Ricardo's POVI sat in my sleek black car, my patience wearing thin as I checked my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time. Where the hell was Mitch? Anger simmered beneath the surface as I glanced around the deserted street, frustration mounting with each passing second. Did the man think he could keep me waiting like this? Who did he My grip tightened on the chair beside me as I replayed the events of the past hour in my mind. Mitch had promised to meet me here and assured me that he had information that would be worth my while. But so far, all I had to show for my time was an empty street and a growing sense of irritation.I drummed my fingers impatiently against the leather upholstery, my thoughts swirling with possibilities. What could be keeping Mitch? Had he double-crossed me? Or was he simply incompetent?I shook my head in disbelief, unable to fathom why Mitch would risk angering me in such a way. Did he forget who he was dealing with?So, I continued to sit there
Ricardo's POVAs Mitch hesitated by the car door, I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. "Oh, and Mitch?" I said, my tone cold and calculated. "My boys will be taking care of your son Lucas, so do not even try to help him hide or escape."A flicker of alarm flashed in Mitch's eyes, his bad left eye flickering as he blinked rapidly. His look of horror was quickly masked by a look of determination. He nodded slowly, swallowing hard before speaking. "Y-yeah, sure," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the engine. "Do what you have to do."I studied Mitch for a moment, taking in the fear and uncertainty etched on his face. Satisfied that he understood the gravity of the situation, I gave him a curt nod. "Good," I replied, my voice dripping with malice. "Now get out of my sight."With that, Mitch hastily stepped out of the car, disappearing into the darkness of the night. I watched him go, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. Everything was
Aiden's POVA startled "What?!" escaped my lips.Lily's hands trembled as she stared wide-eyed at the picture. "Aiden, Mitch is my stepfather!"As Lily made the shocking revelation, a heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the sound of our collective breaths. My mind raced with questions, trying to make sense of the sudden connection between the Mitch I knew and Lily's stepfather."That's your stepfather?" I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.Lily nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the photograph tightly. "Yes," she replied, her tone firm and resolute. "I'd recognize that face anywhere. I would recognize that bad left eye, the sneer....that's him.""But why would your stepfather be working with us?" I wondered aloud, my thoughts racing as I tried to unravel the mystery.Lily shook her head, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "But something is going on here, something we're not see
Lily's POVI took a shuddering breath, my tears subsiding as I slowly pulled away from Aiden's comforting embrace. His presence alone felt like a balm that soothed me, and I found all the trauma I had carried around for years slowly ebbed away.I wiped my tear-stained cheeks with the back of my hand, managing a weak smile as I looked up at him. "Well, looks like I've managed to wet your shirt again," I noted, a snort of laughter coming out of my lips. "I should start carrying tissues around or something."Aiden chuckled softly, his eyes filled with warmth. "You know what, Lily? I'd gladly let you wet any of my clothes any day," he replied, his voice holding a hint of playfulness. "As long as I get to hold you tight like this, I am perfectly fine."His words caused a surge of emotion within me, and my heart skipped a beat. Despite the pain and darkness that had haunted my past, that I had just dug up from my memory, this man still loved me like no other.It made me feel extremely grate
Lily's POVSlowly, obeying his command, I began to strip, silently releasing the tiny buttons of my cotton dress from their constraints.I let the dress fall from my shoulders, exposing my lacy blue bra, the same colour of his eyes and the pool around us. Aiden stepped between my legs and made as if to hug me."Hold still." He whispered, then unhooked my bra as well. The cold rush of air made my nipples pull up in taut, almost painful buds. Instinctively, my fingers moved upwards to caress them.But he was already lifting me into his arms, holding me so that we were huddled together against the pool, my breasts crushed against his chest as he pulled me tightly against him.His lips found mine with such alacrity that I was left short of words. He kissed me with such all-consuming passion that I moaned, my own tenuous control shattering. Aiden's hands were all over me, molding me, arousing me. For the first time, I realized exactly why this man could make me respond as no one before.
Lily's POVThe eerie silence that followed the gunshot sent a jolt of fear coursing through my veins. My heart raced as I scanned the surrounding area, trying to pinpoint the origin of the alarming sound."Did you hear that?" I asked, my voice trembling with unease, as I turned to Aiden for reassurance. His expression mirrored my own apprehension, his eyes scanning the perimeter with furrowed brows."Yeah, I heard it," he replied, his tone tense as he surveyed the estate grounds for any sign of danger. "It's probably just... just..." He trailed off, his words faltering as he struggled to come up with a plausible explanation."Just what?" I pressed, my voice tinged with anxiety. "That sounded very dangerous."Aiden's gaze flickered towards the distant tree line, his jaw clenched with determination. "It's probably just my men doing some target practice," he finally offered, though his words lacked the conviction to fully ease my fears."But what if it's not?" I countered. My voice was b
Lily's POVAs I stood frozen in the doorway, my heart plummeted at the sight before me. Aiden's tear-streaked face moved upwards to meet mine, and his arms cradled Cook's lifeless form. Panic surged through me, my mind reeling at the sight of blood staining her clothes.The gunshot....had it met her?God!"Aiden, what happened?" I choked out, my voice trembling with fear and disbelief. "What the fuck happened? What the fuck happened to Cook? Tell me!"Aiden's gaze met mine, anguish etched into every line of his expression. "The bullet met her. She was in the kitchen when it happened."Waves upon waves of horror came crashing down on me. At first, I felt immobilized, like my feet had turned to marble, like I could not move even if I wanted to. And then I defrosted and melted into a heap of anguish beside the unmoving Cook.As I knelt by Cook's side, my heart clenched at the sight of her pale face and the blood staining her clothes. Desperation clawed at my chest as I reached out to tou
Ricardo's POVThe long pier overlooked the Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty loomed in the distance like a silent guardian of the city. I was standing on the pier, trying to let the cool air from the river wash away my fears.Sighing loudly, I stared at the small fishing boats that floated lazily on the river's surface. But my thoughts were far from the iconic monument or the floating boats before me. Instead, they were consumed by one burning desire: to hear that Aiden was finally dead.The mere thought of his demise filled me with a vile sense of satisfaction, coursing through my veins like a toxic elixir. For years, I had plotted and schemed to rid myself of that pestilential thorn in my side, and now, it seemed, my efforts might finally bear fruit.Maybe....just maybe that Mitch man would be successful in killing my archenemy. Then I would kill Mitch and dump his body in this very river.But even as I relished the prospect of Aiden's demise, there was a nagging voice at the