Natalie's POV"Why didn't you go with them?" I asked Alex, as I took a sip of my coffee, desperately needing the caffeine to understand their messed up family tree.He shrugged, "I do my thing, and they do...their thing."Just like Nikolas said, Alex isn't part of their thing. Now, I came to understand why, they don't share the same father, but still, their fathers are brothers, doesn't that also make them both part of the same mafia. I really don't understand this.Wait.Hold on.Their fathers are brothers; the uncle Nikolas told me about. That uncle is Alex's father, isn't it?"Hold on," I slammed my cup down, harsher than I intended, "Your father...he is the uncle, he is the one who hurt Nikolas, isn't he?"Alex's eyebrows pulled closer, "He told you about that?" He asked, "Wow, I am impressed."At the moment, I didn't know if I should like Alex, it is his father, after all, he is the one responsible for half the scars over Nikolas's body. I still can't believe it, who the hell wou
Nikolas's POV"Please tell me you weren't just about to shoot him," Alex said, his bewildered eyes drifted between me and Roman."Shoot who?" Emma's voice had me turn my head to see her walking through the door, her eyes suspiciously drifting between the three of us."Alex, you don't get it," I tried to explain and his eyebrow raised, "Get what for god's sake, you were pointing a gun to Roman's back just a second ago, weren't you?""Wait, what?" Roman asked, his eyes growing wide, "I mean I know we never liked each other, but I thought we were on the same team."Emma's eyes grew wider and she took a threatening step forward, "You did what?" She questioned, "Nikolas, please tell me you weren't about to kill my husband."My jaw tightened, "Well, I stopped myself, didn't I?""Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Emma grated out. Seconds only and she was in my face, I wasn't expecting her attack as she pushed me away, making the gun drop out of my grip, "It's Isaac, isn't it?" She shot out a
Alex's POVAnxious.That's what that son of a bitch does to me. Since he came back into my life again, he just keeps me anxious, on my nerves, and so worried about him all the damn time.Sometimes I feel like I am the older brother not him.That one sure is a handful.Ugh, I really feel like I hate him sometimes.A frustrated breath pushed out of my lungs and I leaned back into my seat, my fingers twirling the pen in my hand, trying to get myself and concentrate on the task at hand rather than think about him and the words that left his mouth yesterday.That damn look in his eyes, showed me that he gave up.He is actually giving himself up to Isaac. After everything I've done, he just decided to turn his back and run to daddy dearest. Can I punch him? You know, just put his head through a wall, I won't cause much harm, I promise, I just want him to wake the fuck up and see how wrong everything about this is.The sound of my office's door being opened snapped me back in, "Daddy!" Lilly
Natalie's POVI don't understand him.I really don't.I don't think I will ever be able to.It's reason number one why I am pulled toward him like this. He intrigues me. He keeps surprising me. Keeps me on my toes...keeps me guessing. He pulls me in one second and pushes me away the next.He is a very dangerous territory, a one I am willingly stepping into without any guard.He opened the car's door for me and I whispered a low thank you as I got inside. He joined me seconds later and roared the engine to life. Pure joy danced in my stomach and my fingers wrapped over the seatbelt, fixing it and that's when I noticed the one lone red rose laying between our seats. My eyebrows pulled closer and I lifted my eyes to him, my gaze questioning.He sighed, "Alex said I should bring you flowers or something," He mumbled.I stared back at his amused, "You're taking dating advice from Alex?"He shrugged, "Well, he seems to know his way around."I resisted the urge to smile as he carried on, "An
Nikolas's POV"Someone get her away from me!" Alex whined, pushing Emma away as she tried to hug him once again, "Get her away, get her away!" He said, freeing himself from her hold, and stepped backward, building distance.She chuckled, "Aw I know you're gonna miss me so much," She commented while pinching his cheeks, and her eyebrow raised, pretty much enjoying the fact that she was annoying him beyond measures. Alex pushed her hand away and I sighed, unable to understand how she is that same vulnerable girl last night who asked me to protect her.Yeah, we are such a weird family.Alex shot her a glare when she winked at him before she turned around, and headed for the jet."She's crazy, I swear," He mumbled and fixed the collar of his shirt that she just ruined, "I only wonder how Roman can handle her."I shook my head at the thought and when Alex's eyes fell back on me, "So, do you need anything before I go?" I asked."One thing," he said, arching an eyebrow, "Don't die," He said,
