Niko POVI paced my entry room still unable to make a decision. Roberto already called informing me he found Viv and she was on her way here. In less than ten minutes I would see her again and she was going to be pissed. I didn't fear her though. I feared what her fate was going to be. A quick death or long torturous one. Fuck, I can't kill her. How can I avoid her death without starting a fight among the families?I've already shown I care for her too much. They will know I was weak to a traitor. Why the fuck did it matter anyways? I could keep her here under lock and key like before. No! She was the blood of Marcusio and Grasso. She has to die. My fucking head hurt. I needed to make a fucking decision."Nikola, stop pacing!" Paul shouted."You're giving me orders?" I got right in his face. His attitude and temper was sending mine through the roof."She will be here any minute. You need to get your head straight.""Fuck!" I shouted, then started pacing again."Just put her in a cell
Vivian POVI laid in Greg's office for at least a day. I had no concept of time anymore. I couldn't allow myself to feel anything or the hard truth would come rushing back to me."Vivian, we should move you to your room. It would be more comfortable and we can clean up better." Paul spoke softly as he moved the hair from my face. I was on my side staring aimlessly at the wall."I don't want to move." I replied in barely a whisper."I know, V. If we can just clean up a little then you can lay back down. I promise just a little bit I need you to get up."I nodded ok, slowly lifting from the bed. My body felt like lead and my core felt achy. I winced, slowly moving off the table in just an oversized tshirt Paul gave me."I got you V." Paul whispered, picking me up bridal style.He walked out the door and a swarm of men were out there. Did Niko actually think I would run in the state I was in? As Paul walked further on I noticed them all following behind us."Why are there so many guards?"
Niko POVFor days I paced my floors, wearing out a clear line in the carpet. I didn't know what to do anymore. I closed myself off for so long I'm not even sure I can be anything but a beast, like Viv calls me.I walked the halls of my house, feeling everyone's hard glare on me. The look in my men's eyes were of disgust and I felt the same way about myself. Vivian has been here for months and I did nothing but try to put her under my thumb.She is a fierce woman with a compassionate heart that I should have never tried to silence. Viv could stare a beast in the eyes and tell me to fuck off, not even thinking twice about it. She didn't deserve this. I only knew I had a child after he was gone. She knew for weeks, if not months.I caught glimpses of her laying lifeless in her bed and I couldn't think of anything to do to help. I wanted her more than anything. I wanted to comfort her, mourn our lost child together, but I had no right to her anymore. I had so many opportunities to do right
Vivian POVI woke with all the people I loved piled in my bed and it gave me a spark to try and live today. I got in the shower, letting the steam roll away my sadness but nothing took away the pain in my heart. I just felt empty and helpless. My Aunt was on my bed reading to Amy while Dominick and Sophia shamelessly flirted with each other on my couch. They were cute together. "I was thinking... maybe we could get some food." I said with a small smile. I wasn't hungry but I needed to do the normal things again, like showering and eating. For now, I would concentrate on Amy, my friends, and finding out why my father caused such chaos. I hoped it would be enough to keep me up all day, but I also knew I could come to bed and cry to my heart's content too. No one put pressure on me to be ok, or to act in a certain way. Everyone was just there for me however I needed them. So, now I needed to try for them and maybe one day I'll want to do it for myself again. "Yes, that's a great idea.
