Chapter One

Liam

               The twist over his lips turned into a straight line when he mulled over the danger of his ruthless world. Things were fully treacherous, barbaric, and difficult in his world, but nothing was impossible for him. 

     The outskirts of his terrain were secured. From here! A bird wasn't allowed to spread its wings without his consent. 

     "Boss, they're waiting for you," Danny said after rapping his knuckles on the glass door. 

     His expression steeled, blocking the emotions which were swirling inside him. He wanted perfection in everything for his wife. 

    His hands were shoved in his pocket, he could feel the guns, and knives that remained hidden under his coat. He didn't trust his own shadow. He didn't take risks when it was about his family and particularly, his wife. 

     Twisting his wrist, he glanced down at his Hublot wristwatch, "Tell Danil to attend the meeting," His voice was intense. 

     "Yes, boss." Danny bowed his head and spun to leave the office.  

     He stared out of the floor-to-ceiling glass wall. He exhaled the air out of his lungs and advanced his hand to grab the keys and strode out of his office. His fingers were toying with car keys but it wouldn't take him more than a second to replace the keys with the gun. 

     All heads bowed at his sight out of respect and fear. He didn't let anyone ever know his weakness. He changed his weakness into something so strong that no one could reach her, hurt her to break him. 

     Retrieving his phone in his way, he clicked on Olivia's number. He wanted to keep his visit secret from his beloved wife, Rose. 

     Olivia answered the call immediately, "We're just reaching there," He heard the calm voice of the Mafia queen. 

      He did not want to replace the person claimed by the title. He wanted to keep his wife for himself. He was possessive, vicious, dangerous, and ruthless when it was about her but not for her. She had created a soft place in his heart that he didn't remember was ever there. 

     "I'm coming. It won't take me long." He said. 

     He didn't want his wife to know until he decided it wouldn't affect her smile. He was extra careful, extra caring, everything extra as his wife, Rose was pregnant. 

     Merely his presence was enough to drill dread in his enemies. But she was his wife, the most valuable person in his life, more essential to him than his breathing, the love of his life, his wife. He wasn't a ruthless mafia boss around her. 

     "Should I inform her?" 

     Olivia's voice brought him back to the topic, "No," He pulled the phone away from his ear, disconnecting. He didn't consider it necessary to explain things to anyone, not to his wife either. He kept his dark life a secret. But deep down he knew, she knew but she never questioned him. He never missed the wave of terror in her eyes. He was a monster and would remain. Her love changed him, but only around her, only for her. 

     He shifted the gear, speeding the car up. Two more cars were trailing behind him. His phone began to ring. 

     He patted his pockets for Bluetooth. His jaw moved, turning his impassive expression into a cold one.   

     Answering, he put the call on speaker, "Brother!" There was alarm in his voice. 

     "Dan! What is it?" He asked, staring out of the windshield, one hand was resting over his thigh and his second hand was throttling the steering wheel, "I'm driving," His curt tone filled the air. 

     "You left the office without..." Danil paused. He was wise not to complete his words. 

     He wouldn't give an explanation to anyone. 

     "Is Rose alright? I was just worried. Otherwise, you won't leave so suddenly," 

    "She's fine. It's her appointment today." He moved his hand in a full circle cutting in the parking lot. 

    "Oh! Now I got the reason for your exasperation. She'll be fine."

    "She has to," His voice was dripping with determination.

    "I'll call you after attending the meeting." He could hear him breathing out in relief. 

    "Sure," He tapped on the red icon and removed the seatbelt. His expressions were schooled, green emerald eyes giving only coldness. He stepped out of his car, pocketing his phone. 

    He chucked the keys of his car at his bodyguard who caught it immediately and bowed his head. 

    He walked toward the emergency door to enter the hospital. The staff and doctors all greeted him. This part of the hospital wasn't crowded. He had bought it. It was used by his family, the entire mafia family including his soldiers and their families. 

     "Sir," His appearance was unannounced. The doctors and staff's faces turned white in terror. The doctor rushed toward him, swiping the back of his hand over his forehead, "Sir, arrangements are done as your assistant has instructed the staff. Ma'am is comfortable in a private room." Fear was dripping in the shape of sweat. 

     "I'm the one who's seeing the reports first," He announced in his cold voice. 

     "Yes, sir." The doctor bowed and hurried out of his way. 

     He walked toward the private room and halted out of the glass window. They couldn't watch him. His eyes rested on his wife, his shoulders relaxed at the sight of her smiling. It still warmed his body, her charm, her smile, and her beauty attracted him always. Her smile was reaching her innocent brown eyes as she was watching at the black screen, waiting for everything to start. 

     She swallowed and he couldn't ignore the gulp that made the muscles of her delicate throat move. Her eyes turned to the door. Without anyone's telling, he knew she was waiting for him to come to see their baby together. She was holding her breath. She inhaled deeply when Olivia placed her hand over her shoulder and muttered something. 

