Alicia’s POVI waited until a couple minutes after finishing we finished the sandwiches Matt laid out before clearing my throat. Andy caught the meaning behind the intense gaze I gave her and rose up from the seat, giving a cough.“Um, where’s the guest bathroom? I have to…” she gestured in an uncomfortable way and Matt responded just as awkwardly by pointing towards the hall behind me.“The second door on the left,” he said and she smiled gratefully, before giving me a well-meaning look. I could tell that she was curious as hell to know whatever i was about to discuss with Matt. Unfortunately I had no intentions of doing so.“So what is it you wanted to ask me for?” He turned to me with a discerning expression. “You clearly wanted to sspeak to me in private.”“So she told you that huh,” I sighed.“She didn’t tell me exactly what. I think you may have wanted to keep it secret from her.”“I know what you do for a living, Matt. So that’s why I NEED you’re help. Only you can help me rig

Alicia’s POV:I strode out of the cafe before she could even say a word.Oh how I longed to hit her then and there.With a sharp exhale I hauled down the first cab I saw and it slowed to a stop, waiting for me to enter.I approached it, noting how new the interior was, and how the driver kept his hand on the steering wheel.Whatever, i thought, and entered the back of the car. But as soon as I shut the door I heard the sound of a lock and I looked up to see the driver gazing at me through the rear view mirror.What was going on?My mind raced as the car began to roll with no destination I knew of.Panic flooded my brain before I calmed myself down in an i n’ayant. I wasn’t defenseless.“So, who are you?” I asked, without fear.The driver seemed to jerk at the question and he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel for more than three seconds before replying, “l have no idea what you’re talking about.”“Oh, you know what I’m talking about,” i replied with ease. We were speeding now

Acker’s POVAn hour ago:I entered the mansion, aware of Serrano’s men stationed at the gates and front porch, hidden by the bushes and growing vines on the pillars.I had to admit; the mansion was a nice choice on Serrano’s part.Stepping through the front door I was warmed by the sound of laughter that I could trace to the living room. Entering there I was briefly stunned by the sight of Serrano seated on the rug, his hair disheveled and laughing uncontrollably as Dante and Ashford climbed over his body.It was such a domestic sight, and one that irked me a little. Perhaps I should spend more time with our sons. He had the benefit of living in the same mansion where Alicia and the twins were placed in. I’d be changing that soon.The nanny noticed my arrival and bowed to me, but Serrano had yet to even glance my way.Clearing my throat made him freeze and I could see the moment embarrassment showed in his face, but quickly cleared up as he stood.“If you’re here for lunch, then you’r

Alicia’s POVAcker spoke with a graveness not normally heard from him.“I give you my word, love. I’d sooner burn my company and mafia to the ground than to hurt one hair on their heads,” he promised. “Nor would I ever want to hurt you.”The tension between us was palpable and I swallowed, trying to not show how affected I was by just a little touch from him, or his words, or his closeness to me.Just like Mikael was very good at riling me up, Acker seemed to have a knack for calming me down. I couldn’t explain it.I let go of the anger I had felt and the hurt, and focused on him. Only on him. And I couldn’t look away.“Let’s go home,” l said, and he nodded, reaching out his hand to steady me as I stood, before we both went to where Dante and Ashford were playing, oblivious to our conversation.…Hours passed and I shifted in bed, sighing heavily to the silence of the room.Had the boys eaten dinner? Surely by now they would be in bed too.The clock beside me glowed with its numbers s

Alicia’s POVA couple of minutes ago:I stood at the entrance of the dining hall, hesitating. Should I go in? Somehow I didn’t know if I could control myself, pull back from my anger enough to have breakfast with Mikael being right there.Could I fake a smile?My hands clenched into fists.Could I pretend like my father’s death wasn’t their fault?Could I? It felt like a betrayal to remain in this house, to live under Mikael’s roof and to accept them forming a relationship with our sons, knowing what they had done.“Everything okay?”Andy’s voice made me turn, pulling me back to reality. She looked gorgeous as always, reminding me of how much she was enjoying her time at this house once again, while I was suffering inside.“Uh, yeah, I’m alright,” I mumbled as she parted my shoulder. “Just feeling tired is all.”She smiled and nodded in such an understanding manner before moving past me to walk into the dining hall.“Ah, Andy,” I heard Mikael’s voice distantly, and my heart skipped at