Zade POVI stare at Izzy, feeling a hollowness I’ve long kept buried threaten to pull me under. I’ve spent years in darkness, becoming so tangled with my own demons that I can’t tell where I end and they begin. I’ve lived in this hell I built, convinced I deserve every bit of it, that I don’t deserve anything better. I don’t even know how to step out of it, or if I’d survive it if I tried. The thought of change, of release, terrifies me.And Izzy… she’s light where I’m all shadow, a reminder of everything that should be good and untouched by this world I chose. She doesn’t deserve any of this, doesn’t deserve the burden of the things that haunt me. She deserves so much more than a man who’s clawed his way through darkness and made it his armor. I don’t want to drag her into this, and yet… I don’t know how to let go.Her voice cuts through my thoughts. “You never answered. Do you enjoy it, Zade? What Cleo and the others do to you—the degrading, the humiliation—all of it?”How the hell
Zade POVI reach up slowly, letting my fingers graze down her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my touch. “I’m sorry for all the drama, for every bit of stress I’ve dragged into your life,” I murmur, watching her, needing her to understand. “I promise you this, Izzy—I won’t run from you, and I won’t push you away. Not anymore.”She opens her mouth to reply, but I gently press my hand over her lips, not ready to let her speak yet. There’s too much I need to say, and I need her to hear it. “How did it go so wrong?” My voice drops, thick with the weight of it all. “From that night at the hotel… how did it turn to you hating me enough to be kissing some random guy? I thought you knew by now, Izzy. I thought you realized… that I love you. That this isn’t a game to me. I’ve never taken a risk like this before.”She mumbles something behind my hand, but I’m not finished, and I shake my head, willing her to hear me. “I’ve always been careful. I don’t sleep with a woman without ens
Zade POVThe weight of everything I need to say to Grayson presses down on me as I prepare myself. Avoiding this conversation won’t make things easier. He deserves answers, and I’m done hiding.“I need to speak to Gray.” I kiss her and stand. “I’ll come along,” Izzy says softly. “Sammi asked for my help with something anyway.” She smiles, though there’s a trace of worry behind it, and I nod. At least I won’t be facing this alone.“Good. We’ll take the car you came in; I rode with Gray,” I say, wrapping an arm around her waist and guiding her out of the club and into the car. The drive back is silent, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. Both of us are too wrapped up in our minds to break it.Back at the house, Izzy gives me a reassuring squeeze before heading off to find Sammi. I head straight to Grayson’s office, steeling myself as I close the door behind me.He looks up, eyes hard, his face set with a mix of anger and disbelief. “So you quit drugs, and you traded them for alcohol
IzzyI've spent the day with Sammi. Now, I'm still sitting with Sammi, watching her radiant smile, and there’s a pang deep inside me—a longing to feel that kind of settled happiness. I know that for me and Zade, having kids isn’t an option. His fear, his absolute terror, is woven so tightly into him that the very idea of it could tear him apart, spiral him back into darkness.“Zade and Gray are so alike,” Sammi laughs, a warm, genuine sound that pulls me from my thoughts. “Gray kept fighting his feelings, too. For months, he’d act like I was some kid, touch me, then pull away. At least Zade has a real reason—not just the ‘You’re my best friend’s sister’ garbage that Gray used as an excuse.”I smile, her laughter easing the tension in my chest. “You and Gray are amazing together,” I say, and she chuckles.“So are you and Zade. I’ve seen how you two are, the way you look at each other at parties, at work. Now that he’s done running, things will get better.”The door opens, and Zak steps
ZadeLeaving everything else behind, I head straight to the club. I need to make it crystal clear to everyone that Cleo is no longer a part of this business. Only a few people know what happened, and I can’t risk her causing more trouble by sticking around. I stop at the door, nodding at Sam, who’s standing watch.“Cleo’s banned,” I tell him firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. “She doesn’t work here anymore, or at any other places we own. Make sure everyone on the team knows. I’ll deal with the staff inside.”He nods without asking questions, and I step inside, my eyes immediately scanning the crowded main floor until they land on her. Cleo stands by the bar, laughing with some guy, as though she doesn’t have a care in the world. A flare of anger rushes through me as I walk over, grab her elbow, and steer her into the back area, away from the public eye. I’d rather not make a scene, but I won’t let her carry on like nothing happened.Once we’re alone in the staff area, I re
Zade POVAs soon as I walk inside, I can hear her. Even over the music, her shrill voice cuts through, unmistakable. I make my way to the VIP lounge and the second she sees me, she backs up, trying to look hurt or wronged or something just as absurd.“Are you serious, Cleo?” I say, my voice low and furious. “Throwing around some story about being pregnant?” I’ve had it with this game. I pull out my phone and text Carlo.Clear out Cleo’s apartment, pack her things, and move her car to Damond. Get it to the checkpoint and leave it there. I type and hit send. There’s no hesitation. I’m done.“You’re banned from the city,” I tell her, each word heavy with finality.“Oh, is firing me not enough? Now you’re banishing me from the entire city?” she laughs, her voice dripping with disbelief. She moves closer, reaching out, but I step back.“Enough, Cleo. You’re spreading lies, stirring up drama. It’s pathetic,” I say, keeping my voice low, but there’s no hiding the disgust.“Lies?” She laughs
IzzyIt’s been hours. Hours of pretending everything’s fine, of brushing off Zade’s no-show as work-related, though that excuse is wearing thin. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. I’m barely focusing on the games in front of me. Gambling has never been my thing, but tonight was supposed to be a “family night out.” Somehow, it feels anything but.I pull out my phone and start scrolling aimlessly through my contacts, trying to distract myself. My thumb hovers over Evan’s name before I hit call and hold the phone to my ear, listening to the soft buzz of the line.“Hey, lil sis,” Evan’s voice comes through, warm and familiar, and it tugs a smile from me despite my mood.“Hi,” I say softly. “I just wanted to check up on you and Mum.” It’s been a couple of weeks since I last called, and guilt nudges at me.“Forget us,” he replies with a chuckle. “You’re supposed to be building a life for yourself. How’s the training going?”I make a noncommittal hum, avoiding the question. “I’ve b
ZadeIzzy sleeps soundly, her soft breaths steady and calming, but my mind is a storm. I've barely slept all night. I know what I need to do. If I’m leaving today with her, I have to speak to the others first. They need to be prepared, and I need to make sure they understand what’s coming. Leaning down, I press a gentle kiss to her cheek before slipping out of bed.I pull on a shirt and jeans quickly, my movements quiet to avoid waking her, and head downstairs. The low hum of voices drifts up from the kitchen, but as I get closer, I realize it’s not a casual conversation—it’s an argument. Great. Just what I need.When I round the corner into the kitchen, Grayson’s glare locks onto me like a laser. His expression is sharp, simmering with frustration, and the tension in the room hits me like a wall.“Now what?” I snap, throwing my hands in the air. “What have I done now? I’m here, trying not to run, trying to do the right fucking thing, and somehow, it’s still not good enough! Will it e
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