     Rose smiled but he couldn't ignore the wave of sadness in her eyes. Olivia spoke something to her holding her genuine soft smile. He watched as her entire body relaxed. She smiled nodding at Olivia. 

     His hand ran to his side to take out the gun when the door opened of the private room. He let out a slow breath when he saw Lily, beaming at his wife, walking toward them. 

    This was the topic he never wanted to sort out. He had accepted Olivia as a part of his family and Lily and Dean too. 

    They exchanged words. Their smile didn't waver for a sec. 

    The doctor walked in. She lifted the hem of her top, revealing her four months pregnant stomach. 

    Taking a deep breath she turned her eyes to the screen. His heartbeat raced a little before returning to normal. 

    He couldn't peel off his gaze, from two persons, one his wife, who was smiling with tears in her eyes, second the small dot on the screen. 

     "Liam," His expression hardened as he spun. 

     Olivia was looking at him holding tears in her eyes, but her smile was explaining only happiness. 

     "Congratulations," Olivia spoke softly.   

     "Thanks," He curtly nodded his head and spun to look at his wife. 

     "You should tell her. She's waiting for you," Olivia suggested. 

     Her gaze was returning to the door whenever she wasn't looking at the screen and wasn't talking to Lily. 

     "Mr. Rodriguez," The female doctor came holding a baby blue file in her hand. She was nervous, scared but also smiling, "Congratulations, sir. It's a boy." she said. 

      "Hm," He nodded slightly, staring in her eyes. The doctor shivered and lowered her eyes, "This shouldn't go out of the wall of this room." He ordained her. 

      "Yes, sir." The doctor stuttered in fear. 

      "And most important," He grabbed the file from her shivering hand, "It's a girl for the rest of the world." He announced. 

      "Yes, sir." She nodded again. 

      He dismissed her with the wave of his hand, "Can you keep it safe?" He asked, extending his hand with a file to Olivia. 

     Her eyes lit up that he was showing trust in her, "Yes, " She smiled, gripping the file, "I'll inform everyone for a family meeting" Olivia said. 

     "Thanks, I need to talk to Rose." He said. 

     Olivia nodded, her smile seeming permanent, "Todd, inform Lily that I'm waiting for her in the car." 

     " Yes, ma'am." Todd nodded. 

     He waited for Lily to walk out of the room. 

     He pushed open the door. She wasn't wrapped in a hospital dress. Her yellow gown was going with the curves of her chest and loose from her stomach, her long hair was wavy and touching her lower back. 

     He walked in like a predator, making no noise. 

     "You're late, Mr. Dapper husband." Her voice was explaining the amount of her happiness. Perhaps, he could never know the exact quantity. Her pregnancy brought danger to her life. 

     His strong hand crawled around her waist. He didn't lock his arm around her and hold back himself tugging her to his chest. 

     Stepping closer, he bent his head to one side and glanced at her. He could see the tears track on her cheeks. It boiled his blood. But he couldn't bring it up as she had a solid reason... Happy tears! 

     Tucking her hair aside, he kissed her neck, "I was waiting outside," He never waited. He went in and claimed what belonged to him.  

     Her eyes closed, her body relaxed under his touch, "It's something else," Opening her eyes, she twirled to him, "Tell me. It's not my figure." She pressed her body softly to him, "My stomach won't be small." Her cheeks pinked. 

      He could feel worries in her eyes. She looked scared of him disliking her. His jaw clenched, showing her his disapproval. He ran his thumb under her eyes, "Our baby is growing." He kissed her head. 

     Exhaling, she relaxed again, "I'm scared, Liam. I want a normal delivery." Tears fell on his chest as she curled her arms tightly around him, hugging him. 

     He hugged back, but his arms were loose around her. He didn't want to hurt her as she felt so soft to him like petals of roses. Her miscarriage had created fear in her heart. They never talked but he could read it clearly in her eyes. 

     "Don't ponder needlessly, babe." He whispered, pressing his lips on her head again. 

     "You won't understand." She said against his chest. He felt more tears running down her rosy pink creamy cheeks. 

     He cupped her face, drawing her attention to him, forcing her tearful eyes to him, "I love you in all shapes." 

     A single tear dropped from her eyes, "I know," 

    He swiped his thumb on her cheek again, hating her tears, "Then?" His jaw tightened, pink lips pressed into a straight line.

    She wiped her cheeks with her knuckles, her throat worked with the gulp, "I'm not crying. It's coming itself. I'm happy," She said, 

    He looked at her in silence, trying to contemplate his wife. There could be a lot of reasons, "Of course, but... " He trailed, looking at her. The stretching silence was tensing her. 

    "You're threatening me," Her index finger and thumb began to toy with his shirt button. 

    "Rose," his voice was soft but demanding an answer. 

    "See! Your bossy attitude," She fisted his shirt.

    He smiled. Her expression was grasping astound, "Come, you must be hungry," He swiped her up. She

curled her arms around his neck and pressed her face in the crook of his neck.