Niko POVViv's Aunt was always quietly observing her surroundings. She held a scorned face as she looked around this house, as if it held memories she didn't want to remember. I knew she was uncomfortable here. Once she said she could tell us the truth about our parents it clicked. She was Peter's sister-in-law. Of course, she knew what happened over twenty years ago.I wasn't sure I could handle this story, but I also knew I needed to hear it. Vivian needed this too. She had been lied to her whole life. As much as I hated Peter for what he did, I still prayed he wasn't the villain I knew him to be. Viv loved her father and I didn't want her image of him destroyed. She lost enough already."I would like to know the truth, or at least your version of the truth from back then." I told her aunt. "And I do care for your niece. You know a vow is unbreakable and I vowed to protect her always."I didn't dare let my eyes drift to Viv. I already knew she would scruff at my words. They meant no
Vivian POVI couldn't believe the story my aunt just told us. Her and my mother endured so much pain for no other reason than for some men to have more power. All the years of my childhood she was cold and distant with me I now understood why. I was the reason she had to keep living."I'm so sorry Aunt Kathy." I whispered as she broke down in tears. She just said how she wanted to die but stayed alive to raise me. She had no pleasure left in this world. "I want to go home to my husband and my child now." She wiped her tears and pulled away from me. "Of course. Niko has a car for you all ready. You can go anywhere you want and they will protect you this time." I looked in her eyes, trying to convey her safety. She didn't care though."I will be leaving then. Don't come back causing me more trouble child." She scolded, then turned her back to me. I should be upset how little love she expressed for me but I knew how deep it truly was."Aunt Kathy, what was my cousin's name?"She slowly
Niko POVToday felt like a never-ending saga of depression filled with guilt. Viv's Aunt's story replayed in my head over and over again. It was strange that I felt so much anger for a man I admired, still admire. My father was everything to me, yet he didn't protect the woman I love. He didn't know what Peter's child would come to mean to me, but she was still a child. An unborn child, like my son, who I failed. I clasped my father's watch to my wrist then looked away with a deep breath. I will always love and respect my father, but I won't make the same mistakes he did. Many generations ago our ancestor created these alliances not just for money and power, but for protection. No one was going to rule our families, no laws would bind us, and no government would push us down. We ran the world behind the scenes and lived a luxurious life. Overtime the greed became too much, allowing men like Grasso to have more power than he should had been allowed. Being a made-man once meant a duty
Vivian POVThe second the meeting began I could barely feel my body. I stood confidently by Niko's side truly believing he would protect me. As they discussed my father, then my own fate, it seemed surreal. Rarely did any of them glance my way. How could they so candidly discuss my life and not even bother to ask my opinion?I realized how powerful these families really were. They weren't vile humans pushing drugs and fucking whores. They were united as one to keep the children and grandchildren on top. To keep their bloodline above tyranny and above any other's rule. They were like a cult, but with more money than God. It was sickening yet alluring. So much power they held, so much good they could do.Niko spoke of my time with him and I felt his words. I never wanted to be here or with him. There were times I found happiness behind closed door with Niko, but not within this life. It wasn't all true though. I loved Sophia, Dominick, Paul, Marie, and even Gio was growing on me again. I
Michael POVThe tension from everyone around me was thick, and suffocating, but I had to ignore it. We all had our positions and if we didn't make every move exactly right we could all end up dead. Paul spent the next hour spreading whispers of betrayal, he conveyed his absolute disgust of my decisions to any that would hear. It would grab the attention of Niko's men and start a small riot within their ranks. Vinnie was the smart-ass jokester both unwaveringly loyal to me, and crazy enough to start a blood bath in my honor. Niko's men would never align with him, or trust him with a plan. But that would open the door for those disloyal within the Grasso's to take him under their wing. Amy played both sides by acting as the scared lost girl, someone tough who wanted revenge even at the cost of her life, but also someone who loved her brother dearly. She should be removed from all sides and none will be able to fully trust her. Last was Lucy, the one person in all this mess who was i
Michael POVI don't know what this woman was doing to me, but I didn't want it to stop. I needed her in a way I never needed anyone. She was always in the back of my mind, for months I found ways to single her out in my torment, but then it turned into something more, a touch, a kiss, a need. Now, since I woke from that night my whole world flipped upside down, I wanted her in a whole new way. "Help me get dressed?" I said casually as I grabbed my suit from the chair. Her dress was under mine and I couldn't wait to see her in it."Of course." Lucy jumped right up and followed me to the bathroom. I definitely didn't need help getting dressed, but I definitely needed to see her naked again."You like?" I watched her unzip the bag, revealing a sophisticated but sexy white dress. The neckline was to her collarbone, concealing those beautiful babies in her chest. I knew she didn't like revealing too much skin, and I preferred it that way too. I had enough jealousy swarming inside me with
