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
Lily's POVThe sound of cheering men pulled me from the depths of sleep. For a moment, I thought it was all a part of my dreamscape.Blinking away the remnants of slumber, I opened my eyes and found myself enveloped in Aiden's bed, surrounded by the comforting scent of his presence.With a sense of curiosity tinged with anticipation, I threw the bedcovers aside and rose from the bed, my bare feet padding softly against the plush carpet as I moved to the window.Drawing the curtains aside, I peered out into the world beyond, greeted by the sight of Aiden standing tall before the mansion amidst a sea of loyal men.The cheers of his comrades echoed through the air, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. As I watched him, a swell of pride and admiration surged within me, filling my heart to the brim."Aiden," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the clamor below. "You never cease to amaze me."With a smile tugging at the corners of my lips, I watched as he began to
Lily's POVMy phone continued to flash and ring on the dresser, its sound cutting through the quiet of the room like a sharp knife. For some reason, a feeling of unease settled in the pit of my stomach, refusing to be ignored.I stared hard at the phone until it rang out, and for some reason, it terrified me. Whoever was on the other end of the call didn't have any idea just how restless it had made me.Just when I'd gotten my breath stable, another harsh, jarring ring came from the phone. I gave a small start, then flipped the bedcovers to one side. Swallowing hard, I pushed myself up from the bed, ambling towards the dresser as my heart pounded in my chest. Each step felt heavy as I made my way towards the source of the ominous ringing.With trembling hands, I picked up the phone. I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to answer or ignore the call. But curiosity got the better of me, and with a deep breath, I swiped to the side and picked up the call.What came out of my mouth w
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