Lily's POVI had no idea how long I was in that warehouse after Ricardo left. All I knew was that I wouldn't last any longer.Dizziness clouded my senses in that wretched warehouse. Exhaustion clung to my bones, even worse than the dark and stifling feeling that pressed against my face. I couldn't remember the last time I had water; my throat constricted and parched."Please, I need water," I croaked, my voice barely audible in the oppressive silence. The ropes bit into my hands, leaving angry marks as a painful reminder of my captivity. Panic set in as I struggled against the restraints. What would they do to me? Had they left me here to rot and die in silence?The air was thick with the stench of despair, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. My surroundings offered nothing but pitch blackness; the windows were shut tight, depriving me of any sense of day or night. The uncertainty was maddening."Is anyone there? Please, let me go," I pleaded, desperation lacing every word that
Lily's POVThroughout the short, two-minute ride up to Ricardo Gambino's suite, my head was riddled with question after question. Apprehension made me tap my bare feet against the ground, biting my lips and digging my nails into my palms. I was starting to feel my anger fade away now, and only the fear lingered inside of me.What would he do to me if I rejected his offer again? What would he do to Lucas?What would happen to Aiden as well?I was grateful when the elevator chimed softly, and the doors slid open; I was grateful for the opportunity to finally escape my thoughts in that claustrophobic elevator. As I stepped out, I found myself in an empty, circular foyer. The walls were adorned with intricately patterned wallpaper, and soft, golden light emanated from an elegant chandelier hanging above. Several doors lined the circumference of the space, each brown and carved with beautiful patterns.They all looked identical. Which was the door to Ricardo Gambino's famous suite?The id
Lily's POV"Hello, there!" He called out. Leaning against the doorframe, he folded his arms and let his eyes wander over my naked body."What are you doing!" I screamed. "I'm supposed to be dressing.""It seems you have forgotten that this is my bathroom. I can decide to waltz in at any time I like." He smiled, the gesture eerie rather than calming.I stumbled backward, covering my bare breasts with my arms, not that it covered much, I thought. I wasn't wearing a bra, and I was pretty sure I was a decent-sized cup.Ricardo could see everything.My lips trembled as I tried to speak again. "Go away, please. I want to dress."He raised an eyebrow, smirking at my embarrassment. His eyes wandered down to my collarbone and my arms, and his eyebrows shot up even higher. "You're bruised." He noted."Yes, where your men manhandled me!" I growled."I can fix that," Ricardo murmured. Taking my wrists, he held them against the wall. My heart thudded heavily as he leaned forward, ever closer to m
Lily's POVI burst out of the office, relief flooding over me as I spot the elevator just ahead. Heart pounding, I sprinted towards it, and desperately pressed the button, silently urging the doors to open faster."Come on, come on....!" I muttered under my breath.Finally, the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open just in time. I rushed inside, the doors closing behind me, sealing me away from the chaos going on in Ricardo's jacuzzi. As the elevator descended, I tried to steady my racing heart, the distant sounds of Ricardo and Aiden's clash fading with each passing floor. I silently prayed for Aiden's victory—I had no idea what Ricardo could do to him if he lost.As the elevator approached the ground floor, a new set of noises reached my ears. Men grunting, a few gunshots going off, the unmistakable sounds of a struggle. I furrowed my brow, wondering what awaited me as the doors prepared to open.With a chime, the elevator doors slid apart, revealing a scene of chaos in the foyer
Lily's POVThe thought of Aiden being hurt or dead haunted me even hours later. Now, I paced the living room agitatedly. The space felt confining, each tick of the clock echoing my anxiety. I glanced up at the clock, and my heart jumped as I looked at the time.Forty-seven minutes past eleven. Almost four hours since I'd come back from the Gambino Suite."Oh, God. Please...." I whispered under my breath. I'd shed all the tears in my eyes and prayed all the prayers my head could think of. All I could do now was pace the room and hope against hope that the man I loved was safe and well.Joe and the other injured men were being treated by the nurses who arrived about an hour ago. I had refused for them to treat me, insisting that I was fine, even though my joints ached from being tied up in that warehouse. There were bruises on my wrists and ankles from the ropes biting into my skin as well.I couldn't shake the worry etched on my face. I wanted to believe in Aiden's strength, wanted to
Aiden's POV:I slipped in and out of consciousness, the world a hazy blend of voices and faces. Whispers reached my ears, fragmented and distant, yet somehow familiar. And there was the throbbing pain coming from my left side—insistent and blindingly painful.Amidst the murmur of concerns and reassurances, Lily's face kept slipping in and out of my line of vision."Lily," I mumbled, the sound escaping my lips without my conscious effort. Even whispering her name took a lot of my effort.I saw her, a vision of worry etched across her features. Her lips moved, forming words that I struggled to comprehend. Every attempt to focus on her voice felt like grasping at vapor.Inconsequential.The room around me shifted as well, forming different blends of muted colors and vague shapes. Unclear images in white dresses moved with purpose, their dialogue blending into one another and becoming noises in my head. My consciousness swayed on the edge of awareness, but I was never truly there."Lily.
Aiden's POVLily sighed heavily. "Okay. Where do you need me to start from?""Tell me everything, Lily. What happened after they took you? Did they hurt you?"Lily's gaze met mine, her eyes reflecting the haunting memories of that night. "Aiden," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "it was terrifying. They broke the window, dragged me out of the car, and threw a bag over my head. I couldn't see anything, and I couldn't breathe properly. I was terrified they would kill me right then and there."She chuckled, then continued. "I even grabbed a gun from your dashboard, but I couldn't fire it for the life of me!"I listened intently, my heart clenching at the thought of her enduring such horror. "Go on," I urged gently, my hand reaching out to grasp hers for reassurance.Lily turned to face the window beside us, the slanting sunlight turning her green eyes slightly copper. Her voice trembled as she continued. "I blacked out for a while, and they took me to this abandoned warehouse
Aiden's POVI carefully descended the stairs, trying my best not to wince much. The pain was a throbbing presence on my left side, directly underneath my chest.Any higher, and I would have been dead.The cane provided some support, but it was a steady reminder of my vulnerability, of how Ricardo had peeled through my defenses and gotten at me. Nevertheless, I pressed on, taking the steps one at a time, with Joe steadily watching me.As I reached the bottom of the staircase, the first person I saw was Cook, who was smiling genially at me. "Mr. Blackwood, are you feeling better now?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.I returned her smile, grateful for her kindness. "I'm getting there, Cook. Thank you for asking."She nodded, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "You're a resilient one, Mr. Blackwood. I'm sure you'll be back on your feet in no time."Her words of encouragement bolstered my spirits, and I felt a surge of determination coursing through me. "I appreciate