Sammi’s POVThe days bleed into one another, each one dragging longer than the last. It’s been a week now, and still, nothing. No word. No sign of Grayson. It’s like he vanished into thin air, leaving me to pick up the pieces of myself that he shattered. I want to ask my brothers where he is, but I can’t bring myself to say his name. The thought of him, of what he did, of how he just left, makes the hole in my chest ache deeper.I miss him. God, I hate myself for it, but I miss him so much it’s like a constant, gnawing pain in my heart. Part of me keeps hoping—praying—that maybe he didn’t leave. Maybe he’s just somewhere, biding his time, working up the courage to apologize, to explain that he was drunk or high or just made a horrible mistake. But each passing day crushes that hope a little more.“Sammi!” Zade’s voice breaks through my thoughts as he knocks on the door. “Willow’s waiting!”I’ve avoided her all week. I’ve avoided everyone, really. I’ve thrown myself into my art, into t
Sammi POVTwo weeks. That’s how long it’s been. Two weeks since that Halloween party, and three weeks since Grayson left, and I've been living in a constant state of denial and pain. I try to convince myself every day that I’m okay, that I’m moving on, that I’ve pushed him out of my mind—but it’s all a lie. Every night, I break down, sobbing into my pillow, wondering how it all went so wrong. A part of me still clings to this ridiculous hope that he’ll come back, that there’s some kind of messed-up explanation for everything.I don’t want to hope, but I can’t stop.“Sammi.” Zade’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He sits down in front of me, watching me as I halfheartedly move the brush across the canvas. “Sammi, look at me!” he snaps, and I meet his eyes, startled by the intensity in them. “You’re late. Joel and Zak got all the Christmas stuff out for you the day after Halloween. It’s sitting there, untouched.”His words hang in the air, but I don’t respond. How can I? It’s true. T
Grayson POVI’ve been standing in the distance, hidden in the shadows, waiting, watching. I got here early, long before anyone else, hoping that somehow she would show up. The hours have dragged on, filled with laughter and cheer as the lights on the Christmas tree were switched on, the crowd celebrating the beginning of the holiday season. But Sammi… she never came.Each minute that passed, my hope began to falter. Every second I scanned the crowd, searching for her, I felt like I was slipping further away from her. She loves Christmas, she wouldn’t miss this. Not after everything, not after knowing how much this night meant to us. But as the crowd thinned, I realized with a sinking heart that maybe she wasn’t coming at all.A sense of defeat hit me, hard and cold. Maybe she’s really done with me. Maybe she’s moved on, believing the lies her brothers told her. For the first time in a long time, I feel lost—truly, hopelessly lost.I was about to turn and leave, my heart heavy in my ch
Sammi POVI stare at the ring in the box, blinking in disbelief. Gray just proposed. The man who I thought had left me in pieces, who I thought had betrayed me, is here, asking me to spend the rest of my life with him. He’s looking at me with such hope, such desperation. Slowly, I nod, even though my heart is pounding with fear of what this could mean when my brothers find out.“Yes,” I whisper, my voice fragile, trembling. I can’t believe this is real, but I want it to be. I want it so badly, despite everything.Gray slips the ring onto my finger, his touch soft yet grounding, and then he pulls me against him. I lean into his chest, holding him tightly as if I could melt into him, and for a moment, everything feels right. I breathe him in, clinging to the warmth of his body, the solidness of him. He’s here. He’s real. All the nightmare of these past three weeks—it was all a lie built by my brothers, a cruel betrayal I never saw coming.“I want to stay here forever, Angel,” he whisper
Grayson POVI stand still, my hand gripping Sammi’s trembling form. Zade’s eyes are locked on me, burning with unspoken accusations, just waiting for the chance to tell me to leave. He thinks he’s in control, but the truth is, whatever happens now, Sammi will hold him responsible. If I walk away, she’ll blame him.“Go to bed, Sammi. We’ll talk tomorrow. It’s late,” Zade orders, sinking into a chair like he’s already won.But Sammi stands her ground, her voice stronger than her shaking body. “Gray is coming with me,” she snaps back, and I see Zade’s eyes widen, momentarily caught off guard. “It’s either that, or I leave with him.”She sounds confident, but I can feel her anxiety radiating through her, each tremble screaming that she’s fighting a war inside. A war where she doesn’t believe she’s strong enough.“Fine,” Zade mutters through clenched teeth. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”Sammi doesn’t waste a second. She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room like she’s dragging herself
Grayson’s POVZade turns his head, briefly glancing at me before dismissively looking away. He takes a slow drink, savoring the moment, and sets his glass down with an air of indifference.“You ready to talk?” he asks calmly, as if nothing is wrong. But I’m already moving, my fist connecting with his face before he even finishes his sentence. The force of the punch knocks him backward, and I don’t stop. I leap forward, climbing on top of him, fists flying, driven by a rage that I can’t control. He fucking broke her! I thought she was damaged before, but now—now this is tearing me apart, setting fire to everything inside me.Rough hands grab me, yanking me back, but I thrash against their hold, screaming. “You’re fucking dead!” My voice is a raw, animalistic roar as I fight to break free. Zade, ever the cold bastard, stands slowly, wiping the blood from his face with a towel, the ghost of a smirk on his lips.He laughs—actually laughs—and steps closer, fearless. “Feel better now that y
Zak stares at Zade, betrayal clear on his face. “You never said anything. And you, Grayson, kept it all quiet?”“No one needed to know. You were raised in a perfect world, never saw the darkness I did. To me, killing men who came after us was nothing. You were my family—I did what I had to do.”Joel shakes his head, disgusted. “You’re alive because of Grayson, and you still did all this? You hurt Sammi, destroyed her, knowing full well without Grayson she wouldn’t even be here.”Zade’s silence fills the room, but then he speaks again, deflecting. “This is Gray’s fault,” he mutters.My head drops. Of course, he can’t accept responsibility.“What the hell is wrong with you?” Joel asks, laughing bitterly. “Grayson stepped back, and you suffocated Sammi for years. Why? Because you were trying to protect her from something?”Zade shifts, uncomfortable. “Since Gray decided to stay clean, more people have stepped up. She’s been more at risk. And yes, her dating Grayson makes her a bigger tar
Grayson’s POVI sit down heavily, glaring daggers at Zade across the room. My entire body is tense, and I can feel the weight of every unresolved argument between us pressing down on my shoulders. Joel slides a glass in front of me, and his voice cuts through the simmering tension like a blade.“Let’s get this sorted,” Joel begins, looking directly at me. “Starting with Sammi—and you.” His eyes bore into mine, demanding honesty. “What’s the deal there? I want the truth.”I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to snap. How many times do I have to defend myself? How many times do I have to prove what I feel for her? My hands ball into fists on the table, but I force myself to answer, keeping my voice level, even though I’m on the verge of breaking. “What do I need to do to prove to you four that I love her? I fucking begged, I cried, I said I’d rather be killed than live without her! What more do I need to do?”Zade, sitting there with his goddamn smugness, mutters under his breath, “To be
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