Lily's POVThe drive back home with Aiden felt oddly comforting. His presence gave me a sense of security, shielding me from the chaotic world outside. I turned to the window of the car, watching as the busy New York night seemed to whizz past me. The city that had felt so safe and familiar to me suddenly looked dark and desolate and strange. Steadily, we eased from downtown Brooklyn into Manhattan and the posh part of it where Aiden lived. It suddenly struck me just how different our lives were. We lived in the same city of New York, but we seemed to exist in different spheres of life. Our experiences and backgrounds were polar opposites.As we approached the gate of his mansion, it swung open, granting us passage into the grand estate. The chauffeur guided the car across the grounds, parking it before the mansion."We're here," Aiden announced. He gracefully exited the car and extended his hand to help me out, a gesture so chivalrous and noble that it surprised me. I hesitated. "

Aiden's POVCook's gaze softened, her understanding eyes fixed on me. "I get your concerns, Mr. Blackwood. But sometimes, the heart knows what it wants regardless of the dangers. You can't protect her by shutting her out. Sometimes, you protect her by letting her in."I turned away, my jaw clenched. "It's not that simple, Cook. There's too much at stake. Do you know what Ricardo Gambino did to her yesterday?"Cook's frown deepened. "What did he do?""He fucking sent his men to attack her!" I roared. "They were about to kidnap her! If not that I'd placed a tracker on her phone, I might not have been able to get to her. She could have been in Ricardo's clutches as we speak!""But isn't Miss Lily worth the risk? Isn't she worth fighting for?" Cook's voice held a gentle persistence. "Even if Ricardo kidnaps her, best believe he can never and will never hold her heart. Only one man holds her heart, and that man is you."I sighed heavily, grappling with my inner turmoil. "But Lily is....she

Aiden's POVThe entire basement went silent after that one gunshot. I heard a dull thud as Kellan's body hit the ground hard, and slowly I turned to face my men.The silence was thick and almost tangible, and I could feel their eyes on me. I walked past Kellan's unmoving body, standing in the loose semi-circle of these men."That," I started, pointing at Kellan's body. "Is what happens to anyone who tries to defy or betray Aiden Blackwood."Standing before my men, I felt a weight of disappointment as I addressed them. They were one of the people I trusted; I'd had them trained in the way of the mafia, and their behavior went against everything we ever stood for."Guys, you know how vital loyalty is to us. It's more than just a word; it's our backbone. Betrayal doesn't just hurt me; it endangers all of us," I stressed, trying to convey the severity of the situation without letting my frustration show too much. "In this family, we do not stab each other's backs the way Kellan did. We do

Lily's POVAiden's suggestion caught me off guard. "Move to Pennsylvania?" I exclaimed, my heart racing at the thought."Yes, just for a while. It's safer there," Aiden replied, his voice calm but resolute. "I have two houses in Pennsylvania. We'll stay in the more reclusive one until all this drama with Ricardo Gambino dies down.""But we cannot just....leave! What about Lucas and Mira?" I countered, my worry for them immediate and intense. "I can't leave them here. They're not safe! Ricardo could capture them and use them to torture me!""They can come with us. I'll arrange it," Aiden reassured, his determination unwavering.I shook my head, feeling torn. "No, Aiden. I need to be here for them, to protect them. I can't just leave them behind."Aiden placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Lily, I understand. But your safety matters too. We need to ensure you're secure before anything else.""I can't just think about myself when they're in danger," I insisted, my voice tinged with

Lily's POVAs Aiden welcomed me into his second home, he led me through the expansive foyer adorned with striking art pieces and minimalist decor. The glass house really offered an open and airy atmosphere.Every single thing, from top to bottom, was either white, gray, or black!The sofas themselves were made of deep gray leather that shone like a thousand diamonds. The few walls that weren't made of glass were painted white at the top and a lighter gray at the bottom. The rest of the walls that were made of glass also shone so brightly that I could see my reflection in them.A state-of-the-art television adorned the far end of the living room—it was thrice as big as the one Mira, Lucas and I shared in our Brooklyn apartment, to say the least.I glanced down, catching my reflection on the glossy floor. Hell, everything looked so shiny and reflective!"I know this is not as impressive as my mansion in New York, but it's still something, yeah?" Aiden asked, his voice coming to me in ec