Chapter 34 Part 2Grace PriestPOVMy eyes move around the room in excitement, I turn to Rowan who plugs his phone in the charger by the bed."You're sleeping in here with me?" I ask Rowan.He nods. "We're a married couple Grace it would be weird if we weren't sleeping together in the same room." he explains.I nod before turning my back to him and walking over to the sliding door. My hands pressed against the door as I looked out. When I see the stunning view. My mouth falls open. I couldnโt believe how stunning everything looks from here."Rowan this is amazing did you see the view?" I ask turning to him.I jump when I realize he is standing right behind me. I didn't expect him to be this close.He smiles. "You are really something else Grace other women wouldn't care about the view if there were here with me." he comments before walking away from me into the bathroom before I even got a chance to say something.We arrived at this hotel mere minutes ago and the rest of our party wen
Chapter 35Hannah SmithPOVThe news stations couldnโt stop talking about how the Priest couple created Instagram accounts to show off their vacation together.Paris the city of loveโฆPictures of them with an older couple. Pictures of Grace sleeping on Rowanโs chest he fucking captioned it.@Priest_Ro Payback little GracieWith a fucking wink emoji, the man didnโt even know how to use emojiโs, but he learnt for her. For that peasant!The other pictures of them together were so fucking loving it was nauseating. It was stomach turning. Iโd love nothing more than to bullet in her head. Going to Disney land? Rowan Priest wouldnโt be seen dead in a place like that. She must be blackmailing him. There is no other reason heโd agree to go there. Itโs almost hilarious how much of an act sheโs putting on. I want nothing more than to kill her. She stole my man. She fucking stole Rowan Priest from me.And sheโs going to pay for it.===============One month later.Grace PriestPOVThe last mont
Chapter 36 Rowan Priest POV Sitting in my office waiting to hear back from Missy. Today was Graceโs first day of classes. I feel like a concerned father. I hope sheโs made at least one friend. I didnโt expect sheโd want me to walk her to class. I expected her to want to walk alone so she could separate her home life from her school life. I didnโt expect her to be that scared and nervous for classes to begin. Sheโs been so excited for months and now sheโs scared of classes? "Ro Honey why donโt we have lunch together?โ my mother asks walking into my office. I didnโt even hear her walk in... I stand nodding. One doesnโt say no to Sandra Priest. Plus, Iโm not getting any work done because Iโm worried about Grace. Once we get into the hall my mother pauses. โDo you think anyone would cause trouble for Grace at the school? I had to stop your father from going to check on herโฆโ my mother asks. I stop dead in my track and look at her in shock. "Dad going over there would cause more pro
Chapter 37 Grace PriestPOVโDid you listen to the song I sent you this morning?โ Amara asks as soon as she sat down beside me.I nod with a bright smile. โYes, I listened to it while I was brushing my teeth. Rowan wasnโt very happy with me. He was trying to speak to me, but I couldnโt hear him.โ I pout.Rowan was on edge this morning, everything worked on his nerves.โDid you like it?โ Amara asks.I nod. She sent me Ariana Grande โ Everyday.I really liked it. I donโt always like the songs she sends but I did like this one.Amara leans forward, her elbow resting on the desk. Her chin resting in her hand. โTell about your mom?โ she asks.โMy mother?โ I ask, taken aback by the sudden subject change.She nods.โMy mom, Melissaโฆโ her name tastes as bitter on my lips. โThereโs not much to know about her. Sheโs into the bad things. I donโt like talking about her actuallyโฆโ itโs the first time Iโve ever refused to tell Amara something. But talking about Melissa upsets me. Rowan told me if
Chapter 38 Third Person POV โWhat have you planned for Halloween?โ Andre asks Rowan as they sit in one of the rooms in the warehouse. Rowan shrugs his shoulders, he never cared for Halloween. โNothing. I still have to go to work.โ He watches their men unload a van from the screen in front of them. He nods, โWhat is Grace doing for Halloween?โ he asks. Rowanโs head snaps toward Andre. โWhat?โ I ask. โWell, sheโs a college girl now, what if her friend drags her to a party for Halloween? You remember college right there were parties everywhere on Halloween.โ Andre reminds Rowan. Rowan distracted looks at Andre not knowing what to say. If Grace wanted to go to a party, he would let her as long as she returned safely. He knew she wouldnโt want to go though; she didnโt do well around loud music or large crowds. Not yet. He was rooting for her though, one day sheโd be able to stand in front of a crowd without fear. He wasnโt going to rush her though. โIt arrived.โ Andre says pointing
