INICIAR SESIÓNXander's POV.Michael's voice was laced with mockery but there was a sharp edge to it. He was almost laughing in my face.I didn't flinch. My resolve was solid, unshakable as if the weight of my promise had forged a new strength within me. I shook my head slowly, my gaze unwavering, deadly serious.“No,” I said, my voice steady but with an intensity that could've cut through stone. I looked between them, holding their gaze. “But as I said, if she agrees to become my wife, I'm giving up everything for her and I fucking mean everything.”They held their breath, absorbing my words as the air between us thickened with tension. His wife's eyes softened just a touch but Michael's expression remained hardened, as if he was trying to process everything I had just said.I could feel the moment stretching, the weight of my declaration settling in.Iris's Pov.“I can't believe this happened. You had a conversation with my father without both of you trying to kill each other again.”I slid into t
Xander's POV.“I was wrong.” He said. “Part of my anger the other day wasn't directed at you but at your father.” His eyes flashed with something darker.What happened between these men?My stomach churned at the mention of my father. The man who had never once bothered to reach out after I was left on my deathbed. The man who likely hoped I would end up dead just like he did to my mother.“I know about everything you've been through because of him. Most of the things he put you through were unforgivable. I disagreed with him but he was the boss.” Michael said, his gaze now unwavering.His wife silently observed as Michael talked, her hand resting on her husband's shoulder, her gaze softening as if the world itself was hinged on this moment.“I know you've been trying to find your mother all these years. I knew it was futile but I didn't have the heart to tell you what truly happened to—”“I know what happened to her,” I said through gritted teeth, cutting him off. They both turned to
Xander's POV.The kiss was desperate, hungry as if she was trying to take the broken pieces of me and make them whole again. I kissed her back with everything I had, my fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer. The world around us faded, leaving only the sound of our hearts pounding together.She pulled away, breathless, her forehead resting against mine. “I'm not going anywhere.” She whispered, shaking her head. “I'm here.”She pulled away like she was afraid she would hurt me. Little did she know that the only way she could hurt me was if she left. I'd be nothing more than a shell of a man. A dead man walking. Only this woman holds that kind of power over me.I knew I didn't deserve her. That was one of the reasons I left the first time. I don't deserve a woman like Iris Paige.She was everything I'm not. Pure, kind, a touch of nature I'll never be worthy of. I felt it every time she looked at me. But hell, I'm not going anywhere this time. I'll keep her even if I don't under
Xander's POV.I frowned, struggling to piece together his cryptic words. Michael took another step closer, his gaze shifting towards the floor for a split second and when he looked back at me, something shifted in his eyes. A flash of emotion, something raw. He seemed vulnerable in a way I would never have guessed I would see him.“And the greatest thing we have in common, is her.” He said, his voice thick with something I couldn't name.I froze, my breath catching in my throat. The weight of his words hit me like a freight train. Her. He didn't need to use names. We both know who he was talking about—the woman who corrupted my thoughts, soul, and body.“You were capable of fighting back but you didn't.” He continued, his voice low, almost embarrassed. “I was too fucking blinded with anger to notice it at the time but now I do.”I stared at him, not sure how to process the words that were coming out of his mouth. I had been half-conscious when it happened, broken and bleeding. And yet
Iris's Pov.I studied Julian's side profile as his jaw tightened. It was as if something passed through his eyes. It was as if memories had settled there that he had stubbornly wanted to avoid.He exhaled, his voice low and hard. “I know that feeling too fucking well, Iris. To the point that when this person walked away, I was left carrying the fucking scars of the damage they made for life.” The coldness in his voice sent a chill down my spine.I stared at him, dumbfounded. Julian? In love? I would've never guessed that. I thought Julian shared everything with me but it seemed like I never knew him as well as I thought.Julian was always the life of the party with a smile on his face, always living life to the fullest. Even when he went on his silly adventure with Xander, we always kept in touch and he never mentioned anything about a great love. So naturally, I was stunned by his confession to say the least.He fixed his gaze on me for the first time, clenching his jaw. “That's exa
Iris's Pov.When I finally lifted my head, my eyes all swollen from crying, my father stood there with that warm look, staring at me.“How's Julian?” I asked, brushing my tears off.“He’ll be fine.” He nodded. “His ego was hurt way more than he was.”“I know he probably hates me.”“Julian adores you, Iris.” His fingers wiped away my tears, smiling. “So do I and so does your mother. We all love you and that would never change.”My mother? Yeah, right.I searched for the strength to smile back as dad rested his forehead against mine, holding my face in his hands as if he was holding his whole world. I hadn't felt this warmth from him in a long time.“I can't turn back time and undo what I've done.” He said as his eyes changed in a split second. “But I can make it up to both of you from here on out.” ~~~~The conversation with my father had gone better than I expected. I hadn't anticipated hearing those words from him nor did I expect him to take my side. In fact, I half expected him
Xander's POV. Present day.“I told you not to mess with Carlos and his gang of operations just because Julian came running to you tail between his legs for his sister, right? Didn't you say she wasn't gonna be a problem?” Angelo laughed, as the fucking dick likes to mock me. He's lucky that he's o
Chapter 9Xander's POV.Flashback.That fateful night was cold. It was probably the lowest temperature we'd ever experienced in our little town in New York and the winter showed no sign of letting up, promising to get even colder.Outside, the streets were empty with no trace of a living soul that
Iris's Pov.“Xander.” Horace's voice echoed through the space again.“I believe we had a deal?” He raised a glass to his lips when Xander turned to look at him. “You already have the girl, so what's taking so long? Julian practically offered her on a silver platter, more than that useless son of a
Iris's Pov.His eyes were holding an open invitation and the way he was scratching his beard with his eyes on me suddenly made swallowing and breathing impossible. The room was not big enough in his presence, not when he was looking at me the way he was now.In my twisted and sick mind, I was actua







