MasukAIDEN‘There’s more to life than revenge, hatred, violence.’ Indeed. Little things like lying beside Avery, knowing she actually cares—loves me, make it even better. Maybe I was becoming the version of a man I considered weak. Still, with this weakness comes a renewed thirst for revenge—protection.Memories of the peaceful hangout that turned into a disaster flashed in my mind. Shaking it off, I gently got out of bed, taking in the beautiful sight of Avery's lovely face. Her long lashes rested softly on her cheeks. A soft smile appeared on her luscious lips and quickly disappeared, replaced by a frown.“I love you.” Her voice was a breathy whisper.“Avery?” I called softly.She didn’t stir; her eyes didn’t flutter. She was asleep. I wondered what she was dreaming about. Hopefully, something good… involving me.Reaching forward to touch her, I thought better of it. I stepped into the bathroom for a cold shower, something to ease the tension in my bones and, well, my boner.Taking the so
AveryThe room was bright with lights, decorated like a ceremony for celestial beings. I smiled, staring up at my handsome groom dressed in white—strange, I had never seen him in such a bright color. His perfectly sculpted face was even more handsome, and it glowed radiantly.The priest asked the questions. Aiden smiled some more. “I do.” Sliding the cold gold ring onto my ring finger, he murmured, “I love you, Avery.”My heart leaped for joy.Suddenly, Aiden frowned.“Avery!” he screamed.The voice was distant, yet he was so close to me. Everything began to fall apart. The decorations—everything! Aiden seemed to be slowly disappearing into thin air.Suddenly, it all went dark as Aiden screamed my name. Tears streamed down my face. Do I not deserve anything good? I wondered.The sound of the door being slammed snapped me back into reality.“Avery!” Aiden's voice was so loud it could hurt the ears of the deaf. Surprisingly, Sydney didn’t flinch—not a stare, nothing.“Aiden—” the words
AidenTightening my fingers on the steering wheel, I wondered what awaited. One thing was certain: I was not going to fail, not when I had so much to lose.I had taken the sports car, deciding to drive myself while the others followed behind me. My phone buzzed, the caller ID reading: “Aunt Rosa.”I hesitated, half expecting something horrid. Right after she'd called earlier, the call had cut off, and then I had gotten another call from her number.“The cabin where you took the lives of my men… You know what to do. Or you can say goodbye to your darling aunt.”His snicker lived rent-free in my head, and his words kept replaying over and over.Slowly, I stretched my hand forward to tap the answer icon.“What the fuck, Aiden!” Rosa's voice buzzed from the other end. “Are you trying to call me to glory or what? Who died? Because it better be something that important for you to be blowing up my phone!”Confusion and relief washed over me.“Aunt, you're not safe.”That was all I could
AveryBeads of perspiration formed on Sydney's forehead; she kept fidgeting, twisting her fingers. Turning slowly to scan the room, her eyes fixed on the door.“Promise me you won't tell anyone,” she whispered, a plea in her eyes as her brows furrowed.“I won't, I promise,” I whispered softly.“I'm pregnant.”It wasn't a surprise, since I already suspected that. She swallowed an invisible lump, closed her eyes, and took deep breaths.“Congratulations… or do you not want it?”I couldn't understand why she was acting so worried and afraid of being heard. I mean, it was her child, her choice. She wasn't a baby.“It's not that. In fact, I do want this baby.”“Then what is it?”Her eyes lowered, fixed on her intertwined fingers.“Does the father not want it?”“It's Stephan's child,” she said breathily, her voice a little shaky.My eyes widened in surprise. How did I miss this?“No way!” I gasped, smiling from ear to ear. “Wait, he doesn't want to have the baby?”My voice was a little
Avery's POV The look on Aiden's face was both scary and confusing. It looked like he was pissed but there was an undeniable look of guilt in his eyes. I had to say something— apologize now before the tension thickens and causes a rift in this Haven I'd finally found these past few days. Aiden was no longer someone whose attitude frightened me or angered me. Instead he was like my safe haven, I felt safe in the way I never felt back home with my family and I wanted it to remain that way. “Aiden, I'm sorry I—” My throat tightened, I just couldn't come with the right words, the words I so desperately needed as I stared at his retreating back. He stopped, his rich deep voice interrupted me. “You don't have to apologize—” I couldn't tell what he was about to say because he got a call. “Rosa?” There was a pause, I couldn't quite grasp what she said on the other end. “Fuck! You scared the fuck out of me. Where are you?” I could hear relief in his voice. Thank goodness she was safe.
Aiden's POV I've never felt as dumb as I felt the moment Avery told me the pain she felt was normal during pregnancy, in between chuckles. The beautiful spark in her eyes as she laughed, made me smile as well. “Oh… I see.” I murmured in understanding and confusion, a weird combination of contrasting emotion. I made a mental note to do some research on pregnancy and maybe read a book or two so I'll understand this better and know how best to care for her. When I stared at her again, there was something in her eyes, longing, maybe I was projecting. I wanted her and I wanted her to want me as well. My eyes lingered on her lips, those soft, plum, beautifully shaped lips in the pinkest shades. I found myself leaning closer until our lips met, a slow passionate kiss with the promise of a lot more. Avery slipped her hand under my shirt, caressing my skin, sending chills down my spine. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her. I was going to let us both get what we want but then,
AIDEN'S POV My innocent bride has no idea what I have planned for her tonight. I'll let her be for now. Spending some time with the Cartel wouldn't hurt; it's a great way to pass the time. "Boss, you just got married. Shouldn't you be busy with your bride?" "You called me 'Boss,' which means you
AIDEN'S POV "Did you get info on their location?" "No, boss," Stephan replied, his tone laced with heavy disappointment. "What exactly do I pay you for?" "I'm sorry, Boss." "Are you sure you actually tortured the man, or do I need to go down there and handle it myself?" "We broke him, Boss, bu
AIDEN'S POV "Boss! What's wrong?" Stephan rushed to my side, deep concern etched into his features. I had drifted off once more, my body fighting the residual toxins. "Lana... She—" I choked on the words, unable to form a coherent sentence. "Make sure she never steps foot into this house ever agai
AIDEN'S POV I woke up with a pounding hangover. I had fallen asleep right there in the home bar, and as the haze cleared, memories of last night came flooding back. *Avery...* I could still hear how heart-wrenching her sob had been. I hadn't been able to go after her or soothe her, because the brut







