Alicia’s POV I hated this. I hated them both.Not even the excitement brimming in the air or the scent of pastries and sweets could bring my mood up.“Mommy, look! A Ferris wheel!” Ashford yelled whilst tugging at my sleeve. I nodded, barely able to hold a sneer back as I spoke.“Very nice, honey,” I replied, bland and unable to muster up a smile.The amusement park was quieter than I expected in such a sunny afternoon. But it was just as well, because the spectacle that was our party walking down the Main Street of the amusement park, was hard to miss.Bodyguards flanked us on all sides, gaining attention from some other families in the vicinity. I held my tongue as Acker gave orders to one of the men.At least they didn’t stand out TOO much, probably because they had all worn“Hey, you alright, Alis?” Andy was right beside me, and this question she whispered to me in concern.“Yeah,” I nodded with a sigh, even though my face showed exactly the opposite.“I know you’re scared for th
Mikael’s POVWell, look who’s awake.To say I could hardly hold back a smile was an understatement. She glared at me openly, like I was an enemy.“What are you doing here? Both of you?” Alicia demanded hotly. Madden was on the edge of the other side of the bed, rolling his shoulders. He appeared unruffled by her loud voice. “Wait- am I NAKED? Who undressed me?”She finally seemed to realize that little tidbit huh. I chuckled again, unable to help myself. She was so very amusing and adorable when she was like this.“Relax, mia cara. It’s only us. Besides, we’ve seen you naked plenty of times,” I folded my arms.“That doesn’t count! And it’s all in the past anyway!” She yelled, pulling the sheets up th her neck. Her face was red and her eyes glimmered with fierce, righteous anger.“If you must know,” Madden began, finally speaking after a long time silent. His tone of voice was languid, relaxed and not perturbed at all. Stoic bastard, I cursed in my head. “You got drunk after we returne
Alicia’s POV“Ugh, I hate them,” My lips curled down into a scowl before I could help myself.The room was empty, blessedly so. I stood in my underwear in front of the wardrobe, and the thought of what I woke up to popped into my head now of all damn times.“What was I thinking? No, what exactly happened?” I muttered under my breath, looking through the wardrobe to find any thing that caught my eyesThe events of last night was a blur. I had chosen to try playing the two men at their own game and I admit I fell into the trap of drinking heavily. I almost never drank, so that was a huge mistake on my part. How was I to know that whiskey could be THAT strong through?And then, only to end up waking in bed with those two…“Ugh!”I tossed the jeans onto the bed. I was incredibly disappointed with myself. How could I give into them that easily?But the worst thing about it?A part of me really liked the idea.Like, REALLY really liked it.The dream I had the day before came to mind. A shiv
Alicia’s POV Pleasant conversation ended quicker than usual. I waited until a couple minutes after finishing the sandwiches Matt laid out. They had been delicious. I didn’t even know he could cook. But the time for what I really came for had arrived and I cleared my throat. Andy caught the meaning behind the intense gaze I gave her and rose up from the seat, giving a cough. “Um, where’s the guest bathroom? I have to…” she gestured in an uncomfortable way and Matt responded just as awkwardly by pointing towards the hall behind me. “The second door on the left,” he said and she smiled gratefully, before giving me a well-meaning look. I could tell that she was curious as hell to know whatever I was about to discuss with Matt. Unfortunately I had no intentions of doing so. “So what is it you wanted to ask me for?” He turned to me with a discerning expression. “You clearly wanted to speak to me in private.” “So she told you that huh,” I sighed. “She didn’t tell me exactly what. I thi
Alicia’s POVI kept myself as calm as possible even when my heart started beating faster.“Cleo. What brings you to this side of the city?” I raised my brows at her as she sat down, right as the server approached my table with the tray of cappuccino.“I was meeting with a friend but ended up having to cancel. You know how it goes. What about you? What brings you here?” She asked while her eyes flirted over the tray which bore a small plate of cookies as well as my order.I decided to not answer her; she wasn’t stupid and certainly could tell if I was lying.“Here you go,” the server, a young looking girl with glasses smiled politely and I nodded at her.“Thanks,” I smiled back at her, as she reminded me of my younger self but suddenly I was cut off by the sound of a throat clearing.“You. Get me a coffee, black, stat,” Cleo piped up with, snapping her fingers at the bewildered girl. I grit my teeth at her, feeling embarrassed at such behavior.“Could you stand to be a little kinder to
Alicia’s POV: I strode out of the cafe before she could even say a word. Oh how I longed to hit Cleo Abrams then and there. I had to tell myself that there would be my time for revenge. Not now maybe. But soon. With a sharp exhale I hauled down the first cab I saw and it slowed to a stop, waiting for me to enter. I approached it, noting how new the interior was, and how the driver kept his hand on the steering wheel. He seemed nervous. Almost anticipatory. Whatever, I thought, and entered the back of the car. But as soon as I shut the door I heard the sound of a lock and I looked up to see the driver gazing at me through the rear view mirror. What was going on? My mind raced as the car began to roll with no destination I knew of. Panic flooded my brain before I calmed myself down in an instant. I had to be. I wasn’t defenseless. “So, who are you?” I asked, without fear. “Or would you like to take me to dinner first before you tell me?” The driver seemed to jerk at the questi