Chapter 39Damian PriestPOVOn my tenth birthday my father told me, I had to make sure I acted differently from my brother in public. We needed to be distinctive. Even though we were identical twins my parents never dressed us the same. My brother was older by a couple of minutes and for that he was crowned King. Rowan grew up with a lot of responsibility whereas I was treated as secondary. Rowan shouldered everyoneโs burdens whether it was because he cared or out of duty heโd always be there when you needed him.Why am I thinking about that now? While my brother was in surgery? I knew what it meant for my futureโฆ My father would have me replace my brother in meetings, travelling in front of the media.My father and mother walks in hand in hand. He looks at me. My mother runs to me. I hug her.โAny word yet?โ My mother asks.I shake my head.Andre is sitting not far away. His head in his hands.โRossi.โ My father calls out to him.Andre stands up straight. His hair was a mess, blood
Chapter 40 โ Nightmare Rowanโs dreamโฆ โAngie, Iโm telling you donโt do thisโฆโ I sigh raking my fingers through my hair. I was so frustrated having the same argument over and over again. Angie rolls her eyes. โYou canโt stop love and sheโs in love. Why would you stand in her way. I thought you loved her. you sure as hell donโt seem like it now.โ โOf course, I love her. It doesnโt make what sheโs doing right. Stay away from here Angie.โ I warn her. Angie shakes her head before storming out of the house. Frustrated with my wife I storm toward the gym. I was going to work out all of this pent-up anger I have building within me. Iโm set to take over from my father in just a few years, yet no one trusts me to do a good job. They say Iโm too soft for this business. Yet Iโd killed a rat when I was just ten years old like they wanted. Iโd passed all the tests they set out in front of me, yet I was too fucking soft because I allowed Angie to speak back to me at the meeting last mont
Chapter 41One week laterDamien PriestPOVLeaning sideways my head resting on my fists, listening to the directors report a bunch of bull. To be honest I have no idea how my big brother listens to any of this shit. It sounds like they are talking out of their asses half the time.I look at Rayna beside me. She meets my eye and nods.โMr. Reyes what are the projected sales for the plan?โ she asks.He looks startled. He looks at us wide eyedโฆ โMr. Priestโฆ My team is working onโฆโRayna cuts him off. โYou presented us an incomplete proposal?โ She asks.He stutters.I shake my head getting up. I tie the two buttons on my suit jacket. I leave the room.The only reason I havenโt said a word during the meeting is. Because my voice is deeper than Rowanโs and I havenโt gotten Rowanโs voice down perfectly yet.โThatโs went wellโฆโ Rayna says.I roll my eyes. โWanna get naked in my office?โ I wink at her.She looks over at me and pulls a face. โFuck itโs creepy fucking someone with my bossesโ fa
EpilogueFive years laterSofia PopovPOVAlex turns me around roughly he glares at my jumpsuit. โWhat fuck is this? Why wonโt the dress go over your hips.โ he growls.I bite my lips to stop myself from laughing. โItโs called a jumpsuit. It doesnโt go up your hips, itโs not a dress.โ I tell him.โWhat the fuck is a jumpsuit? Why would Sasha let you something so ridiculous?โ he asks.Before I could say anything, I felt him rip the jumpsuit right off me.I stare at the fabric laying at my feet in shock.My eyes move up to my husband.He smiles innocently. He shrugs his shoulders. โI couldnโt get it off you and we donโt have much time before Sashaโs and the kids come looking for you.โ He wasnโt joking.Today was Sashaโs wedding day and we were supposed to be downstairs at the reception, but Alexsei wanted some time alone away from everyone.Me being pregnant with our fourth child we barely have any time to ourselves anymore. Ellieโs nearly ten now and the twins Shasha and Dasha are three
