Grayson POVI sit, my eyes glued to her peaceful, sleeping form, the soft rise and fall of her chest as she breathes steady and deep. In this moment, she’s serene, unaware of the storm swirling in my head. I can’t stop thinking about the inevitable confrontation with her brothers. I want to tell them the truth—just come right out and say it: I love her. But I know that won’t be enough. They won’t believe me. My history with women, my reputation, it’s not something that inspires trust. I could scream my love for her until I’m blue in the face, and it would still fall on deaf ears.Sammi’s worried about what will happen, and she’s right to be. She knows the world we live in now. Even though I’ve been by Zade’s side from the very beginning, I don’t have his power. His family name, his connections to the mafia—that’s what gives him authority. Me? I’m just an outsider, tied to Zade and his brothers by loyalty, but without the bloodline to back me up. I want to believe they’ll listen, that
Grayson POVShe joins me a few minutes later, her eyes still smoldering with unspoken promises. As we eat, she taunts me with every glance, every little movement, her gaze daring me to break first.“Did you move my sketch?” she asks suddenly, tilting her head in confusion.“Which sketch, Angel?” I ask, genuinely confused. She’s been with me the entire time, so how could I have moved anything?“The first one, from the other day. I can’t find it,” she says, her frustration growing.Ah, the one I showed Zade. “Zade has it,” I reply. “It’s probably still in his office.”She nods, satisfied with the answer, and we finish eating in comfortable silence.Afterward, I sit down with my laptop, trying to focus on business. There are a few problems with Ryan and some others not following orders since I’ve stepped back. I’ll need to talk to Zade about it when he returns. He hasn’t mentioned any issues, but I know better than to think everything’s fine. There’s always something brewing.I’m lost in
Sammi’s POVI step into Zade’s office, my heart pounding, fully bracing myself for the storm I expect. After all, I broke into his office, rifled through his safe. The confrontation feels inevitable—Zade isn’t one to let things slide. I expect his anger, maybe even a lecture, but what I get instead immediately throws me off balance.“How are you feeling, Sammi?” he asks, sitting back in his chair, his voice unnervingly calm. It’s the kind of calm that makes my skin prickle, setting me on edge. This isn’t Zade. Not the Zade I know. His calm, detached demeanor has alarms ringing in my head. This though, makes me wonder how I didn't see the truth? The way he sits in the chair, is like there's an air of untouchability about him. Like someone within the Mafia would have.“I’m fine,” I reply cautiously, studying him for any cracks in his facade. I sit down across from him, still waiting for the inevitable backlash. “I’m sorry, by the way. About how I acted the day you left. Lying about Will
Grayson’s POVZade strides into the room, his smile as casual as ever, but I know better. There’s always something calculated behind that smile. He sits down across from me, his eyes sharp, cutting straight to the heart of what he wants to know.“So,” he starts, his tone deceptively light, “did you find out anything about the guy?”His question is like a slap, and I can feel the tension ripple through my body. He’s hunting for answers about Sammi, about who she’s been seeing, and it’s taking everything in me to keep my expression neutral. I shrug, doing my best to appear indifferent.“I’ve heard nothing. No one’s seen her with anyone,” I reply smoothly, keeping my voice as calm as possible, even though I know the truth he’s after is sitting right in front of him.Zade doesn’t break eye contact, his stare intensifying as he watches me. “How did she end up going into my office, Gray?” His words are laced with suspicion now, and I can feel his gaze trying to pierce through the layers of
Grayson POVThe pain is excruciating, but it’s nothing compared to the thought of losing her. Blood drips down my chest, the wounds from the knife still fresh, burning as if the blade is still carving through my skin. My body trembles, but I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stay upright despite the agony ripping through me.“I’m not leaving her,” I say again, my voice rough but firm. My jaw clenches, my vision blurs from the tears of pain and frustration that I refuse to let fall. “You can beat me, cut me, do whatever the fuck you want, but I’m not leaving Sammi.”Zade paces in front of me, his expression darkening with every word I say. His fists are still clenched, his knuckles white from the force of his grip. Joel Zak and Jax hover behind him, their faces twisted in grim determination. I know they won’t kill me—not after everything I’ve done for them, not after saving Zade’s life when everything was on the line. They can’t. But the way Zade’s looking at me now, it’s clear he’s not
Grayson’s POVI drag myself to my room, the weight of the situation pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. Every step feels heavier than the last as I push the door open, knowing they’re watching, making sure I don’t do anything stupid. All I can do is play along. Leave. Make it look real so they bring Sammi back safely. After that, I’ll find a way. Somehow, I’ll figure out how to get to her, to show her that everything was a lie. It was all a setup, a twisted plan to rip us apart.I reach for the small ring Sammi gave me just two days ago. My fingers hover over it, but Zade’s voice cuts through the air like a knife.“Leave it!” he barks, his tone hard, like he’s daring me to defy him.I freeze, my hand trembling above the ring. If I leave it, she’ll think it means nothing. She’ll think we meant nothing.“I said make it look real, so fucking leave it!” Zade snaps again, his voice like ice, and my hand drops away from the ring. The pain in my chest intensifies.I grab my bag a
Sammi’s POVThe hours stretch painfully long before we finally arrive at the hotel. Everything’s already arranged, thanks to Zade. I barely register anything—just the dull motions of getting inside, walking to my room, and collapsing onto the bed. My body feels heavy, drained. It’s not the traveling that’s exhausted me. It’s everything else. The last five days, spending every waking moment with Grayson, working, talking, being consumed by each other. Every night, he’d hold me, make love to me until I passed out, and now, in this lonely, sterile hotel room, it all feels so far away. So distant.Juliet knocks on the door, her voice soft and gentle. “Goodnight, Sammi. I’ll wake you in the morning.”I barely manage a reply, just a tired mumble as I sink into the bed, my body craving sleep, real sleep. The kind I haven’t had in days. My body gives in quickly, but it doesn’t last.The ringing of my phone drags me from sleep, and I groan, fumbling for it in my bag. My fingers are clumsy, bar
Sammi’s POVI shower, letting the hot water cascade over me, hoping it will wash away the weight pressing on my chest. But it doesn’t. Every part of me is heavy—my body, my thoughts, my heart. When I step out and dress, Juliet’s already waiting. She looks at me with concern, her eyes searching mine like she can sense the storm swirling beneath the surface. But she doesn’t ask. And thank God for that. Because if she does, I’ll crumble. I’ll fall apart right here, in front of her, and there will be no putting me back together.We leave for the gallery in silence, but my mind won’t quiet. I keep replaying the messages, the images, Grayson’s words cutting through me like a blade. I need to focus. I can’t let him take this from me. He’s already taken everything else—my trust, my hope, my heart. But this opportunity, this gallery… it’s mine. I won’t let him ruin it.When we arrive, the woman in charge greets me. Her voice is warm, professional, but I barely register her words.“Sammi Luxon,
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