Alicia’s POV Oh? Surprise ran through me and morphed into cruel amusement and irony. Well this was unexpected. His child? Was that what he was after all this time? It was such an odd concept, that the normally malicious Cross would be so intent on retrieving his child. How sentimental of him. I smirked inwardly knowing I had found a weakness I could truly exploit. “Oh this is rich!” A laugh left my lips and I could hardly hold in anything anymore. “Il grande serpente cattivo ha paura di perdere suo figlio. Egoista, dopo che hai messo in pericolo il mio. Do you feel proud of yourself, hmm?” “Oh get off your fucking high horse, Alicia. My child is MY heir, do you understand? Perhaps you have no idea the importance, but I do have a legacy to fucking protect. Not like you do, by the looks of it.” Here we go again. Did he learn nothing? Always with the THREATS. “And MY children are my life! Yet you thought you could not only frame me for a bullshit crime YOU committed in t
Acker’s POV An hour ago: I entered the mansion, aware of Serrano’s men stationed at the gates and front porch, hidden by the bushes and growing vines on the pillars. I had to admit; the mansion was a nice choice on Serrano’s part. Stepping through the front door I was warmed by the sound of laughter that I could trace to the living room. Entering there I was briefly stunned by the sight of Serrano seated on the rug, his hair disheveled and laughing uncontrollably as Dante and Ashford climbed over his body. It was such a domestic sight, and one that irked me a little. Perhaps I should spend more time with our sons. He had the benefit of living in the same mansion where Alicia and the twins were placed in. I’d be changing that soon. The nanny noticed my arrival and bowed to me, but Serrano had yet to even glance my way. Clearing my throat made him freeze and I could see the moment embarrassment showed in his face, but quickly cleared up as he stood. “If you’re here for lunch, the
Dante’s POV Two years later: Dad Mik always had the best stuff. I heard the signal from his fingers. The click. And Ash and I immediately closed our ears. The sound of a loud boom reverberated in the air and the field suddenly burst into chaos. It was glorious to watch. The bomb decimated everything it had been wrapped about. So cool, I Wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. But Dad Mik had said we should be quiet or else Mom would– “MIKAEL SERRANO‼” I Swallowed. Mom’s screech sounded like trouble. I was glad it wasn’t me and Ash and I exchanged glances to commiserate with each other. Dad Mik looked a little pale but he smirked a little as Mom came barely a second later. She turned round the corner and advanced on us as we stood at the edge of the large field next to the garden. We rushed to stand and dust their hands and clothes, looking innocent as Mom strided as gently as she could with a full and round belly. I really wasn't sure about how pregnancies work, but
Alicia’s POVThe knocking didn’t stop. My head pounded from the force of it. I stumbled to the door, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep. I opened the door to find Andy, her face etched with worry, holding a sleeping Bella. Magda followed close behind, her expression stern."What were you thinking, Alicia?" Andy demanded, her voice low but firm. "Leaving the house again in the middle of the night?"I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the sleep. "What are you talking about?"Magda's voice was sharp. "Do you know you nearly caused chaos this morning? Mikael nearly ran mad searching for you. Acker had to calm him down. And they nearly fought."My heart sank. I had no idea Mikael had been searching for me. "I...I just needed some air," I stammered.The guilt pricked at the edges of my consciousness again. This time I had caused more trouble just by leaving. I was foolish. I lowered my gaze in remorse.Andy's expression softened slightly. "Alicia, you can't just disappear in the middle of th
Alicia’s POVI woke up with a start, my heart racing and my sheets drenched in sweat. The maid's gentle voice and concerned expression only added to my distress. But it wasn't just the nightmare that had left me shaken - it was the crushing weight of my own guilt.As I lay there, trying to catch my breath, I couldn't shake the image of Cleo's face, twisted in a cruel grin, and Cross's gleaming green eyes. My nightmares were haunting. They taunted me with the reminders of the mistakes I’d made. My own oversights were massive.But it was my own actions that haunted me. I had tried to kill Acker and Mikael, the two men I loved. The thought sent a wave of self-loathing crashing over me.How could I have been so blind? So wrong? The guilt was suffocating, making it hard to breathe. I felt like I was drowning in my own shame. I thought about all the times I had pushed Acker and Mikael away, all the times I had doubted their love for me. And for what? Because of a misguided desire for reveng
