ZadeGetting into his office I look at him. “Why has Jason cleaned up three bodies in twenty-four hours? One of which was Izzy’s fucking date!” He glares at me and I stand silenced.Shit, I should have known Jason would tell him.“Well? I’m waiting for an ID on the other two, what the fuck is going on?”I laugh. “You realise she was letting men use her, right? She told me herself, that she wanted to be fucking used, so I stopped it,” I snap.His dark chuckles scares at me and he stands walking towards me. He’s going to kill me, and he will make it hurt, I know he will. He swings and I groan as his fist connects.“You killing her dates led her to those three! You Zade!” He screams and punches me again. Maybe I won’t need to visit the underground to get my punishment if Gray is going to keep punching me. “You claim you don’t want her, but then you fucking use my laptop to get into her dating profile.” Another hits and I fall backwards into the wall and I see my brothers by the door eyes
IzzyI left the club with the decision burning in my mind—tonight, I’m putting an end to this innocence. No more waiting, no more nerves. I follow the directions, the anticipation and curiosity coiling tightly within me as I reach the address. I knock, my knuckles grazing the cool metal of the door, and wait.When it opens, a man leans against the frame, his head cocked to the side, a smirk playing at his lips. His gaze is appraising, studying me with a calm intensity. “You could come in so we can talk,” he says, stepping back, giving me space to enter.The place is dimly lit but richly furnished, with dark walls and leather seating, exuding an air of luxury and secrecy. If it hadn’t been for Eva’s suggestion, I’d probably never have walked in. But I trust her, and these men have a reputation—anonymity, professionalism, and discretion. It’s everything I need tonight.I follow him into the living room and spot two more men, both sitting on the sofa, watching me with a calm confidence t
IzzyI barely have time to process before he swings, his punch colliding with the first man’s jaw, sending him sprawling backward. The room shifts into chaos, my heart hammering in my chest as the men jump back, lifting their hands in surrender, their expressions shifting from confusion to fear.“Zade…” One of them stammers, their voices full of shock and fear. “We…we didn’t know she was yours.”His voice is deadly calm, but his gaze is unyielding. “She’s not mine. She’s Grayson’s sister.”The realization hits them like a brick, their faces going pale as panic takes hold. “Please… don’t… we didn’t know,” one of them begs, his voice cracking. “We won’t go near her again. Just don’t… don’t tell Grayson.”Zade’s laugh is dark, unhinged, as he looks down at them. “Oh, I’m not hiding a damn thing.”He grabs me, yanking me to my feet, his jacket wrapping around my shoulders as he pulls me close, lifting me off the ground. I’m too stunned, too rattled to fight him, my voice finally returning
IzzyThe taxi stops, and I step out, nerves knotted so tight it feels like I’m about to split open. Walking into the hotel, I force myself to keep breathing, steady and slow, collecting the key card at the desk as if this is just another night, just another meaningless plan. But it’s not. This is the moment, the place, where I finally do something right, something that isn’t tied to anyone else’s expectations.The phone vibrates, and Grayson’s name appears. My chest tightens as I read his message.Izzy, where the fuck did you go?I want to ignore him. I want to disappear into some oblivion where no one can find me, where I don’t have to answer to him or anyone else. But a piece of me knows that if I don’t respond, he’ll panic. So, I sigh and type out a message, hoping he’ll let it drop.I’ve gone home, Gray, away from everyone who thinks I’m a whore.The truth is, I feel as far from being a “whore” as possible. Hell, no one even wants me, not really. I feel… invisible. Worthless.He r
IzzyI shake my head, trying to speak, but the words dissolve into sobs. I press my hands to my face, letting the tears fall, all the humiliation and pain finally spilling out. “Because it’s true,” I choke out, my voice broken. “Men look at me and run, or worse, they stay and make me feel like I’m nothing. I’ve tried everything, and every time… they make me feel like I’m… like I’m dirty.”Zade’s jaw clenches, his gaze dark and intense. “What the hell are you talking about?” he says, his voice tight. “You’re not… God, Izzy, Grayson told me you’d already been with your ex. He told me you’d slept with him. So how—how could you possibly believe you’re still a virgin?”I let out a bitter laugh, unable to meet his eyes, the pain swirling inside me. “Grayson was wrong,” I whisper, the words raw and painful. “I never slept with anyone. I tried, so many times, but it always ended the same way. They’d pull away, or leave, or act like I was broken somehow. No one ever stayed long enough to…” My
Izzy“I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching you,” he breathes, voice ragged, barely holding back the edge of his own turmoil. “You’re mine, Izzy. Whether you like it or not.”The words send a shiver down my spine, both terrifying and thrilling. I want to push him away, to scream that he’s ruined everything, that he’s taken control of every moment of my life. But his hold on me, his breath mingling with mine, the possessiveness in his eyes—something in it makes me falter.“Then prove it,” I whisper back, the words daring him, challenging him.A flicker of something dark and dangerous crosses Zade’s face, his grip tightening, his gaze searching mine as if trying to decide whether to pull me closer or push me away. He’s breathing hard, like he’s battling himself, fighting to stay in control even as the tension between us spirals out of control. His hand slides to the back of my neck, and I feel the rough callouses of his fingers against my skin, grounding me and igniting me a
