MEL POV“You have to move faster, Mel. We can’t let them catch us.” A voice in the dark yells to me. “Let’s go.”“I’m tired.” My little mouth cries out. “It hurts.” My little leg was tired and I’m struggling to drag myself through the field. “Mel.” The voice yells out again. “Wait.’ I stretch my hands out into the dark empty space but no one was there. “I can’t –Ahhhhhhhh!’ I scream while tumbling down and rolling in the mud.“Melllll!” The voice screamed. My eyes shoot open.I sit up, cross my legs and drag the bed covers up to my chin, shaking.“It’s a night mare. Mel.” I mumble to myself, while taking deep breathsBut this is different. Totally different. I look beside me. The space is empty and cold. Rio didn’t sleep here. I had gone to bed early, so I didn’t know if he came back after storming out yesterday morning.The clock on the bedside table says it is 5.20 am. That explains the “Amazing grace’ hymn blaring from the chapel.“Ugh.” I groan. It also means it was too early
MEL POV“Crazy running into you, especially this far from your new home.” Jack moves closer and I back up, bumping into a display of lipsticks.“Are you following me?” I murmur, looking around for Nick.“Nah. I work here.” He laughs. “C’mon little sis. Lighten up. Can’t big brother say hi.”“Hi. Now get out of my face.” I shift to move past him, but he grabs my arm.“Don’t touch me.” I shout at him.“Hey, hey, hey. Shhhh.” He lets go. “No need to raise your voice and draw attention. I just want to talk.”“I have nothing to say to you. Get lost.”“Mel, don’t be difficult.” His voice softens. “At least let me explain my side. Please, for old time’s sake.”Why exactly I am still standing with him, I don’t know, but the next words out of my mouth shock me. “Fine, say what you want to say.”“Can we go sit somewhere?” He begs.“As if I would willingly go anywhere with you.” I scoff. “If you can’t spit it out here, then good bye.”“You were always so stubborn. Nice to see marrying that man h
RIO POVI stroll into the company’s cafeteria in the afternoon after spending the night drinking at a bar with some associates and the morning, sleeping at my townhouse. Dante had called to check on me and I had told him of my plans for today.I am not sure if he was trying to be a good brother or its because he loves chaos, but he had been excited to listen.“Afternoon, Ignacio.” I greet the man at the counter.“Good afternoon, Mr. Rio. What would you like today?” He points to the menu. “Some pasta or pizza. Good for the soul.”“They sound good, but a cup of coffee would do.” It is a big day today and I need a clear head.“No sugar?” He asks and I nod. “Okay, Mr. Rio. Coming right up.”“Thanks.” I smile when he slides a piping hot cup in front of me. I grab my coffee and walk to an empty stool at the end of the counter, deciding to lounge around till 3pm when the meeting would begin.“I wasn’t sure you would make it today.” Andre slides into the stool next to me. He gestures to Ignac
MEL POV“Wake up, senorita. We are home.” Nick shakes me awake as we drive through the estate gate. We had gone on more errands that took up the whole day, so I was sleeping when we finally got back at night time.“I’m sure all you need is one of Nonna’s soups.” He says, while putting the car in park. I get down from the truck, without answering.What I need is for Jack to drop dead. Nick gets down too, but turns around to stop me before I go in the house.“I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the trip, Miss Mel. Please forgive me. Nonna would be so angry if she finds out I made you mad.” He pleads. I look up at him and feel bad when I see his teary eyes.There you go again, Jack. Making me the monster.I take his hands in mine. “It wasn’t your fault, Nick dear. I just met someone that pissed me off.”“Who was it? I could have scared him off.”I laugh at the thought. Nick is anything but scary. “I’m sure you would have. And don’t worry I won’t tell Mama Agness about anything, okay?” He shakes
RIO POVThe joy I feel from my little victory at the company today is nothing compared to how I feel now.Mel curled up in my hands. Soft. Warm. Naked.I lay her on the bed, and she immediately spreads her legs.“Relax, darling Mel.” I murmur as my eyes devour the sight of her body. “We have all the time in the world.”I take of the rest of my clothes. Mel gasps when she sees my erection through my tight briefs and I decide to leave it on for now.If not, all this would be over before it even starts and I intend to take my time with her.I climb on the bed behind her and pull her against me, groaning when her butt rubs against my cock and settles firmly on itI place a kiss on her neck and she bends, giving me more access to explore. I smile, biting down on her as she squirms, her lovely breast jiggling.My cock twitches in response.I use one hand to trail slowly down her side. “Darling Mel.”“Hmm.” She moans, eyes closed.“Show me where you want my hands.” I bit on her ear and drop
MEL POVThe gasp of shock from Mama Agness scares me more than Dante’s words.“Me?” I look up from Nick’s shivering body to Dante’s smiling face. “It’s meant for me?”“So, it says.” Dante answers. “Let me just say this, welcome to the Mafia life.” He winks at me.“Don’t be ridiculous.” Rio snatches the paper from him, a frown creasing his forehead as he reads through its contents. “Well, I’ll be damned.” He murmurs.“Rio…” I whisper, but he doesn’t look at me.“Is someone going to read what it says out?” Reign asks.Rio hands him the open letter and slumps on a nearby sofa.“‘It wasn’t meant to be like this.’” Reign reads aloud. “‘You should have stayed away.’” He looks up from the paper. “This does not necessary mean it’s for her. It could be for anyone.”“You really should consider getting those glasses, Dad.” Dante baits him, taking a seat next to Rio.“Is this the time for jokes, Dante?” Mama Agness scolds him.“He clearly can’t see without it.” He returns.“Read the bottom left,
