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 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

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

Aiden's POVI left Lily's room with my thoughts in shambles. I was angry, worried, and scared, all at the same time. Leaning against the wall opposite her door, I paused to catch my breath. There was the irrational urge to throw my hands against the wall, to scream and roar and channel my emotions, somehow.It felt as though the harder I tried, the more my world teetered on a dangerous edge. I was on the verge of losing Lily, and the thought of Ricardo's triumphant smile almost drove me nuts. Try as I might to ignore it, Lily meant more to me than just another woman meant to warm my bed.My mind was a scattered mess of conflicting thoughts. Lily's persistence about the letter from Ricardo Gambino had stirred up a storm of emotions within me. I knew my protective measures were extreme, but I believed they were necessary in these circumstances. If I didn't ensure her safety by keeping her in the house, Ricardo would keep coming and coming until he finally had her. At least, in the wa

Aiden's POV"You bastard!" I roared. Swiveling on my feet, I turned to face Mitch again. My anger was no longer teetering on any edge—it was ready to blow out of proportion.Mitch stood there, arms swinging by his sides like scary, beefy pendulums. His chest was rising and falling rapidly with every breath he inhaled and exhaled. His clothes looked as though they were ready to burst apart at the seams, and his face was the picture of terrifying.I didn't care that this middle-aged man was older than me. I didn't care that he was twice my weight, or that he was towering above me with several inches to an entire foot.I did not care about all of that. The fact that he had chosen to call Lily names did not and will never sit well with me."What, boy?" Mitch roared. When I said nothing, he grinned widely. "What are you going to do to me? Come on, boy! Attack me!"I growled loudly and fisted my hands. Storming across the basement, I reached the man and landed a resounding blow on his face