Lucy POVThe moment I walked inside there was chaos everywhere. It seemed like hundreds of workers were renovating the house and I really just wanted some quiet. "I'll head upstairs. Maybe he won't wake until 3." I looked to Vinnie and Paul."I already sent him a text you were on your way because the dinosaur failed," Vinnie said and I closed my eyes. "Are you that afraid of him or just want us to get our asses handed to us?" I shot back at him. He was annoyingly loyal to Michael."Hey, I'm just doing my job. I don't need to get shot over this crap." Vinnie put his hands up in defense."No one is getting shot!" I yelled back, frustrated and so damn tired of this life. I half ran up the stairs, preparing my body for a fight that I didn't want to have. If I wanted to come home, I should be able to come home, and no one gets shot because of it.But the second I opened the door I froze. Michael was sound asleep in my bed, with no shirt or bandage over his long scar down his chest. I do
Lucy POV"Michael ordered you to stay in school. I can't bring you home until 3:00." Paul quickly followed behind me to the car."I don't care what Michael ordered. I'm not part of your world and he isn't my boss." I yelled back at him."Lucy!" He reprimanded me, grabbing my arm and guiding me into the car."I'm sorry." I took a deep breath. I knew of the dangers of defying Michael. Not that he would hurt me, but if others overhead. He can't look weak."Just take a moment then head back in." He tried to de-escalate my boiling tantrum. "I can't, Paul. I want to go home." A few tears slipped and the car got quiet."I know this is hard and not what you want," Paul said carefully, probably hoping not to make me cry more. "Once we weed out who is behind the attacks we can all go back to the life we want." I looked him over for a minute, sadness taking over that he too was sacrificing for Michael. "Do you miss Gio?" I asked softly."We've been by each other's side since we were kids." He
Lucy POVIt was strange being here, like it was a place I knew but didn't really remember. It wasn't too long ago that this was my norm. Monday through Friday I came to this building, gossiped, and joked with my friends. I went from class to class, worrying about nothing more than the next test or quiz.Now, it felt foreign. I didn't even remember what class I had during the fifth period. I was about to leave until I saw Zander in the hall. The second our eyes caught I felt a wave of relief. It was like my old life suddenly came rushing back to me."Hey, you came." He walked right up to me and hugged me tight in his arms. "It's been hell here without you." He admitted, squeezing me in his arms then let go. "High school was never all that much fun. I appreciate it though." I tuck my hair behind my ears, feeling a little out of place but comfortable now I found a friend."It was always better with you and..." he shrugged before finishing. "Is she here?" I looked around the halls. Ever
Amy POVAll morning my house was in an uproar. Paul fighting with Lucy to stay home, and Lucy fighting with me to go to school. I had really thought once Michael was awake we could ignore all the stupid rules and do what was needed. I knew he would need time to recover, but I didn't fully register how weak he would be. I wanted to ignore that too, but I didn't want to get my brother killed.I needed a new plan, a way to find Declan and give him the death he deserved. He killed my family, the only man I ever looked at as a father. I can't just sit here and do nothing. I can't just wait for Michael to heal and finish the job for me. I needed to act!"Why are you down here?" Dylan walked into the basement, holding a box of donuts and two coffees. "I can't just walk around school and pretend to be fine. There are threats everywhere, even here. Why do you think Paul refuses to let Lucy out of his sight?" I was pacing the floor like a caged animal. My nerves were fried and I was about to
Michael POV"Come in," I ordered."You needed me?" Paul walked in, looking unamused to be summoned."Take Lucy to school, and from now on, don't make a single order unless I approve it," I said, lying back down. A wave of exhaustion suddenly hit me."If that is what you think is best, boss." Paul had all attitude laced in his words. He was punk for a dinosaur."Do you have a problem with me becoming Capo, Paul? We can easily resolve it." I nodded to Vinnie who walked in behind him. He looked terrified and tried stepping back out the door. "Get in here!" I yelled at him.Lucy rushed out in an oversized shirt and baggy jeans. "What is happening?" She asked, looking at Paul and then Vinnie."Paul is going to take you to school and make sure you're safe. Right, Paul? You seem to like being attached to her side.""We have a meeting you called at 3:30." Paul clenched his jaw. "Unless you don't want your Second to attend. It would be a good way to make us look weak again.""Listen, Paul," V
Michael POVI was pissed I woke alone but determined to get over this whole recovery process. Two more doctors met me in the morning, neither having the solutions I wanted. "Did you get what I needed?" I asked Vinnie the second he walked into my room. "Wouldn't disobey my Capo." He mocked and threw a bag at me. "Want to bend over and I stick it in you." He chuckled.Both doctors gave me a concerned look but they could go to hell. "They are the professionals and it can go in my arm, jackass." I pulled out the bottle and ordered one of the doctors to come to me."That's not advised." He warned."Wasn't asking." I handed him the steroids and they gave each other a look. "I'll eat plenty of protein, take all my vitamins, and chug nothing other than water, but that can't be all. I need to recover faster. Steroids, facet injections, cortisol, whatever there is, I'm filling my body to the brim with it over the next three weeks. After that, I should be good with my own exercise regime to he
Michael POV"We needed to draw out the enemy outside the house." She replied, small tears slipping from her eyes."We? You aren't we. You are supposed to be in school. You will not go to another event. You will not take part in any of this..." I grunted, my hand releasing her arm, and grabbed my chest. I had her caged against the wall, but I was no threat."Michael, you should rest." Her hands came to my face, her touch so soft and gentle. "Rest?" I chuckled. "How can I rest when everyone around me has lost their minds?""I'm sorry. I was just trying to protect you." "Protect me? That's not how this works!""You can barely stand." She countered."Amy has already made it very clear that I'm weak. I don't need another lecture." I clenched my jaw, anger fading as I watched those eyes look over me. Concern, fear, maybe even love, staring at me."There's more power in my position than my body. You want to flush them out, then invite them in." I glared at her a moment, wanting to spew not