The night air nips at my skin, chilling me to the bone. Looking around, I see a dark shadow standing in the field. The light of the moon cascades his face. He seems like a lost little boy. I'm starting to think his breakup wasn't as simple as Kate made it out to be. What do I know about Axon? Maybe we shouldn't get married.
No, this is something I have to do for my father. His one last wish is to walk me down the aisle—the only reason he's held on this long. Tears graze my cheeks, and I'm not sure if it is because of Axon or the thought of losing my dad. My sobs becoming louder, startled, Axon turns towards me.
" Tati, why are you crying?" He wraps me into his arms, my tears soaking his shirt."It's okay, Tati, I'm here, I've got you, we'll get through this." He smooths out my hair, whispering consoling words.
We stayed wrapped in each other's arms for what felt like hours; for the first time in my life, I felt safe, but most of all loved. Light drops of ra
Standing in my flowing, black dress, with mascara running down my face, I say goodbye to the only person who ever truly understood me. My heart is aching; I'm supposed to be strong for Mama; Lord knows she needs me to be strong. Instead, I stand at the side of my Papas grave looking like a lost little girl, looking for her favorite teddy bear. I thought I was ready for this, but nothing has truly prepared me for the loss I'm feeling. After saying goodbye to my Papa at my wedding, he passed peacefully in his sleep. In my heart, I knew he would. Axon slowly walks over to me and puts a hand on my shoulder; s
Rubbing my temples in frustration, I read over the articles from the manila envelope. Adriano dug up my past, article after article. How did he get these?Each one like ripping off a band-aid."Mr. Blaze wanted for questioning in the disappearance of his wife."If Tatianna saw these articles, I'm not sure what would happen. I didn't kill Becca. I suppose I should have left well enough alone when I found her, but I didn't."Mrs. Blaze never found; the court is now considering this a runaway case. Is Mr. Blaze innocent? We'll let you decide."Just the headlines make me seem like a bad guy. If only they knew the truth, but the media will never know. The only one who knows the truth is Bianca; I trust her with my life. Sometimes, I wish she didn't know the truth either. Bianca still holds a grudge against Becca for what she did. Becca and that little girl were my worlds, and I let them down. It's my fault they're dead.After Shreddin
Time passes by like a pendulum swings. The guilt slowly fades away. I shouldn't feel guilty for something I didn't cause. Adriano was going too fast, causing the breaks to fail. At least that's what Mama called to say. It's just sad that his body couldn't be recovered from falling off of the cliff."Baby, I'm home!" I hear Axon call out.I holler back, "I'm in the bathtub."Shortly after, Axon comes strolling in, wearing a crooked grin. Bending down, he pecks my lips. " Hey Babe, I've missed you; room for one more?"Scooting forward to make room, bubbles slush back and forth. I smile and usher for Axon to join me. He undresses and sits behind me while wrapping his arms around me."How was your day, hun?"I ask with a half-grin.He lets out a loud sigh."Exhausting! How were yours and our little peanuts day?"He rubs my none existent tummy, making me feel warm all over.I bet Axons is going to be the best father. I let out a yawn.
"Benedetto"The name I detest comes out. I look up from my desk, agitation clearly on my face. That could only be one person who would dare call me by my given name, and as far as I'm concerned, he is dead to me."My name is Axon; speak now and get out!""Mio figlio è a posto per parlare con suo padre." His cold grey eyes bore into mine.(My son is too good to talk to his father)My voice is as cold as an ice storm; I mask all of my emotions. The worst thing I could do right now is to show my hand."I have no Father; he died the day I left home.""Benedetto, I see you've come accustomed to Americans way of living. Bravo on your million-dollar company. You've proved your point, now come home. You have a business to run."A lot can change a person in a few years. His once black hair now a peppered grey; he once was stalky now he's plump. But one thing has not changed his arrogance. He's still the same on the inside. His Appearance
As I'm walking to the parking garage to get to my car, I get the feeling that someone is watching me.The back of my hair on my neck stands up, and I get goosebumps all over my skin. I take off in a sprint to my car and make it to my door, only to be stopped by a familiar voice calling out my name. I turn around to look for who is calling for me. I only let my guard down for a moment before a black-gloved hand wraps around my mouth, muffling my screams. I try to kick and bite before im launched into total darkness.Axons POVWalking out of my office, I survey the area looking for Tati's car. Didn't I tell her to park out front? Where is she? Pulling out my phone, I dial her phone. It cuts off going straight to voicemail. Frantically I rake my hands through my hair and try to think what might have happened. Please don't panic, Axon, maybe her phone is dead, and she's in the parking garage. Thankfully, it's equipped with surveillance
He sat in his office, looking out the window. The phone ringing breaking him from his thoughts. Answering the phone, he hears the frantic voice of his most trusted man."He has her; the scum bag has her!" "Roberto, who has her? What are you talking about?" Confusion laced his voice. Panting like he had run a marathon, Roberto says, "Tatianna, Giovanni has her." The man clenched his fist in anger, his blood going cold. His worst fears have come true. He knew he shouldn't have listened to Teresa, but he wanted to do what was best for Tati. Even if that meant he could never physically be in her life. He couldn't understand how this could have happened. He'd always been so careful. Never once letting on that Tatianna was his daughter. The only heir to his empire. What could Giovanni possibly want? How was he able to get this close to his daughter? All signs pointed to Axon, her new husband.&n
Tatianna's POVThe phone goes dead, leaving my thoughts a jumbled mess. My Papá is gone; he passed away close to a month ago. So who is this man, and why did Giovanni call him my Papá?I can feel myself staring blankly at the phone. Giovanni smirking as he takes it away from my face and places it in his pocket."This worked so much better than I expected. Who would have thought my boy would marry the Godfather's daughter?" He pulls out his key and turns to unlock the door; as its shutting behind him, I hear him call out;"Vinny, get the car ready!"The door slams the rest of the way shut, and I'm left to sulk by my lonesome. If I ever do get out of her, Axon will owe me a huge explanation. I am not one to be left in the dark.Axons POVA stinging pain radiates across my cheek, and my eyes flick open in time to see the culprit."Good, your awake." Says Vinny with a maniacal
Axon just stood there in shock, rubbing his reddened cheek."Tatianna, please just come with me; we can talk about this later, but first, we need to get out of here." I contemplated my options being trapped here didn't make much sense, but mark my words, I would get to the bottom of things once and for all with or without Axon's help. Grudgingly I walked out the door ahead of him. As much as I hate it, I have no freaking clue where I am. I stop and turn towards Stopping Axon and have him lead the way. There is a look of uncertainty on his face. "Lead the way!" I usher my hands as to say after you.He squeezes around me in the small hallway and leads me right to an adjacent hallway. At the very end looks like a dead end until he reaches up and pulls down a ladder. His knowing the way confirms my fears. How else would he know where he's going if he's never been here before?Axon begins climbing up towards the top, removi