Chapter 53Damien PriestPOVA few minutes ago, when my daughter was born, I watched her laying on her motherโs chest. Sheโs got a head full of dark hair similar to mine."Would you like to hold her?" Amara asks.I nod."Whereโs the baby bag?โ Amara asks.My eyes widen. โIn the carโฆโ I forgot to bring it in with us.I take Sutton from Amara and hold her in my arms. Sheโs so tiny.โHello Sutton, itโs your fatherโฆโ her little fingers form fists. sheโs so fucking cute. Iโve never seen a prettier baby.โWhy donโt we run a few tests and have little Sutton cleaned and weโll have her back to you before you know it.โ the nurse suggests.I nod handing her over to the nurse.I kiss Amaraโs forehead. โYou did great mommaโฆโ When I woke up this morning, I didnโt expect the day to end holding my baby in my arms.What I didnโt expect either was my wife being a fucking trooper through it all. I thought sheโd be biting my head off cursing me out. She fucking took the pain I wouldnโt have known she was
Chapter 51{Three months later} Amara PriestPOV Iโm sick of this. Iโm so fucking sick and tired of this shit!!!!Iโm so done with all of this pregnancy shit. Iโve been pregnant forever now. Iโve been pregnant for almost a fucking year.This little shit wonโt get out. Weโve tried everything, spicy food, walking, sex we have sex almost five times a day and she still refuses to leave my damn body.If I could evict her I would. Damienโs been walking on eggshells around me because every time I so much as look at him I want to throw something at his fucking head! He put me in this situation in the first place.For the last month Iโve been to the hospital almost every week. Iโve been having those damn fake contractions. They donโt feel fucking fake to me though.Sutton is our rainbow baby; Damien and Iโve gone to therapy and had every hospital check up possible. We made sure she was healthy. Fear grips us no matter what we do.The longer sheโs in here the more I worry. On the one side I w
Chapter 50Sofia PopovPOV"Ladies and Gentlemen please help me in giving a round of applause for Mr. and Mrs. Popovโฆ" The MCโs voice boomed throughout the ballroom.My brothers were very generous when it came to todayโs proceedings, Damien paid for the bridesmaid dresses, Rowan opened up his house for us for today.Growing up my brothers and I werenโt close, they had responsibilities they needed to take care of, I had to learn how to take care of a family while they learnt how to protect their own.Alex and I walk into the hall hand in hand. He squeezes my hand as we approach the table with my grandmother and some of my friends from Ireland.Ellie rushes off to her friend. They flew out to America thankfully. Everything happened so suddenly Ellie couldnโt even say goodbye.โHello everyone.โ I greet them. They stand. Wendy Moiraโs mom hg me first. I introduce her and her husband Henri. All five of their kids were in attendance. Addis, Adeline, William, Rush, and Moira. Addis and Adeli
Chapter 49 โ The WeddingTWO MONTHS LATERAlexsei PopovPOVToday was one of the biggest days of my life. Today I change the last name of the woman I plan to spend the rest of my life with. Sofia stayed over at her parentโs house last night while I stayed over at Sashaโs new apartment.My sister got her own apartment so I could get the house we were staying in, she said it was the perfect home for a family and she didnโt want to get in the way of our family time. I thought it would be better if she stayed with us, but she didnโt feel the same way.I stand at the end of the aisle, watching Sofiaโs brothers stand with their wives. Amara was seconds away from popping.I had no idea how far along she was, but she looked ready to pop. Not that I know much about womenโs bodies and how they work.A slap on my back brings me out of my thoughts. I turn to see Sasha.Wearing a teal blue dress.โWhat are you doing out here? Youโre supposed to be with Sofiaโฆโ I remind her.She rolls her eyes. โTh
Chapter 48 โ the dress part 2After everyone told Randy which dresses would look good on me.Randy asks me. "Please this way."He leads me to the dressing room. A woman is waiting for us when we walk in. โThis is Samantha, sheโll help you into the dresses and have it fitted to you.โ He introduces her.I nod. We talk a little more. After that he goes off to check out dresses.I am told to change into a robe and to wait for him.When Randy returns, he has a huge bag in his arms.โI want you to try this one on. Your father picked this one outโฆโ he tells me.He walks back out.Samantha unzips the bag and I gasp out. The dress was stunning huge but stunning.An A line dress, it looked like a ballgown dress. It was white the material looked like mesh with lace appliques. The top was a boat neck, and the sleeves were off the shoulder.Samantha helps me into the dress, and it fits perfectly. It fit me so well. Tears well up in my eyes just looking at the dress on me.โIt looks so good on you.
