Lily's POVI stared after Aiden Blackwood, as he stormed away. My heart was thudding beneath my ribcage, and I felt as though the adrenaline would consume me from within. He turned a corner and disappeared, leaving me standing against the wall.My breaths came out in shallow gasps, as I clutched my chest for dear life. His sudden outburst had caught me off guard, leaving me reeling from the unexpected confrontation.I slid down the wall, sitting on the floor, trying to process this onslaught of emotions. My fingers grazed the spot where his grip had been tight around my neck. The memory sent shivers down my spine; it was a chilling reminder of the darker side of this man.What had just happened between us? His intense anger and the veiled threats had me rattled. The power he wielded, the sheer force in his demeanor—it was overwhelming.I wrapped my arms around my knees, seeking solace in the comforting embrace of my own presence. It was a constant battle, navigating the complexities o
Aiden's POVThat very night draped itself around me like a suffocating cloak, refusing to grant me the solace of sleep. I lay in my bed, the dim moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting haunting shadows across the room. Yet, the darkness within me seemed to cover everything around me.I groaned and turned around on the bed, remembering Lily's persistent inquiries. I knew she was determined to unravel the mysteries of my past, to pry open doors I'd long sealed shut. The mere thought of her delving into my history stirred a fear within me.I didn't want her to see these darker parts of me. I certainly did not want her to know the man I had been before her.A surge of protectiveness surged through my veins, an inexplicable need to shield Lily from the demons that lurked in my past. She was innocent amidst the chaos, a fragile flower in the midst of a tempest, and I couldn't bear the thought of her being tainted by the darkness that seemed to be a part of my life.And all of this
Aiden's POVThe drive to Ricardo's office took a mere ten minutes—I counted every single second with my heart in my mouth.My car pulled up to a towering skyscraper, a monolith of steel and glass that loomed over the cityscape. Ricardo's office and suite were nestled at the very top, a realm befitting a man of his stature, I suppose. In the mafia world, Ricardo ruled from that very pinnacle.The Gambino Suite, it was called. Passed down through each generation of male Gambinos, the office and suite were a hallmark of downtown New York.I felt a hand on my arm, and I turned to see Joe, who had followed me. "You do know how important this is, boss?""I know, I know." I gritted my teeth and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Might as well do this and get it over with, no?"Joe sighed. "Alright. Do you mind if I followed you in?""There will be no need for that," I replied hastily. "I will be fine."Then, without another word, I waited for the chauffeur to move around the car and open the do
Aiden's POVThe entire office seemed heavy with the tension and distaste we had for each other. Ricardo kept staring at me with the certainty in his eyes, the assurance that he would win this battle."I won't let you have Lily," I retorted, my voice edged with defiance. "She's off-limits to scum like you."Silence loomed in the room, thick and charged with an unspoken challenge, our mutual dislike simmering beneath the surface, waiting to erupt.Ricardo's next words hit me like a ton of bricks—a surprise that sent flurries of anger to my heart. "You know, your father tried to be as stubborn as you are now," he said, that calm expression never leaving his face. "Look where it got him. Like I said, you should really learn from me, as far as I am concerned."I growled; the mention of my late father was a sore spot. "Don't you dare drag my father into this," I snapped, barely holding back the anger simmering within me.Memories flooded my mind—of my father, slaving under the thumb of the
Lily's POV"I'll keep you safe, Lily." That was the very last thing I heard before Aiden turned and walked towards the door, and Joe's frame shuddered with laughter.The sound seemed to fade into the distance as I stood there, and only one thing echoed in my head.That letter! I had to see that letter!Standing at the bottom of the staircase, I watched Aiden's departure with held breath. As his figure disappeared through the doors, a rush of relief swept over me, and I finally exhaled, feeling the tightness in my chest ease away.But the letter I had seen with Aiden still stayed fixated in my head, and it continued to haunt my thoughts. It had been the sole reason I couldn't sleep last night. Questions surged within me about what Gambino might have written to Aiden in that letter.Deep inside, I sensed the urgency to uncover more about it. I knew I would not find rest until I knew what was in it. And Aiden's face when I had tried to grab the letter had spoken more volumes than his wor
Lily's POVI got to the door of my room and opened it, closing it behind me with a careful click. It felt as though I was walking in sharp silence, as jagged and as deadly as icicles. Aiden Blackwood's grim disapproval and his cutting words still rang in my head like a bell.As I sat on the edge of my bed, I felt a storm of emotion inside me. Guilt nibbled at my conscience for delving into Aiden Blackwood's study. Perhaps all of that was too forward of me. I was, after all, just a visitor here.Fear tiptoed in as I continued thinking. The study had been like a sanctum for him. Entering there and raiding the entire place felt like I was intruding on something private and intimate, all for a single letter that provided as little information as possible. Was it all worth it to see that look in his eyes?Would he send me out of his house now? I kept imagining his inevitable reaction upon his discovery of me.But among these conflicting emotions, anger surged within me. I groaned and lurch
