Acker’s POV: She wasn’t supposed to be home so quickly. I expected that; Javier had reliably informed me she would be at the casino tonight. I had hoped the blonde mafia don would entertain her well enough. I didn’t care as long as she was safe. Therefore I took the opportunity, wanting to reacquaint myself with the apartment. I stood at the entrance of the apartment, the door barely making a sound as I entered. Despite it being equipped with the state of the art security cameras and alarm system, I wasn’t Acker Madden for nothing. I knew how to bypass it well, learned long ago during my mercenary days. What I did not expect was to find her entering the apartment only moments after, and I watched her posture carefully when she shut the door loudly. She wasn’t happy. She jumped when she heard me shift in me feet and was about to scream when I spoke, “Don’t.” I reached for the light switch and turned it on, enveloping the living room with white light. Her eyes widened and I saw su
Alicia’s POV:“Goddamn it,” I cursed loudly, not caring whomever would hear me. I already knew no one would - it was way too early for anyone sane to be up. The black exercise set that I was wearing was already soaked with sweat as I panted, feeling stitches in my sides.I was damn unfit.I made a mental note to do more about improving my exercise routine. I never had the time for these sorts of things when I was working but now… i had all the time I wanted and nothing to do with it.The thought of college entered my mind again and I sighed in frustration. It wasn’t the first time that going back to school entered my mind. Back then, when k had just left the orphanage, I was only able to take a couple of classes at a community college and earn myself a diploma. But now…The idea of asking Acker and Mikael for permission to go to school wasn’t what I wanted. They likely wouldn’t care and I didn’t want to force their hands.I leaned against the tree I had jogged all the way from my apar
Alicia’s POV: Finally, I thought with a relieved sigh, breakfast was done. I nodded in thanks as Farrah cleared the dishes away from the table, and the two men stood at the same time. I watched them, my hackles risen, as they both gave me glances that made me self conscious. “What?” I asked them both. What were they up to? It was quite suspicious. With the way both of them looked I would have thought they were about to abduct me a second time. “We have something for you,” Acker took the lead, speaking first. “More like a gift,” Mikael continued. “And an apology, of sorts.“ I met Mikael’s eyes and saw no hints of lies in them. It was… surprising. I looked away thoughtfully. He was… apologizing? No, I corrected myself, glancing at Acker briefly. They BOTH were. My heart twinged. Could I accept more gifts tying me to them? Remembering Magda’s words, I stopped myself from saying any words of refusal. Perhaps I could wait and see what it was first before coming to a conclusion.
Alicia’s POV “Ugh,” I groaned as I closed the book I had been reading for the second time.I had been trying to not give into the abject boredom that I felt but it was becoming harder and harder to do so.“Come on, what else can I do?” I wondered aloud, staring at the closing as I laid on the couch in the living room.Was this how life would become now?Because I had no work to revolve my life around, the days slowed into a dismal crawl.Maybe I could get my job back?Or actually entertain the idea of asking Acker and Mikael to go to college? They would support me right? They were not good men but… they couldn’t be that terrible.I felt I was beginning to lose it.Blinking slowly at the ceiling I decided I needed a change of environment.Sharply i got up and stretched my hands above my head with a wince. I should REALLY become more fit. Magda had commented once on how unfit I was but now I could feel it. Just a couple days of jogging and my body already ached fully from the workout.
Mikael’s POV THREE HOURS AGO “Where are they?” I all but growled Magda who bowed to me and directed me to down the hallway. Acker stood beside me as we walked, the sounds of pained grunts filling the air, as well as the distinct sound of fist hitting flesh.The sound reminded me that I hadn't yet gotten my workout in. Perhaps I'd do so with this subordinate of Castro's. I didn’t speak as I barged into the room. Nor did Acker, because the two of us were furious. Castro’s men had attacked us, in broad daylight. It was obvious whose side he was on, and who had sent him: Cross Serpenti.My bastard half-brother once more. Even now he was more trouble than he was worth. “Sir,” the men that were busy brutalizing the last member of the Castro’s that had attacked. He was the only one left alive after my men were done with them, and Acker had volunteered to come with me. After all, he had agreed to the deal, to combine our forces into dealing with Castro and my half-brother. “Leave him
Mikael’s POV:I huffed, raising my hand to cup my chin while still staring at the Madden Don.“What kind of a question is that, Madden?” I asked him. “Do you not trust my judgement?”His hands were clasped together and he gazed at me in silence before I sighed heavily and I crossed my legs, standing to walk towards the bar. Now that Castro had gone, I felt more relaxed, which meant a little drink.“Castro used to be one of my father’s most important men,” I began to explain, pouring some bourbon into the crystal cup I had picked out. “He handled more than anyone knew. Though he didn’t have many men to begin with in his faction, he was one of the few who knew my father closely. And that…”“That is what you’re afraid of,” Acker’s words reminded me of the memories of the last. Castro had firmly been against my father pushing Cross away, just like I had been at one point. I used to care for my half-brother as if we had no reason to compete. We were the same age, and even though my father
Alicia’s POV I let out a small sigh as I shifted, putting on the black heeled sandals I had worn before. My wet clothes had already been handed off to the staff here and I reckoned I might not see it again for a while.I sighed again as I tugged at the side hems of the dress which looked quite expensive. Was it Sasha’s or some dress that Mikael somehow had on hand to give to me? I didn’t want to know.Thinking about that girl made something unpleasant pool in my belly.The black dress fit a little snugly around my middle and I chanced a glance at my reflection once I adjusted the straps, which criss-crossed over my bust and emphasized the cleavage I always liked to cover up.I looked gorgeous… and a complete opposite from the way I had looked only a month back.My blue eyes shone under the lighting of the bathroom, and my hair was up in a stylish bun compared to the messy way I used to keep it earlier. I had gotten used to movi about without the glasses; even though it wasn’t medicat
Alicia’s POV“Alicia.”I inhaled sharply as I returned to reality, and whipped my head around to gaze at Acker. He was staring at me with a raised brow and I wondered why.“We’re here.”What? My brows furrowed in confusion, and I blinked slowly with the air of someone who had been dreaming deeply and had just been jerked awake. I had been so deep in my thoughts; i had sought to think of anything, something to keep me away from addressing the tense silence that I surely felt on my end with him. Then I realized, slower than I would have wanted to admit, that the car had stopped.“Oh,” I blurted out, and heat rushed to my face as I nodded rapidly. Making to get up, i opened the car door on the other side and I put one feet out to stand, only to have my breath caught as I stumbled, tripping over thin air.Am arm steadied me and I breathed shallowly for a few seconds before raising my gaze to see Acker’s eyes on me.How had he gotten out so fast? Dazedly I noticed that I was leaning on
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