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
Acker’s POVShe was smiling now.I didn’t notice it before but I liked it when she smiled.The dinner had been a planned event, one which I had been able to pull off without that bastard Serrano coming along. The restaurant was owned by a connection who was able to give me the best in the building without hesitation.“I can’t believe it!” She was laughing now, her head thrown back. “You really did that?”I hummed in agreement and signaled the host that was on standby close to the table for the bill.Alicia didn’t notice the interaction much between the host and I, for she was still chuckling over one of my stories, one which I never meant to tell her, but chose to. It was supposed to ease the strange tension I had noticed in her expression and body language.Reaching my arm out for her to take, I wondered what it was that made me so interested in her. Women weren’t a vice i usually indulged in, unlike Serrano. I was more prone to getting my frustrations out with the use of violence.J
Mikael’s POVShe was being way too quiet.I eyed Alicia out of the corner of my eyes, gazing worriedly at her as she sipped at her coffee.She had returned a little earlier in the morning the previous day, I recalled. And she was more somber than her usual self.Where had she gone?The question was pushed to the back of my mind as Dante began to cough, likely as a result of some water going down the wrong pipe. I reached for a napkin and made to stand up from my chair, but Alicia was blessedly faster, and she grasped our son’s chin gently while patting his back.“There there,” she murmured softly. I relaxed at the warmth in her voice. She was fine. Perhaps she just needed some space like Madden liked to insist on.Leaning back into the chair I observed her, my mind full of thoughts of her. She had been acting this way ever since Madden and I had fucked her. Was that the reason why?Regardless, there was nothing I could do by wondering.My phone vibrated in my trouser pocket and I glan
Alicia’s POVMy dream was of a house in the countryside, somewhere where the sun was nice and warm yet not too hot. I played in the meadow with my two sons, like I was in a fairytale. Suddenly dark clouds filled the sky and my vision went static. Rain began to fall.~Buzz~~Buzz~I winced, shaking my head and only a little aware of the dream fading from my mind.My eyes were unbelievably bleary and my limbs heavier than I’d expect after a good night's sleep.Opening my eyes after another second, I saw darkness only broken by the little light from my phone.Someone was calling.With a soft grunt I reached for the phone which continued to vibrate as it rang.‘Safehouse,’ the caller ID said.Noticing the time to be only 12.13am, I inhaled sharply. This had to be important.Immediately the sleep cleared from my eyes and I answered the call.“What is it?” I demanded to know.“Good you’re up,” it was Matt’s friend breathing heavily over the phone. He didn't sound too happy.“I was asleep,”
Alicia’s POV “Holy shiiiiit,” I hissed with pleasure, my eyes rolled back. My legs parted wider as Mik’s slick, thick manhood thrust in and out of me in a beautiful deep rhythm. It HAD been a long time; no one could blame me. I lost myself in another series of moans, feeling hands all over my body. “Be careful,” Acker warned, and I wasn’t sure who he was warning in my sex-addled brain until I realized Mik was chuckling as he moved his hips to mine. “You don’t want me to break her in for you, Madden? Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll be the same by the time you’re up.” I heard something that sounded like a curse come from Acker but I didn’t care. Despite both men bickering, they were incredibly focused on one thing and one thing only: me. I had long lost track of where I was. We had moved from room to room like horny teenagers and now, I was in a chair, or a desk, or wherever. All I knew was that my hands and hair were held back by Acker as I took Mik’s cock like a good girl. Hands
Alicia’s POV “She is right here.” I replied loudly to the man that was speaking to someone whom I neither knew nor cared to know, making my presence known at the party entrance. As if by a spell all eyes turned to me, and I took advantage of the spotlight. I knew exactly how I looked. I had taken my time all weekend to clean up my looks to make sure I wouldn’t appear too shabby as Ash’s and Dante’s mother. I was practically the most desired woman to be in terms of position, having the children of two of the most powerful Dons in the world. And I was going to enjoy it. The spotlight wasn’t usually what I searched for but I reveled in it now, a dark glee in my heart as Mikael and Acker’s eyes were like flames burning my skin. The glittering red gown I had chosen was fired to my body, held up only by spaghetti straps with pearls as an accent. My hair was up in a stylish updo and showed off my neck and décolletage, which spotted a lovely necklace I picked for myself with care. In al
Acker’s POV“Make sure it is done. No excuses this time. And use another supplier if this one doesn’t make things according to our requirements,” I cut off one of my executives before he could go on another rant during our call. I was already fed up and late for a very important engagement - picking up my sons from the house to attend their birthday party.Unbuttoning my shirt with one hand while I walked into my home office to grab the box I had left there wrapped and ready for tonight, I noticed Javier was seated on the armchair close to my desk, and giving me a serious look.I ended the call and sighed heavily. I hated handling business sometimes. It was easy work in theory but human beings and bureaucracy could make every little thing difficult.“You clearly haven’t gone for a shower yet,” Javier helpfully pointed out, tutting in a manner that was exasperated. “You still have paint on your face.”My jaw ticked.“I’m well aware of that, Javier. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.”