Nikolas's POVShock swirled in the blue of his eyes, confusion at my realization and a lick of fear flashed across his face as he backed away from the table, letting the picture go. His whole being vibrated with negative energy as he faced me, his hand slowly going to the back of his pants, ready for an attack, "How did you know?" He questioned."It wasn't that hard," I said. Truth be told, if it wasn't for Natalie and the whole search for who the brother is, I would've not figured it out as easily. He was able to erase his whole existence, which now makes more sense, it's what the Hex does.He shook his head in bewilderment; something seemed to snap all the logic from his mind as he reached for his gun and aimed it forward, gritting his teeth as he asked, "Why are you so keen on learning about my mother, what do you want?"I sighed, "Don't be stupid and put that gun down," I urged, taking a step forward, not once threatened by the weapon aimed at me.He shook his head again; me learn
Nikolas's POV"Where are you going?" Ronald asked, coming into my way and stopping me.My eyebrow raised at his audacity, "Did you hit your head or something?" I asked, trying to shake him back to himself, "Did you forget who I am?"He shook his head, totally not bothered, "If you want me to trust you on my mother's case, then you need to include me in everything."I scoffed, "Trust me?" Oh, he wants to die alright.I took a threatening step forward, "I am the one who can't trust you now," I grated out, clenching my jaw, "So stick to your limit or I will have to change my mind and actually kill you."Be it her brother or not, I don't care. I hate it when someone gets in my way, and he is interfering in my shit right now. I don't like it.My shoulder harshly brushed his as I moved past him, almost knocking him down but being the little bitch he is, he didn't get the least threatened and instead, walked by my side and followed me to my destination.I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge
Natalie's POVHe is here. Right here. Right in front of me.He came to see me first.He came to see me for god's sake!Oh dear lord, can it be that my biggest crush ever is crushing back on me? Does that ever happen?His eyes, that deep green I wanna lay in for so long stared back at me with so much tenderness, like he really missed me, like he is trying to take into every detail there is on my face before he would have to leave again.Oh, he is leaving again..."So, what brings you back here, not that I am complaining or anything," I asked, both curious and praying it's something that would keep him here for as long as possible.My question had the look in his eyes shift and he shook his head, "Just work," He answered, just as vague as usual.My eyebrow raised, "Work?" I gave him a knowing look, "I know your work," I mimicked loading a gun with my fingers and pointed it at him, squinting an eye as if I am shooting, referring to his...work.My childish behavior had his lips twitch, fi
By lunchtime, Tanya came back, she asked for the kid's attention, and the responsible attendee tried to calm them all down, ushering them to leave the toys, sit and listen. Alex let go of his legos and scooted backward, accidentally laying his back against me as he intently listened. I looked down at him, unable to have enough as Tanya announced that one of the kids was leaving, that he got adopted and she urged the rest to bid him goodbye. I think it's just one of the things they do around here. My eyes were on Alex still, so I noticed the way his shoulders slumped down at the news, a low breath leaving him as he pressed his chin over his pulled up legs, staring at the kid as he hugged the others, happy and giddy that he has his own family now. "What's wrong?" I asked, inching my head closer to his face, so he could hear me through the loud shatter around us. He turned his head to look at me, his brows pinched in sadness, "I want to go too," He said, his voice the softest sweetest
Leya's POV"Do you know a story?" He asked, out of the blue, his eyes closed still, I even thought he had drifted off minutes ago, but apparently not."Uh...a story?" I asked, confused."Hmm," He hummed, "I didn't have anyone to tell me bed-time stories before Frank took me," He explained, "After that, Linda used to tell me a story every night, it used to help me sleep," He was speaking but his tone proved that he was half here, half on the way toward unconsiousness."Oh, I don't know any story, I am sorry," I mumbled."I knew you wouldn't know," He said, his tone wasn't accusing or anything, just low and tired, stating a fact he believed in; that I lack any characteristic a mother should have, which isn't a lie anyway.A couple of minutes passed till he was finally fast asleep. My eyes never left his face all through, for the very first time in so long he was right beside me, his head resting over my lap. He wasn't shouting nor pushing me away. I didn't know what to do or even say.
