Hera POV My mother's words are like a hard punch delivered straight into my guts. My stomach twists and my chest tightens. I find myself laughing out of bitterness." Finally mom, you've said the words that you have kept buried deep inside you. You finally confessed how you feel about me." I say,a tear slipping past my eyes." Since I am nothing but a mistake, I'll not show my face in front of you anymore. I'll leave and you can finally be with the one you consider your perfect daughter." I announce. There's no sign of remorse on my mother's face. Quite the contrary, she looks at me with so much indifference." Don't exaggerate and make a big deal out of nothing." She scoffs." You think I am exaggerating? That I am making a big deal out of nothing? So you calling me a mistake and wishing I was never born is okay? I am not allowed to react?" I ask incredulously." If you behaved like a proper woman and avoided embarrassing me,do you think I would have been pushed to say that?" She c
Hera’s POV They say that the Christmas season brings good news, laughter and happiness. It's a season of love but for me… Well, this isn't about me. Christmas sure came early this year. A month ago, my best friend, Chloe,called ànd invited me to her wedding. I was happy until I realized that I will have to travel back to Las Vegas to attend her wedding. I tried to decline the invitation but Chloe being Chloe saw me through. “Don't you dare say no,Hera or I won't hesitate to fly to Chicago and drag your ass to Las Vegas." She threatened. That's why I am here now at the airport heading to the airport parking lot. The airport is as chaotic as ever. People rushing to catch flights, the announcements in the background, and that familiar feeling of being just a face in the crowd. This is me. I prefer walking around without people having to turn around and give me a second or third glance. But, with a body like mine, a plus size, that's more of a dream. It's uncomfortable how peo
I stand frozen contemplating whether to turn around and face him or just walk away. What rotten luck I have. Carlos is the last person I want to set my eyes on. He's the reason I left my home Last Vegas and ventured into a foreign land. “ Hera,” He calls again and I am forced to turn around and face him. He starts working towards me. I conceal my feelings, assuming a blank expression on my face. “ I wasn't expecting to see you here.” He beams at me and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. What's the probability that he will be at the hotel lobby where Chloe's wedding will be taking place? Chloe hates his guts so we can forget about her inviting him. “ Neither was I. I have to say, your presence just ruined my day.” I don't try to be polite with him. He doesn't deserve it. I watch as the smile he was putting on his face falls, replaced by a guilty look. “ Hera, do you still resent me for what I did to you?” He asks and I don't stop the scoff that leaves my lips. “ You tell me, sh
Hera I don't know what came over me but the moment I spotted my sister heading towards me, I knew I needed to do something. I ended up kissing Mason. What I didn't expect is him not only kissing me back but deepening the kiss. When we pull away, Mason has a smirk on her face and my sister? Well, let's just say her eyeballs are about to pop out. “I have to say, that was quite a surprise.” Mason comments and I smile back to hide my embarrassment. “ You really are shameless, aren't you Hera?” My sister, Tara sneers with disgust. I turn to give her my undivided attention, a smirk playing at the corner of my lips. “ I don't understand what you mean.” I decide to play it cool, something that I know will irk Tara. “ You don't mind throwing yourself at a random man at a club? Is that what you have been up to all these years? It's no wonder you can't find a man for yourself.” Tara spats with distaste. I clench my fists under the table just to stop myself from snapping back at her.
Hera I keep my gaze locked on Mason's face, awaiting his answer. My heart beats wildly in my chest. For some reason, I am anxious and nervous at the same time. I don't know what I want to hear from his confessions yet something deep inside me tells me that Mason's answer will either shatter me further or... " I find you very attractive, Hera." Mason confesses, wetting his lips. My eyes follow each of his actions. " And?" I probe further, excitement coursing through my nerves. " I am interested in you as a woman, not a friend." He declares, looking straight at my face. His eyes hold a tender look. A look that I have not seen on any other man's face, not even from Carlos when we dated back in the days. I stand up abruptly, my emotions in turmoil. The chair tumbles to the ground, making a loud clanging sound. " Is something the matter, Hera?" Mason asks in a concerned voice. His hand reaches out to touch my shoulder. " Nothing. I have to leave." I announce, turning to walk awa
HeraToday is my last day here in Vegas and the second day I haven't seen Mason. After our last encounter at the club, he disappeared into thin air. I'll be lying if I say I haven't been looking forward to seeing him again. After his declaration, is he trying to play hard to get or was his confession nothing but bullshit? " Are you even listening to me?" Chloe's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I lift my eyes to meet her glare. " Of course I am listening." I reply, smiling at her. Chloe doesn't buy my act though. " You have been distracted since we met. What are you thinking about?" She probes and I swallow. I admit Mason has been all over my head but I am not admitting any of that to Chloe or I won't hear the end of it. " Nothing." I deny her claims. Chloe raises her brows, her eyes screaming suspicion. " Hera, are you keeping something from me? Maybe a loverboy you had a one night stand with these days?" She inquires and I almost choke on my saliva. " What nonsense are you
Mason POVI watch as Hera walks away angrily after calling me a bastard and a liar.A bastard and a liar? That's what I am in her eyes? I have to admit,she is the first woman to ever disrespect me and walk scotfree,not even…Instead of getting angry,I find myself grinning like the fool she has turned me into.But then again…She was clearly angry at me. What did I do wrong? I try to think of what I did wrong but come up with nothing. A tap on my shoulders interrupts my thoughts . I turn around and come face to face with a grinning Jepoy. “What's with that stupid smile of yours?” I ask and Jepoy glares at me. “ You are the only person in the world to call me stupid!”I smile at his words, “Yet you are the biggest fool. You can't even tell that your woman is angry at you.” He adds and now, it's my time to glare at him. “ What do you mean? She was angry at me, I just don't know why.” I refute. “ There, it proves my point.” I look at Jepoy and the urge to strangle him fills my mind.
