ELLEN A crowd was huddled in front of the shop now, trying to help us. Firemen were doing their jobs, and police phones crackled as they spoke into them. A paramedic walked up to us and led us to the ambulance. Lily was better than I was because she was not there when the shop blew up, so she saved me from the stress of explaining what happened. I was speechlessly watching the shop I had just found go up in flames. Tears pooled up in my eyes, and a heaviness sat in my chest. I had searched for places for the past few weeks, and this place settled with my heart. Now, it was gone—all those beautiful flowers. "Ma'am, can you hear me?" I looked up to see a female paramedic looking down at me with a worried expression. I nodded, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. "I am glad to hear that. But I need you to be strong," she said with a smile. Her smile was soothing but did nothing to my nerves. However, I knew I needed one person here. Despite what was going on between us, he was
OLIVER MORENO "Welcome, boss," the man at the door greeted. I nodded and went in through the door that he held open. Sebatino's villa was large and lovely. It was not my first time visiting him, but it was my first time going to ask him for help. I hated myself and the situation I was in, but I had to protect my girls. I knew he might be skeptical about helping me, but it was not my fault that his daughter died out of her foolishness, and I doubted he knew nothing about it. He should know who his daughter dated. But he had denied every knowledge of knowing that Sara and Antonio were in a relationship before she married me. Worst still, she was cheating on me with him. I didn't let my mind linger on that thought for a while; hence I would get worked up. His living room was vast and luxurious, well furnished to a taste a man like him could have. He was my father's age, and there were the mafia godfathers. A lady in her late twenties or early thirties appeared once I was in the l
OLIVER "We should be careful with this," Dante warned before we went in, but I was not taking any fucking orders from him. My wife had suffered it all, and no one would tell me how I would treat the bastard that threatened her life. I will handle things my own way. I charged into the bar without warning, Dante and Jerry following behind me. My intrusion made some patrons of the bar look up at us. But I was not there for any of them. I have my target, and as long as they are staying away from my business, they won't be harmed. The bar owner, a man in his late thirties or probably earlier forties, stepped out from behind the counter and blocked us. "Can I help you, mister?" He appraised me as the question left his lips. "Er... We are here to gamble," Dante stepped in. He shot us a wary look once more. My blood was boiling, and if he wasted any more of my time, I would ram my fist into his face. Luckily for him, he waved us to follow him. We followed him into the back room, whe
ELLEN I woke up alone. I knew that I had slept alone last night. I knew when Oliver came in last night. I didn't understand the feelings that were running inside me. I knew he was the only one I felt safe around after my attack, but when I was calm enough, I didn't know if I wanted to trust him that much. I still didn't know how to face him with a clear eye. I wanted to tell him about Tony, not to get even, but to remove this heave from my chest. Tony texted me last night when I was still in the living room with Lily, and I did not even tell her about it. I headed straight into the room, feeling worse. I thought about suicide, but I also thought about Sophie. I could not let her go through that pain because of my mistakes. I wept a little in the bathroom, with the showers on, so that everyone would feel I was taking a shower. I contemplated using the razor on the counter to cut myself until I bled out, but I couldn't. I tried Oliver's number, but it was switched off. I wanted to s
OLIVER MORENO Antonio Romano. The bastard. He was already out of his car, tossing his keys to one of the men that would park it for him and hopping into the club. A few other vehicles followed the direction of his car. We got out of our car and started toward the club. One of the men we planted inside notified us that he was there already. They had gone there as harmless clubbers and took in every detail we wanted and knew where his men were positioned. We walked to the front of the club. The bouncers recognized us and let us pass. But I was sure they had notified Antonio, and if he didn't already know that we were there, he would probably be waiting for us. Loud sensual music hit us as we stalked into the club. A wave of booze and alcohol wafted toward us. I was in front while Dante and Alejandro followed closely behind me. A few heads turned towards us, especially the ladies, but I was not there for any of them. We stood by the entrance, my hands tucked into my pockets wh
ELLEN I made sure to wait for Oliver and his men to come home. It was way past midnight when they came back to the mansion. Once I saw their car, my heart lurched in my chest. I knew this was the time to get out with my secret. I had already braced myself for what would come next, but part of me still maintained that t was not the right time. This was past midnight, and Oliver must be stressed from wherever he came from, considering that he left so early in the morning and came back this late. I wanted to heave this off my chest, but I did not want to be selfish. I should consider his mood before breaking such news to him. I had waited for the perfect time to say it, but none had presented itself. When he was happy, I didn't want to ruin his mood. When he was sad or cold, I feared what his reaction would be. In as much as I told myself that I considered his mood, I knew that I had held back so much because I was scared of losing him. When he came into the room, looking all bloo
OLIVER Antonio Romano is dead. That phrase lived rent-free in my head. I had seen the bastard only a few hours ago, and now he winded up dead in his apartment. All fingers would point at me, no doubt. I was the last one to get physical with him before his death, but I did not kill him, even though I would gladly have done that without hesitation. I left the house hurriedly so that no police would arrest me in front of my daughter. The police would come for us soon. Tony's father would not take the death of his remaining son lightly. Our source told us that police were swarming his house, looking for evidence. Nicholas was already in the company, and he wanted to get information from me first before the police saw anything. I walked into the meeting room. Dante, Jerry, and Alejandro stood when they saw me, but Nicholas remained seated, regarding me calmly. I ignored him and turned to Dante. "What's up? What is this I hear?" "Oliver, you should be speaking to me right now."
ELLEN I was lying on the lazy boy by the pool when Oliver came rushing back. I could not contain my laughter as he came back down almost immediately. "Are you sure you went to the room?" I asked, eyeing his bulging muscles. He wore a black vest that showed all his perfect chest and arm muscles and grey sweatpants. "I needed to be with you," he said, dazzling me with his signature smile. I stood up, walked up to him, and took his hands. "I made a special dinner for us and hope you like everything." "I love whatever you make, Elle." The table was set behind me, and rose petals were scattered around the poolside with candlelights surrounding the table. A bottle of wine was on the table with tall wine glasses and the wrap of my meal. I led Oliver to the table and made him sir. "Tonight is a special night," I whispered in his ear. It was a special night for me. It was the only night I had felt free in a year and a few months. My troubles might not be over, but I wanted to s