Ricardo's POVPower was the most satisfying thing to ever exist, and I had zero doubts about that.As I stood there, gazing down at the sprawling city of New York from the window of my luxurious suite, power was all I could think of.It was a sight to behold; nothing could ever match the joy that coursed through me, knowing that everything above and below this land was mine. This city, with its towering structures and bustling streets, belonged to me and no one else. A sinister smile curled upon my lips as I enjoyed the control I exerted over every inch of this metropolis.Aiden could never dream of having this much power.But then, like a sharp dagger, thoughts of Aiden and Lily pierced through the veil of my triumph. My smile faded slowly.Those two! They thought they had the upper hand now!The memory of our last encounter flooded my mind, and a searing pain shot through my head, reminding me of the blow Aiden had delivered with the butt of his gun. I could still remember very viv
Ricardo's POVMy nose caught the booze oozing from his mouth before he even came closer. The better part of me wanted to see him out of my office as fast as he'd appeared, but I held myself.If he was here because of Aiden, he could have information that would be valuable to me.I raised an eyebrow, a spark of intrigue igniting within me. "Indeed? Please, have a seat," I gestured to the chair opposite mine. "Tell me more about this...ah, proposition."The man's eyes flickered with a mix of determination and caution as he settled into the chair. His voice carried a gravelly edge, revealing the weight of his experiences. "Mr. Ricardo, I've been following your rise in the shadows, and I have been watching your battle with Aiden Blackwood. I've come to offer you a deal—a chance to bring down Mr Blackwood.*A smile tugged at my lips, the thrill of possibility coursing through my veins. "Continue," I prompted, my voice laced with anticipation.The man leaned forward, his voice lowered to a
Lily's POV(Five years ago)I sat at the worn-out kitchen table, staring down at the sorry excuse for dinner in front of me. The rice cereal, soggy and swimming in the last dregs of spoiled milk, made my stomach turn with disgust. "Ugh!" I sighed, poking at the bowl morosely. "I could puke anytime soon."On the other side of the table, Lucas, twelve years old and always hungry, was digging into his bowl without a care in the world. His appetite seemed insatiable, despite the poor quality of our meal.I pushed the cereal around in my bowl, trying to summon up an appetite that just wasn't there. The hunger gnawed at my insides, but the thought of choking down another spoonful of this soggy mess was enough to make me gag.Lucas glanced up from his cereal, his mouth still half full. "What's wrong, Lily?" He asked thickly. "You're not eating."I forced a smile, trying to hide my revulsion. "Just not hungry, I guess," I muttered, pushing the cereal away from me."But you gotta eat, Lily,"
Lily's POVI paced back and forth in the stark, sterile lobby of Beth Israel Hospital, my heart hammering in my chest like a jackhammer. Each step echoed in the empty space, filling my ears and increasing my anxiety and fear.Lucas was in surgery, his life was hanging in the balance, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. What if the surgery didn't work? What if something went wrong?Tears stung at the corners of my eyes as I wrapped my arms around my waist and hugged myself tightly, trying to ward off the chill of fear that gripped me like a vice. I couldn't lose Lucas. He was my rock, the only thing I still had from a time in my life that I tried desperately to forget. He was the only good thing that came out of my era of Mitch.As I paced the lobby, my mind raced with a million different scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last. What if I never got to hear his laughter again? What if I never got to see his mischievous smile? What if I lost him forever?A sob caugh
Lily's POVWalking beside Aiden, joy bubbled within me as we entered the house. He reached for my hand and held it tight, giving me a vibrant smile."I've never seen you smile this wide in a long while....maybe ever." He whispered to me. "It's a beautiful sight."My blush deepened as he spoke, and I gripped his hand even tighter. "Aiden, you have no idea the kind of happiness running through my veins right now.""It's Lucas, right?" Aiden's smile turned into a grin. "You can't wait to see your brother."I opened my mouth to reply to him, but then a voice interrupted me."Look at these two lovebirds!" Cook emerged from the kitchen, a proud smile on her face. "You both look so good together!"Cook came to meet us by the door. I could sense a slight surprise in her expression, curious about the source of our shared excitement."Good evening, Cook," I grinned, the happiness evident in my voice.Cook arched an eyebrow, a knowing glint in her eyes. "What's got you two all smiles today? Care
Ricardo's POVI sat in my sleek black car, my patience wearing thin as I checked my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time. Where the hell was Mitch? Anger simmered beneath the surface as I glanced around the deserted street, frustration mounting with each passing second. Did the man think he could keep me waiting like this? Who did he My grip tightened on the chair beside me as I replayed the events of the past hour in my mind. Mitch had promised to meet me here and assured me that he had information that would be worth my while. But so far, all I had to show for my time was an empty street and a growing sense of irritation.I drummed my fingers impatiently against the leather upholstery, my thoughts swirling with possibilities. What could be keeping Mitch? Had he double-crossed me? Or was he simply incompetent?I shook my head in disbelief, unable to fathom why Mitch would risk angering me in such a way. Did he forget who he was dealing with?So, I continued to sit there
Ricardo's POVAs Mitch hesitated by the car door, I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. "Oh, and Mitch?" I said, my tone cold and calculated. "My boys will be taking care of your son Lucas, so do not even try to help him hide or escape."A flicker of alarm flashed in Mitch's eyes, his bad left eye flickering as he blinked rapidly. His look of horror was quickly masked by a look of determination. He nodded slowly, swallowing hard before speaking. "Y-yeah, sure," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the engine. "Do what you have to do."I studied Mitch for a moment, taking in the fear and uncertainty etched on his face. Satisfied that he understood the gravity of the situation, I gave him a curt nod. "Good," I replied, my voice dripping with malice. "Now get out of my sight."With that, Mitch hastily stepped out of the car, disappearing into the darkness of the night. I watched him go, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. Everything was
Aiden's POVA startled "What?!" escaped my lips.Lily's hands trembled as she stared wide-eyed at the picture. "Aiden, Mitch is my stepfather!"As Lily made the shocking revelation, a heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the sound of our collective breaths. My mind raced with questions, trying to make sense of the sudden connection between the Mitch I knew and Lily's stepfather."That's your stepfather?" I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.Lily nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the photograph tightly. "Yes," she replied, her tone firm and resolute. "I'd recognize that face anywhere. I would recognize that bad left eye, the sneer....that's him.""But why would your stepfather be working with us?" I wondered aloud, my thoughts racing as I tried to unravel the mystery.Lily shook her head, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "But something is going on here, something we're not see