Aiden's POVI left Lily's room with my thoughts in shambles. I was angry, worried, and scared, all at the same time. Leaning against the wall opposite her door, I paused to catch my breath. There was the irrational urge to throw my hands against the wall, to scream and roar and channel my emotions, somehow.It felt as though the harder I tried, the more my world teetered on a dangerous edge. I was on the verge of losing Lily, and the thought of Ricardo's triumphant smile almost drove me nuts. Try as I might to ignore it, Lily meant more to me than just another woman meant to warm my bed.My mind was a scattered mess of conflicting thoughts. Lily's persistence about the letter from Ricardo Gambino had stirred up a storm of emotions within me. I knew my protective measures were extreme, but I believed they were necessary in these circumstances. If I didn't ensure her safety by keeping her in the house, Ricardo would keep coming and coming until he finally had her. At least, in the wa
Aiden's POVI narrowed my eyes, staring at this man. "And what's your name again?""Mitch, my boss." He replied. "Mitch McCaulkin. I've been a guard around here for well over twenty years now.""Ah," I whispered, letting go of his hand. "That is a very long time, do you not agree, Joe?"I turned to Joe, eyebrows raised. He caught the message quickly. "Yes, boss, I agree. I think Mr. Mitch here has to let go of this job. He's getting too old for it."Mitch's mismatched eyes widened. "You're kidding, aren't you? Do you want to lay me off, boy?" He sneered. "I'd started walking at HQ when you were still nothing more than a ten-year-old, you idiot!"The entire HQ immediately fell silent, as Joe's bomb of words dropped in our midst. All eyes were on us now, I could feel them, pressing against my back and my shoulders, and my face, waiting for the other shoe to fall and hell to break loose.I knew what they thought would happen, that I would lose my temper and throw some hands at this man.
EPILOGUEAiden's POVSeveral months later found me rushing down a corridor of Doctor Turner's hospital, my heart in my throat. Behind me, I could hear Lucas' hurried footsteps as well.We met Mira halfway down the corridor, and I stopped panting. "Where is she?" I asked. "Tell me!""I....she is....in the labor room right now!" Mira stammered. "Doctor Turner has assured us that she will be fine—""I don't bloody care!" I roared. "Take me to my wife now!"Mira nodded vigorously, then began to race down the corridor, Lucas and I closely behind her. She stopped before a door, from which I could hear labored wails and the soothing murmurs of the doctors.Without waiting, I pushed open the door and walked right in to see Lily on a bed with her knees up in the air. Her dress had been raised all the way up to her chest, and I could see about half a dozen doctors and nurses gather around her.Doctor Turner turned to me, and his eyes widened. "Mr Blackwood! What are you doing here?""What....wh
Aiden's POVAs I held the bullet in my hand, fury ignited within me like a blazing inferno. This was Ricardo's doing, I knew it in my bones. He was the only one brave enough to try to harm Lily so openly; the only one who was the thorn in my flesh.I turned to face Mira and Lucas, and I saw the curiosity in their eyes. Mira's voice cut through the tense silence, her concern evident. "What did the doctor say?" she asked.Without a word, I lifted the bullet, its engraved surface gleaming ominously in the dim light of the hospital. Their eyes widened in shock as they took in the sinister detail. "That bullet..." I began, my voice heavy. "It bears Lily's name. Ricardo's twisted way of sending a message. He wanted to kill her?""Why would he do that?" Lucas asked. "From what I know, he wanted her for himself.""I don't need to know why he wanted to kill her." I declared. "Because today, I will put an end to Ricardo's reign of terror. Once and for all.""You're not....going to Ricardo alon
Aiden's POVI turned away from Lily, walking to the corner beside the window of Lily's living room. I dialed Joe's number, my heart racing with urgency. The events of the evening replayed in my mind like a nightmare. Two beeps told me that Joe had picked up the phone. "Hello, boss." He called."Joe, listen carefully," I began, my voice urgent. "There's been a shooting at Lily's house. Mitch is dead, but there's a sniper outside. Send backup immediately!""Okay, wh...what?" Joe stammered; he sounded as though he was half asleep. "What's going on?""Wake the fuck up!" I snapped. "Come to Lily's house with six men. There's a body to clean up!"Before Joe could respond, a piercing scream cut through the air, freezing me in place. I whipped around just in time to witness another gunshot and a spray of blood. Lily crumpled to the ground, her body convulsing in agony.Time seemed to slow as I watched in horror. Lily lay bleeding before me, her body splayed on the ground. The phone slipped f
