Cross’ POVJonathan’s smug smirk faltered, but he still tried to play it off. “Look, man, whatever problem you have, take it up with Ari.”I chuckled darkly, shaking my head. “Oh, I am taking it up with Ari. But you? You’re a loose end I need to tie up.” Jonathan shifted in his seat, finally realizing he wasn’t in control of this situation. His eyes flickered around the bar, searching for an escape.Too late.My men were already stationed near every exit. There was no way out. Jonathan tried to laugh, but it came out nervous. “Come on, man. We don’t need to do this here.”I leaned closer, voice dangerously low. “You’re right. We don’t.” And then I grabbed him.Jonathan barely had time to react before I yanked him off his stool and slammed him into the bar counter. His glass toppled over, shattering as he gasped in pain. The room went silent.“Shit!” he groaned, gripping the edge of the bar for support. “You’re fucking crazy.”“Crazy?” I repeated, my voice deceptively calm. “No, Jonath
Cross’ POV Jonathan’s smug smirk faltered, but he still tried to play it off. “Look, man, whatever problem you have, take it up with Ari.” I chuckled darkly, shaking my head. “Oh, I am taking it up with Ari. But you? You’re a loose end I need to tie up.” Jonathan shifted in his seat, finally realizing he wasn’t in control of this situation. His eyes flickered around the bar, searching for an escape. Too late. My men were already stationed near every exit. There was no way out. Jonathan tried to laugh, but it came out nervous. “Come on, man. We don’t need to do this here.” I leaned closer, voice dangerously low. “You’re right. We don’t.” And then I grabbed him. Jonathan barely had time to react before I yanked him off his stool and slammed him into the bar counter. His glass toppled over, shattering as he gasped in pain. The room went silent. “Shit!” he groaned, gripping the edge of the bar for support. “You’re fucking crazy.” “Crazy?” I repeated, my voice deceptively calm. “No
I grabbed her wrists before she could touch me. “Stay away. I don’t need this tonight.”She pouted. “Need what? A little company?”“I don’t want your company,” I said, my grip tightening slightly.Her smirk didn’t waver. If anything, it grew.“That’s funny,” she murmured, pressing her body against mine. “Because I remember a time when you couldn’t resist me.”My muscles tensed. I was hazy from the alcohol, but not that hazy – yet. Mira was dangerous. Not just because of who she was, but because of what she knew.I pushed her back slightly. “Get out, Mira.”She sighed dramatically, tracing a finger along my jaw. “Still thinking about her, aren’t you?”I didn’t answer.She chuckled darkly. “Of course, you are. She’s in your head, crawling under your skin.”“Mira—”“She doesn’t want you, Cross,” she whispered, tilting my chin up with her finger. “But I do.”I grabbed her hand, yanking it away. “You want control. That’s all you’ve ever wanted.”She smirked, not denying it.But then, her e
Cross’ POVI laid out each of the sex tool on a large wooden table that was placed beside the bed. It all looked like a scene from a movie where the serial killer sets up his equipment ready to inflict pains on the victim. This was more than just pleasure for me, it's was a masculine urge to dominate. I wasn’t thinking straight; the flow made it impossible to stop. Mira, on the other hand, was so excited. Each time we locked gaze, she let out a giggle encouraging me to carry on. I was all set.I placed the chains on each side of her ankle, holding her firmly to the edge of the bed. Her legs were spread apart in a V shape. Then I proceed to her hands. “You know your safe words.” I askedMira nodded in reply.I stood back to admire my work. I had perfectly placed and crafted Mira in a position where she has to beg for whatever was coming her way. I fastened the gag around her mouth then poured the oils all over her breasts.I slowly began to massage her blossom. Mira moaned in deligh
Ari’s POVI had barely slept.Jonathan knew.And now, he had power over me. The thought made me sick. I dragged myself to work the next morning, forcing myself to move like nothing was wrong. Like I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder. Like I wasn’t waiting for the ground beneath me to collapse.Jonathan was still in the hospital, but that didn’t mean I was safe. The station was as busy as ever. Officers rushed back and forth, people took statements, and phones rang constantly.I settled at my desk, trying to focus on my new case files, but the words blurred together.“Ari.”I looked up. Gina stood over my desk; concern written all over her face.“You okay?”I nodded quickly. “Yeah. Just… tired.”She didn’t look convinced. “You’ve been off all morning. And your hands are shaking.”I clenched my fingers into a fist to steady them. “I’m fine, Gina.”Before she could press further, a sharp voice cut through the air.“Walsh!”Lady Smith.I stiffened as she approached, her heels cli
Ari’s POVJonathan was taking over my personal space. I just couldn’t stand the sight of him touching me. He leaned forward for a kiss, but I pulled back.“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, frowning. He could see my reaction wasn’t welcoming.“We have talked about this,” Jonathan replied. He smiled sheepishly while still looking for a way to hold my hands. I wished I could smack that smug look off his face.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I gave him a cold stare.“Of course, you do. I want us to pretend we’re still lovers, just like the good old days,” Jonathan replied.He took a step forward and held my hands.“Let go of me!” I yelled.“I hope you know I have your secrets in my palms,” Jonathan reminded me.“Are you trying to blackmail me?” I asked.Jonathan tightened his grip on my hands, not willing to let go.“You will have to fuck me, Ari,” he commanded.Jonathan had the audacity to speak out those words.“No way you’re getting into me!” I yelled at him, protest
