I struggled to free myself from Alexander's grip, but his fingers only tightened around my arm, his nails digging into my skin. I tried to pull away, but he was too strong, his anger and adrenaline fueling his strength. He dragged me through the dimly lit hallway. I stumbled, my heels catching on the edge of the stairs, but Alexander didn't slow down. He pulled me along, his eyes fixed on some point ahead, until we reached a small door tucked away behind a row of booths. He pushed the door open and pulled me inside, shutting it behind us with a loud bang.We were in a narrow cloakroom, the air thick with the smell of coats and stale air. The only light came from a flickering overhead bulb, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Alexander's eyes blazed with anger, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat as he turned to face me, his eyes burning with intensity."What the fuck do you think you were doing in there?!!" Alexander thundered, his
Instinctively, I relaxed against Alexander's chest, tilting my head to the side, urging him to continue. He leaned down and kissed my shoulder, making me shudder lightly. Alexander sighed, his hands tightening on my waist. "Nicole's father, Victor, is a ruthless mafia boss who rules the East Coast. Our families used to be allies, but a disagreement drove us apart. He loves his daughter so much that he'd do anything she asked. I guess, Nicole have probably cried to her father about wanting to be with me again. She can be very sly and manipulative most times." My mind reeled as I processed this information. I turned around to face him, my eyes meeting his grey ones. "I still don't understand, Alex. Why...why do it?" I felt the anger and hurt I had felt when I saw Nicole's hands and mouth on him resurfacing. He could have just outrightly rejected her. "You could have just rejected her!" Alexander's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mix of frustration and desperation. "Victor threat
As Alexander pulled me into a dark hallway, I stumbled after him, my heart racing with confusion. Where were we going? What was happening? I couldn't decipher the direction we were heading, the darkness disorienting me. Suddenly, a door swung open, and the cold night air hit me like a slap in the face. I gasped, my eyes adjusting slowly to the darkness outside.We were in an alleyway, the only sound the distant hum of the city and the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet. Alexander's grip on my hand tightened as he pulled me along, his pace swift and urgent. I struggled to keep up, my mind reeling with questions."Alexander, what's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. He didn't respond, his eyes fixed on some point ahead. I followed his gaze, but saw nothing but the dark outline of buildings.We turned a corner, and a sleek black car came into view. Alexander yanked open the door and pushed me inside, following close behind. The door slammed shut behind us, envelopin
ALEXANDER'S POVAs I watched the car disappear into the night, it took every ounce of my willpower not to go after it, to drag Angel back into my arms and never let her go. I wanted to hold her close, to feel her warmth and scent, to assure her that she was safe with me.But I knew better. I still had unfinished business to attend to - those bastards who thought they could hurt her, take her away from me. My anger simmered just below the surface, threatening to boil over. How dare they try to attack her, put her in harm's way?I would fight to the death to protect her, to keep her safe from the darkness that lurked in every corner of my life. I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening with resolve. I would not rest until I had dealt with Victor, Russo, and anyone else who thought they could touch her. She was mine, my Ivory, my Angel. And I would stop at nothing to keep her safe.Clark's voice broke into my thoughts, "You're really into her, aren't you?" I turned to him, my expression gr
IVORY'S POVI strolled through the gardens, the warm sunlight casting a golden glow on the vibrant blooms. Claire walked beside me, her eyes shining with concern."Ivory, how are you holding up?" she asked, her voice gentle. "It's been two weeks since the attack. You must be feeling suffocated with all these guards around."Two weeks had passed since the attack, and my life had become a blur of guards and gates, safety protocols and surveillance. I rarely saw Alexander, and when I did, he was distant, his mind preoccupied with the aftermath.I miss him.I really do.I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I miss Alexander. I miss our talks. Our incessant bickering. I feel like I'm losing myself in all this chaos."Claire's expression softened. "You're not alone, Ivory. We're all here for you. And Master Alexander...he's doing everything he can to keep you safe."I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I know. But it's hard, Claire. I feel like I'm living in a prison."Alexande
WARNING>>>THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SOME EXPLICIT SEX SCENES. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED!When Alexander didn't make any move, I stood on my toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips. I pressed my body against his and tightened my arms around his neck. I felt his hand descend from my waist to my butt which he gave a soft squeeze, making me gasp against his lips.My hand seemed to move of its own volition, as if driven by a mischievous instinct, slowly gliding down to his groin with a gentle, exploratory touch. My fingers wrapped around him, giving a soft, tentative squeeze. A low, husky groan rumbled deep within his chest, a primal sound that vibrated through every cell of my body, sending shivers down my spine. Emboldened by his response, I increased the pressure, my fingers applying a subtle, teasing pressure. He hissed a sharp breath under his teeth, his lips parting in surprise, and pulled his mouth away from mine, his eyes flashing with a mixture of pleasure and restraint, as if st