Lily's POVLucas nodded in agreement with my words. "You're all the family I need, Lily."A warmth spread through me, filling me with a sense of belonging and reassurance. He was all the family I needed too, especially in moments like these, when it seemed as though we were moving from problem to even bigger problem.With a wide smile, I stretched out my arms and pulled Lucas into a tight hug. At that moment, as we stood together in the dimly lit room, I felt a sense of peace settling on me like never before. Despite the scary things that had just happened, I felt calm and happy.But just as I began to relax into the embrace, the sound of banging on the door shattered the silence. My heart raced with fear as I ducked down, instinctively seeking cover from the unknown threat on the other side."Hey! Open the door!"Relief flooded through me when I heard Mira's familiar voice calling out from behind the door. With a shaky breath, I rose to my feet as Aiden crossed the room to open the d
Lily's POVAiden's eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he seemed unable to speak. Then, a wide smile spread across his face, and he stepped forward, his arms outstretched as if to embrace me. "Lily, that's... that's incredible!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with joy and disbelief.I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth at the sight of his genuine happiness. But beneath it all, a gnawing sense of uncertainty stayed inside me. "I... I know," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "But Aiden, I don't know if I can do this. Not now, not in this... this situation. With Ricardo, and all. If he knows about this, he will—"Aiden's smile faltered, and he reached out to gently take my hands in his. "Lily, I understand that this isn't ideal," he said softly, his voice tinged with concern. "But we'll figure it out together. We'll make it work, I promise. To hell with Ricardo!"Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked into his earnest gaze. "I want to believe you, Aiden," I whispe
Lily's POVThe rest of my day—and week—seemed to go by in a blur. I couldn't recollect the meals I had or the conversations I endured. All I could think of was this baby. My baby.Before slipping into bed on the very last night, I closed the bedroom shades against the New York moon. In the day, I hated the sunshine because It reminded me too much of Aiden and the time we'd spent in Pennsylvania, but this moonlight was almost as bad. It was so cold. And felt so strange. As odd and unfamiliar as this house, these people living with me and my own skin.Finally, I rolled onto my side and rubbed my stomach. When I found that I was pregnant, I had tried and failed to find some outward sign of my condition. But in only the past few days, I had detected a slight rounding of my belly. This child was growing.This child. My baby. A stranger, like its father had grown to be. How I yearned to know how this child had been conceived. Was it when Aiden and I had survived the battle with Ricardo? Wa
Lily's POVIt was exactly two weeks after I met with Ricardo, when I woke up one morning feeling unusually bloated and disoriented. Later I would remember that day and think about how suspicious it had been, how I should have known something was terribly wrong.My head throbbed with a dull ache, and a wave of nausea washed over me as I struggled to sit up in bed. The room spun around me, and I clutched my stomach, willing the queasiness to pass.Just then, a gentle knock echoed through the room, and I mustered the energy to call out. "Come in!""Good morning!" Mira chirped. She stepped in with her characteristic cheerful smile, carrying in her arms a tray of breakfast.She closed the door with her foot. "I noticed that you slept in today, so I decided to wake you up with your favorite.""Thank you, babe," I murmured. My voice sounded as though a whole pond of frogs had decided to nest in my throat.Mira's smile faltered as she observed my lack of energy."Lily, you don't look so good,
Ricardo's POVI placed the telephone on the polished wooden table, its weight settling with a resounding thud. Sliding into the leather-upholstered chair, I reached for the crystal decanter, pouring a generous measure of brandy into a crystal glass. The amber liquid swirled, casting an enticing glow in the low-lit room.With a flick of my wrist, I lifted the glass to my lips, savoring the rich, smoky aroma before taking a sip. The fiery warmth spread through my chest, momentarily killing the cold reality of my surroundings.I turned in my chair, and my gaze fell upon the lifeless form of Liam sprawled across the floor, spread-eagled and looking stupid. He was stupid. He had always been. I couldn't forget the first day he strutted in here, acting as though he owned the place. I didn't do well with men who thought they were better than they really were.I despised men who talked too much and pretended to have a confidence that they didn't truly possess. Liam had been a loose end, a nu
Ricardo's POV"Boss! Good afternoon!"Liam strolled into my office, a sly grin playing on his lips. I couldn't shake the feeling that his visit was laced with ulterior motives. I leaned back on my chair, watching the man as he strode over to me. Everything about him simply set me on edge. His curly, blond head of hair, baby blue eyes, and dimpled smile made him look like some innocent kid, but I could see through that facade.I knew exactly what he was. A con. I'd known from the first time my men had led him into my office, some three or four days ago.However, I pushed my angry thoughts aside and plastered a smile on my face. I extended my hand for a handshake, a customary greeting. "Good morning, Mr. Liam." I greeted.Liam ignored my outstretched hand as though it was the nearby file cabinet. I watched with mounting annoyance as he breezed past it as if my office were his domain. He slumped into one of the chairs in front of me with a great groan of satisfaction."I cannot say th