ZadeI hold her tightly, every choked sob tearing through me like a knife, and I know—I know I’ve ruined this. She’s cradled against me, her whole body trembling as the waves of her cries slowly fade, leaving behind only the ragged breaths of someone who’s been utterly shattered. And I did this. I let my twisted obsession, my need to keep her close, drag her down into the darkness with me. I know damn well that Grayson’s going to tear me apart, and I welcome it. I deserve it for every moment I let myself touch her, for every step I’ve taken down this path that only ends in hurt.But the worst part is that it’s not just Grayson’s wrath I fear—it’s this relentless, gnawing knowledge that I’ve done it again. That I’ve taken a girl with her own life, her own dreams, and stripped her of peace, of hope, the way I did with Sammi. I keep repeating the same cycle, driven by this unhinged, possessive need to hold on to them, to make sure they are safe.She falls silent, and I look down, seeing
ZadeHe glares, his frustration evident as he gestures to Jax, Zak, and Joel. “Go. Leave us. I swear I won’t kill him, even though God knows he deserves it.”They exchange wary glances before backing off, each of them casting me a look that’s a blend of pity and disdain. Once they’re alone, Grayson steps toward the room, leaving the door open as he grabs a drink, his gaze landing on Izzy’s sleeping form.I watch him, knowing full well he’s right. I’m toxic, dangerous, and like a coward, I’ve let her get wrapped up in a world she should have been far from. And no matter what I tell myself, I can’t undo what I’ve done. I can only wait and watch, knowing that with every step I take closer, I destroy the very thing I want so desperately to save.“I'll say this once, and only once. Izzy, isn't your past. She isn't, Kimmi. Your parents haven't just died and left the entire empire to you. The people who killed Kimmi are fucking dead and buried. You want Izzy, the fact you killed men who date
ZadeI knew if I waited, things would go wrong, which is why I proposed to Izzy sooner than I had planned. Good job I did as if I hadn't. I was meant to be proposing right now, which isn't ideal.The room is buzzing with controlled chaos. Nurses move efficiently around us, murmuring instructions and checking monitors. Izzy lies in the hospital bed, her face flushed, hair damp with sweat, and hands clutching mine like a lifeline. Her grip is strong—stronger than I ever expected—but I welcome the pain. It’s grounding me, keeping me in the moment when I feel like I might lose my mind.“Zade, breathe,” Izzy groans, her voice strained as another contraction overtakes her. “You’re supposed to remind me to breathe, not forget how to do it yourself.”I snap out of my daze, nodding quickly. “Right. Breathe, Izzy. Deep breaths.” I mimic the motion, inhaling and exhaling like I’m teaching her something she hasn’t been doing perfectly for hours.She glares at me between breaths, sweat beading on
IzzyI can’t help but smile at Zade as he drives, his hands steady on the wheel, his profile glowing in the soft morning light. Time has slipped by so quickly. It feels like only yesterday we were grappling with fears and uncertainty, and now here we are. Zade has been by my side so much more than I ever expected. He still works, but not nearly as much as he did before. Somehow, he’s found a balance, and it’s brought us closer in ways I didn’t think possible.While he’s working, I spend most of my time at home with Sammi and baby Emmerson. It’s been heartwarming to watch Sammi and Grayson navigate parenthood together, their bond strengthening with every passing day. Watching their joy gives me hope—hope that Zade and I can have something just as beautiful with our baby.Zade has been going to counseling regularly, and I see pieces of the real him emerging more and more each week. The man beneath the armor he built to survive, to lead the mafia, to bury his pain—that man is someone ext
Zade POVI lose myself in her, time slipping away as I drink her in, the salty-sweet flavor of her flooding my senses. She collapses into the bed eventually, her body limp, a satisfied sigh escaping her lips. Even now, her walls quiver, her body still coming down as I lick the last remnants of her release.When I finally pull away, I move up her body and kiss her with a desperate need, our lips crashing together in a possessive claim. I’m hard again, painfully so, but there’s no rush. Tonight, there’s no clock ticking down, no interruptions, just us.“Alright,” I say, standing to strip the last of my clothes, my eyes devouring her sprawled form. “Let’s keep going.”She whimpers, weak from the relentless pleasure, and reaches for me, her hands trembling as they find my shoulders. “Zade,” she murmurs, but I’m nowhere near done.Izzy tastes like heaven, pure and raw, a flavor I never want to forget. My lips return to her swollen clit, teasing and tormenting her again. Her body jerks as s