Ari’s POVI woke up feeling like I was drowning. My body ached, my skin felt dirty, and my mind was fogged with disgust. Jonathan’s touch still lingered on me like a sickening memory, and the worst part?I had let it happen.I sat up abruptly, my breath coming in sharp gasps. The sheets smelled of him, and bile rose in my throat. I needed to shower. I needed to scrub myself clean. But before I could move, I noticed something. Jonathan was still there. He sat lazily in my chair, sipping coffee like he belonged here. Like nothing about this situation was wrong.My stomach twisted in revulsion.I clenched the sheets in my fists, my voice hoarse. “What the fuck are you still doing here?”Jonathan glanced up, completely unfazed. “Good morning to you too, sweetheart.”I threw the blanket off, standing up. “I told you to leave.”Jonathan exhaled, stretching his arms like he had all the time in the world. “Yeah, about that…” He gave me a slow smirk. “I’ve been thinking—I should move in.”My b
Cross’ POVI woke up with a pounding headache, my body sore and my mind clouded.Something felt off.The second I turned; I felt warmth beside me. A body. A naked body.Mira.My stomach twisted in disgust as I stared at her, sprawled on my sheets with a satisfied smirk on her lips.What the fuck had I done?I sat up instantly, running a hand over my face. My head was hazy, but memories of the night before came back in flashes—drinking too much, Mira teasing me, her hands all over me. I clenched my jaw, fists tightening.I was a fucking idiot.I turned to her, my voice sharp. “Get up.”Mira stretched lazily; eyes still closed. “Mmm… good morning my sweet mafia lord.”I gritted my teeth. “Mira. I said, get up.”She opened her eyes then, looking at me with amusement. “Oh, come on, Cross. Don’t tell me you regret it already.”I swung my legs off the bed, gripping the edge tightly. “It shouldn’t have happened.”Mira laughed softly. “But it did.”I inhaled sharply, trying to control my rage
Cross' POVI thought it was over. I mean, she should have gotten the message clearly. Yeah, she had held my dick and I still didn’t give in. So screw her. I was sure it was just a matter of time before she gave up on everything.However, the night was far from peaceful. I had barely settled into bed when I heard it—the unmistakable sound of retching echoing from down the hall. For a moment, I considered ignoring it. Whatever Mira was doing, it wasn’t my problem. But then came the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.A loud thud.My instincts kicked in again. I wanted to hesitate. I wanted to ignore her to the last but Mira was goddamned desperate. She could implicate me. I bolted upright, throwing the covers aside and rushing toward the source. My stomach clenched as I reached her doorway and saw her slumped on the floor, her body trembling, her breaths shallow.“Shit,” I muttered under my breath as I crouched beside her.Her skin was cold, damp with sweat. Her lips were pale,
Cross' POVI hated this place.The house was too big, too extravagant, too cold. It wasn’t mine. It wasn’t home. Nothing about it felt real, except for the chains wrapped around me in the form of a marriage contract I never wanted.Mira had wasted no time making herself comfortable, treating our forced arrangement like some fairy tale. She paraded around the house, making calls about floral arrangements and dress fittings, while I sat in silence, drowning in my own rage.The first night had been the worst.She had come to my room, barely dressed, feigning innocence as she climbed into my bed. I hadn’t spoken. Hadn’t looked at her. I had simply grabbed her by the arm and shoved her away.“Cross,” she had pouted, voice laced with honey and venom. “We’re getting married. We should at least—”“No.”“Why are you being like this?” She reached for me again, but I caught her wrist before she could touch me.I turned my head, locking eyes with her. “You’re not her.”Her face twisted. Anger. Pa
Mira’s POVAfternoon, just after the fight. And I was all in the mood to celebrate my dear lover. My mafia lord. My daddy. I chuckled to myself.The ride was silent, but in my head, there was music.A melody of victory.Cross sat beside me, rigid, staring out the window like he was somewhere else. He hadn’t spoken a word to me since we left The Don’s estate, hadn’t even looked at me. But I didn’t care. I had won. He was mine now.I crossed my legs, adjusting the hem of my dress, letting my eyes flicker to him. He looked rough—his knuckles still raw, bruises painting his face, his lips slightly cracked. But he was still the Cross Margiello I had always wanted. Strong. Untamed.And now, he belonged to me.I fought back a smile, tilting my head. Time for some tease. "You’ve been awfully quiet, husband."His jaw clenched. "Don’t call me that."I smirked, unfazed. "Why not? It’s what you are now."He didn’t reply. Just stared harder out the window, his body a wall of tension.My fingers tr
