/-Maxmillian-/I watched him squirm.Eric always thought he was the smartest one in the room. So smug, so composed. Like the world revolved around his lies and his manipulations. But now? Now he looked like the scared little bastard he always was underneath the facade.I stepped out of the car first, the metallic slam of the door behind me sending a tremor down the empty lot. The warehouse loomed ahead, silent and forgotten,.just like the mess he left behind when he tried to erase her from my life.“She screamed, you know,” I said, coldly. “When your men grabbed her. She thought she was going to die. And maybe she would’ve… if I had been just a minute later.”Eric’s face twisted as he was dragged out by the driver, who was more than just a chauffeur. He was one of mine. Loyal. Dangerous. Silent.“I didn’t…” he began, but I shoved him forward.“No. Save it. You had your chance. You could’ve stayed on your side of the line. But you crossed it. Again.”The warehouse door creaked as I pul
/-Eric-/I was heading out of my company when a car suddenly blocked my way. Maxmillian stepped out and I let out a sigh. What is this insolence now?I opened the door and stepped out as well. He was raging mad. I could see the anger dancing in those fierce eyes of his. He stormed towards me and I didn't expect anything out of the ordinary until his hands connected with my face. I blinked, unable to believe it at first. Did he just hit me? It had to be my imagination right?“How dare you?!” He barked as the stink in my cheek echoed through every nerve in my body. He really laid his hand on me!“How dare you even think of abducting my wife? Do you have a death wish?” He growled, grabbing me by the collar.Well shit!This would have been a very good there to move around with armed bodyguards. “What insolence is this, Maxmillian? Do you realize I am your other brother?” I hissed. “Get your hands off me now!” He didn't seem to hear me. His anger was intensifying with each passing se
/-Melody-/Leave the Mafia huh? She must be so full of herself. To think that Maxmillian is even considering her request.Who the hell is he leaving the seat for? I would rather die than watch Eric or even Dante take over my mother's hardwork. Besides, Maxmillian already has an empire of his own. Did she seriously expect him to jsit abandon it? How selfish could she be?I needed to talk some senses into him. This woman was definitely going to be the cause of his downfall. Clearly, the bear miscarriage wasn't enough warning for her. I walked away from their door and headed to my room. There was only one person i knew was truly worthy of Maxmillian.Kesley. His ex-wife.She should be the one fighting for him now. I didn't want to believe that she just gave up and vanished after a few tries to get back with Max.I took out my phone and dialed her number. She answered almost immediately.“Kesley!” I smiled even though she couldn't see me but I was certain my voice conveyed my excitemen
/-Gianna-/It might have been a selfish request on my part but I was sick of it. All that has happened since I came back to him is war and trouble. I was sick of all of it. I needed a goddamn break!A part of me was scared of his response. The mafia was his life. It wasn't something he could just give up simply because I asked and that was terrifying because I couldn't afford to lose him.I needed him. My baby needed him. But if things keep going this way, we might end up losing our lives before we even had the chance to enjoy our love. “Gianna…” Maxmillian's voice trembled. “Do you know what you are asking me?” Yes, I did. I wouldn't have if I wasn't sure. “Being with you isn't safe, Max. No matter how much you try to protect us, one enemy will eventually outsmart you. I can't take that risk. That is why I am asking…” I scooted closer to him and took his hand. “For the sake of our child and happiness, can you leave this life behind? Go legitimate or something…”He didn't say any
/-Maxmillian-/It was empty. I had my men bring back some of the boys for questioning. I suspected Eric. He was the only one who was crazy enough to pull such a stunt right after I exposed him to the council.If he thought attacking Gianna was the ultimate move then he had another thing coming. If any of those boys by chance confirmed he was the one who attacked my wife and sister, then I was going to give him a slow painful death. I returned to the mansion to meet with Gianna and Melody. They both looked scared and traumatised and it hurt my heart to see them like this. “Are you two okay?” I asked, walking towards them. Melody ran into my arms. “I knew you would come for us but I… I was so scared. I thought we were going to die before you showed up,” she sobbed. I stroked her hair gently. “You know I would never let any harm come to you, Melody. You are my sister. I will do everything in me to always protect you,” I assured her. Gianna suddenly walked upstairs without saying a
/-Gianna-/The silence after the chaos was deafening.I could still hear the echo of the gunshot that ricocheted off the pipe, still feel the cold grip of fear that had lived in my chest for what felt like hours. But now… now I was in Maxmillan’s arms, and for the first time since the abduction, my heart began to beat in rhythm again.His scent, the familiar blend of leather and spice, wrapped around me like a shield. I didn’t want to let go. I didn’t even care that my hands were still shaking or that I had blood on my cheek that wasn’t mine.“Let’s get you out of here,” he murmured, already working to cut the ropes binding me. His fingers were gentle but fast, the dagger slick with blood as he sliced through the coarse restraints.“Wait,” I whispered, suddenly realising the one thing I have been missing. “Melody… where’s Melody?”Max stiffened. “She’s not here?”“No.” I grabbed his wrist, my voice rising. “They took us together. She was here… right beside me!”How could she have sudd
/-Maxmillan-/I’ve never known rage like this.Not even when my father was gunned down in front of me.But now, hearing Gianna’s voice trembling on that call, knowing our unborn child was in danger, this fury was different. It was personal. It was primal.I gripped the edge of my desk so hard the wood cracked beneath my fingers.“Get me Dario,” I growled at my right-hand man, who stood by the door with a pale face.“He’s already downstairs,” he replied. “He got the message when we traced the call. We were able to get a partial ping, industrial district, somewhere near the river docks.”Good. That was enough. That was a start.I stormed downstairs, every step fueled by vengeance. Dario stood by the map table, his sleeves rolled up, his tie long discarded. His expression was grim.“They’re using an unregistered burner. No direct trace. But based on the cell tower it bounced off of, we’ve narrowed it to a five-block radius by the old mill warehouses. Problem is, most of them are abandone
Gianna-/That miscarriage wasn't natural. I could feel it in my guts. There was something I was missing, something I was failing to see.But I was glad my baby was safe. What would I have done if anything happened to it?I wasn't even sure Maxmillan would forgive me. He looked so stressed when he saw me and for a second, I was almost afraid I lost the baby but thank God I didn't.I was supposed to be discharged this evening and Melody was doing her best to look after me because Maxmillan got an urgent call.“How are you feeling now? Are there still pains in your abdomen?” She asked and I shook my head.“That's good. It means you will recover sooner than expected. I am so glad you are okay, Gianna. I was so scared that something would have happened to you. Do you know how terrifying that would be?” She exclaimed sitting on my bed.There was just something about her tone that sounded a little insincere to me. It was probably from the fact that we never got along until yesterday where sh
Eric-/Everyone was just getting on my damn nerves. Not only were they fucking cowards who couldn't stand up to Maxmillian, they were assholes who couldn't even speak for themselves.They were hiding behind the results that the old Matriach was poisoned.So what if she fucking was? They didn't even like her. They wanted her gone as much as I did so why the fuck were they pretending like I didn't save them a whole lot of trouble?“This is a serious accusation, Eric. The proof is here. The doctor reports, everything! The Matriach was poisoned and the drugs were traced back to your company. What do you have to say for yourself?”Staring at this jury of hypocrites made me sick. Who the fuck did they think they were?I scoffed, leaning back in my chair like their judgment meant jack shit to me. “What do I have to say?” I repeated, my voice cold and sharp as a blade. “I have to say you’re all full of it.”A murmur rippled through the room. A few had the decency to look guilty. The rest? The