ZadeAs I help Izzy into my car, her radiant smile reminds me just how much I’ve been neglecting her. I’ve been so consumed with making sure Grayson is home with Sammi and the baby that I’ve failed the one person who needed me most—her. The guilt eats at me as I start the engine, and I steal glances at her, soaking in her beauty, her strength, her unwavering patience with me.She pulls something from her bag and holds it out to me—a scan image. My heart twists as I take it, running my fingers over the black-and-white lines that outline our baby.“I’m sorry I missed it,” I whisper, the weight of regret heavy in my voice.Her smile is soft, understanding. “It’s fine. You were working and making sure Grayson was home for Sammi and the baby.” Her words are kind, but they cut deep. Missing this moment wasn’t fine, and I can’t let it happen again.When we arrive, I park and immediately step out, going to her side and lifting her into my arms. She laughs lightly, her arms wrapping around my
Izzy POVHis dark eyes burn into mine, a mixture of frustration and desire. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Izzy,” he murmurs, his voice low and hoarse.I lean in, letting my breath ghost over his lips. “Good. I want to play, Zade. And this time, I make the rules.”“You want to fuck me?” His voice is low, teasing, as his dark eyes bore into mine, a smirk playing on his lips. The sight of him, restrained and vulnerable yet brimming with raw power, ignites something primal in me. I chuckle softly, leaning in to capture his lips, grinding against him as I feel him stir beneath me.“Oh, you have no idea how much I want to fuck you,” I murmur against his lips, my voice husky with desire. Pulling back, I let a wicked smile curl on my lips. “You’re all mine now,” I whisper, my words dripping with dominance. Slowly, deliberately, I sink to my knees in front of him, maintaining eye contact as my hands glide over his thighs.His breath hitches when I reach up, my fingers wrapping around his s
IzzyIt’s been two months since we came back, and while Zade and I have grown closer, some days feel like we’re barely keeping our heads above water. The distance that came with my pregnancy has dissolved, and his promise to fuck me every day? He’s kept it. But most of the time, it’s rushed, like an obligation rather than passion.I understand why—he’s juggling too much. He practically ordered Grayson to stay home for a couple of months after Sammi had the baby, leaving him to hold everything together. Sure, his brothers are around to help, but Zade hardly leans on them. It’s as if he’s still carrying the weight of raising them, of being their protector, even now.Today was supposed to be different. It was the scan, the moment I’ve been excited about for weeks. But, at the last minute, he got a call—something urgent, something he couldn’t ignore—and I found myself in the clinic with my mum instead of him. All I got from Zade was a quick message asking how it went. No follow-up, no exc
Izzy POVThe moment Zade walks in, the tension between us hangs in the air like a storm waiting to break. We talk briefly, my voice trembling as I tell him the words that have been weighing on my heart: “I’m keeping the baby.” Relief flickers across his face, but it’s not pure joy—it’s layered with fear, uncertainty, and something I can’t quite place. He doesn’t say much after that, just pulls me into his arms, holding me close. I melt into him, exhaustion taking over as I fall asleep wrapped in his warmth.When I wake, the space beside me is empty, and the bed feels colder without him. Slowly, I sit up, rubbing my eyes. My gaze falls on Zade, seated at the foot of the bed, his back turned to me. His shoulders are tense, and his head is bowed slightly, as if the weight of the world is pressing down on him.I hesitate, unsure of what to say or how to bridge the chasm that feels like it’s grown between us. Things had been going so well before all this, and now? Now it feels like we’ve b
IzzyThe moment Grayson wraps his arms around me, I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me like a storm. For the first time in hours, there’s a flicker of safety, but it’s fragile, like glass teetering on the edge of shattering. Zade’s words still echo in my mind—angry, hurt, raw—and even though I know deep down he would never hurt me, in that moment, he didn’t feel like the man I fell in love with. He felt like someone else entirely, someone I didn’t know.The sound of the door closing behind me sends a chill through my spine. Zade has left. I should stop him, run after him, beg him to stay, but I can’t. My legs feel like lead, and my heart is a hurricane of guilt and confusion.“What’s happened?” Grayson’s voice cuts through the silence, low but laced with tension. His arms tighten around me, and for a moment, I let myself break. The tears come in uncontrollable waves, and I bury my face into his chest as though I can hide from my own mistakes.“I’m pregnant, Gray,” I cho
Zade POVEvery time I close my eyes, I see her face—tear-streaked and filled with anguish. Then the memories hit, unbidden and relentless. Blood. The screams. The bodies. My parents, mangled and lifeless. Her—my ex, so pregnant, so full of life, and then... gone. The flashbacks swallow me whole, dragging me under. My breathing becomes shallow, erratic, and I grip the edge of the table to ground myself, my knuckles white.“Zade,” a voice cuts through the storm in my mind, anchoring me back to reality. I look up to see Grayson sitting across from me, his face a mixture of concern and frustration.I can’t even muster the energy to speak. I just stare at him, then down at the untouched glass of whiskey in front of me.“Did you drink it?” he asks, his tone sharp but not unkind.I shake my head. “No. But I wanted to. God, I wanted to.”Grayson exhales, leaning back in his chair. “At least you didn’t. That’s something.” He watches me closely, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re drowning, Za