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