Acker’s POV This was unexpected. I exchanged a glance with Serrano after seeing Cleo Abrams breathe her last breath. The syringe in my hand was empty and I dropped it on the ground where it lay to rest beside the pale corpse of the woman who had sought to use it at her weapon and had inevitably ended up dead by it. "How is she?" The words left my lips without preamble as I gazed at Alicia’s shivering form wrapped in the Italian Don’s arms. A part of me stirred with jealousy at the sight but I let it go. She belonged to him as much as she did to me. "Asleep for now. Or rather unconscious. She’s quite the dramatic one isn’t she? Cried herself to sleep just like that," Serrano tutted as though he was angry with her but in fact I could tell the relief in his face. I felt the same way too. In the end we had somehow neglected her. Of course it was just a stroke of luck that we figured out who it was at the last minute that had caused such troubles on our lives. It started aft
Cleo’s POVI had always been a survivor.From the first time I knew what death was, I had always been a survivor.An orphan girl, with no one to depend on but herself.I knew my skills long before I could understand them; my beauty was a privilege I welcomed.It helped me get away with things when I was younger and I learnt that a smile and little tilt of my head would help whenever one of the other kids accused me of stealing their belongings. None of the stupid nuns cared that I was never doing chores on time because I’d act so innocent and my cherubic expression gave me a fucking sweet pass.The attention always made me feel powerful and the way I got away with so much made the other kids either fear me or want to be my friends so they could benefit from it.As I got older I began to notice how much stares the boys would give me more than the other girls. Even the adult men weren’t far from trying to act like they were vying for my attention. And so I discovered another use for my
Alicia’s POVI stared out the window, my eyes tracing the outline of the trees as they swayed gently in the breeze. It was my birthday, a day that should have been filled with joy and celebration. Instead, I was trapped in this prison, a captive of the two men I had once loved.The sound of the door opening broke the silence, and I turned to see Andy walking in, a bright smile on her face. But it was what she was holding that really caught my attention - baby Bella. I felt a surge of emotion as Andy handed her over to me, and I held her close, feeling a sense of peace wash over me.Bella peered up at me curiously, her big eyes sparkling with innocence. I felt a pang of guilt for putting her in this situation, for bringing her into a world filled with danger and uncertainty. Perhaps I wasn’t the best one to take care of her. Perhaps I should have given her to a loving family."Thank you for taking care of her," I said to Andy, my voice awkward with emotion.Andy's expression softened,
Mikael’s POVShe was different. She looked like a wounded animal. My left grasped Dante’s shoulder gently. It was an assurance that our sons had returned to us. And a promise that this wasn’t for nothing.Madden at the very least was able to contain his emotions unlike myself. His voice came out like a crack of a whip. “Take her to her room. There won’t be any chance of her escaping, do you understand?”“Yes Don.” The men chorused.Yet I didn’t feel sane. I felt like I wanted to kill something. I felt like I wanted answers.…The sound of the clock ticking grounded me from spiraling in the study. I listened while seething with anger as Magda and Javier delivered their report.Bella, the newborn baby that had been caught along with Alicia and our boys, was Cross' and Zendaya's child. And to make matters worse, Alicia had already obtained a birth certificate that stated she had adopted the baby.That baby was currently in the care of a bewildered Andy who was mourning her friend’s acti
Alicia’s POVI crept out of my motel room, my heart racing with every creak of the floor. In a few short hours paranoia had become my constant companion, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I just needed to grab some snacks from the store next door, but even that simple task felt like a risk.As I browsed the aisles, my eyes wandered to the TV playing in the corner of the store. The news anchor's voice was a distant hum until I saw the footage of the warehouse explosion. It was on the news.My breath caught in my throat as I watched Cross Serpenti's face flash across the screen. His death was confirmed and the news anchor continued with stating all the known crimes the Serpenti Mafia had committed. He deserved to die and that was certain.The cashier's muttered comment about "those mob people" and how easy it must be to have their kind of money barely registered. My mind was reeling with the implications of what I'd just seen. Acker and Mikael were still alive.
Acker’s POVToday had not gone as fucking expected.I tried to hold back all the thoughts swirling in my head as we left the police officers and flashing sirens behind.It appeared to be a terrible dream. But it wasn’t over yet.The scent of burning and flames was in the air still. I must have inhaled a lot of smoke in there, I thought with disgruntlement as I gave the orders for us to return. My throat hurt badly enough that speaking was a chore I didn’t feel the need to indulge in. Serrano sat silently beside me and I knew it had to do with none other than her. Our woman. And supposedly the one that betrayed us.His hands gripped the phone that Cross had thrown at us tightly. That the Serpenti Don was dead finally was good. We had watched his… body, for lack of a better word, being carried out. He was charred beyond repair. Not even a lick of unburnt flesh on him and he had died in pieces, the explosion tearing him into chunks that had to be pieced together.It had been by the skin