Alicia’s POVThe party hadn’t occurred yet and it already gave me a headache. My scowl prominent, I listened to the chef and event planner - Duran, what an odd surname, I thought absently - as they discussed the event.“Whatever you have to decide, so it with their fathers," I stated when I could get a word in. I wanted nothing to do with this or them or this farce of a damn party that was forced on me.The pair glanced at each other wide-eyed and I didn’t wait for a response, instead storming off to my room for some much needed alone time. Slamming the door shut down othbeicj force that the walls shook, I let out an agonized yell.“I hate them both,” I hissed through my teeth. Why did it feel like the entire world was against me? I sat in the edge of the bed recalling Andy’s discussion with me earlier.2 hours ago:I was furious, seeing red. Hardly able to contain myself.“Alis, wait,” Andy called, her footsteps fast paced. I whirled about to face her.“You TOLD them about the boys’
Mikael’s POVMy hands clenched and unclenched, while my mind struggled to make sense of the report that the police commissioner gave me mere seconds ago. My blood was effectively boiling.How could this have happened right under our noses? For the girl, the only connection we had at this crucial time to my bastard half-brother, to escape like that… I couldn’t fatho it for the life of me.Madden turned to Alicia, his signature cool and collected veneer on full display as he replied, “This is not the time to discuss such things. You should focus on your breakfast love.”Endearment aside I thought he had the right idea. We shouldn’t talk about this when the children were around, no matter how urgent it seemed to be.“And the party,” Ashford piped up in the wake of Madden’s words which made his mother whip her head around to stare at him unblinkingly“What party exactly?” Alicia sounded confused, tired and— was that relief I heard in her voice?“Our birthday party!” Dante too the opportun
Alicia’s POV Two days later: Tonight was the night. 10:47 pm. My room was dark but I could still spot the letters on the alarm clock, glowing distinctly. I sat up on the bed, checking my phone every couple of seconds as though that would make a difference. I had to be patient. Because tonight, Daya would escape police custody. Matt had been of more help than I had previously anticipated and he had sent one of his ‘good friends’ skilled at evading law enforcement to pick Daya up. While I wished I could be there myself to see it going on, I knew it would be next to impossible. Mikael, for one, would notice that I had left the house. The sound of footsteps drawing close to my door alerted me. Damn it. I was supposed to be asleep! Feigning a stomach ache in order to leave the dinner table early had its drawbacks. Swiftly I pulled the covers up, hiding my phone underneath the blanket and laid down, turning my head to the side and closing my eyes. The door opened, and multiple foots
Mikael’s POV “Whatever, it’s none of my business,” she had said. Yet even as she said that she appeared the opposite. Her posture was rigid, her lips drawn into a scowl that looked more appealing than it did intimidating. Honestly I’d never met a woman so stubborn in my life and perhaps that’s why I fell in love with her. Against my better judgement, of fucking course. I had no issues playing this game of hers. “Alright,” I responded lightly. “Just making it known. You should have your breakfast.” “I think I’ve lost my appetite,” Alicia’s words were just as cutting as I expected, and she huffed, her shoulders shrugging as she turned around to walk out of the living room. In a dizzying instant I saw her stumble, and I reached to grasp her by the waist and pulled her closer as her knees buckled under her. “Ugh,” she groaned, shutting her eyes tightly. “I really need to get some more sleep.” She hadn’t slept? That explained the worrying eye-bags under her eyes, and how pale she l