CHAPTER NINETEEN: OH NO!ROSE AMARA POVMy eyes fluttered at Ethan across the table as they widened. Although there is no noise, stimulation is undoubtedly present, and he certainly contributed to this by sitting with one hand holding a drink and the other tucked under the table.In seconds, my underwear feels drenched, and any wriggling simply worsens the friction.Nathan notices the fidgeting and asks with real concern, "Are you okay?"I hope he does not inform me that something reddened my face.I mumbled, "I-I'm fine," with some embarrassment.Ethan pretends to be very interested in Father despite my attempts to meet his eyes. Even as he speaks, his angular features remain calm and carefree.I added to make sure of it that Min Hao hasn’t had stronger relationships with the Yakuza than anyone here, and they seemed to be convinced.I try to concentrate on him rather than the buzzing inside of me, but the stimulation makes it nearly difficult. It feels like Ethan has his fingers insi
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: PLAN BETHAN'S POVHades is down there in his automobile, I discover. As I go in close behind him, he raises his chin in greeting. But we need to go straight away. He checks the window to make sure all of his guards are posted.Given that he is reputed to be cautious, it is not surprising. Thanks to his quiet strategic nature, he is one of the strongest, if not the deadliest, cornerstones of the Company.He inquires, "Where are your guards?"I don't require them.His bright grey eyes had a slight flicker. A gloomy, foggy sky mutes them, but they are fierce, complicated, and ruthless. It's odd how they enhance his brutal nature. Though he doesn't frequently display it, the game is finished when he does.He stands apart from the other leaders in terms of appearance. His beard and jet-black hair are al
CHAPTER TWENTY: PLAN AROSE AMARA POVThey charge at us—or, more specifically, at me. I was curious until I noticed the silhouettes of Eya and Zeth in front of my chamber. I hid my face in Ethan's shirt so they wouldn't see me in this predicament. They'll think I'm weak, since weak individuals can't survive.Even though he's the reason I started off this way, Ethan offers on my behalf, "Rose feels a little under the weather. I will put her to bed," and I appreciate it."Should we take her to the hospital?" Eya asks.Zeth declares as he starts to go, "I'll bring the car."“There is no need,” Ethan added, pointing to them.“You should go down…she will call if she needs your help.”They seem uncertain, but after I nod, they acquiesce and proceed to the stairs. I ch
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: THE GAMEETHAN POVSo, how do you suppose that I will support this plan?”"I don't need to tell you which choice is the best. You already have your brain working in overdrive, so pay attention to what it is telling you."She spends far too much time observing me. I don't make an effort to break eye contact. A war of glances with Rose has a certain allure—another thing that hasn't changed.She first turns her head aside when someone clears their throat.Hades trails off, "If you're done with your honeymoon."I look Rose a seductive glance, "Nah, the honeymoon starts tonight."“As if..."She taps me on the shoulder and unlocks the door of the vehicle.I mutter to Hades, "She's kinky."She turns to face me again while fuming, her cheeks looking flushed. "I am not. I heard that."The answer is, "Well, one of us is."Hades twitches his lips but does not fully smile. Rose's cheeks begin to flush even more, but she ignores me, asking, "Can I count on them coming to the bru
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: RECLAIM WHAT'S MINEROSE AMARA POVMy eyes immediately fell when I saw Ethan seated in the living room, his fingers flitting across a laptop on the coffee table. Even though the object is still buried deep inside of me, my stomach drops, and it tingles. I despise these feelings of familiarity and intimacy with him that I can't help having.So I started to become defensive. How dare you enter my room?"He says without raising his head, "Our room.""Remember, Mrs. Amber, we're married. Or did you consume too much alcohol and require another punishment from me?"I reached for the closest item, which happened to be a pillow, and fling it at him. While keeping his attention on the laptop, he puts it over his head, yet his lips twitch in a sneer, as if he knows just which buttons to press.He's not the only one who has surprises, though. However, first, "I'm taking the toy out.""No.""It is already nighttime. Are you sure you don't want me to wear it while I sleep?""
