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
Lily's POVAiden staggered slightly backward, surprised by the strength of my embrace. He chuckled, his voice laced with a hint of playfulness. "Hey now, I'm not dying anytime soon. You don't have to squeeze me so tight."I laughed, the sound muffled against the crook of his neck as I wrapped my arms around him. "I know, I know. You're too strong to die," I replied, my words filled with confidence and admiration. I stayed there, in his embrace, reveling in the warmth of his body and the sense of security he brought.I took a step back, staring into his face that was still furrowed with curiosity—he was still wondering why I was this happy."Aiden," I started, my voice filled with a mix of relief and curiosity. "I... I didn't expect you to do that."An eyebrow shot up, and he asked. "Do what?""You know...." I waved my hand around in a dismissive gesture. "Pay the hospital to get Lucas to do his surgery earlier. I heard that it was you who did it. I'm so grateful, Aiden."Aiden's pierc
Lily's POVThe last word died in a strangled choke when his mouth covered mine. Pressed against my chair as I was, both hands on his chest, it was all I could do not to implode with desire.Wasn't this the same man I'd had sex with a few hours ago? A part of my desire-stricken mind screamed. How had my body grown so attuned to his that he merely had to give me a kiss to set me on fire?"Wait!" I paused, pulling away from him. Aiden was panting now, his eyes wide and dark, his lips swollen from the kiss."I'm sorry," he whispered. "I just cannot get enough of you..."I sat still, watching as a flood of unnameable sadness enveloped me. "This is pointless," I sighed, standing to my feet. "I think my dinner is over.""Lily!" Aiden called out as I walked towards the door, reaching out to grab my arm. "What....what is wrong? Is it the kiss? My apologies—""It isn't the kiss, Aiden. I'm just worried." I murmured, wrapping my arms around myself.His brows scrunched up in concern. "Worried abo