I haven't moved since they left the room. Coming here was meant to fix things, but it seems to have made everything worse. I want to believe that staying will give me a chance to fix things. Surely, they will be in a better mood tomorrow.Even I know that is bullshit. Standing, I grab my bag and leave. Staying the night feels wrong. They are only letting me stay because it's late. Driving back, I consider everything.Alaric took things the wrong way, I was trying to help after I made everything worse. Stopping at my place, I quietly go to my room. If Bex hears me, she will be right in here asking everything, and right now, I don't want that.Taking out my phone, I hit the number."Boudoir Bunny.""Hi, is Mr Hendrix in today?" I've tried every night if I wasn't there in person."Just a moment, please." I wait, listening to silence. "Who is it?""It's Ruby." Again. The line goes quiet."Sorry, he's not in." Why do I feel like he is and that's a lie?"Can you please pass on a message whe
My phone rings, and grabbing it from the bag I answer."Yes?" Is this Oliver checking on Ivy? I laugh; he seems like the type to me."Ruby, it's Jake." Oh, God, no. I don't reply; I just sit quietly. "Look, can we talk? By talk, I mean me apologising and us sorting things out, not like dating, just, let's explain.""Jake, I don't know." I'm torn right now."Please. I won't make any moves, and I don't expect you to want to get back with me. I know I need to explain.""Okay, fine. When and where?""I've got work early, so can you come here and us talk now?""Where is here, Jake?" He actually has a job, which is unusual."My dads."Shit, that's not happening."Ruby?""Jake, I'm not sure that's a good idea." Alaric is avoiding me."My dad isn't here. I swear. I need time to explain things and apologise in person.""Okay, I will see you soon." Hanging up, I look at Ivy. "Can you get her home safe?""You're bailing?" She stares at me."Yes, I will be back tomorrow morning." Standing, I hug
The room is quiet, and I know I need to leave soon."Oliver had mentioned you went to your parents?" He smiles at me."It was a disaster; safe to say they will never forgive me now."He laughs slightly. "They will, Ruby; yeah, you went against their beliefs and slept with me before marriage, but even they will come around and realise that's nothing.""Jake, they know everything. In their eyes, I destroyed your and your dad's relationship. I used you two for money, so they won't come around.""How would they know?" He sits confused."That night at the party, everything was filmed. So everyone has shared it, and someone sent it to my dad.""Shit, I'm sorry. I went through your phone. Honestly, I thought you were seeing Oliver, so seeing the videos, well, yeah. I don't know."I wouldn't go with Oliver, not in that sense. "I'm sorry, Jake. Even if I didn't do it as revenge, it was wrong." It's his dad."Ruby, you don't need to apologise; I caused the mess."Nodding, I stand and grab my ba
I'm glad he's stopped running."So now what, Daddy?"He groans and pulls me to him. "For now, we carry on as before and go slow."I pout at his words. "But you had just finally stopped holding back with your whip." I bite my lip, and he chuckles."By slow, I mean everything else. I won't hold you hostage here and make you move in. We need to tell our families, and we slowly tell people about us.""I have no family, Alaric."His head shakes. "You have parents.""Who officially disowned me." I won't tell them, as I won't speak to them again."They haven't. Believe me, they will get over you not saving yourself for marriage.""Alaric, they know about everything. I went to see them, but they struggled to even let me through the door. It doesn't matter anyway." It doesn't.He pulls me to him, his arms wrapping around my body."I'm sorry. You were here trying to save mine and Jake's relationship, and I just destroyed yours and your parents.""No, they did. Not you." He didn't destroy it."A
I wake up alone in Alaric's bed. It's only half six. Getting dressed, I walk down and stop when I see Jake in the kitchen."He's at work. He got called in." He barely looks at me as he talks; he continues to cook, which amuses me.Sitting for about five minutes, I watch him fail and can't stop laughing."You mocking me doesn't help."Tightening my lips, I nod and hear him swear as he burns himself."Okay, move." Walking over, I push him out of the way."I was doing fine."I turn to him and hold up the bacon. "Fine? It looks like you threw it on a campfire for an hour." I snap the bacon in half and laugh."That's how I like it." He shrugs slightly, so I hand it to him."Then eat it." I wait, watching as he looks from it to me. "Exactly. Before you try cooking so much, stick to one. Once you get used to cooking one thing, then make it two. You trying to cook a full breakfast won't work.""I was doing fine.""Just move before you burn the house down." He looks at me, offended."I'm not t
About an hour later, there is a knock, and the door opens."Hi, I'm Mr Hendrix's Secretary. Do you want a drink?""I'm good, thank you." She nods and walks out. Two hours later, I'm still sitting alone. Sighing, I stand and walk out. I see the woman look up."Is he busy?" I'm guessing he's still in a meeting."He's busy but doesn't have company, so follow me. I will show you the way." Nodding to her, I follow her through the building. This one is different to the place I usually visit.When she gets to the door, she knocks and steps back. I hear Alaric and walk in. His eyes widen."Shit, I forgot you were here."I laugh and glance at the papers surrounding him on the table. Walking over, I push the papers back and sit on the table."It's fine. I thought you had people to help?" He has an entire workforce, and those guests he had were also people who helped."They are spread across other locations. As I said, I put through the order to change things and didn't watch, so everything that
I left and messaged Alaric to let him know. When I got home, I walked into the kitchen. Bex and Ivy looked towards me."You left on our girl's night!" Bex glares at me."Oh, come on. You didn't even notice. I told you this morning." Ivy laughs. "You were that drunk and didn't notice she disappeared.""Fine, I didn't notice, but you left for Jake!" Bex stares at me in disbelief."I did, yes. He apologised, explained what happened, and what changed."They stare at me. "You took him back and stayed." Bex looks at me, shocked."No, we spoke. He left, and I waited to speak to Alaric. I stayed last night with Alaric, not Jake.""So he stopped ignoring you?" Ivy laughs."He had no choice; I was at his when he walked in. However, I did realise that my timing in saying we should take a step back made it look like I had used him for revenge."Ivy laughs. "I told you that. You did it the moment Jake knew. Now, why do you have Alaric's car?"Oh, of course, they would notice. "I was at his busines
Standing, I turn to leave."Hey."I stop and look at Max. "Hi, Max." Moving, I go to step around him, his body moving in the way."So, you and Oliver?"My eyes widen. "No! He's with Ivy." What the hell?"You looked cosy." He leans into me."We were talking; now move." I step around him, his body moving and blocking my path. He pushes the door closed. "Max, move.""Make me Ruby." He stands smirking."Move!" I push past him to get to the door, but his hand grabs me."Oh, come on, Ruby, you used Oliver and Jake's dad for revenge, so why not use me?" He moves to kiss me, my hands pushing him back. As he pulls me closer, the sound of my top ripping makes me panic.He forces his mouth on mine, opening mine; I bite against his lip, hearing him scream. His hand pushes me back before swinging and hitting my face. My head hits off the side, and I groan, watching his body fall forward."Ruby?" Bex looks at me, turning back to Max. "I will cut you open!"I groan when I hear Bex. "Don't; let's jus
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