Hera povThat asshole Mason! How dare he fool around with other girls while still courting me? What does he take me for? “ Why are you in a bad mood today? Didn't get any dick lately?” An annoying voice sounds from behind me. I turn around, glaring at Davis. " You know I can always help you with a free fuck. After all, not many men would be interested in penetrating a fat woman like you." He says, as he licks his lips.I turn around and walk away from him, his laughter rings in my ears. I clench my fists. No matter how many times I hear that world,I'll never get used to the mockery and scorn that follows it. Davis has always been harassing me but I have already mastered the art of ignoring him. That, however, does nothing to the harm his ugly words leave to my self esteem.The rest of the day runs out smoothly and I immerse myself in my work, blocking any other thoughts out of my mind.I lose track of time as I go through my patients records and feed the data to my computer. My sto
Hera POV My mother's words are like a hard punch delivered straight into my guts. My stomach twists and my chest tightens. I find myself laughing out of bitterness." Finally mom, you've said the words that you have kept buried deep inside you. You finally confessed how you feel about me." I say,a tear slipping past my eyes." Since I am nothing but a mistake, I'll not show my face in front of you anymore. I'll leave and you can finally be with the one you consider your perfect daughter." I announce. There's no sign of remorse on my mother's face. Quite the contrary, she looks at me with so much indifference." Don't exaggerate and make a big deal out of nothing." She scoffs." You think I am exaggerating? That I am making a big deal out of nothing? So you calling me a mistake and wishing I was never born is okay? I am not allowed to react?" I ask incredulously." If you behaved like a proper woman and avoided embarrassing me,do you think I would have been pushed to say that?" She c
Hera POV I chuckle at Nyx's words. Deep down,I pray she gets to change her mind someday. She has gone through so much in life and deserves to be happy." Now that you are here,book me a flight to Las Vegas in an hour." I inform her. Nyx narrows her eyes at me after hearing my words." Is this about..." She doesn't get to finish before I shake my head." I don't give a flying fuck about that bastard or what happens to his body. They can throw it in the ocean for all I care." I reply, disgusted.Carlos made his bed when he decided to join hands with Hector to commit evil. Let him lie on it. How his family comes to learn about him passing away is none of my freaking business." Chloe called me last night. She sounded...weird." I say, recalling how different she sounded. She was nothing like the Chloe I have always known. It sounded like she was in some kind of trouble." Alright. I'll do that right away." Nyx replies and leaves the room. I am left alone in my space. Going to Vegas shoul
Hera POV Justin and I manage to escape in time. As the engine roars in life leaving behind a trail of smoke,I can't help but smile to myself how I managed to fool Hector's security. Those damn fools." I assume you guys had a serious talk?" Justin asks,staring at me via the rearview mirror. I can feel the sarcasm in his words. After the commotion that happened at the club,I don't expect him to assume Hector and I just...talked."The job had to be done somehow, Justin. It's the best way to protect those girls." I reply with a sigh. I look outside the window. As much as Justin believes that violence can't solve everything,he also knows that only violence can solve some things. He doesn't say anything else and neither do I. We drive in silence. Justin drives me at the club entrance." Is there anything you need from me?" He asks and I nod. " I need all data about our presence at that club erased."Justin grins at me, " already did."" Thanks,justin. You are the best." I say as I get
Hera You paid thousands for your life to be taken,fool. That's what I want to scream at him and mock his stupidity, but this isn't the time. I keep my gaze glued to the floor and say nothing." Leave from here and get me my regular type of toy." Hector screams at me. I turn around to leave and draft a different way to get to him. But before I can make my exit,his voice booms through the room." On second thought,stay and entertain me tonight. I want to find out why that bastard is stupidly chasing after a fat bitch." Hector spats. By bastard,he must mean Carlos since the two of them have been in cahoots.I smile to myself,happy that his curiosity just gave me the opportunity to strike him. I walk back to the center of the room and grip the pole." Hera,you can do this. It's just dancing after all." I try to convince myself as I start swaying my body to the beat. Hector is perched on the sofa with a glass of scotch in hand,sipping leisurely.Stupid assed mafias, thinking that drinking
