Authors Pov.He had almost forgotten how painful a bullet wound was; he had forgotten how it found its way into one's skin, forgotten how the burning sensation felt like.Nico felt lucky, unlike the bodyguard who had been unfortunate; it was a storm of events, for despite the noise of the gathering, he had felt the excruciating pain before he heard the bullet whizz.He had opted out of another round of Anesthesia, for it left him exhausted and his brain fuzzy; besides, this hospital couldn't be that safe.If the sniper had gone that far to get him right in a public gathering, then it was also likely they would come looking for him on his surgery bed.The pain was raw and reminded him of home, When Milo, who had decided he wouldn't be the only one being sent to the hospital, had found it a game to pull them along when he made trouble.This resulted in a few almost mortal injuries until their father found a way to rid him of his ideas.They still didn't know how the senior Don did that.
Elena's POVThe sirens brought him early the following day when the kids were still asleep and watched the window because my insomnia had come knocking again.When he climbed out of the car, He looked weary and hurt and had his arm in a cast, his jacket around his shoulder; being walked on both sides, I could see the discomfort on his face.Guess he also wasn't comfortable with the life he told me to be satisfied with.And I wasn't sure if I was excited to see him back or just satisfied he was alive; I hurried down the stairs before maintaining simple steps when he was close.He was alone with Noah, who was hovering around, offering help that was refused over and over again.When his eyes met mine at the top of the stairs, he stopped, making me rub my arms in anxiety.All traces of weariness left my face when his lips turned up in amusement, "I don't want to believe you came down for me?"All of my concerns went down the drain; he had that look, the look when he had countered me in his
His eyes danced, almost like he was happy to see me in his personal space, glad I had broken in. With the towel wrapped around his waist, I suddenly felt unsafe.He swept his damp hair back, muttering, "Sikes."I began the awkward apologies knowing I was turning pink right there in front of him, "Look, I'm sorry I know I shouldn't be here," I started, walking around to get past him, "I'll just go, and you'll never see me again I promise."He gripped my wrist, pulling me to him, my body crushing against his, "I think it' is; what are you doing here, Elena?"I bit my lower lips stuttering to get my excuses out; no word was formed; what more, he held my gaze, seeing me coil in my terror."I thought so," he grinned, and using his foot, he kicked the door shut. "Now that you're here, why don't we make you a souvenir."Pushing me backward towards the table, I struggled with him, but he gripped my hand firmly behind me, trapping me between himself and the desk."Hush love, a little too much,
He sat with his legs on the desk, the MacBook on his lap as he scrolled through search results, grimacing and scoffing.Sensing the worry from Noah, he had decided to say nothing, although both knew nothing was right with him.He had tried, by God, he had tried, but all came crashing down after years, all because of a messy human who had decided his way of living didn't apply to her.She had rubbed off on him, not that; she had pushed him back into his rabbit hole, and now he couldn't believe how much he missed this; it was almost like he was back home where he could be himself.Only this time, she'd be the only one handling him, taking all the bad things he had in store, which was a lot after being suppressed for years."Sir, you're smiling to yourself again."Noah would, too, if he knew what he had in his left pocket.The grin turned wider, and Noah almost groaned."Any luck?"Nico raised a brow at him, "Not to sound cocky, but that shouldn't be a question" With his focus back on th
I stood by the car with my sunglasses on, wearing a flat pair of black shoes under a summer gown. The glasses weren't needed since it was just morning, but it helped. Right now, I glared at him, and he didn't notice.Or maybe he did because he was looking right back at me.I was mad, so mad I felt I would pop if I got angrier; all happened this morning when I was informed that I was being shipped to Sardinia with the kids.Deciding without my consent, I didn't even have the time to see him about it since Noah told me, and he didn't sleep at home.Now he was kissing Mia's forehead, whispering in Matteo's ear before he looked up at me, letting the nanny hold the kids.And slowly, a smile began to creep on his lips, and as I continued to watch, his fingers wiggled in a slight wave, and to push my annoyance, he threw me an invisible kiss.I raised both middle fingers to him, feeling the heat creep on both cheeks; I turned so he won't notice how he had swept me off with just a smile and ent
My mother slowly shifted away from me to the side, sober and staring at my father, who didn't look too happy to see me, his face holding his displeasure.I clutched at my bag, holding his gaze, my eyes pleading for forgiveness.How could he still be angry with me when it was many years ago? He knew my reason; didn't he say I took after him with my fighting spirit?"Father," I whispered.But then, as I watched, his lips curled into a smile, and then opening his arms wide.I didn't have to be asked twice; I ram into his arms, curling into the comforting smell of seawater and fish; it was the smell I remembered breathing in since I was a child.He caressed my hair, his hold tightening around me, "My little girl," he muttered against my hair, "My little girl is back.""I missed you, Father; I missed you so much."From the corner of my eyes, I could see my mother picking Mia up and hugging her, staring down at little Matteo, who was suddenly looking protective."You look so beautiful," my
Elena's POV."We watch you on TV; the last one had your father howling," my mother gossiped as we were alone making dinner, and as she stirred the fish soup, I was trying to slice carrots without my fingers following it. "It was good for him to come back to you."I only smiled, fixating my attention on the knife; my mum didn't know the marriage had been a contract. However, my father had suspected it during the wedding.Married couples were supposed to be touchy, but on that day, Nikolai and I had stayed widths apart, not even looking at each other, but each time we locked eye contact, I felt my heartbeat racing.Although my father hadn't said it directly to my face, he only grumbled it to my mother; his only agreement on the wedding was because I stood my ground, screaming that was what I wanted."You said you two were divorced, but I always thought it wasn't over," she smiled at me, "Look how he shows you off now, can't seem to get enough of ....""Mummmm," I groaned when I almost sl
I stood in the middle of the room, face red and sweat pouring down my chin, the causes of my sudden mood swings running around the table, screaming at the top of their lungs, prodding me to, 'Catch me, mummy."It didn't help I was also on call with Charlotte."So far, spicy has top the sales; Elena, we need publicity; the competition is a lot,"I groaned, the urge to stuff my face into a pillow taking its hold on me; it didn't help that my mum and dad had left me with the little monsters suddenly hyperactive.I was surprised at how they had adapted to their new habitat; Matteo was always in the river playing with the neighborhood children, while Mia had found the sand to be her new best friend.Right now, sand was in both their hairs; Matteo looked like he had swum in mud."Dear God, Matteo, you look horrible.""I don't, Mama," he defended, jumping on the table, my mother's head tie around his neck while he wielded a spatula at his sister, who giggled when the wood poked her chest."H