Grayson POVI lift her gently, cradling her soft body in my arms as I lay her down on the large, plush bed. Her dark, mesmerizing eyes lock onto mine, full of trust, desire, and a depth of love that hits me straight in the chest. Tonight feels different, in so many ways. The air around us is thick with emotion, anticipation, and something even more powerful—connection. My heart races as if it’s trying to match hers, my breathing shallow as I lower myself beside her.I reach for her hand, taking it gently in mine, and let my fingers trail slowly, reverently over her skin, tracing the graceful curves of her body. She feels like the most delicate work of art beneath my touch, and I want to memorize every inch of her tonight. My lips follow where my fingers lead, beginning at her neck and trailing downward in feathery kisses that make her shiver beneath me. Her skin is warm, soft, and so incredibly inviting, and each time I kiss her, I feel like I’m falling deeper.As my mouth moves acros
Grayson POVI sit in the quietest room in existence, or at least it feels like it. The past four weeks? Gone. Just like that. Vanished into thin air as if time had a personal vendetta against me. Somehow, amidst the endless to-do lists and late nights, the days slipped away faster than anything in history. And now here I am, sitting, staring at the walls, contemplating the fact that I feel like I’ve missed most of it.“You look like you’re radiating pure sunshine,” Zade chuckles, breaking my moment of zen with his annoying voice.I groan, leaning back dramatically. “I’m in desperate need of a nap. Like, a year-long one. Maybe two. With no alarms or human interaction.”“Stop whining,” Joel pipes up, plopping down next to me with the grace of a hippo. “You’re getting a night off. Drinks, party, strippers. Heck, we might even tie you to a post somewhere and leave you to escape. You know, keep things exciting.”I shout immediately, glaring at him. “NO. Absolutely not. I am not participati
Grayson POVI walk downstairs in all my bridal glory. “You guys are messed up, you know that, right?” I say as I take in their own outfits, which are even worse than mine.Evan shrugs, looking utterly defeated in a cheerleader’s uniform. “I didn’t have a choice.”“At least I’m not the only one getting tortured,” I mutter as we head out into the night.The night starts off innocently enough, drinks and laughter. But it quickly takes a turn when Zade stands up, a wicked grin on his face. “Ladies! Gather round! We’ve got a special auction tonight,” he shouts, pulling me to my feet.I stare at him in horror. “No. No. No, Zade. Absolutely not.”“For one dance only! Who wants to take the groom-to-be for a spin?” Zade continues, ignoring me entirely.Women start bidding, and before I know it, I’m being pulled onto the dance floor by the highest bidder, who clearly has no concept of personal space. She touches me in all the wrong places, and I just pray for the sweet release of death.When I
Sammi POVSandra, Grayson’s mother, is nothing short of amazing. Over the past four weeks, I’ve spent more time with her and Izzy than I ever expected. From brunches to spontaneous shopping trips, they’ve made me feel like part of the family. They were there with me when I went dress shopping, and Zade, bless him, tagged along too. He kept rolling his eyes, pretending he wasn’t interested, but I caught him sneaking a glance at the gowns. It still feels surreal that I’m getting married tomorrow. Tomorrow. Just thinking about it sends a wave of excitement—and nervous energy—through me.Grayson and I have barely had any alone time lately. Between wedding planning and preparing for Christmas, not to mention his long hours at work, we’ve been like two ships passing in the night. It’s not his fault—life just got hectic. So, I wanted to do something special for him. Something memorable. Something he’d hate at first... but end up loving, because that’s how we are.None of this would be happen
Sammi POVMy body presses against his, and I can feel the heat radiating from him.He tugs at the cuffs, his muscles straining against the metal. “Who punishes their fiancé for not having strippers?” he asks, his head tilting as if he’s trying to figure me out.“Maybe I wanted to surprise you,” I whisper, my lips brushing against his ear as I grind my hips against him. “Consider this my gift.”Grayson’s breath hitches, and I know I have him exactly where I want him. His eyes are dark with lust, and the raw energy between us is amazing. “You’re insane,” he growls, his voice thick with need. “But I’ll admit, this is one hell of a surprise.”Laughing softly, I lean in close, my lips brushing against his. “And I promise, you’ll love every second of it.”The moment my tongue traces that sensitive spot just beneath his earlobe, Grayson shudders beneath me. I feel a tremor course through him, his muscles tense, anticipating what’s coming next. His heart pounds so hard I can feel it through h
Sammi’s POVI woke up in my bed, the space beside me noticeably empty. Grayson wasn’t there. I must have fallen asleep on him last night, back at the police station. That definitely wasn’t part of the plan. I wanted him to go out, have some fun, and enjoy the rest of his evening. But he stayed—there was still a lingering warmth on the other side of the bed, meaning he hadn’t been gone long.“Morning!” Izzy’s voice cuts through the quiet, making me sit up. I’ve been watching her closely these last few weeks, and I’ve noticed how hard she tries to catch Zade’s attention. Every effort she’s made so far has fallen flat.“Guess I’m getting married today?” I ask with a soft smile, trying to inject some lightness into the morning. Izzy laughs, her energy contagious despite the early hour.“You are! Zade said he’ll be back in time to take you, but he’s with Grayson right now. He told my mum he feels torn between being here with his little sister and sticking with his best friend.”I roll my e
Sammi POVStepping out of the shower, I dry off and slip into the lingerie I picked for today. My hands shake as I grab my phone and type out a message to Grayson.You knew and didn’t say anything?I hit send, waiting for the reply. Moments later, my phone buzzes.This is Zade. Grayson’s not allowed to read your messages right now. Seriously, you’re going to text him about this on your wedding day? Urgent messages only, Sammi.I narrow my eyes at the screen. He didn’t deny it. Zade knows everything. There is no way Zade wouldn't ask what Gray was hiding from me, and now Zade’s guarding his phone to make sure nothing interrupts today.Fine, I reply, feeling a mix of frustration. Grayson knows I'm hurt. He didn't tell me. But I’ll be having a serious talk with Willow later.Focus on today, I will speak to you about it later.Setting my phone down, I take a deep breath and pull out the pregnancy test and go to the bathroom to take it. Willow might be right—maybe the new birth control is
I turned toward the stairs, but before I could take a step, the front door opened. Zade walked in. His eyes immediately found me, and for a moment, his face drained of all color.“Fucking hell, Sammi!” he breathed, his expression one of pure shock.“Don’t be mad at Joel,” I blurted out, realizing he must have thought I’d switched dresses without telling him. “I know you were there when the other dress was picked, but this one just… it felt right. I’m sorry I dragged you dress shopping only to change my mind.”Zade blinked, then a slow smile spread across his face. “Sammi, I’m not angry. I’m just shocked. For a second, I thought I was looking at Mum. You look just like her in that dress.”I smiled back, relief flooding through me. “So, no killing Joel?”Zade chuckled, shaking his head. “No, not this time. Honestly, I’m glad he helped you with this. I’ve been thinking about it all morning, wondering if the other dress was really the right choice.”He pulled me into another hug, and for
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