Chapter 47 โ The dressSofia Boyle - PriestPOVToday is one of the best days of my life and the day hasnโt even started yet. Today is my wedding dress appointment.Today Iโm getting one step closer to walking down the aisle.I have no idea what the men are getting up today, but Alex said Rowan and Damien asked to see him. Iโm also well aware of the fact that if they didnโt, he would find a way to sneak into my appointment. He hates leaving me alone, even when weโre with family.He's constantly looking over his shoulder making sure Ellie and I are okay.Ellie will be joining us at my appointment today, sheโs just as excited to pick out her own dress.All the women are joining. My mom, Amara, Grace, Sasha, Mia, Rayna and Ellie"What are you doing up so early?" Damien asks walking into the kitchen."I couldnโt sleepโฆ" I say taking a sip of my coffee.He smiles he leans against the cabinet crossing his arms and legs.โWhat?โ I ask.He shakes his head. โJust I never thought the day would
Chapter 46Four months laterDamien PriestPOVWeโre at a studio getting Amara and my pregnancy photoshoot.Sheโs only six months pregnant. But thereโs are for our baby shower, Amara has this whole plan for the baby shower, sheโs been planning it since she found out weโre pregnant again.This being our rainbow baby, Amaraโs been extra cautious. Sheโs handed the reigns over to me. letting me take care of her.Do we still mourn the baby we lost before, yes. Sheโd insisted we get scans as soon as she found out she was pregnant. She wanted something to hold onto. We didnโt have anything for the baby we lost, no stuffed bears, no scans not a piece of clothing nothing.โIโm so excited to get this doneโฆโ Amara says with a smile. โSutton will look back at these pictures and love themโฆโ her smile bright her blue eyes shining brightly.Sutton our daughterโs name. We found out last month. We havenโt informed our family yet. Weโre doing it at our gender reveal in three weeks.Sutton Wren Priestโฆ
Chapter 45Rowan PriestPOVSitting in bed with my wife I keep thinking about how to be there for Andre and Rayna without overstepping.Andre was there for me through my darkest moments, I want to be there for him, help him.I donโt want to overstep by telling Rayna the truth. Andre helped me realize that was in love with Grace, he told me to move on with Grace and I know we wouldnโt be where we are without him.โWhatโs going on with you?โ Grace pauses her show and looks at me.I shrug my shoulders. โThis whole drama with Andre. I want to help.โ I tell her honestly. Though it wasnโt the whole story, Grace knew there were parts of my life I could never be honest about.Sheโs never held it against me. When I say Grace is an angel, Iโm not lying. She knows Iโm a terrible man, that Iโve killed people. That our empire was built on otherโs bones, yet she still finds it in her heart to love me.Sheโs not only an amazing wife but an amazing mom to the twins. I donโt know what Iโll do without