...Damian POV...I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant... I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant... I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant... I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant...My mind continued to swirl on repeat. The words made sense, but it was as though my mind couldn't compute the meaning. My brain had shut down altogether. So much had happened in a few short hours. My brain was trying its best to keep up with everything as it is. But now this?I was still trying to wrap my mind around what was going on, so I decided to take a walk. I needed some air. I wasn't sure if I was even ready to have kids. But now I don't have any choice. I'm not upset with Haley. I understand why she never told me. Hell, I would've done the same thing if I were in her shoes. I'd completely ruined any trust we had in our relationship. So what else was she meant to do? But as if that wasn't enough, the Cobras have been after her. I wish I'd known. I
"Follow me." Kayden said as he turned away from me. I did exactly that, using my foot to kick the door closed. Kayden led me to a small room, and I placed Haley on the bed. I wrapped her in a blanket and tucked her in. "Don't leave." Haley whispered out. My heart broke from her admission. I kneeled on the ground and kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back, my love." I cooed in her ear.She nodded her head, then closed her eyes.I ran my fingers through her hair. A gesture I knew she loved. Soon, she was fast asleep. I turned to see Kayden watching us. He looked at me and silently nodded for me to follow. I nodded my head in response, then turned to look back at Haley. I leaned over and kissed her cheek, then walked out of the room. I gently closed the door, careful not to wake her. I could see through Kayden's expressions that I wasn't his biggest fan. But that didn't concern me. He could hate me for all I cared. Gawd knows I deserve it and so much more. So long as he cared for H
I spent the next while going over every detail of the bets with both Haley and Kayden. Kayden, however, didn't seem the least bit surprised, which made me wonder how he knew. But I didn't focus on that. Rather I focused on Haley. Her movements, reactions, everything. I tried to reach out to her. However, she pulled away from me. I felt absolutely gutted seeing her react like this to me."So all this time, I was nothing but a bet to you? A way to gain a position and further advance your business?" Haley replied, outraged."No! I swear! I truly love you!" I shouted, walking closer to her, hoping to wrap her in my arms. However, she backed away from me, holding a hand up, preventing me from getting close."And you! I trusted you! You knew about this and didn't tell me?!" Haley shouted incredulously at Kayden.Kayden's eyes went wide. He also tried to get closer to her; however, she backed away once more."Hales." I began, but she cut me off. She looked at me with daggers in her eyes. But
I looked to the street once more, hoping Haley would return any moment now. Seeing that she wasn't going to, I followed Kayden back into the house."Sorry, man. That wasn't my intention when I brought it up." Kayden explained, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck uncomfortably. I could tell he was upset and felt bad for how things played out.I nodded my head at him. I didn't blame him. It was my own mistake. I should've been truthful with her long before now. "Do you mind me asking why you asked then? Cause you already seemed to have known all about it." I asked, hoping to change the subject."Yes, that's true. I did know all about it. I asked because I have questions about the bets. Or rather one in particular." "Which one?" "The one with your friend, Lucas." Kayden said, making my eyes grow wide."What about it?" I asked, growing curious."Can you go over the details of the agreement itself? Because something isn't adding up."I eyed him but agreed, telling him in full de
...Haley POV...I was so hurt. Before I had walked in on their conversation, I was planning on asking Damian to rest with me. I was exhausted and needed him at my side. Part of me still felt on edge. As though I was in a dream, and when I woke up, Damian would be gone again. I couldn't rest easy knowing that Damian was in the other room, and Maverick had been taken from us. He had become my world, and I was at a loss with him gone. I didn't even know where to begin to get him back. I knew Kayden would've already begun to look for solutions. I would give him whatever he needed to get my son back, and Kayden knew that. We'd gotten close, and he knew that money wasn't an issue for me. So when I walked into the kitchen and heard them talking about bets. I was absolutely floored. But mostly, I felt like an idiot. Here I was, about to ask him to sleep with me, when all this time I was nothing but a bet to him. Not just one but two bets. He not only agreed to be in a relationship with me bu
"You would really do that?" I asked. Turning his head up to look at me. I searched his eyes, looking for any sign of deceit.Damian simply looked at me and smiled. Cupping my face and stroking my cheek with his thumb. I found myself leaning into his touch."I'd do that a million times over if it meant you'd be safe." He replied. A tear began to fall as I realized he spoke the truth. Before I knew it, Damian took the opportunity and pulled me to him. I began to cry into his chest; however, that didn't seem to bother him. Rather, he pulled me tighter to him and ran his hand down the back of my head, calming me."Don't. I won't let you do that. We'll find another way." I replied, in between sobs."There is no other way." Damian replied."Yes, there is! We've only just started talking about this. We'll find a solution. I know we will." I replied."Like what?" Kayden questioned, making me turn on him. I was furious that he let Damian think this was a suitable solution."I don't know! I co
...Damian POV..."What?" I remarked, caught off guard. Where was this even coming from? Why does she want to go to Italy?"Why?" I remarked, hoping for some answers."One of the first contracts I ever did was for the Bianchi family, Luca Bianchi to be precise.""What? As in the Luca Bianchi? As in the leader of the Sicilian mafia?"Haley went quiet, looking me in the eyes. She reached her hand up to cup my cheek. Without her saying it, I knew that was exactly who she meant."Where is this even coming from? Why do you want to go to Italy?" I asked."I think Luca might help us." She replied."What? Why would he do that?" I asked."I don't know. Perhaps because he liked me? I honestly don't know. But what other choice do we have? We don't have any solutions. We need to get Maverick back. Please." She pleaded. I could tell that she seemed just as confused about going as I was. But something seemed to be telling her that this was what she needed to do.I wanted to fight with her. Tell her
We had been on the plane for a few hours already when I saw Haley bolt upright in her chair to sit next to me."What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" I asked, turning to look at her."I was wondering..." Haley began, nibbling on her thumb."Wondering what?" I asked, helping her."D-do you want to see some pictures of Maverick?" She asked, gauging my reactions.My eyes went wide from her question. "Yes. Of course!" I shouted happily.Haley seemed to relax and grabbed her phone from her pocket. She flipped through a few things before handing it to me. I looked in amazement as our beautiful son's face stared back at me. I felt a smile curve at my lips as I began to swipe through pictures of Maverick and Haley. Before I knew it, tears had begun to fall."Is everything ok?" Haley asked, looking at me, concerned."Yes. Everything's perfect. Thank you." I said, pulling her close, wrapping my arms around her, thinking of our perfect family....The flight to Italy was long, and b