Chapter 6 (Malcolm’s POV)Getting ready for a man should be an easy task and it should not take much time, right? WRONG! I have no idea what was going on with me, no, scratch that. I had an idea alright. Ever since my eyes landed on Mandy all I could think about was her. And as I was getting ready for our night out with friends, I was only thinking about her and what she would think of my outfit and to be honest I was kind of losing my mind and making myself crazy with all this over thinking which was completely out of character for me.I wish still having an internal monologue about my obvious craziness when suddenly Simon entered my room, without knocking, like always, “What is going on man? Why are you still not ready? Usually, you are waiting for me in the lobby by now but tonight you are not even dressed.” Now how do you explain to your best friend and right-hand man that you have turned into a whipped pussy and the woman that turned you into it was not even officially yours yet?
Chapter 7 (Mandy’s POV)For fucks sake! How can someone be as stupid as I am? First, I spend almost a whole day with the man that makes me unnaturally nervous, just making my heart being more convinced that it might not be such a bad idea to fall for him. After he dropped me and Sidney at home, he left me standing there like an idiot because I received my first peck on the cheek from a man in a non-brotherly way. That I actually managed to make dinner and get Sidney ready for her bath was a real accomplishment today. And guess what I did after that? I sat in front of my wardrobe and just starred at all the clothes hanging inside, deciding what to wear for an hour! And when the doorbell rang, informing me that Anabelle was already here to pick me up I almost had a heart attack.I had to find an excuse as to why I am not yet ready even though my friends made their plans for drinks so that they would be fitting to my evening schedule with my daughter.But even as I was thinking about a r
Chapter 8 (Malcolm’s POV) Ok Malcolm. Just keep calm. It is just a drinks date with your family and friends. Nothing more. Yeah, I just need to keep telling myself that and who knows, maybe I will start believing one day. Well, the better option would be if I started believing right now, but I guess I do not have a chance.As I entered the restaurant, I knew everyone must already be at our usual table but as I approached, I could not see Anabelle or Mandy anywhere and just when I was about to look around, Anastasia spotted me and ran to me and straight into my arms. I got used to the fact that she was a bit touchier than me, and Seth were, and I kind of liked it. It was nice knowing someone missed me and was happy to see me, “Hey, Ana. How are you?” she grabbed me under the arm and looked at me with her beaming smile, I swear this woman had a smile permanently stick to her face and it kind of affected those around her, no one could stay sad or grumpy around her, she just had that ef
Chapter 9 (Mandy’s POV)Looking Malcolm getting nervous was almost better than looking at him in his sexy outfit.The red shirt he had on looked amazing on him and the fact that it went amazing with my dress as if we made arrangements was just a plus. Even if I wanted to I could not over look the fact he looked like a model for a book cover. The first two buttons on his shirt were undone and the tie was a little loose around his neck. A few dark striped from his tattoo were peaking out at the top and the fact that the shirt stuck to him like a second skin all the muscles were easily visible as well.Without a doubt he was one fine male specimen.And when I greeted him, and he started blabbing like a nervous teenager I could not help it but feel powerful. To have such effect on someone as Malcolm felt amazing and I actually pinched myself a few times to make sure it was even real. And what was the most surprising fact this eve was that I was not nervous at all. Weird I know. Just a fe
Chapter 10 (Malcolm’s POV)I was just sitting in my home office thinking about yesterday’s night.Everything was perfect and almost magical.After my initial hiccup that almost cost me all my brain cells, I managed to get myself partly under control that is why I needed to get away from the table for a few moments and get us both a drink. Once again, I was grateful that I learned people watching techniques early in life, so I knew what Mandy was drinking at every one of these gatherings.But what I did not expect was for her to even believe I would really abandon such a pretty girl. Whoever made her believe these things should be tortured until he apologized and made sure she believed him. But unfortunately, those things were not in my hands, but something else was. I could make her see how incredible and perfect she was. To me. And I would hope that it was enough for her to see she really was a special person.So, I did the only thing any other reasonable man would, not that I am say
Chapter 11 (Mandy’s POV)Once again, I was nervous even though Sidney gave me a good peep talk before, she finally promised to go to her bedroom and let me get ready but under one condition. I should let her say hi to Malcolm. Now she might be a little monster, but she barely ever asked for something so when she did, I had a hard time telling her no. and even though I was afraid Malcolm would disappear from our life as fast as he came into it, I could not say no to her. So now I was a nervous wreck because I did not want for my daughter to get attached to any man.What would happen when Malcolm decided that I was not worth all this effort? When he realizes there are to many attachments and baggage connected to me? Sooner or later, everyone gets tired of a woman with a kid and with a history like mine. So, it was just a matter of time before it happened. And that is why neither me nor Sidney should get attached to Malcolm. I was not worried for my own heart break, throughout the years