Ava's blunt question hit me like a slap, making me choke on the orange juice I was sipping. ''You had sex again, didn't you?'' she accused, her voice dripping with a mix of amusement and annoyance. I almost spat out the juice, my eyes widening in surprise as I struggled to swallow. I shot her a withering glance, trying to convey a silent 'mind your own business' warning. But Ava just raised an eyebrow, her expression unrepentant. I huffed, taking a bite of my cookie to avoid responding, the crunch of the sweet treat a welcome distraction from the awkwardness."You need to stop reading me, you witch!" She let out a loud laugh and shook her head before walking away to hand the tray of cookies in her hands to one of her workers.I sat on one of the cozy seats nestled beside the window, the warm sunlight streaming in and casting a golden glow on the rustic wooden table in front of me. I had managed to convince Alexander to relent and let me visit Ava, despite his initial resistance and st
ALEXANDER'S POV I'm seeing red. My vision is blurred, my heart racing, my mind consumed by a singular thought - Ivory. My Ivory. She's been taken from me. Kidnapped. The thought sends a wave of fury coursing through my veins, and I can feel my control slipping. I stormed into the bakery, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of her. But she's not here. The guards, those incompetent fools, are still standing around, oblivious to the fact that she's gone. "Where is she?" I demanded, my voice low and deadly. They exchanged nervous glances, and one of them stepped forward. "We don't know, sir. She was with Ava, and then...and then she just vanished." My anger boils over, and I lunged at them, my fists clenched. "You were supposed to protect her!" I roar, slamming my hand into the wall. "You were supposed to keep her safe!" I grabbed my gun, my finger hovering over the trigger. It's a good thing that there were no customers here to witness this. The only people here were Ava's four e
FIVE MONTHS LATER I clutched Alexander's hand, my nails digging deep into his skin as a contraction ripped through my body like a wave crashing on the shore. "It's time," I panted, my eyes locked onto his, my voice barely above a whisper. Alexander's face was etched with concern, but he smiled reassuringly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We're almost there, my love. Just a few more minutes." He stroked my hair, his touch gentle and soothing. But I knew it was more than that. The pain was intensifying, like a fire burning brighter with each passing moment. I could feel the baby's head crowning, the pressure building. Suddenly, Theresa burst into the room, her face set with urgency. "It's time to go! We need to get her to the hospital, now!" she exclaimed, her voice firm but laced with worry. The next few minutes were a blur as Alexander scooped me up and rushed me to the car, Clark and Mr. Sebastian following close behind, their faces set with concern. Samantha and Mr. Marco b
As the black SUV came to a stop in front of Alexander's mansion, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Alexander got down and rounded the car to open the door for me, his eyes locked onto mine with a warm smile. I took his hand, and he helped me out of the car, his touch sending shivers down my spine.As I stepped out, I saw Theresa standing outside the patio with Mr. Sebastian, her tears-filled eyes fixed on me with a mixture of happiness and sadness. Samantha stood by the side with Mr. Marco, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Alexander's grandfather, stood with them, his eyes piercing as he gazed at me with a small smile on his lips.Alexander's hand tightened around mine as he led me towards them. Theresa immediately rushed towards me and engulfed me in a tight hug. Sobs racking through her body. My own eyes immediately clouded with tears as I hugged her back, feeling a deep sense of connection and love. I could feel her heart racing with excitement, her breath coming in s
IVORY'S POV It's been two days since I saw Ezekiel at the diner. And surprisingly, I haven't seen anything unusual. I had thought that they would've stormed here already, and I've been holding on to that small hope that Ezekiel was considerate enough not to tell Alexander my location. I've been living in this small, shabby apartment for months now, trying to lay low and avoid detection. It's been a lonely existence, but a necessary one. I've missed Alexander, missed him more than I thought possible. I never stopped loving him, but I couldn't go back to him, not to his world. It was too dangerous, too suffocating. As I looked around my apartment, I felt a pang of sadness. It was small and empty, except for the bed, a table, and a few other sparse furnishings. Joe had given it to me, and I was grateful for his kindness. At least I had a roof over my head, a place to call my own. But it was a far cry from the life I had left behind. I missed the luxury, the comfort, the sense of secur
