Sammi POVZade’s speech still lingers in my mind, playing over and over, each word settling deeper into my thoughts. I was so ready—no, I am so ready—to confront Willow and Joel. The urge is burning in my chest, the questions sitting at the back of my throat. Willow is my best friend—besides Grayson, of course—but that doesn’t mean she gets to keep secrets from me, not like this. My eyes follow them across the room as everyone mingles, laughing and dancing. Joel and Willow are standing close but with this awkward distance between them, both trying so hard to hide the obvious.They’ve been caught. I know it. They know it. And yet, they’re still pretending like it’s nothing.Before I can move to them, Zade’s voice pulls me back. “Don’t do it, Sammi.” He’s standing next to me, his voice low enough that no one else can hear. I turn to face him, my brows knitting together in frustration.“What do you mean ‘don’t do it’?” I ask, confused. Zade looks at me with that big-brother gaze, the one
The lights dim slightly as we move to the center of the room. The air shifts, growing softer, more intimate, as the music begins to play—a slow, gentle melody that fills the space with warmth. Grayson’s hand slides to the small of my back, pulling me closer, and for a moment, I forget that anyone else is here. It’s just us, in this perfect little bubble, away from everything.His eyes lock onto mine, and there’s something in the way he looks at me—like he still can’t quite believe this is real. His other hand takes mine, and he leans in close, his voice barely a whisper. “You ready for this?”I smile, my heart swelling in my chest. “I’ve never been more ready.”We start to sway, moving in time with the music. Each step is slow, deliberate, but effortless, as if we’ve been dancing together like this forever. The world around us fades away, the laughter and chatter of the guests dissolving into background noise. All I can hear is the soft music, the sound of his breath mingling with min
Grayson POVI walk out of the building, my eyes scanning the quiet darkness outside, searching for Zade. The party inside is still in full swing, but my mind can’t settle knowing Sammi’s in tears and Zade’s out here somewhere, carrying the weight of whats been tearing him apart.As I round the corner, I see him. He’s sitting on the ground with his back pressed against the brick wall, his head lowered, arms resting on his knees. The way he’s sitting, closed in on himself, tells me more than any words could. Zade never lets himself look vulnerable, but tonight, he can’t hide it. It's like stepping back in time, only this time, he's not trembling or crying.I sit beside him without a word, letting the silence fall between us. It’s always been like this with us—we don’t need to talk right away. I know if I push him now, he’ll shut down completely. He’s got to come to it on his own. I wait, the seconds stretching into minutes.“You should be inside with your wife, not out here with me,” Za
I cradle Sammi in my arms, carrying her up the stairs. She smiles softly, but I can see the flicker of worry in her eyes—for Zade. I want to tell her everything, to ease her mind, but I know that revealing the truth will shatter Zade when he learns she already knows.In the bedroom, I gently set Sammi down and slowly unzip her wedding dress. I lift it with care, hanging it up reverently, fully aware of how much it means to her and everyone around her. When I turn back to face her, a smile forms on my lips—she’s absolutely breathtaking, more than I ever imagined. I had so many plans for tonight, but now, none of them seem enough for the woman standing before me.Our eyes meet, and in hers, I see a reflection of the same love and desire burning inside me. Silently, she reaches for my tie, tugging me closer as her fingers deftly undo the knot. It feels like time has slowed, the outside world fading away, leaving just the two of us in this moment. I lean in, capturing her lips with mine,
Please Note: This is the first chapter of Zade's story.Zade POVSweat slicks my forehead, my body trembling, hands outstretched, desperate to reach her—but no matter how far I push myself, I can’t touch her. My fingertips brush against nothing, as though some invisible force holds me back. It’s like a cruel, unbreakable barrier between us, one I can’t see but feel deep in my bones. I scream, my throat raw, clawing at the air, trying to tear through the invisible wall that separates us.Her eyes—those wide, terrified eyes—lock onto mine. They plead silently, begging me to save her. But I can’t. No matter how much I want to, no matter how hard I fight, nothing works. My body shakes with the effort, my heart pounding in my chest, but the distance between us remains. She’s slipping away, and I’m powerless to stop it. Every time it ends the same—always the same. Painful. Heart-wrenching. Soul-shattering.I scream her name, but it’s swallowed by the void. My hands reach for her again, but
ZadeWhen I wake, I feel like utter shit—not that it’s anything new. I always feel like this when I wake. Dragging myself out of bed, I stagger into the bathroom. A cold shower jolts me awake, not to clean myself, but to shock my mind into starting. It does little for the filth that clings to my soul, but at least it wakes me up. Afterward, I throw on some joggers and head to the gym.For the next hour, I force my body to wake up, trying to sweat out the whiskey from last night. Each punch, each rep, drives the darkness a little further away. The memories, the guilt—they fade, at least for a while. By the end of it, I’m not clearheaded, but I can function. I can step out into the world and pretend like everything’s fucking perfect.Back in my room, I shower again—this time for real. I put on the suit, adjust the tie, and head downstairs.Stepping into the kitchen, I grab a coffee, the smell grounding me. My eyes catch Grayson sitting at the table. "You’re up early, considering everyth
IzzyI walk into the spa, my eyes immediately finding Zade sitting in the office, looking as serious as ever. I smile as I approach, stepping inside the room. His gaze flickers to my face briefly before lowering, avoiding eye contact like usual."We're going to go through things today. See how you manage without me stepping in," he explains, his voice flat. I nod and sit down beside him, ready to prove myself. But as I do, he slides his chair a little further away, the space between us thick with unspoken tension.I pull up the system on the laptop and begin working, his eyes fixed on me, watching every move. The silence between us is heavy. I want to fill it, but I’ve learned by now that Zade doesn’t do small talk—at least not with me."I'm confused about this part," I say softly, pointing to the screen, hoping to break the silence."What's confusing you?" he asks, his gaze finally meeting mine."Well, I can't remember if I put the number in this box or another one," I say, pretendin
IzzyThe rest of the day at work is nothing but tension, a thick, silent weight between Zade and me. He barely looks at me, his presence like a wall I can’t break through. He kissed me—just for a brief moment, I felt him give in, let down his guard, and the fear holding him back disappeared. But now, it’s like he regrets every second of it, avoiding me like I’m some kind of plague.Grabbing my bag, I start to pack up, feeling the sting of rejection still fresh. The memory of that kiss is so vivid, yet here I am, pretending it doesn’t matter, pretending he didn’t tear himself away like I was something he should never have touched.“Izzy, here,” Zade’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look up, surprised to see him waiting by the office door, his face unreadable. I step inside, hovering just inside the threshold, not wanting to close the distance between us.“I’m sorry for kissing you,” he says, his voice low and strained. “It was wrong. And… I’m sorry for snapping afterward too.”The w
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