Hera pov" You are quite inquisitive huh?" Shadow comments. " It's okay. He is going to tell no one after all." I reply, all smiles. "My man is indeed ruthless but you don't expect any less from the leader of killer Angels, do you?" The horrified expression on Carlos' face gives me undiluted pleasure. " You are... the infamous MG? " Carlos stutters. " Surprised right? We had the same expression when we discovered her identity. She doesn't look the part, right? " Raven jabs him. Carlos is too shocked to say shit, not like I expect him to say anything. " A life for a life you bastard. I'll let your blood appease our lost comrade. " Shadow whispers into his ears. The fear in his eyes is so delicious, it's giving me a high." Don't worry, Hector will soon follow you to hell. You two can reunite there and continue scheming." I taunt him and prepare to leave." You bitch! You won't get away with this." He curses at me."Watch me do exactly that." I spat and turn around to walk away.
Hera POV I call sick at the clinic. With all the danger following behind me,I can't expose myself. I really don't know if my identity has been discovered but just as Nyx told me,it's better to be careful than sorry.I am listening to Nyx report everything they uncovered with sulphur. The attack at my house was intentional. It was a warning or something but for what exactly? I can't put my finger on the reason why my car was bombed alongside mason's own bike. I have considered Mason being the one they were after but from the footage the girls retrieved,I was the target." We were able to locate Hector's hideout." Nyx declares and that revelation captures my undivided attention." Where?" I ask and Nyx offers me a printed map. I scan my eyes through the map and I can't help but muse at his well thought hiding spot." Not too far from the club odyssey. It's no wonder he hit them so hard." I comment. Nyx knows about the club odyssey being part of shadow riders since I asked her to inves
HeraAfter Mason falls asleep, I quietly leave the room and make my way to what used to be the living room. Hector and his gang of thugs managed to do some damage to the clubhouse. Although it's not fully torched, the damaged area will need massive renovation. The crew is busy cleaning the mess. I don't bother to acknowledge them as I make my way to where Nyx is waiting for me. My work here is done. Mason is home safe and his wounds tended toWe are about to leave when someone calls from behind me. I turn around to see Raven approaching us. My expressions remain neutral as she makes her way to us and stands a metre away from me. " Are you leaving? " She asks and I nod. " Look Hera, about what happened... " She starts but I dismiss her with a wave of my hand. " It's nothing. I don't want to talk about it. "" I know you don't want to talk about it but I insist. I want you to know that I am sorry for not standing up for you before the others. You are... "" A stranger? I know that.
Carlos POV “ You messed up the damn operation you fool! You had one simple task,shoot to kill but look what happened! We lost all our men” Hector snarls at me, his eyes red with anger.“ Don't you dare accuse me of messing things up. It was your idea to make a grand entrance. I insisted on sneaking an attack and you said it was not satisfying.” I snarl back at him. The nerve of this mother-fucker to accuse me of screwing an operation we planned for so many days.“ Oh really? Then why did you eliminate all the men we took when we retreated?” He asks and I fight the urge to throw a snide remark at him. I mean,how is he a member of the Luca family if he doesn't know even the most basic rules of a failed assassination mission.“ Don't give me that look.” He glares at me.“The men had to die. Leaving them alive in the hands of the enemy is like offering free information about us. It had to be done.” I answer and he nods.“ That makes sense.” Of course it does.“ I don't care how you do i
Mason POV " I can take care of myself," That's all I hear before the sound of gunshots fill the air .I duck below the window and turn to look at Hera who was already taking cover by the side of the bed.We wait,listening for any movement but get none. Then the sound of a loud explosion follows before an engine roars and tires screech on the gravel driveway.I stand up and look out the window and notice a van speeding away. I turn around to see Hera walking to the door,a Beretta in her hand." Stay here, I'll go check downstairs." I informed her but she just glared at me and proceeded to leave the room.I follow behind her closely, not sure what to expect. Outside,I stand rooted in place,my fists clenched. Hera turns to look at me,her face unreadable." Someone seemed to have taken a liking to your machine." She comments" It's such a waste to destroy it. I really loved it." She adds casually." I told you it's not safe here." I say through gritted teeth.She looks at me then walks ov