Alex’s POVThe night seemed to stretch endlessly after Gina’s dramatic exit. I stood near the entrance of the Riviera Hall, the faint buzz of party chatter filtering through the doors behind me, I had to leave my audience to make sure she was completely gone, Gina can be a crazy bitch. Finn approached, his footsteps steady, his sharp suit catching the light from the chandeliers above.“She’s gone,” Finn said quietly, his voice laced with reassurance. “Security escorted her off the premises, and they’ll make sure she doesn’t get back in. I had the guards stationed outside the gates just in case she decides to pull anything else, I'm sorry this happened”I let out a slow breath, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “Thanks, Finn. I needed that, don't be sorry, it's not my fault, my past is just not wanting to let go, all the more reasons I'm glad Kelly is besides me and all these tantrums doesn't move her”Finn reached into his pocket and pulled out his cigar case again. “You lo
Kelly’s POVFrom the moment they grabbed me, I fought with every ounce of strength I had. My heart pounded like a war drum, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I thrashed and kicked against their unrelenting grip. Desperation clawed at me, each scream tearing from my throat with raw intensity. But the silky material of my dress, once a symbol of elegance, betrayed me, clinging to my skin and restricting my movements. Every step I tried to take became a stumble, the fabric twisting around my legs like a vice. Is this the world Alex has always tried to protect me from?.Before I could find my footing, a rough hand yanked me back with such force that I gasped, the air rushing out of my lungs. "Let me go!" I screamed, the words echoing into the night like a desperate prayer, I was scared, my strength wavering.One of the men snorted, his tone dripping with amusement. "Feisty, isn’t she?" I barely had time to process his mocking words before a sharp slap cracked across my face, sen
Alex’s POVThe moment I realized Kelly was gone, something inside me snapped. The world blurred, and all I could hear was the deafening roar of my own heartbeat. The love of my life—the one person who gave me purpose—had been taken, and I hadn’t been there to stop it.I stood in the middle of the empty ballroom, her name escaping my lips like a desperate prayer. "Kelly!" My voice reverberated off the walls, but the silence that followed was a cruel reminder that she wasn’t there.Finn and Daniela rushed to my side, their faces etched with concern."Alex," Finn said, gripping my shoulder. "We’ll find her. You need to focus."But I couldn’t focus. Not when every second that passed felt like another inch she was pulled away from me. My chest heaved as anger and fear warred within me. I grabbed Finn by the collar, my voice a growl."Focus? She’s out there with God knows who, and you want me to focus?!""Alex!" Daniela’s voice cut through my fury like a blade. She stepped between us, her e
Kelly's POVDarkness. That’s all I could see when I first opened my eyes. My head throbbed, each heartbeat a sharp, stabbing pain that seemed to echo in my skull. I tried to move, but the cold bite of metal cuffs around my wrists stopped me. The air was heavy and damp, with the faint stench of mold and old wood filling my nostrils. Wherever I was, it wasn’t anywhere Alex could find me easily. It was the second day.Panic clawed at my chest, threatening to choke me. Stay calm, I told myself. But the fear wouldn’t let go.Then I heard footsteps, slow, deliberate, echoing in the distance. My breath hitched as the sound grew closer. A door creaked open, flooding the room with dim yellow light. My eyes squinted against the sudden brightness, and I could just make out two figures walking toward me.Gina. Her striking face twisted into a malicious grin, and beside her, it was Holly, Her presence felt cold, as though cruelty radiated off her in waves. Two men followed them in.“Well, look who
Alex’s POVThe room was silent except for the sound of my fist slamming against the desk. Papers scattered everywhere, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t care less. Kelly was missing, and every passing second without her chipped away at my sanity; this was day 5 of her being kidnapped. I felt every connection I had was useless as nothing has led me to her yet. My constant fear, “What if they kill her? But I realized, on Daniela's words, whoever had her is using her as collateral; else I would have heard something. I had accounted for everybody found, and it wasn't hers; I tried to keep hopes alive.Finn stood across the room, his face tight with concern. He had been my right-hand man for years, loyal to a fault, but even he looked shaken. “I've never seen you this way, boss; you need to eat at the very least.”.“What if they are starving her?” I asked, “She has to be somewhere, Finn!” I growled, pacing back and forth. “We’re missing something. We’re overlooking something!”Finn sighed, run
Alex's POVThe SUV screeched to a halt outside the sprawling hotel where Gina wanted to meet. I stepped out, a storm brewing inside me. Every instinct screamed to leave this woman to rot in whatever chaos she was spinning, but Kelly’s life was at stake. My fists clenched as I thought of Kelly’s pale face from the photo Gina had sent. My heart ached, and my rage bubbled dangerously beneath the surface.“Finn, status update,” I barked into the phone; immediately Finn picked up my calls as I strode into the hotel lobby.“We’re on it, boss. The informant gave us a list of four possible warehouses. We’re checking the first one immediately we get into Mexico,” Finn replied. His voice was calm, but I could hear the tension.“Good,” I muttered, glancing around the lobby. It looked almost the same as it had years ago when I first met Gina. Memories I’d tried to bury came rushing back uninvited, tangling with the chaos of my present reality. I didn't care about all that now; Kelly is all that m
Kelly’s POVMorning crept into the room slowly, its light soft and unobtrusive, as though even the sun knew I needed more time to heal. The warmth of Alex’s arms around me was the only thing keeping the haunting memories at bay. His steady breathing against my back reminded me that, despite everything, I was no longer alone in the nightmare. A morning not in that warehouse.I stirred slightly, careful not to wake him. The events of the warehouse were still fresh in my mind, replaying like a broken record. Those guards watching me urinate, depriving me of every sense of privacy. I couldn't even employ the thoughts of escaping; I felt helpless. I didn't know a tear had escaped my left eye. Holly’s wicked smirk, her threats, and the sickening sound of her crumpling to the floor filled my thoughts. My hands trembled at the memory of her blood on them, but what unsettled me most was the sense of relief I’d felt when it was over.“Kelly?” Alex’s voice broke into my thoughts, soft and laced
Kelly’s POVThe word “killer” hung in the air like a noose tightening around my neck, suffocating and impossible to shake. Gina’s mocking voice echoed in my head, taunting me.Killer.But what she didn’t know, what I hadn’t even fully come to terms with, was that I didn’t regret it. Holly deserved every second of her ending. I wished I could go back, do it all over again, and this time relish in the satisfaction. The memory was horrifying, yes. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the sense of justice that came with it; I could have been the one killed by Holly, but fate has made it this way.All of a sudden, a flashback of my foster father came to mind. Am I really a killer?. I might even have excuses for both circumstances, but what am I in the eyes of justice? 1After the call ended, I sat motionless, staring blankly at Alex’s phone in my hands. My mind raced as Gina’s words burrowed deeper into my psyche. How dare she throw Holly’s death in my face after everything she and Hol
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