RIO POVI watch as Mel runs to the elevator as if being chased by something or someone, and I can’t help but feel like she knows a lot more than she is letting off.“My precious.” Dante mimics the endearment on the letter. “Sounds so cliche and just… wrong.”I turn my attention to him. “Why?”“I would have assumed this was the work was one of your many jilted and heartbroken ladies, but that my precious is throwing me off that idea.”“Heartbroken ladies?” I repeat.“Cmon. We all saw the way that pretty doctor behaved when she noticed Mel was your wife. Bitch wanted to pluck her eyes out.”“Ignore him.” Father says, with his expression bleak. “What are we going to do about this, Rio?”“Nothing.” The word echoes in the room as they both stay still, staring at me.“No-nothing! You are going to do nothing!” Father yells. “Your wife was just threatened and you are going to do nothing?”“I’m going with Dante on this, Father.” I respond calmly. “I’m sure this was just a silly prank meant to
MEL POV“I didn’t realize how much I would miss Nonna’s nagging in the morning.” Dante whines. “I have gotten so used to her voice that this feels different, doesn’t it, Mel?”“Huh?” I murmur, startled by the fact that he called my name, instead of something annoying.“It’s weird not having Nonna for breakfast, right?”“Yes, it is.” I say shyly and shift in my seat.He was right, but Nonna being away isn’t the only weird thing about this morning.Mr. Reign has been sending me little sorrow filled glances since I joined them for breakfast, and Dante has been acting… nice.As for Rio, he is missing in action as usual. I haven’t seen him since I woke up. At least one thing was normal.“The hospital called earlier.” Reign announces, not looking up from his plate. “Nick is doing fine. He is even wanting to come home today. But Agness insists he stays a day more.”“He must be pissed.” I grin, imagining how frustrated Nick must be feeling now. “Maybe I could drop by and see them. I even pic
MEL POV“So, my mother was cheating on her husband?”“I am not trying to justify her actions.” Sister Mary murmurs. “But she was young and naïve. First getting married for money and then falling for the first man who showed some kindness after years of abuse from her marriage. The world dealt her a hard blow.”“Still, she made her choice.” I recall Mrs. Park remarks. If this dumb Ava was my mother, then I am nothing like her. Not really.“Yes, she did.” Sister nods, solemnly. “Anyways after that day, she moved into one of the spare rooms in the church, waiting for the love of her life.”“He didn’t come back, did he? My real father?”“No. I had feared that was going to happen. That he had completely fooled her and taken advantage of her innocence. She would write letters to the address that he gave her but no response. Days turned into weeks turned into months but poor Ava still held faith that he will come for her. She held that faith even after she gave birth to you.” Sister Mary smi
SISTER MARY POVFLASH BACK.“Oh, my dear Sister Mary.” Ava runs to me after the end of service and hugs me. “I have missed you so much.”“I have missed you, dear Ava.” I hug her tight. “It’s been so long. You just vanished. I thought I would never see this pretty smile again.”“I am so sorry, sister. I have been… living.” She laughs.“I can see that. You are have grown but you look so vibrant just like the old Ava I know. It seems being married suits you well. Are you alone?” I look around for the usual pair of watchful eyes, but there was none. “You didn’t come with your husband today?”“No. He is away on a business trip. That is the reason I was able to come here today.”“I heard he wants you to focus on being a good house wife.”“No, sister.” Ava pulls me into my office and locks the door. “He is evil and wicked. He beats me for no reason at all and locks me up in my room for days. I can’t stand it anymore. Look,” She lifts up her sleeves to show scars on her arms, and all over her
MEL POV“What could they be talking about in there?” Angie murmurs, while putting her ear on the door’s peephole, so she could listen to the whispering happening outside the door.“Will you just relax?” I pull her away from the door. “At this rate, you will get us kicked out of here. You should be grateful that Sister Mary told us to wait for her in this office.”“It is called being polite. Nuns are trained to be that way.” She frowns. “But I don’t think Sister Martha attended those lessons. You see the way she just turned on us like we were evil spirit she was trying to cast away. She was all smiling faces and kisses and within a twinkle of the eye, she was so eager to make us leave.”“I noticed it too.” I nod. “And it was after she saw my name and Mrs. Park’s name on the computer.”“Exactly.” Angie yelps. “For a second, I thought she had seen the devil or something. I tell you, something fishy is going on in this place.”“Shh.” I reach over to cover her mouth. “I think they are comi