Chapter 12 (Malcolm’s POV)Mandy was looking at me in a weird way since I came to pick her up half an hour ago. We went to a nearby restaurant as I promised her, so I did not even bother to say to my driver to stay around. I would call him once we were done with our evening, that being when we finished our dinner, when I walked her home or when we spend some alone time at her house. Whichever way the evening turned I would be ok with it as long as I got to spend some time alone with her.But I still had to know what was going on and instead of getting any answers I had more and more questions with every passing second instead of getting those from before answered. Now I had to get answers to why she was getting so nervous around me all the time, even though it seemed as if she was getting over it since yesterday afternoon. Maybe it was just my line of work making her nervous. Which would be a completely reasonable reason to be honest. Who in their right mind did not get nervous while
Chapter 13 (Mandy’s POV)What in the ever-loving God was going on?One moment we were sitting in the restaurant waiting patiently for our food to arrive and in the next moment he was shouting to waiter to get our food to go. To go, where? I was lost for words and all I could do was just look at him in bewilderment. I had no idea what I said wrong or did wrong. Did I offend him somehow? Was he sending me home? Did I insult him or something?But as the waiter came back with our food placed safely in boxes, he took my hand and pretty much dragged me out of the restaurant and a laugh escaped me. It felt like I was ten years old again playing on the playground and my friends were dragging me behind them to all the slides and swings. It felt weirdly freeing and amazing if I was being honest with myself.And as Malcolm turned around, I could see a huge smile on his lips as well. Looking at his smile I could at least establish now that he was not sending me home. But there was still the main
Chapter 27 (Loraine’s POV) epilogue Some years later… “Andrew! The girls will be here any minute, could you get Samuel ready for me please?” Before you make any assumptions let us make something clear. Samuel is our son, and he is three years old. As weird and unthinkable as it might sound, all girls gave birth to a child in the same year. Sure, there were differences, Valentina and Nathaniel had three kids. The first one was a little girl named Daisy, who was not so little anymore since she was nine years old already. Second was a boy named Gareth, he was six years old and the last was Penelope who was three years old as well as our Samuel. Then there was Anabelle and Seth. They had two kids, twins to be exact. A boy and a girl, Samantha, and Sam, they were three years old as well. If we move forward, we have Anastasia and Benjamin, they had just one kid the same as me and Andrew, and the little three years old princesses’ name was Lory. The next in line would be Malcolm and Mandy
Chapter 26 (Andrew’s POV)We were on our way to the airport and of course, with Malcolm in the car we were driving over the speed limit and if a police officer pulled us over there would be hell to pay once he realized who the driver was, but mostly no one dared stop Malcolm, even the new guys knew his car and just waved when he passed. But in my opinion, we were still not driving fast enough. I wanted to be at the airport already, deal with the bastard and wrap my Loraine in my arms where I knew I could keep her safe.But as much as I wanted to yell and rant and be a smart ass, I knew I was thinking irrationally so I rather just sat back and kept my mouth shut. That and the fact that Malcolm threatened to throw me out of the car if I dared be loud.Thankfully we arrived at the airport just when my patience was running low. But as we stopped the car, I could not believe my eyes. There was a plane, ready to take off at any moment, but the stairs were still pulled out and firmly on the
Chapter 25 (Loraine’s POV)Either these people were stupid, or they just assumed I knew London so well that I did not need to have my eyes covered while we were driving to the airport. Or maybe it was just the fact that they were so sure I would not be going anywhere except board the plane to Washington.Too bad for them because I had every intention to run away as fast as my legs could carry me, especially now that I knew two of six guys were on my side. Two of those guys that were not on my side are going into the plane’s cabin to make sure everything is set up and two will be completely oblivious to my attempt thanks to my accomplices. I still had no idea what their moto was, but I was not about to ask them since I was just happy to have someone willing to help me get away without a need to kill someone.You see all my self defense classes and so on that I was taking while on the run were in case, I found some place I want to stay and not run anymore, but before London there was no