Nikolas's POVAlex grumbled something as I pushed him inside the car. He immediately fell into the seat, his head tilting backward and pressing against the headrest, eyes closed, more than ready to fall back asleep. He was a gone case after all that we drank but for some reason, I still felt sober and aware. No amount of alcohol served its purpose to make me forget or at least lessen the pain pulsing through my head and body.It was near impossible to let loose or relax after all that happened.A loud sigh parted my lips at my failed attempts before I joined Alex in the backseat, exhausted and de-energized as I fell down beside him. Ronald looked at us through the rearview mirror, "Where to?"Alex opened his eyes, "I am way too drunk," He slurred out, "Do not take me home," He added, moving to the side and leaving the wide space of the car to press himself into me. His head fell into my shoulder, using it as his pillow, moving his head around and picking up a comfortable spot as he cl
"We are not driving," I pointed out when I saw his eyes flicker to his car. He groaned and I pushed him with me down the road, "Where the hell are we going?" He said, being a whiney bitch per usual.I kept ignoring him as my drunk mind navigated the way, we were so close anyway, so no way we'd get lost, my drunk brain assured me as I walked us to the targeted destination. We reached the Huntington beach pier shortly after. I internally praised myself for being able to reach here even in my intoxicated state. We walked along the bridge, the air chilly and brisk as we descended down the stairs. Nik kept mumbling some words and whining, disturbed that I pulled him out of his little comfort zone in the bar.I reached the bridge's pillars, right beside the sea, and picked a clean spot before I dropped down, placing the liquor bottle beside me and opening up the cap. Nik hovered over, glaring down at me and I patted the space by my side, "Sit and stop being so unpleasant."He rolled his eye
He was looking at me as I counted a few, the frown between his eyebrow deepened at my words, and his lips curled up in annoyance, at himself I guess because he nodded his head, sighing, "Yeah, you're right. I am all of those."I nodded, "Yeah, but at least you're honest with yourself about it, that's a good thing," I tried to praise him a little, you know, trying not to kick a man when he's down, "You're also a little good looking, which sometimes could slightly compensate for your annoying persona."He stared back at me in pure puzzlement, "We are blessed with good genes, be grateful for that," I added, "Me blessed more than you of course, but yeah."His eyebrow raised, not satisfied by me constantly undermining him. He placed his hand over my arm and pushed it away from around his shoulder. I shot him a glare and placed it back. He huffed out loudly, irritated by my mere presence, "Stop touching me!""Shush, you love me," I said as I pinched his cheek.He groaned in annoyance and I
Alex's POV"Hello?" I said, my tone questioning at the unknown number calling me at this hour as I leaned my back against the car, my eyes focused on the bar across the road from me, my gaze studying the interior and searching for someone in specific as I gazed through from the ceiling-length glass window.No answer came from the other line, but I could distinctly hear someone suck into a deep breath, hesitant or maybe playing a game on me. Having no time for this bullshit, I almost hung up at the lack of answer but right then, a specific voice mumbled a low, "Alex."My jaw tightened, my eyes pressed shut immediately, and a harsh breath pushed its way out of my chest; where the hell did she even get my number from? Does she ever give up?"What do you want?" I asked, rather harshly but I didn't care. She should be grateful I didn't shut the call the second I heard her annoying voice.My eyes caught a glimpse of Nikolas inside, my head tilted as I tried to get a better look, preparing m
Nikolas's POV"Are you just gonna follow me everywhere?" I shot out, glaring at Ronald as he followed me to the parking lot, he has been on my tail since I woke up."Where are you going?" He asked, pushing his nose into my business.I unlocked my car and opened the door, my hand rested on its edge as my eyes flickered to him, "Ronald, look, you are like my least favorite person in the world, so if you don't leave me alone, I might actually kill you," My words didn't sound threatening at all. I was still tired, and energyless, whatever meds they put in me is still active and is messing with my head.Not waiting to hear more from him, I got in and roared the engine to life, taking off before he tries to join me as well. I lowered the window as I sped down the highway, letting the cold air in, hoping it can blunt off some of the ache in my chest as I drove to my new apartment. I am slightly better now, mental-wise, I am kind of ready finally interact with them.Parking the car in its spo
The one thing to shake me out of my thoughts was the ringing of my phone. A loud breath left my lungs as I gave it a look to find a very unexpected call from Natalie. My eyebrows pulled closer as I pressed the answer button, "Hello," I said, my tone a bit questioning, taken aback by seeing her name."Hey, Alex," Her voice enveloped the inside of the car as I started the engine and took off into the road, "I am sorry to disturb you but uh-""No, no, you're not, what's up?"A low sigh came from her side, "If you are available, can we meet, I just want to talk, just a couple of minutes only, I won't take much from your time.""Yeah, sure," I said, checking the time, "I am free now, where are you, I can come wherever you are," I can go to Nikolas right after that, because whatever she wants to talk about is Nikolas-related for sure."I am at my house now, you can come by here if you want, or I could meet you somewhere if you are far," She sounded somber, a bit dejected, so not like her ch
Alex's POVI covered Cara and Lilly well before I carefully took Max in my arms and placed him in his crib by the bed, dropping a kiss on his head before I pulled the blanket over his body. I moved toward the door, my eyes taking one look and making sure all is okay before I left the room.Grabbing my jacket and keys, I left the house, silently closing the door behind me while texting Katherine to drop by and stay by Cara's side while I am out. Emma already left two men by the house, guarding and assessing the whole situation, just in case something happens but still, I would rather not have Cara be left alone for the time being.I got into my car but didn't drive away yet. I rested my back against the seat and closed my eyes for a brief second, breathing in and out. The air very tight in my chest, anxiousness wrapping over every alive nerve in my being, my body and mind unable to relax for some reason, as if sensing that something is just not right, something waiting to happen and im