaling heavily. “Kelly, that’s not happening, I'm not bringing you into this world.”Her arms crossed. “Why not?”I let out a dry laugh. “Because, sweetheart, my gang is not exactly a ‘bring-your-wife-to-work’ kind of place, and once you're in it's a lifestyle no going back”She arched an eyebrow. “And yet, you’re trying to convince me you’re done with them, and that you want to leave, how do you pl
Kelly’s POVThe warm water cascaded down my back, but it did nothing to wash away the frustration boiling inside me. Alex thought he could light a few candles, make the room cozy, and I’d just… what? Melt into his arms? Pretend like everything was fine?No.He was keeping secrets again. I could see it in his eyes, the way he avoided certain questions, the tension in his shoulders whenever I brought up anything remotely personal.I stood under the shower and allowed the water just pour before I shut off the shower, dried myself off, and wrapped a towel around me before stepping out of the bathroom.Alex was sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, staring at me like he expected me to say something.I didn’t say anything or acknowledge his presence.Instead, I walked straight to the dresser, picked up my lotion, and started applying it to my arms as if he weren’t even in the room, thank God for Ivy, putting her to sleep required little to no effort there was nothing I needed
Alex’s POVThe night air was thick with tension. I had let Kelly go without a fight, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t worried. I knew she needed space, but I couldn’t let her slip away too far. Not when everything around me was beginning to unravel.I've had security follow her, and when I confirmed it was Emily's house, I told the security to retreat allowing her to breathe, she'll be more pissed if she found out I sent security to baby sit her.I leaned back in my chair, swirling the amber liquid in my glass as I waited. The concierge would be here soon, and I needed this meeting to go exactly as I planned. I didn’t want him thinking I was desperate, even though, in some ways, I was. I needed a way out or a middle ground, I didn't want Kelly thinking I'm a fraud, her judging eyes made me feel less of a man, like I'm not the man she bargained for.Kelly leaving made me uneasy, but not because I thought she’d run. No, it was because she might start asking questions I wasn’t ready to answ
Kelly’s POVI didn’t know how to feel. Was I to feel bad that the venture was going sideways?Alex had left the room, his words still ringing in my ears. I run a drug gang.My husband, the father of my child, the man I had promised to spend my life with, wasn’t just some successful businessman with a dark past. He was still in it. Still deeply entangled in a world I wanted no part of. Worst of it now is that his boys might be after him. Am I in some soap opera? What's all these?I sank onto the bed, staring at the vanity mirror, my reflection betraying the storm inside me. My fingers tremble slightly as I rubbed my temple. Was that where all the money came from? Had I really been this blind? The cars, the security, the late nights… I had assumed the worst was behind him. But I was wrong. What if he's still a nightmare to some people? I'm married to a Don!! I laughed out my anxiety.I wanted to call Daniela. She had been my closest friend, my sister in all but blood. But then a horrify
Alex’s POVThe moment I opened my eyes, I knew I had slept longer than I intended. The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of the bedside lamp casting soft shadows on the walls. I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. My body still ached, but it was manageable, just a dull throbbing reminder of the bullet wound.I remembered my first bullet it was by my dad, I had fucked up a mission alongside other members and he shut me, wasn't deep. After all the corrections and people thought he was heartless, he called me into his room and gave me a nice meal, and said that was his duty as a boss, and breaking bread with me was his duty as my father. I loved him.Finn must have left hours ago.I exhaled and ran a hand through my hair, realizing something that made my jaw clench. Kelly really hadn’t come back.Damn, she was that mad at me? She didn't even care if I needed her?. How do I appease this goddess?.With a grunt, I sat up and immediately regretted it. A wave of dizzin
Kelly’s POVI sat beside Alex after having to argue with Finn for him to come to the master bedroom,“how do you suggest we leave him in the study?”. I shot at him the moment the doctor left and he asked us to allow him rest“I'll be here to keep an eye on him and await further instructions on what we were on before he got shot”.“Are you high right now? Isn't it enough that he was shot you still want further instructions from him on what?, some mission you went on with him looking like a grim reaper?”.“He's going to the master bedroom, I'm his wife, I'll be beside him”.“Kelly it's not that deep you need to calm down”.“What's not deep about a gun shot? His wounds? Or my worries?, I respect you Finn. Let's just don't get irritated by each other, you don't want to tell me what happened, fine I won't disturb you that's your office, but you won't teach me how to take care of my man okay?”.He just nodded and called his men to take Alex to the room.I looked over at Alex, he was still a