Sammi’s POVEvery instinct in my body screamed at me to leave. Staying here felt wrong—everything about it was suffocating me. Yet, of course, Zade appeared, right on cue, just as I was walking out of my room, my bag slung over my shoulder, and refused to let me go.I stood there, torn between two impossible decisions. One part of me knew I was acting out, that maybe I was overreacting, like a child throwing a tantrum. But the other part—the louder part—felt like I hadn’t even begun to express just how messed up everything was. I hadn’t made enoughnoise, hadn’t shown everyone the depth of my pain, my frustration, my anger.And then, there was Grayson. He was the only thing tethering me here. Leaving would mean I wouldn’t see him, wouldn’t feel the comfort of his presence. And with how tense everything had become lately, if anyone found out the truth about Grayson and me... I couldn’t even imagine the fallout. It wouldn’t end well, for either of us.A knock on the door pulls me from m
Sammi’s POVI spent the entire day tucked away in the art room, feeling like every piece of paper I touched was a waste. Crumpled sketches were scattered across the floor, a testament to my frustration. After hours of trying, I finally gave up. The urge to clear my head led me to the aerial hoop, hoping the rhythm of swinging would bring some clarity. At some point, Zade had poked his head in, announcing he was leaving. I just nodded, barely acknowledging him.That was over an hour ago. Since then, the silence has only grown louder. I watched them leave—Mac and my brothers—but Grayson hasn’t come up. No texts. No check-ins. Nothing. It’s like he vanished with them, leaving me to stew in my thoughts. My brain keeps spinning the same web of worry, but I try to convince myself I’m overreacting. Still, something feels off. Why hasn’t he come back? Why is he staying away?Everything is getting so tangled, so confusing. I’m just swaying gently on the hoop now, not really doing anything prod
Grayson’s POVI’m not comfortable keeping secrets from Sammi, especially ones this big. The way she’s looking at me now, her eyes searching mine for answers, makes me feel even worse. I can see the questions brewing in her head, and she’s waiting for me to explain why the others left with Mac. She deserves to know the truth, but it’s not my place to tell her. And if I do, Zade will have my head.I’ve already been given the cover story, rehearsed it a hundred times. But the idea of lying to her makes me feel sick. It was easier to lie to her before I accepted how I felt. Sammi has no idea about the real world she’s entangled in, and we’ve worked hard to make sure she never finds out. But I wonder—how long can we keep this lie alive?“Gray, what is it?” she asks, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts. The worry in her eyes pierces through me.I plaster on a smile, though it feels hollow. “Nothing,” I lie, even though I hate myself for it. “Look, from what I’ve been told, they’re expan
Grayson’s POVThe shrill ringing of my phone jars me from sleep. Groaning, I fumble around, trying to find the damn thing. When I finally manage to grab it, I press it to my ear, still half-asleep. “Yeah?” I glance around, blinking against the light filtering in. The sun is up. Shit.“You’re asleep?” Zade’s voice cuts through my haze, sharp and suspicious.“I was. I’ll get ready and head into work now,” I mumble, realizing I wasn’t supposed to sleep in. My mind’s still sluggish, but something feels off.“Gray, if you’re still in bed, then who the hell set off the alarm for my safe? It’s open!” Zade’s voice rises, each word laced with anger.My blood runs cold, and I instinctively glance to my side. Shit. Sammi.I bolt out of bed, adrenaline kicking in. “I don’t know who it is,” I say, trying to sound calm, even though I’m anything but. “If they got it open, they must have had the code.” I head downstairs, my mind racing.“The door was fucking locked, Gray!” Zade shouts, but I barely r
Sammi’s POVI walk upstairs in a daze, my legs feeling like they’re moving on their own. Everything feels surreal, like I’m living in some nightmare I can’t wake up from. When I finally reach my bed, I crawl under the covers and curl up into a ball, staring blankly at the ceiling. I’m so damn lost right now. My mind is spinning with everything Grayson just told me. How can my family be involved in the mafia? It sounds too extreme, too impossible. I feel like they’re lying to me, or maybe they’re testing me. It can’t be true, right?But at the same time, certain things suddenly make sense in a way they never did before. Little details I’ve ignored over the years start to surface. Like how Grayson and my brothers have always had this almost untouchable air around them. They could get away with anything. People never said no to them. And those women—those countless women Grayson has been with—none of them seemed to care when he used them. Was it all because he was part of the mafia? Did
Grayson’s POVIt’s been three days since Sammi found out about everything—about my involvement in the mafia, her brothers’ work, all the secrets we’ve kept from her for years. I can still see the shock on her face when the truth hit her, like she was waking up in a nightmare she couldn’t escape from. Tomorrow, her brothers will be back, and everything is going to come crashing down. But for now, she’s still with me, following me everywhere like a shadow.Every day since then, she’s come to work with me. Not just tagging along to the office, but following me into every single meeting, no matter how much I begged her to stay behind. I couldn’t get five minutes alone without her by my side, watching, observing, asking questions with her eyes. Most of the time, the meetings were harmless—just regular business, nothing that would freak her out even more. But today’s different. Today, things are about to get a lot darker, and no matter how much I try to keep her out of it, she refuses to le
Sammi’s POV I watched Grayson stride back into the room, his eyes burning with fury as he picked up the shattered remnants of the phone I’d thrown. Without saying a word, he plugged it into the laptop, his movements deliberate, controlled. His gaze never left me as he ordered someone to deliver a new phone by tomorrow. The tension in the air was thick, crackling with unspoken anger.The whole situation had spiraled out of control. I hadn’t meant to throw it, but in a moment of pure frustration, I lashed out. I was tired of being treated like a child, like I couldn’t make my own decisions. My fingers had closed around the first thing in reach, and before I knew it, the phone was flying across the room. Now, the consequences of that momentary rage were staring me in the face as Grayson connected the phone to retrieve its data. His face was cold as stone when he turned to me, demanding that we leave.Once in the car, I couldn’t contain my anger any longer. I sat rigidly, glaring at him,
Sammi’s POVMy body trembles uncontrollably, a cocktail of nerves and anticipation surging through me, making every breath feel shallow and tight. The smile he gives me is enough to twist my stomach into knots. It’s that kind of smile—dangerous, knowing, and so assured of what’s coming next. It sends a ripple of fear and excitement straight through me, as if he’s already planned my unraveling and is savoring every second leading up to it.“Look forward, Angel,” his voice comes out as a command, low and firm, leaving no room for disobedience. My eyes dart up to meet his instinctively, but the power in his words makes me drop them quickly. He doesn’t need to say it twice. My gaze falls obediently to his chest, not daring to wander, but my heart is pounding so loudly it feels like the sound is echoing between us.“You keep those eyes fixed forward now,” he says again, more insistent this time. My head nods slowly in acknowledgment, my breathing coming in shallow pants as I force myself t
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