Ava's POVIt had been a week since the Jet incident, and Mason's death.The cops had done their part with the investigation and had managed to connect the hospital explosion, and the van explosion together linking it to Lino.They had also traced some of his illegal businesses to Naples among other crimes and shut it down but since there was no one to punish that was all they could do.Angela, on the other hand, was arrested, and sentenced to ten years in prison for impersonation, fraud, and for being Fernando's accomplice which was a lot less than she deserved.Miguel and I had stuck around for the investigation, and I was pretty glad when it was finally over and done with. There was nothing more that I wanted in my life than to put the hellish past behind us and focus on the promise of the future.Whatever was in store for Miguel and me was something I was dying to see.The days after the incident at the Jet
Ava's POVChicago~It was my wedding day.A small gasp escaped my lips as I stood before the trenched mirror, trailing my fingers down my wedding dress in awe. The sight set before me was nothing short of elegant, and I could already imagine Fernando's gaze fixing on me—the way his eyes would light up. He would be breathless. I was sure of it. The simple thought of that made me even more eager now, and a blush crept up my cheeks.I took a more detailed look at my dress, unable to take my eyes off it. Gosh, it was perfect. The fabric was a blend of satin and lace with nude net sleeves, which covered the entirety of my arm with sheer elegance and beauty. The dress was firm and fitted, hugging its way down to my hips pleasantly before releasing its hold and easing its way down my heels. I twirled before the mirror over and over again, raising my dress. I ignored the gentle giggles of my dresser and make-up artist, who were standing behind me, gazing at me.The door clicked open a sec
Miguel's POVNaples, Italy~I sat in the backseat of the black sedan, smoking a cigar and sitting through the traffic. I exhaled, veering my gaze to the window and watching the busy road thoughtlessly.The streets of Naples were even busier today than usual, and the ride home was taking a lot longer than it should.The exhaustion of the day was beginning to kick in, and I couldn't wait to finally let off some steam with one of my whores back home. Today had been quite a long one, and I deserved the rest. Some good news would do. It was about time.I smirked, raising my wrist and stealing a glance at my watch. Niko should be back by now with news of his mission. It should be done. It was almost a day, and I was eager to know the fate of that bastard. Of course, I didn't have to wonder how it went. It was Niko. He simply never failed in the execution of any order.He was perfect. The best man for getting rid of weeds.But still, I was curious about one thing. I wanted to know how muc
Ava's POVA light twinkled in the room. My eyes flickered open and close. Sweat gathered on my forehead. Brows quivered aggressively...I swerved my head from left to right as the gruesome memory came back to me. "Avaline Richards, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"My heart swelled with joy, and the words sat on the tip of my tongue, ready to be deployed, "I—"The gunshot exploded across the room. Multiple shots followed the first, echoing through the wedding hall. Fernando's body was the first to drop to the ground, and my feet stood rooted to in place as the shock began to sink in. The loud wailings resonated from the gathering, and I swirled my head to them, watching the people run around to save themselves as shots were continuously fired."Ava!" Aunt Mary yelled from amidst the crowd, running toward me. I couldn't get my muscles to move as I watched her helplessly close the distance between us. She was so close, and then—Another deafening shot echoed
Miguel's POVThirty minutes earlier~"Bastardo!" I roared as my anger aggravated, "Who did you sell her to?" I asked, clenching my jaw tightly. I was unnerved.Niko shrunk on the ground, trembling with fright. He was looking paler by the minute. He had lost too much blood already, and the rug was clearly soaked but I cared less."Sophia," he mumbled weakly. "She plans to sell her at the auction tonight."I glanced at my watch, then back at him, "What time is the auction?"His eyes darted around the room for a clock, and then he replied, "It starts in thirty minutes. I think you still have a chance."I smirked, walking over to where he was and I leaned toward him. "You better hope I do. If I lose her, then consider yourself dead meat," I said, straightening up, and walking up to Perez."I'll retrieve the girl. Stay with him and don't let him leave until you get word from me to do otherwise," I ordered strictly.Perez nodded, "You got it, boss. Should I get him a doctor?" he asked, and
Ava's POV As my voice echoed in the room, he made a slow turn and faced me blankly. Until now, I hadn't spoken those words out loud, and the gravity that followed those words seemed to crash all over me like waves on a beach. I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry so much until there were no tears left to shed.Tears streamed down my face, and the grief seemed to claw its way up my throat, choking me as more rolled down my face. My chest burned aggressively as the pain sliced through me like a knife. It had been hours since the incident—hours.An elongated amount of time of which I hadn't had the chance to process any of this yet. Fernando and my Aunt had died, and I hadn't had a grieving moment yet. Everything was overwhelming and so hard to believe.I still couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it, and yet here I was, "Fernando was killed at our wedding," I added in a croaked voice, and the words didn't even seem to faze him as he glared at me blankly."I know he was shot, Av
Ava's POV I heard the lock click as the door slammed shut behind him but I didn't look. I felt glued to the bed, pinned by grief and my overall situation. The sound of his receding footstep grew fainter by the second, and after a few minutes had casually swung by, there was nothing to hear but dreadful silence.It was deafening, and for a while, I just laid on the bed, staring at the white ceiling and feeling the crumbled pieces of my life collapse upon me. It was heavy. The truth of my situation was heavy as everything that had happened over the last few hours slowly dawned on me.Hot tears trickled down the sides of my face. It was warm and a bit soothing. I didn't blink. I didn't move. I just laid there, crying quietly —grieving. I replayed the shoot-out at the wedding in my head. The memory of Fernando's body taking a hit and falling to the ground flashed before my eyes.The horror of the moment seeped into me gradually —the oscillation from happiness to despair was one I wa
Miguel's POVAfter I left Ava's room, I swung by the study to see if Perez was still there with Niko. I doubted they'd still be there, considering how bad Niko's condition was when I left. He probably needed more than a doctor. Perez should have taken him to the hospital to treat his wounds by now, but who knew? Sometimes, that guy took my orders a little too seriously. I grinned, squeezing the doorknob and walking into the study.Perez was seated before my desk when I walked in, "You're back," he declared.I looked at the couch —it was still stained with blood, but Niko was gone. "The doctor said he needed a blood transfusion and admitted him to the hospital," he explained, following my gaze on the couch."That's good," I nodded and made my way to the bar, helping myself to some brandy, "Want a glass?" I quizzed, veering my head to Perez.He nodded briskly and then asked, "So, how did it go with the girl? Did you find her?"I poured him a glass and took it to him, taking my seat b