Lily's POVI found my way to my feet, feeling comforted by my conversation with Mira. And at the same time, I felt numb all over.What she had said about Mr Blackwood hating touches from females kept ringing in my head. Several possibilities ran through my head, as to why he was that way. Was he secretly gay? Was he abused in his childhood?It felt as though I had more questions than I began with. But this time, I was determined to know more about the man who fucked me almost every day. He had so much access to me, my mind, and my body. Why shouldn't I have the same?I picked one of the new hoodies and threw it on, wearing absolutely nothing underneath. I glanced at myself in the mirror as I got ready for dinner, again noting the rosy cheeks and bright skin. I was widening as well, growing plumper around my middle.The woman staring at me in the mirror returned my smile. If there was anything I was totally grateful for staying in Aiden Blackwood's house, it was the fact that he took v
Lily's POVBoth of his hands were on each side of the door frame. My eyes roamed over his body, taking in the ridges of his biceps, the hard lines of his face, the long, smooth expanse of his neck, the long, obsidian-black hair that seemed to tickle his neck and face.My throat immediately went dry, as I felt the wetness between my legs again.I folded my legs, feeling a delicious sensation as my naked inner thighs rubbed against each other. "I was merely keeping Cook company."Aiden Blackwood glanced at the elderly woman, then back at me. "I am pretty sure Cook can handle the kitchen on her own, quite alright.""I guess—""You shouldn't be in all that smoke." He continued, as though he hadn't heard me. "Let's go to the dining room."Mutely, I stood from the chair, allowing him to steer me out of the kitchen by the elbow, following closely behind me. As his hand touched my elbow, I felt a sudden jolt, remembering how he'd kicked my hand away when I tried to touch him.Quickly, I pulle
Aiden's POVJoe's eyes met mine, and I felt a tiny flicker of fear in my heart.I gripped my knife and fork hard, glancing at Lily. Did she suspect anything? I doubted it. All that was on her white-looking face was confusion and a little fear.A close call, I thought.My gaze darted back to Joe. "What is it, man? What news? Spill it."Joe glanced at Lily pointedly; it was a mere flick of his eyes, but I got the message. This news was best shared in private.Quickly, I pushed backward, the chair making a scraping sound on the floor as I stood to my feet. I crossed the table to Lily, who looked as though she'd just seen a ghost."Come on," I ordered, my fingers going around her upper arm. "Dinner's over. Go to your room."Lily glanced down at her plate of half-eaten hash browns, and then up at me, vivid green eyes full of confusion. My stomach fluttered at the sight of her, staring up at me from below, but I shook my head to dispel that thought."Come on!" I repeated this time my voice
Lily's POVI stared after Aiden Blackwood, as he stormed away. My heart was thudding beneath my ribcage, and I felt as though the adrenaline would consume me from within. He turned a corner and disappeared, leaving me standing against the wall.My breaths came out in shallow gasps, as I clutched my chest for dear life. His sudden outburst had caught me off guard, leaving me reeling from the unexpected confrontation.I slid down the wall, sitting on the floor, trying to process this onslaught of emotions. My fingers grazed the spot where his grip had been tight around my neck. The memory sent shivers down my spine; it was a chilling reminder of the darker side of this man.What had just happened between us? His intense anger and the veiled threats had me rattled. The power he wielded, the sheer force in his demeanor—it was overwhelming.I wrapped my arms around my knees, seeking solace in the comforting embrace of my own presence. It was a constant battle, navigating the complexities o
Aiden's POVThat very night draped itself around me like a suffocating cloak, refusing to grant me the solace of sleep. I lay in my bed, the dim moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting haunting shadows across the room. Yet, the darkness within me seemed to cover everything around me.I groaned and turned around on the bed, remembering Lily's persistent inquiries. I knew she was determined to unravel the mysteries of my past, to pry open doors I'd long sealed shut. The mere thought of her delving into my history stirred a fear within me.I didn't want her to see these darker parts of me. I certainly did not want her to know the man I had been before her.A surge of protectiveness surged through my veins, an inexplicable need to shield Lily from the demons that lurked in my past. She was innocent amidst the chaos, a fragile flower in the midst of a tempest, and I couldn't bear the thought of her being tainted by the darkness that seemed to be a part of my life.And all of this
Aiden's POVThe drive to Ricardo's office took a mere ten minutes—I counted every single second with my heart in my mouth.My car pulled up to a towering skyscraper, a monolith of steel and glass that loomed over the cityscape. Ricardo's office and suite were nestled at the very top, a realm befitting a man of his stature, I suppose. In the mafia world, Ricardo ruled from that very pinnacle.The Gambino Suite, it was called. Passed down through each generation of male Gambinos, the office and suite were a hallmark of downtown New York.I felt a hand on my arm, and I turned to see Joe, who had followed me. "You do know how important this is, boss?""I know, I know." I gritted my teeth and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Might as well do this and get it over with, no?"Joe sighed. "Alright. Do you mind if I followed you in?""There will be no need for that," I replied hastily. "I will be fine."Then, without another word, I waited for the chauffeur to move around the car and open the do
Aiden's POVThe entire office seemed heavy with the tension and distaste we had for each other. Ricardo kept staring at me with the certainty in his eyes, the assurance that he would win this battle."I won't let you have Lily," I retorted, my voice edged with defiance. "She's off-limits to scum like you."Silence loomed in the room, thick and charged with an unspoken challenge, our mutual dislike simmering beneath the surface, waiting to erupt.Ricardo's next words hit me like a ton of bricks—a surprise that sent flurries of anger to my heart. "You know, your father tried to be as stubborn as you are now," he said, that calm expression never leaving his face. "Look where it got him. Like I said, you should really learn from me, as far as I am concerned."I growled; the mention of my late father was a sore spot. "Don't you dare drag my father into this," I snapped, barely holding back the anger simmering within me.Memories flooded my mind—of my father, slaving under the thumb of the
Lily's POV"I'll keep you safe, Lily." That was the very last thing I heard before Aiden turned and walked towards the door, and Joe's frame shuddered with laughter.The sound seemed to fade into the distance as I stood there, and only one thing echoed in my head.That letter! I had to see that letter!Standing at the bottom of the staircase, I watched Aiden's departure with held breath. As his figure disappeared through the doors, a rush of relief swept over me, and I finally exhaled, feeling the tightness in my chest ease away.But the letter I had seen with Aiden still stayed fixated in my head, and it continued to haunt my thoughts. It had been the sole reason I couldn't sleep last night. Questions surged within me about what Gambino might have written to Aiden in that letter.Deep inside, I sensed the urgency to uncover more about it. I knew I would not find rest until I knew what was in it. And Aiden's face when I had tried to grab the letter had spoken more volumes than his wor