Cross' POVI leaned forward slightly. My voice came low. Controlled. “I killed them.”A beat of silence.Then—“Why?”I took a slow breath. “They crossed my line. They tampered with my business. They touched what wasn’t theirs to touch.”A long, cold pause.Then—a slow, measured step.And finally—The Don emerged from the shadows.He was huge. Plump, but strong. His frame exuded power, but his movements were light, controlled. His suit was crisp, expensive. His eyes? Black. Unreadable.He stopped inches from me, staring down.Then, in a voice softer than before—“And now, your life will be the price.”I didn’t move.Didn’t flinch.Didn’t fucking blink.The Don tilted his head. “You’re not afraid.”I smirked. “I’ve never been afraid of men who hide in the dark.”A flicker of something—annoyance? Amusement?—crossed his face.Then, he turned to his men. “End this.”The moment they stepped forward, I spoke.“Or we make a deal.”The Don’s expression didn’t change. “I don’t make deals with dea
Cross' POVI and Mira moved the next day.No, we weren’t moving together. I wasn’t moving with her, just to be clear. I was made to go on this uncertain journey. I had not been to the North Bay, not in a very long time as a child.And for me, it held terrible memories.So I never wanted to come back, not for anything. And yet, here we were – me with my wrecked body in a tinted car with strangely suited men with a car moving ahead and another behind. Mira was in one of the other cars and now, we were going to meet one of my worst nightmares.In no time, we arrived at the mansion. I expected them to tie up my eyes or something but nothing of such took place. I could see everything as I was led in. The house was old. Classical. The kind of place that had witnessed centuries of power, corruption, and death.I walked in slow, deliberate steps, my bare feet pressing against the cold marble floor. The scent of aged wood and faded cigar smoke clung to the air. Dim chandeliers hung from the hi
Cross’ POV Glitch… Blur… Ari… The first thing I noticed was the pain. A dull, pounding ache that spread through my ribs, my legs, my fucking skull—like my whole body had been through a meat grinder. The second thing I noticed was the beeping. A steady, rhythmic sound, soft but persistent. Then came the weight. Something tugged at my arm—no, inside my arm. A drip. IV fluids. That’s when the panic hit. My eyes snapped open. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar. Not the cold, gray stone of a prison cell. Not the dark, high-rise walls of my penthouse. Where the hell was I? I tried to move, but my body resisted. My wrists—strapped down. I gritted my teeth, yanking against the restraints. No. No, no, no. Flashes of memory crashed into me. The van. The sudden jolt. The tires screeching. Gunfire. The ground disappearing beneath me. Falling. Tumbling. The pain. And then— Figures in the dark. A faceless silhouette pulling me out of the wreckage. The weight of hands drag
Cross’ POVGlitch… Blur…Ari…The first thing I noticed was the pain. A dull, pounding ache that spread through my ribs, my legs, my fucking skull—like my whole body had been through a meat grinder.The second thing I noticed was the beeping.A steady, rhythmic sound, soft but persistent.Then came the weight.Something tugged at my arm—no, inside my arm.A drip.IV fluids.That’s when the panic hit.My eyes snapped open.The ceiling above me was unfamiliar. Not the cold, gray stone of a prison cell. Not the dark, high-rise walls of my penthouse.Where the hell was I?I tried to move, but my body resisted.My wrists—strapped down.I gritted my teeth, yanking against the restraints.No. No, no, no.Flashes of memory crashed into me.The van. The sudden jolt. The tires screeching.Gunfire.The ground disappearing beneath me.Falling. Tumbling.The pain.And then—Figures in the dark.A faceless silhouette pulling me out of the wreckage. The weight of hands dragging me. I sucked in a bre
Ari’s POVWait…Someone had to explain to me how you could be with one person one minute and the other, they were…They were…Everything was a blur.The days after the accident felt like they barely existed, passing in a haze of grief, exhaustion, and an unbearable hollowness in my chest.I barely ate.I barely slept.I barely breathed.I waited for confirmation, but it was true. A body was found. Retrieved. Everything had burned to crisp. But it was true.It was him.Cross Margiello.Deceased.The news had already spread through the precinct, and even though no one dared to say it out loud, I could feel the looks. The silent whispers. The pity. I hated it. I hated that I had let myself believe, even for a second, that Cross could have made it out alive.Because he didn’t.And now, all I had left was this crushing emptiness. And how did I pour it out? Pretending I was fine while I ran into the field screaming and weeping, while I crashed in the bathtub sobbing, while I hated myself in
Ari’s POVFirst, Cross.Betrayal, and still, he could not leave my mind.But I had left him.I had walked away, leaving him behind, knowing this was the last time I would see him. And yet, my hands had shaken as I turned the doorknob, my heart twisting painfully in my chest as I forced myself not to look back. Because if I did, if I saw the way Cross was looking at me—pleading, desperate, raw—I would break.I had already broken.But this was how it had to be. I kept telling myself that. Over and over. There was never a version of this story where Cross and I had a happy ending. This was always where it was going to end.I wiped my face roughly, steeling myself. You did the right thing, Ari.I had to believe that. I needed to believe that.***As I made my way to the scene where I was to get Kaelie back, I remembered Cross’ advice for me.Get as close as possible.I had told Lady Smith already; I didn’t want the men around. Anyway, they were all too busy feigning and creating distracti