ALEXANDER'S POVI sat in my dimly lit study, gazing out the window, surrounded by the shadows of my own despair. It had been four months since Ivory left, and I was no closer to finding her. Every lead, every hint, every rumor had turned out to be a dead end. I was starting to lose my grip on reality, my mind consumed by thoughts of her, of where she might be, of whether she was safe.I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. I couldn't focus on anything except finding her. My business was suffering, my relationships were suffering, my very sanity was suffering. And yet, I couldn't stop. I couldn't rest until I found her.Because I loved her. I loved her more than life itself. I loved her more than I ever thought possible. She was my everything, my reason for being. And without her, I was nothing.And then, the news had come. She was pregnant. My baby was growing inside her, and I wasn't there to see it, to feel it, to be a part of it. The thought was almost too much to bear.I remembered the d
FOUR MONTHS LATER...I stood at the edge of the small town, my eyes fixed on the horizon. I had been on the move for months, never staying in one place for too long. I had to keep running, had to keep hiding. I couldn't let them find me.I had been living off the grid, using cash and fake IDs to survive. I had cut my hair short and dyed it brown, trying to blend in with the crowd. I had lost weight, my eyes sunken from lack of sleep.But despite the hardships, I felt free. I felt alive.I thought back to the night I escaped, the rain pounding against my face as I ran. I had never felt so alive, so exhilarated.I had made my way to Ravenwood, a small, quaint town nestled in the heart of Oregon, where I had managed to find a work as a waitress at a local diner. I kept to myself, never making friends or connections. I couldn't afford to get close to anyone.But as the months passed, I started to feel a sense of belonging. I started to feel like I could finally start over.I walked into t
As I watched Alexander leave my room, I roughly brushed away the tears that were streaming down my face, my hands shaking with anger and hurt. Damn him for reducing me to this state, for making me feel so vulnerable and weak. Damn him for making me love him so deeply, so completely, only to shatter my heart into a million pieces. Damn my body for always reacting to every of his touch. And, damn my heart for still loving him after his lies and betrayal. I slowly walked to the door and slammed it shut, hardly. But, just as I was about to turn, another knock sounded on the door. Angrily I opened it, ready to bark at Alexander for not wanting to leave me alone. "What part of get out don't you under..." My words hung in my throat, when my eyes met with Theresa's. Her face was glistening with tears, her eyes swollen and puffy. A look of hurt, guilt and sadness was etched on her beautiful face. My heart almost almost melted at her pitiful sight and I wanted nothing more than to go int
Laughter echoed in my mind, a cold, mirthless sound. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, used by everyone around me. My legs trembled beneath me as I reached the top of the stairs, my hand grasping for the door handle to my room.I flung the door open and stumbled inside, slamming it shut behind me. I leaned against the door, my heart racing, my mind spinning. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape.I slid down the door, my legs giving out beneath me. I buried my face in my hands, tears streaming down my face. I felt so alone, so lost. My hands wrapped around my stomach protectively, as if to protect the life growing inside me from the unknown danger surrounding me. A soft knock on the door broke the silence. "Angel, please let me in," Alexander's voice whispered through the door.I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "Go away," I whispered back.The knocking stopped, but I knew he wouldn't give up. He would keep trying to reach me, to expla
IVORY'S POVI stood frozen at the foot of the stairs, my eyes fixed on the scene before me as five pairs of eyes locked onto me, their gazes piercing and intense. Alexander's words hung in the air, a confession of secrets and lies that threatened to upend my entire world. My mind reeled, struggling to process the words he had just dropped, as if trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.My head spun, a dizzying sensation washing over me like a wave, leaving me breathless and disoriented. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, the wind knocked out of me, leaving me gasping for air. My legs trembled beneath me, and I reached out for the stair railings, grasping for support as the room seemed to tilt around me.Alexander immediately took a step towards me, his eyes filled with concern, but I stopped him with a raised finger, my hand shaking with a mix of anger and fear. I shook my head at him, a silent warning to stay back, to give me space to process the chaos that was erupting in
ALEXANDER'S POVI paced back and forth in my dimly lit study, my mind consumed by the events of the past few days. If only I had arrived sooner, maybe Ava would still be alive. Maybe Ivory wouldn't be lying on a bed, her heart broken and her spirit shattered.Three days ago, our mission to rescue Ivory and Ava from the clutches of Russo and his brother had gone catastrophically wrong. We were racing against time to reach the docks where they were being held hostage, but fate had other plans. Russo's men ambushed us, and we found ourselves entangled in a fierce battle that seemed to have no end. Wave after wave of his henchmen attacked us, each one more relentless than the last. We fought valiantly, but the sheer number of opponents slowed us down, and precious minutes ticked by.As the fight dragged on for over two hours, my anxiety grew. Every second counted, and I knew that Ivory and Ava were running out of time. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we emerged victorious, bu