RIO POVAfter a round of drinks with some of the board members to celebrate my election into the CEO position, I am in great need of some peace and quiet. Drinking during the day is not really my strong suit.So, coming back to find Mr. Jim lurking around my office door is not a pleasing sight. I tiptoe to his back and whisper softly. “Are you looking for someone?”He jumps up like a scared cat. “Oh, Mr. Rio. You startled me.”“What are you doing?”“I wanted to have a word with you, but your secretary is not on seat. So, I was contemplating knocking to know if you were in.”“I am now.” I open the door and step back from him. “Please come in, and take a seat.”“Thank you.” He steps in and I follow him, closing the door behind me. “So which office are you going to occupy? Your father’s office or your mother’s old one?” He says, looking around my office.“I haven’t decided. Drink?” I ask, taking out a bottle of whiskey and a glass.“Sure. Your father’s office will be the better choice
MEL POV“You are awfully quiet.” Angie says, the car glides through the light traffic on the way back home.“I have nothing to say.”“I don’t blame you. After a kiss like that, gurl, I will be speechless too.”“It wasn’t like that.” My cheeks turn red as I remember how Rio had taken over the kiss.“Like what?” Angie asks“I was feeling emotional, okay. Mrs. Park was being…” I hesitate, not sure how to describe the things she had said.“I don’t get why you put up with that old witch. She has always been a nut case.” Angie frowns. “I’m sorry he is dead and all, but she and her son are the same. Always blaming others for their misfortunes.”“You can’t blame her though. She is a mother.”“Hmm, if that is what motherhood is. I don’t want it.” Angie snorts. “Thank God, she isn’t your real mother. Imagine having to grow to be just like her. That would have been a crime on its own.”The wretched woman who…” Mr. Park hadn’t finished the statement, but I know what she wanted to say. The wretch
RIO POVMel’s soft lips on mine is not something I would have ever imagined would happen today, but I am definitely not complaining.I know she is grieving and this wasn’t exactly the appropriate place, but as her tongue slips into my mouth, it didn’t really matter.I mold her body closer to mine and take the one thing I have been craving for, rolling my tongue with hers and swallowing her soft moans, wishing with all my might that we could somehow teleport to my room so I can take this a lot further.“Excuse me.”I have never wanted to kill someone so much, when Mel quickly pulls away due to the interruption. I turn around, ready to rain hell on the intruder.“What the … Oh, Angie.”“Sorry.” She is trying hard to hold in her laughter. “I didn’t know you guys were still here. I heard about your altercation with Mrs. Park and came to check on Mel. Are you alright, baby?” She rubs her hand on Mel’s back. “You shouldn’t have come. I wish I was there to give her a piece of my mind.” She s
MEL POVThe choir were already singing their lungs out, when I and Rio walked into the cramped chapel that has served this tiny community for years. A coffin was placed in front of the congregation with Jack’s picture in front.“Just stay quiet and try to blend in.” I whisper to Rio as we were led to sit in the back by an usher.“I don’t think that is possible.” Rio whispers back, pointing out the few eyes that were focused on us. “I can’t remember the last time I have been in a church.”“I do.” I answer absently, straining my eyes to see if I pick out the Parks in the front. “The day we got married.”“So, you still remember the day we got married?’”“Shut it.” I scold him as the priest walks onto the pulpit. “The service is starting.”“Dearly beloved,” The Priest starts. “We are gathered today on this Monday morning to support one of our very own. A pinnacle of strength in our chapel, Mrs. Park as she mourns the death of her child, Jack Park. A young promising life that was cut short
MEL POVRio drops Angie off at the café since she refused to stay at home by herself, and by the time we got home, it was almost dark. Immediately we walk through the door, Nonna wraps me in her warm embrace, while everyone else were seated in living room, watching.“I am so sorry for your loss, Senorita.” Nicks says, breaking the silence.I manage a faint smile. “I am going to lay down a little. My head hurts.” I murmur, pulling away from Nonna.“Of course.” She responds and holds me tighter. “I will take you up and get a soothing bath running for you.” “I think she can handle it by herself.” Rio pulls Nonna away from me.“I can.” I smile again, glad that he noticed. “Good night, everyone.”“Call, if you need anything.” Nonna yells after me.What I need is for hands of the clock to turn back to yesterday, but even Nonna can’t give me that.*******The next morning, Nonna walks into my room dressed in a long black dress, with a full tray in hand and another black dress in the other.
MEL POVIt wasn’t true. Please God, don’t let it be true.Those were the words I kept mumbling untill Rio and I finally reached the hospital. I ran through the front doors and almost down the hall before Rio manages to grab my arm.“We don’t even know what room he is or if he is still here.” He nods to the direction of the receptionist. “So, let’s ask, okay?”“Okay.” I nod and calmy follow his lead.“Hello.” Rio waves at the nurses behind the counter. “We would like to ask about a Jack Park. He was brought in this morning.”“Jack Park. I know that name.” One of the nurse murmurs. “Yes, that man who was rushed into ER earlier before…” She pauses and looks at Rio and I. “I’m sorry, his family has asked for us to not share his information out.”“What?” I blurt. “I am his family.” Before I could scream at the poor nurse, I hear Angie calling my name from down the hallway.“Oh, Mel.” She rushes to arms and hugs me tight. “Mel, it was horrible.”“What is going on, Angie?“They-they found hi