I stand before the mirror, my reflection simply a painting of nerves and uncertainty. Tonight is in my mind, and the weight of Alaric’s gathering feels heavy on my shoulders. There's so much unknown.What will his family think of me? The age gap is only one concern; my history with Jake adds another layer of complexity. Will they recognise me as Jake’s ex? The thought scratches at me, refusing to be ignored. I met his brother, and at that moment, I was dating Jake.As I descend the stairs, the sounds of conversation and laughter drift towards me. Alaric’s hand grasps my hip, grounding me with its reassuring grip.“Stop looking so scared, baby girl,” Alaric whispers, his breath warm against my ear.I force a smile, but it falls. “Easier said than done, Sir,” I admit, my voice hushed."It makes no difference. Nothing they will change, and their refusal to accept us won't stop me from loving you or wanting you." His hand moves to the base of my back, offering support and a silent reassur
Callum and Alex stand smiling at us. My eyes are on Alaric, and he appears to be arguing with his father; Jake joins them as well. I feel bad for running."You should really go help." I turn to Alex, or is it Callum? God my head hurts after five minutes, I feel for their mum."I agree. Grandad is never happy, but he was smiling at you, so he likes you. There's a chance he will stop picking on Uncle Alaric if you're there." One of them speaks, and I nod.Walking over, I reach them."Don't Jake." Alaric looks at him."They don't know the whole story." Jake looks at him. Are they arguing? I step closer, and they stop, and all turn to me."Hi, Ruby." William smiles at me, but his gaze slices towards Alaric."Oh, for God's sake, Grandad. I cheated on her multiple times, hurt her, and essentially used her to get money from Dad. It's not like I was a perfect boyfriend, and they slept together." Jake looks at him, and Alaric stares at Jake."You didn't say?" William looks at Alaric."Because
I look towards Alaric. "At sixteen, my parents told me I wasn't to see Beatrix again. I refused. She got pregnant, and I was told it was wrong. She was using me, and I was a fool. I refused to listen, so they cut me off entirely. No money, no contact."I had no idea. "Until when?" When did he finally contact them again?"When Jake was about six, my mum reached out, and I spoke to her. I'm sorry; tonight wasn't meant to be drama." He wraps his arms around me."Alaric, I don't care. Do you remember my parents?" I peer up at him. He nods and laughs. "Exactly, so don't worry, it won't scare me away. I do think you need to speak to him and tell him everything, Sir." Something tells me his dad is trying to make amends."It's his thing. He did it with Desmond when he announced leaving the country. For ten years, he refused to speak to him." He says it like it's nothing, but clearly, it hurts him."They are meant to stay for a few days here in the spare rooms. I might just tell them to go to
As the first rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, Alaric’s gentle voice stirred me from my slumber.“Good morning, baby girl,” he murmured, his words carrying a warmth that spread through me like sunshine. My lips curled into a soft smile as I turned to face him. He was already awake and grinning at me with that familiar twinkle in his eyes.“You have a busy day today,” he announced, his tone laced with excitement.“Why?” I queried, a hint of confusion tugging at the corners of my mind. After all, I hadn’t made any plans for the day, so why did it suddenly seem so full?Alaric set down a steaming cup of coffee before me, accompanied by a plate of breakfast, and then met my gaze with a knowing look. “Bex and Ivy are still here, and you’re going shopping,” he stated matter-of-factly.“Shopping?” I echoed, my mind racing to catch up with the unexpected turn of events. Shopping wasn’t exactly on my agenda—I had intended to head home and start packing for me to move in here
“I would rather accept you paying than risk my parents’ ulterior motives,” I confessed, the words heavy with resignation.With a sigh, Alaric nodded in understanding. “Then don’t let him pay,” he conceded, his voice soft. “But remember, their intentions may not be as bad as you fear.”I shook my head, unable to shake the nagging sense of distrust that lingered like a shadow in the back of my mind.“It’s too late for that,” I murmured, my heart heavy with the weight of unresolved tension.“From the conversation your father had with mine, your parents were against Jake because he tainted your innocence, and they sensed he was up to no good.”A bitter irony twisted in my gut at his words. Yes, my parents’ suspicions had been justified, their instincts honed to detect the negative that had infiltrated my life in the form of Jake.“That doesn’t remove everything else, Sir,” I interjected, my voice tinged with a hint of defiance. “Yes, they had a reason for objecting to Jake and disowning m
As the day wore on, a sense of exhaustion settled over me like a heavy cloak, weighing down my spirits even as the excitement of the day lingered in the air.Emily and Sally had proven to be invaluable; their warmth and generosity helped to settle my nerves with me not knowing much about them.With each passing hour, I found myself delving deeper into Emily's conversation, learning more about Desmond and their life. Her insights offered a glimpse into a world of Alaric's I didn't know existed.Meanwhile, Sally regaled me with tales of William and Alaric’s history, shedding light on the simmering tensions that lurked beneath the surface. Her words painted a portrait of two men bound by blood yet divided by pride, their unresolved conflicts casting a shadow over any good in their lives.Despite the wealth of knowledge gleaned from our conversations, the day’s main objective remained elusive. Four bridal shops and countless dresses later, I found myself no closer to finding the perfect g
On the drive back, we're all talking, except my mum, who is quiet. I feel that is because Sally has told her off over the dress, so she is watching her words."I told the men to cook," Sally says, and I look at her shocked. "We've had a busy day." She laughs slightly, and I nod."Don't eat the mac and cheese if Desmond has cooked it." Emily looks at us, and Sally laughs."And don't eat anything William cooks either.""Why tell them to cook if they can't?" I laughed at the fact she told them to cook and then said, don't eat it."So, what you're saying is, only the food Alaric makes is safe?" Ivy laughs."Pretty much yes." Sally laughs. She's slightly drunk but happy, at least. Half an hour later, we are finally back. I have to admit I'm ready for sleep.As we walk through the door, Sally laughs and jokes about how the kitchen isn't burnt down from their cooking. I watch Alaric move and grab papers off the table."What is that?" Why do they all look like they are hiding something?"Noth
I wake alone. Last night, Alaric insisted I go to bed and get some sleep, and I didn't even try to argue. Getting ready for my day, I walk down and see him sitting alone. I glance around, confused."They are out for the day. We have the house to ourselves." He looks at me and smiles. I like that. I lift the dress from my body and walk to him, his eyes widening."Baby girl." His words are quiet, and my head shakes. Moving, I climb onto him."Yes, Daddy?" Leaning forward, I bite his lip and grind down against him. His body moves quickly, flipping us until I'm below him."Screw plans." His words growled into my ear, and I pulled his shirt, watching the buttons fly off. I give up on the shirt, it's half off, moving I unfasten his trousers as his mouth moves and teases my neck.My hands push his trousers down, and I grasp his cock. His hands pull against my thong, ripping it from my body before thrusting into me.He groans and holds me against him. My body tries to move, and his hands keep
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