Alicia’s POVThe college library was quieter by the time I packed up my books to finally leave. With the large amount of tests and exams coming up, I used every opportunity I could to get some work done. Alas, i had a work shift at the cafe in less than 30 minutes so I had to end my studying here for now.My watch (which Mikael had gifted to me) read a couple minutes past 2pm as I slung the bag handle over my shoulder with a sigh.James, another of Acker’s assigned guards to me, left the library first to scan the area, but still my paranoia wouldn’t let me relax until i did so myself.Stepping out of the library, I peeked from right to left down the empty hallway, which glowed golden from the sunlight streaming in. No one was there but me and my bodyguards.I sighed in relief, although I knew that Cross likely wouldn’t try anything else this time around. Mikael and Acker were already on edge from the attempts on my life, and I didn’t go anywhere without company.I was unable to contai

Acker’s POVWater dripped from my naked torso and down the rest of my body as I left the bathroom, continuing to listen to Alicia’s voice on the phone. She was regaling me with tales from her college as she rounded up the semester. I could tell she was enjoying herself at college and I was glad it was not a ruined experience after so many attempts to hurt her through the past couple of months.A lot had changed in her, even though she still was the same at her core. That woman of ours had now become more confident and sure oh herself, though she still had clear insecurities.She was happier too, and in turn it had changed Mikael and I. Though the ever proud and dignified Serrano would never admit it, Alicia was the reason for his happiness currently.“Sooo that’s it,” Alicia finished after a long time. I toweled myself dry quietly and continued to listen. “What about you? Are you back from work yet?” She asked me as though I worked a regular 8-4 job. It was laughable and a little inno

Acker’s POVThis wasn’t how the night was supposed to go, I thought with mild annoyance which was hidden by my stoic demeanor.A couple of hours ago I had been looking forward to the night: a performance at the opera which Alicia would play a very wiling companion to, and a dinner followed by a leisurely night. The assassins on my tail had been taken care of and Cross had become silent for the time being.Yet an hour ago, work called in the form of Javier hitting up my phone with an urgent report. Charles Kane, resident entitled billionaire and womanizer, was demanding to see me. The ego on him rivaled Mount Everest, but his corrupt personality made it easier to do business with him. Not everyone in his circle wanted to be associated with the mafia, after all.The man sat across from me, and the room had the thick scent of cigarette smoke permeating it, which I knew Kane was responsible for.It only gave me another reason to loathe the man.“Well, the goods have been delivered to your

Mikael’s POVReturning to the US was one thing, but to THIS city was another. I shivered a little, grunting as I tugged on the scarf over the part of my neck my coat didn’t cover.Snow was still falling, and the streets, though salted, had less cars on them than in the summertime.If only for Alicia I wouldn’t even be in this place, I thought grudgingly. I hated the cold.The car was still running, our boxes in the boot of the car. Well, in Alicia’s case, the box was packed full of brand new clothes that she hadn’t yet worn or even laid her eyes on, courtesy of Magda, who also handled getting Alicia an international passport and her visa approval without the girl in question being any wiser.This was meant to be a surprise after all.But where the fuck was she?My frustration melted away once I heard her voice.“Sorry!” She looked bundled up in a cream coat with fur at the collar - a present from Madden, last I checked.I sighed, tapping my wrist and reaching my hand out to her as she

Alicia’s POVThe beach, oh how I loved it.The sun beat down on me with its heated rays, a far cry from the cold winter days in the city I had been born in and knew all my life before this.It was as if I’d been thrown into another world, one where all the capacity to escape my problems were at my disposal, and it was all thanks to Mikael and Acker.“Alright, you’ve gotten it,” the instructor’s voice boomed above the sound of the waves and life around us. This was a private beach, which I had learned much later, courtesy of a proud Mikael.However there were still staff and bodyguards milling about us, while still giving me the space i desired.The space to do what, you may ask?To learn surfing.Mikael was probably doing some work as he was still a little busy with meetings and such, even though he told me Magda was handling the bulk of the business work while we were on vacation.Plus i had been the one to force him to stay away after the instructor came in. I DIDN’T want him to see