IzzyAs I storm out of the club, I feel like I’m unraveling with every step. I rip off the wig and the mask, tossing them aside like they’re burning me. My vision blurs with tears, but I hold them back, choking them down. Screw him. Screw everything. I wave down a taxi, desperation settling in, and I tell the driver to take me anywhere but the clubs owned by my brother or Zade.I find myself in some dimly lit bar, not the kind of place I’d usually go to, but that feels right tonight. I order a bottle of whiskey and a glass, sinking into the booth with both, trying to forget. All I wanted was to show Zade who I really was. To tell him that Gabby wasn’t some worker—she was me. I wanted him to see me, to know that every daring look, every bit of courage I found in Gabby, was all me.But when I walked in, there she was—Cleo—straddling his lap, whispering in his ear, like I hadn’t even been a thought in his mind. Then I sat there, expecting him to push Gabby away, to tell her to stop. But
IzzyTurning my phone on, I can barely look at the flood of messages from him, each one clawing at my resolve. Ignoring them, I start typing out the words I can’t take back.This was never going to work. I’m sorry for breaking my promise, but I’d rather do that than let you break me any more. You’re free now to do whatever you want.The moment I hit send, it feels like something inside me shatters. My thumb hovers over the screen for a long moment before I turn the phone off entirely, shutting out the words, the questions, the excuses I don’t need to read. I reach for my glass, trying to drown everything—his face, his touch, the taste of his kiss—in the whiskey’s bitter burn.Cleo sits down. “I don’t know if it makes any difference now,” she says quietly, leaning into the words as if they’re secrets. “But tonight… he brought me into the room, and we slept together. Talked. Then he told me he was done with me and had a new mistress. I slapped him and walked out.”I can see a flicker of
IzzyWalking down the hall, I follow the faint sound of clinking dishes to the kitchen. The house has a simple, serene feel, with soft, natural light filtering in through tall windows, illuminating wooden floors and walls lined with shelves of books and framed sketches. In the kitchen, the scent of fresh coffee fills the air. The man who took care of me leans casually against the counter, holding a coffee mug.“You slept through the entire morning,” he says with a faint smile. He looks older, with graying hair at his temples and gentle eyes, probably around fifty. He has an easy warmth about him that puts me at ease.I look at him in confusion, pieces of last night’s foggy memories coming back in bits and pieces. I was with a cleo. We were dancing, and I was talking to a guy but I don’t remember much after that.“You looked like you were having a rough night,” he says, nodding sympathetically. “A guy you were with sat you down, said your phone was in your bag, then left. Your bag, by
ZadeLeaving the club, my head’s spinning, but there’s no time for thinking—I need to find her. I jump on the bike and go straight to her place, pounding on her door with a rising sense of dread when there’s no answer. I fumble with the spare key, letting myself in, only to be met with empty silence. The place is still, almost eerily so, and it feels like she just slipped through my fingers.I pull out my phone, ready to call Grayson, when I see it: her message, like a punch to the gut.This was never going to work. I’m sorry for breaking my promise, but I’d rather do that than let you break me any more. You’re free now to do whatever you want.I read it again, disbelief twisting into panic and anger. What the hell? I thought everything was fine. The memory of her soft, trusting eyes this morning, her promise not to run, feels like a cruel joke now.I jump back on my bike, heading straight home. Maybe she’s gone to Grayson, looking for comfort. Maybe there’s still a chance to fix this
Zade POVThe tension is overwhelming as we pull up, and I push past Grayson, heading straight for the door. I don’t knock, don’t wait—I storm inside, shouting her name.“Izzy!” My voice echoes through the quiet rooms, but there’s no sign of her. “Where is she?” I demand, shoving Jamie back as he stares at me, confused and unhelpful.Grayson holds out his phone and shoes him a picture of her.He raises his hands defensively. “I don’t know where she is! I left her in the Oceana Bar. She was wasted. I didn’t even know who she was.”Rage flares up in me, fists tightening. Grayson sees it and shoves me back. “If you’re looking for someone to blame, start with yourself!” he snaps.I grit my teeth, swallowing the urge to punch something, and storm out, ignoring the rest of them. I need answers, and fast. Oceana Bar’s my best shot, so I hop on my bike, my mind racing as I speed toward it, the cold wind hitting me like a slap.When I get there, it’s closed up, but I don’t care. I bang on the w
IzzyI’ve spent the last hour pouring out everything that’s been twisting and turning inside my head. Talking to someone neutral, someone who isn’t tangled up in all this, has started to clear the fog. My fears, my mistakes — they’re laid out in front of me now, and I can see how my own actions pushed me into this corner. But the thought of going back? That has a whole new weight. I know I told Zade it was over, in a text fueled by hurt and alcohol. What if he doesn’t want to hear my explanation? What if I already shut that door for good?David hands me a coffee, his smile warm, steady, like he somehow knows exactly what I need.“Thanks,” I murmur, gripping the cup for grounding, for comfort.“You’re running out of time, you know,” he says gently, a hint of concern in his tone. “Sooner or later, I’ll need your real name. You can’t hide forever, and it’s clear you care deeply about the people in your life, and they care about you too. How long until they start looking?”I shrug, though
Grayson sighs and pulls me into another hug, his grip warm and protective. “You’re safe now, and that’s all that matters. But don’t scare us like this again, okay?” He pulls back, his eyes hardening. “I’ve made sure Zade knows to stay away from you.”The thought of Zade out of my life forever hits me like a punch to the chest. “No, Grayson, I caused this. You can’t tell him to stay away from me. He has every right to be hurt, but I don’t want him gone,” I say, my voice wavering as I meet his gaze.Grayson clenches his jaw. “Izzy, look at everything that’s already happened. It’s a sign that this isn’t right.”I shake my head, more resolute than ever. “He’s not the one causing these problems. Please, Gray. Don’t push him away.”He sighs, exasperation clear in his posture. “Fine, but we’re setting some damn rules,” he insists, his voice brooking no argument.I can’t help a small laugh escaping. “Rules? Really, Gray?”“Yes, rules!” he grumbles. “This whole mess proves we need them. Now ge
Izzy POVMy patience snaps. “Gray, what is it? You’re not telling me everything. What is going on?”He doesn’t answer right away, and I’m filled with a sudden, cold dread. Finally, he says, almost too quietly, “I was pissed off at Zade. I might have said some things to push him.”I stare at him, not understanding. “Push him? What does that mean?”Jax looks back, glancing between Grayson and me. “Gray didn’t want him looking for you with us. He kept telling Zade we had no leads and no idea where you were, and maybe made it sound like if something happened to you, it was on him. That he’d be to blame if you didn’t come back.”I can barely process the words, my chest tightening painfully. “Why would you do that, Grayson? I was fine! I just needed space!”“Fine?” Grayson snaps, his frustration evident. “I got a picture of you kissing some guy, and then he left you in a bar with no phone, no security cameras—nothing. The only thing we knew was that you’d left with some old man. Then we fou
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