Chapter 24 (Andrew’s POV)“WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE IS FUCKING GONE?! YOU STUPID BUNCH OF IMBECILS! HOW COULD YOU LET HER SLIP OUT OF THE CLUB WITHOUT ANY OF YOU NOTICING!?” As you can see, saying I was pissed would be a huge understatement, because I was livid! Somehow, while we were celebrating our win in the office with Malcolm and the girls, and a few minutes later with their boyfriends as well, Loraine managed to slip out of the club and disappeared into thin air.If you would tell me a week ago, she disappeared I would probably believe she ran away like she did every time in the past eight years when something or someone got too close to her and her heart, but today I was sure she did not run away. She promised me that she would not run away, and she would stay with me for as long as I wanted her and on the other hand, the fact that Rodriguez was just leaving my club when Loraine mysteriously disappeared just did not stop nagging me. So, I had my suspicion that he had something to d
Chapter 23 (Loraine’s POV)Today was the first time in my whole life that I remember standing up to myself for as long as I can remember. Not once when I was married was, I willing to do so. I just swallowed everything that was thrown my way. I never yelled at the man or talked back, I never told him my opinion, never objected to his decisions about my life, nothing.And the feeling was kind of refreshing and new. It felt amazing.Now, you see I stopped smoking years ago, it was bad for my health and all that and honestly it was just an expensive habit. But at this moment I felt like I was on top of the world and decided to treat myself to one cigarette you could say for old times’ sake, so I can finally close the door on every bad decision I made in the past.I was at the back entrance when I heard steps approaching but I thought it was sure one of the girls or maybe Andrew, so I stayed put and did not even turn around to see who it was, a big mistake.Next thing I know someone was h
Chapter 22 (Andrew’s POV)The thought of pinching myself and seeing if I was even awake crossed my mind, but nothing felt as good even in dreams as Loraine felt in my arms. She said it. Those fears I had for the past few weeks since I realized I fell for this woman melted away like ice cream on a hot sunny day.Now the only thing left was for us to deal with Rodriguez once and for all. But that was not mine decision, I stopped kissing her and moved a bit away but still kept our foreheads pressed close together, “Are you ready to deal with the demons of the past?”She gave me a nod which was a bit hesitant, but honestly if I was in her shoes and had to deal with someone like Rodriguez, I would be hesitant as well. I took one of her hands in mine and gave her a squeeze to show her that she was not alone.As we rounded the corner, I could not help it but look around and once again it surprised me how self-assured the man really was. He took only five men with him and all of them were in
Chapter 21 (Loraine’s POV)How could he do that? If I had to guess, from what I saw in the office I would say Andrew knew about my past and he knew it well. So first of all, he was hiding the fact that he knows about everything from me, or maybe I can find an excuse for him and say he just found out, but I doubt that since he has been a bit weird for the past few weeks and especially today. But I am willing to tell myself anything to feel a bit better, and right now I needed to believe Andrew did not betray me like everyone else in my life did.At the moment I was sitting by the river that was right next to the club, and yes, I know I did not go far from everything, but it was far enough that Rodriguez would not think I came here, he probably thought that I ran away already like I always do when he finds me, but this time was different. I had friends, I had a job that I liked, and I hope they cared for me as well. I had a good life, and I was actually looking forward to the future. I
Chapter 20 (Andrew’s POV)The moment Loraine barged into my office I knew something was going to go awfully wrong and as usual I was proven right when the asshole opened his mouth.Thankfully me and Malcolm seem to be on the same page because when Loraine ran out of my office as if she was on fire, we both jumped to our feet, but since I was in my usual seat and Malcolm was right next to Rodriguez, he was the one that landed a solid punch to his face and probably broke his nose in the process judging by the crunching sound that could be heard, “You idiot! You just broke my nose! What in the ever-loving hell is wrong with you? Do you have any idea who you are dealing with? I can have you erased from the surface of the earth in a moment!” technically, if we were not who we are, he would be right, but since we were one of the strongest mafia organizations in the world, well, sadly for him, he was wrong. Sure, we were operating on legal grounds, but that was actually a plus on our side, b
Chapter 19 (Loraine’s POV) Something did not feel right. I could not put my finger on it, but my gut was telling me to go back to the club. Why? I had no idea but the opportunity to do so presented itself when Mandy asked me to put the car keys into my purse, because I was the only one that remembered to take a big enough purse to put in my wallet, phone and all the girly necessities but still had some space to put in the keys as well. Now I just had to come up with a plan to get away from them with a believable excuse, ran to the parking lot and drive back to the club so this awful feeling would go away. Even if I drove for nothing, I would still feel better if I followed my instincts and honestly, I doubted my gut was warning me for nothing. I know to some people it might sound stupid to follow your gut or your instincts, but those two things saved me more than once in the past years while I was being on the run. So, there was no way I would ignore it. As we walked around the sho