CHAPTER TWENTY - FOUR: YOU KNEEL BEFORE MEETHAN'S POVRose bends down so that she is positioned between my extended legs. I need help hearing what the Italians and Hades are talking about. The woman in front of me, who is wearing nothing but a daring see-through nightgown, is all I can think about.My eyes returned to the rosy nipples visible through the scarlet fabric. Like a f*cking horny teenager, my mouth is watering. My impulse to put those nipples in my mouth, suck on them, and bite down until she makes that startled, demanding moan is the culmination of all my urges.She interrupts my train of thought by reaching for my belt with firm but slightly trembling hands.I ought to halt her, get the laptop, and head to the balcony. Or, even better, I could activate her toy and intentionally torture her for my own amusement, but I'm stuck in place. Even when I tell my limbs to move, they don't.I genuinely desire to see how far she will take this and where she intends to go. Rose has
CHAPTER TWENTY - FIVE: THE MEETINGROSE AMARA POVI hang my phone over my shoulder while putting on my pearl earrings. I'm getting a security update from Zeth on the breakfast security measures we spent two weeks implementing. I dialled and invited other mafia bosses' wives, sisters, and female followers to participate.Even Raven and Nathan agreed that the strategy was sound. Not that I needed him to; Ethan didn't mention that he plotted it and let me take all the credit. Still, having the initiative this time was comforting, since I frequently attribute my ideas to others—whether on purpose or unwittingly.Perhaps he did it on purpose, Eya even suggested.The future? The only thing I can be certain of is that nothing will go wrong today.After Zeth is done, I say, "Get the car ready.""Belle and I will arrive shortly."My muscles are sore even though I ran a considerable distance with Zeth and Eya this morning. We frequently work together to stay in shape, but even physical exercise
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: LILY, A FRIENDROSE AMARA POVHades converses with her guards while Belle relaxes on a sofa in the entryway. She is dressed in a stylish floral dress. Her hair looks untidy, and her shoes are just a few days old. She stands and spins around, beaming, as soon as she sees me."What do I look like? ”I smiled at her and allowed her to put her arm around me as I spoke to Hades."Perfect, as usual."With the guards, we went through the security checks. His eyes moved from me to Belle, then back to me."There's no harm in repeating them.""Would you like me to accompany you? ”Ethan's voice entered from behind us, saying, "No need. I'm going with the ladies."Fighting with him about this is pointless. I don't have time for another verbal conflict between him and Hades. I simply nodded at Raven's second-in-command to let him know I was cool with it, and I walked outside after that.A hand is placed on my lower back by Ethan. I recognize the possessive gesture. To let Hade
CHAPTER NINETYETHAN’S POVHe really didn’t follow.I stand on the balcony for several minutes in case he shows up, but there’s no trace of him.None at all. No call. No text.I stare at the letter he left me that I tucked in my bag. Is that the last I’ll see of him? Really?I ought to kick his ass for everything he made me go through. I gave him all the reasons to come back and at least talk to me. I went to him. I didn’t remove the wedding ring. I didn’t tell him he was an idiot for thinking that leaving is the solution.I did it all, but he didn’t even follow.Fvck him.I’m about to go take a shower when commotion comes from outside my room.My heartbeat skyrockets and I nearly trip over my feet as I swing the door open.It’s not Ethan ’s face that greets me. Instead, it’s Zeth and Eya arguing with Lia, telling her she can’t go inside.“What’s going on?” I try to hide the disappointment in my tone.“You said not to disturb you, miss,” Zeth says, “but Mrs. Volkov insists on seeing y
CHAPTER EIGHTY- NINEETHAN’S POV“Fvck!”I kick Rolan’s lifeless body. Even the arsehole’s death doesn’t feel as victorious as I thought it would.Rose disappeared down the hall with that fvcker Vladimir. He’ll have even more of an opening to be beside her now that I’m not there, which has been his purpose all along.Motherfvcker.“She has you by the balls. I’m disappointed.” Fire leans against the doorframe and places a cigarette in his mouth, but instead of lighting it, he keeps flipping his lighter on and off. His Beware of Fire Hazard tattoo peeks out from underneath his sleeve with the movement.“Shut the fvck up, Fire. He almost clipped my nails from my sniper hand, Godfather!”“It didn’t happen.” Fire pauses flipping his lighter.I narrow my eyes. “You wanted to do it.”“But I didn’t. And stop moaning to Ghost like a little kid.”“I’m going to—”“Enough.” Godfather sighs, staring down at me. “Do you have the time to bicker with Fire right now? Shouldn’t you go after your wife?”
CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT ROSE AMARA ’S POVI did it.I’m in the Irish’s club, which Rolan has a back office in.It hasn’t been an individual effort. Thanks to Julian and his acquaintance with Ethan ’s insider with the Irish, we were able to figure out the location.While River was completely against handing over territories, he said he’d turn a blind eye if I took his men and came here.I had to beg Vlad to help, and it wasn’t easy since he doesn’t like Ethan . The growly mountain of a man only softened when I mentioned the baby and that I don’t want him to grow up fatherless.Damien agreed to help because, in his words, “It should be fun.”I asked Kirill for his intel help because he has the best spies. He was the hardest to crack, and only agreed when I gave him an oath in front of Sasha that no one except for the three of us will know of her true gender. Well, Ethan already knows somehow, but I’m not the one who told him.Igor sent men, too, but Adrian has been MIA today. Even his clo
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN ETHAN’S POVMum’s words from the nightmare slam back to me. Could it be a warning about the truth?“Who is he?” I ask Rolan. “Who’s my father?”He releases a long laugh that echoes in the space around us. “Ah. Isn’t this grand? Ye lived with the Russians for years and still didn’t recognize yer father? A bastard is a bastard, after all.”“Who the fvck is he?”“Don’t ye worry, my lad. I already called him and gave him evidence that ye’re his boy, so if he does want ye, he’ll show up. Though, I doubt anyone wants a filthy bastard whose only use is killing from the shadows.”“Was he the one from that night? The one who came when my mother tried to escape?”“Probably. Yer mother was smart, but not fast enough. My idiot brother promised to protect her and ye, but she knew I’d kill ye both the first chance I got, so she decided to leave. But that didn’t turn out grand for her, did it?”“I’m going to kill you,” I mutter through clenched teeth. “I don’t care how or when,
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIXETHAN’S POV“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”Mam? Where are you?The place is pitch-black like a cave. It smells rotten too, as if a dead animal is decomposing inside it. My legs get lost in something sticky underneath, but I can’t see it.I can’t see anything except for darkness.The sound of weeping gets louder the more I walk. It’s my mother. I’d recognize the sound anywhere, even though it’s been thirty years.“Mam? Where are ye?” I don’t know why I’m speaking in a Northern Irish accent, but all of a sudden, it feels as if I’m back to being that small boy. The only difference is that I’m trapped in a grown-up’s body. “Mam!”The only answer is the sound of weeping. It’s long and wretched as if her grief is clawing out from the grave.“Mam, come out. I can protect ye now. No one will hurt ye.”The weeping ceases and a rustle comes from right in front of me. I halt, the sound of the sticky mud under my feet stopping too.The darkness slowly dissipates like fo
CHAPTER EIGHTY - FIVEROSE AMARA'S POVAfter knocking on the office’s door, I open it and step inside. I pause when I find an unknown man sitting across from my granduncle.“Rose. Come in.” Uncle River motions at me to join him, so I close the door and do just that, bluntly watching the new man.He appears to be in his mid to late forties. His large frame dwarfs his dark suit. His brown hair is styled back, and he's sitting nonchalantly. It's not so threatening as to attract attention, but it's not slack either, like he's ready to jump up any second. It's so similar to… Ethan's.Tattoos cover the backs of his hands, and they don’t appear like the ones I recognize from the Bratva, the Triads, or the Yakuza.He's watching me as intently as I'm watching him, like we're two predators before a fight over who owns a territory.“This is Rose.” Uncle River introduced me.“So she’s the one Ethan married.” the stranger observes quietly. British accent. Wait, could he be…“Are you…Ethan’s…”“God
CHAPTER EIGHTY - FOURETHAN'S POVMiss Amber,I know you hate it when I call you that, but I need the distance right now to write this.The first time I met you, I thought you were just another spoilt mafia princess, but I found you to be a strict bean. You didn't let anyone tell you what to do and stood up for yourself. You didn't stop there and made it your mission to help those weaker than you, even if it meant going against people with more influence than you.Here's the thing—I didn't plan to get close or to learn about you as much as I have. My sole mission then was to use Nikolai's intel to watch my uncle's movements from afar.At one point, that mission started to blur. At one point, the only reason I looked forward to new days wasn't my grand revenge plan but you.The more time I spent with you, the harder you tore at my armor and engraved yourself deeper. The more I saw, the blurrier my purpose became, the more insignificant I felt. Watching you go after your goals without h
CHAPTER EIGHTY - THREEETHAN'S POVthe splitting headache is the least of my problems when I stare at the woman lying on her stomach on the bed.A galaxy of bruises covers her hips, arms, thighs, arse, and even around the snake tattoo on her spine.Fvck.I spring awake as memories of last night trickle back in. What the fvck have I done? If it weren't for her back's steady rise and fall, I would think I'd killed her or something.Bloody hell.I shouldn't have touched her when I was drunk. The reason I don't get drunk isn't only because I lose my inhibitions but also because I can't control myself. There's no stop or even pause button in that state.Not that I've ever had those buttons when it comes to Rose. Whenever I recalled my decision, I fvcked her more, owned her more, and was nothing short of a madman.I can’t believe I took her on the floor over and over like a fvcking animal. She’s already too fragile and easily bruises by a simple touch. How could I let my beast side take com
CHAPTER EIGHTY - TWOROSE AMARA’S POVI'm lying completely flat on the carpet with my back to him. I stare back at him as he yanks open his drawer. He'll bring out a toy, but I should've known better. Ethan might like to torture me with them, but he doesn't want them involved during sex. I prefer him to them, anyway.He retrieves a bottle of lube and a condom and doesn't bother to close the drawer. Wait. A condom? Ethan never used them, so I didn't even know he had one.Besides, what’s the use of a condom when he’s already gotten me pregnant?He removes his shirt, revealing his stiff muscles and the tattoos rippling on his abs. I don't dare look away or move. I'll be missing something crucial if I do.Ethan throws his shirt away and stalks behind me like a hungry predator about to devour his prey. I follow him with my gaze until he kneels between my parted legs.He places a hand under my stomach and lifts me up so I'm slightly bent over on my knees. The position differs from anything