STRIKER “You’ve been sighing, and you’re here playing golf with disinterest while you’re mind is somewhere. Have you talked to your wife?” “Sorry.” My plans went well than I had planned. I could finally take London away from her self-serving father. “I have a lot in mind lately.” I hadn’t told Moses that Linus had something to do with the plane crash, not until I could convince him to help my fucking father-in-law under the threat of an Italian mafia. “You’re exhausted. If you don’t stop whatever nonsense you’re doing, you’ll end up in a mental institute.” “Jeez, thanks.” “I’m serious, son.” He struck the ball, landing close to the pin. He played golf often, and he was good at it. I preferred soccer—football in Europe, also famous in Capria. I liked to get my body worn out. It was a good workout, anyway, unlike golf. “I heard you.” “Okay, that’s enough.” He signaled Emory to bring the cart. “Just say it.” “Say what?” I followed him to the approaching Emory. “I can’t play a g

LONDON I’d been living at Striker’s house for a week now. I had no complaint. In fact, it felt like home to me, even if he was not around. This house was once my home, after all, until my life fell apart. Neke was still in shock upon finding out the new owner, Braddson-Cade LLC. She even searched for it online. Despite everything happening so fast, I still considered myself lucky. I got my work back. I was beginning to pick up pieces—that was what I should do— and damn, I owed that to myself— When you fall, learn from it, get up, and rise again. I may have a roof over my head, but I hadn’t seen Striker again. I guessed he was true to his words. I didn’t do it for you. Those were his last words. Harsh, but I probably deserved it. It was Saturday. I woke up at seven in the morning. After my workout, I went to the kitchen and wasn’t alone anymore. “Reef, you don’t have to do that anymore.” “My job, ma’am.” He was stocking some supplies into cupboards. “Really? Your job?” I chuck

LONDON The alarm went off. “Oh no! This is not happening.” I turned off the fire and waved off the smoke as it began to sting my eyes. “What the hell is happening in my kitchen?” Striker’s voice echoed in the entire house, startling me. He quickly went to turn off the alarm. “What do you think it looks like? I’m cooking.” He took the towel and waved at the alarm. “I thought you were trying to burn the house. Open the windows.” I rushed to open the windows. Seconds later, the smoke slightly cleared, and then I saw him shaking his head as he looked down at the burnt meat in the pan. I just pursed my lips in disappointment when he looked at me. “Where’s Sonia? I hired her to avoid this?” He wasn’t exactly angry, but he wasn’t happy either. I went to the convection to check if my last remaining meal was cooked. “I gave her days off.” “Why did you do that?” His tone began to annoy me. Why did he have to throw me a lot of questions when I was here bustling? I checked my food. Fin

LONDONWe landed in Sicily an hour ago. I was exhausted, and my emotions were everywhere. Right now, Striker had to share a room with me. Reed and Linden were in the same room, while Moses had his own. I had suffered at the hand of those criminals and grew distrustful, and I still had nightmares because of my father’s selfishness. My anger towards him had gotten worst every day. I was kidnapped because of what he did. I felt awful and guilty, and I also felt loved and blessed at the same time that someone like Striker and Moses wanted to move mountains to keep me safe.That arrogant son of a bitch. He maybe was my father, but no father would ever sell his daughter to save his own skin. He used me as a pawn. Now he dragged Moses and Striker into his mess, still trying to save his ass. I tried hating him, but I couldn’t despite my terrible suffering. I still held on to the good things he had done for me when I didn’t have a mother to run to—he was there for me most of the time. “Vande

LONDON I woke up in Striker’s arms. We had dinner at a nice restaurant for the first time in weeks. We walked and kissed. We laughed together. Then since we’d been apart, my period just happened to be today, which was a shame. I wiped off the hair that fell on his face, kissed his cheek, and got out of bed to use the bathroom. I didn’t realize it was almost nine in the morning. After I cleaned up, I put on a comfy shirt and jeans. This time I would wear sneakers so that I could enjoy the stroll without worrying about my feet for blisters. I heard a soft knock. When I opened the door, it was Moses. “Pa, good morning.” I felt lucky to have fathers-in-law like him and Tate. Tate was a good dad. Moses did his best to fill the time he missed with his son. “Morning, London.” “Striker is still sleeping. I didn’t realize we were leaving early. Let me wake him up.” “No, honey. I came here, hoping he was still sleeping. Let him rest. If he wakes up and asks about me, tell him we go ahe