by Lylah James
“No, it’s a girl,” Maddie growled.
“It’s a girl,” Alessio agreed.
“Five thousand dollars, Viktor. Stop being such a pussy,” Phoenix said.
They placed a bet?
I shook my head when Viktor glared at Phoenix. Nikolay stood silently, as always, but this time he wasn’t as brooding. There was a half smile on his face.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Isaak and Lyov come out of the gym. Lyov stopped dead in his tracks when he caught sight of me. His eyes moved to my stomach, and he moved his gaze aside.
Alessio wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest. When Lyov and Isaak approached, Alessio cleared his throat.
“We are having a baby girl.”
Lyov froze, and I saw him swallow hard. There was a flash of pain in his eyes, and his face twisted in sorrow. My heart ached for him.
His hands fisted at his side, and without a word, he walked away. Alessio sighed beside me. I pulled away from Alessio and went to follow Lyov.
I couldn’t bear the thought of him being in pain. He was still hurting. His wife’s and daughter’s death still haunted him. If I could…I wanted to ease his pain.
Alessio grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “Let him be, Angel.”
“I need to do this, Alessio. Please,” I begged, my eyes following Lyov as he walked upstairs.
I pulled my arm away and gave him a small smile. “I’ll be okay.”
Giving Alessio a kiss on the lips, I followed Lyov. My steps faltered when I reached his bedroom.
When my fist made contact with the door, I trembled slightly with nervousness.
He didn’t answer. I waited and waited.
Finally, I opened the door and peeked inside. The room was dark except for a night lamp. It cast a soft glow around the room.
I walked further inside and closed the door behind me.
Lyov was sitting on the edge of the bed, a photo frame in his hand. Walking over to the bed, I sat down beside him.
There was only silence between us. Now that I was here, I wasn’t sure what to say, how to soothe his pain.
Finally, he broke the silence.
“You remind me a lot of my Maria.”
His voice was broken, and my stomach twisted. “She was just like you. Sweet, beautiful, and so gentle.”
“I look at you, and all I see is my Angel,” he whispered, his fingers lingering over the frame. I saw that it was a photo of a woman. I guessed it was Maria.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered, looking at my lap.
“It’s not your fault.” Lyov opened the drawer and removed another picture. He handed it to me. It looked like a sonogram.
“We were having a princess too,” he said, pointing at the baby.
“I know,” I said softly. My fingers traced the picture. My heart was in agony for his loss.
Lyov handed me the photo frame. “This is my wife.”
This is my wife.
Not was. Even after so many years, Maria was still his wife.
Looking at the picture, I saw that Alessio had her eyes. “She is beautiful.”
“The most beautiful,” he agreed with a small chuckle.
“I’m sorry for your loss. Maria and your daughter didn’t deserve that. You didn’t deserve to go through that pain. My heart aches for your loss,” I admitted truthfully. “But maybe they are in a better place right now. I’m sure they’re watching over us.”
“Are they?” he asked brokenly, staring at the picture.
“They are Angels.”
A tear fell on the photo, and I quickly realized that Lyov was crying. “Your Maria loved you a lot. I don’t think she would have wanted you to punish yourself like this. She would have wanted you to be happy. Honour her memories by living and remembering her with a smile. I’m sure she would have wanted that for you.”
Silence fell upon us. I grew nervous and started to play with the hem of my dress. After some time, he finally spoke. “You sound so much like her.”
When I didn’t know how to reply to this, I stood up. Just then, the little princess moved. Maybe it was meant to be. Maybe it was fate, but in that moment, I knew what I had to do.
I bent down and took Lyov’s hand. His head snapped up, and he stared at me in surprise.
Taking his hand, I placed it over my stomach just where the baby was dancing.
He sucked in a harsh breath, and his face crumpled up as tears streamed down his cheeks. The photo fell in his lap as he brought his other fist to his mouth.
It reminded me of Alessio. There were so many similarities between father and son. I was just seeing it for the first time.
Lyov was just another broken man.
Princess landed a hard kick at my side, and I winced. “She is strong,” Lyov mumbled. There was a ghost smile on his lips.
“Just like her papa.” I laughed.
“And her mother.”
I never expected him to say that, but my heart flipped, and I smiled. “Thank you,” I whispered as our princess continued to move.
“Lyov, I know you don’t really like me, but this little princess here, she needs her grandfather,” I started. “You never got a chance to meet your princess, but please, don’t turn away from this one. She is just as precious.”
She moved again, punching right into Lyov’s palm. Looked like she agreed.
“You can be a part of her life if you want. I will never stop you. Please, don’t run away from this, from her,” I added.
Lyov didn’t answer, and after some time, the baby stopped moving. His hand fell away, and he stared at the pictures on his lap.
I waited for his reply. When he didn’t, I closed my eyes as a wave of sadness washed over me. I stepped back and started to leave when his voice stopped me.
“I would like that.”
My heart stuttered, and I pressed a hand against my stomach. Did you hear that, Princess?
“I never got a chance to hold my princess. But I want to hold this one.”
His words were confirmation enough. “I think she would like that, too.”
Chapter 16
I walked out of the room, leaving Lyov alone with his thoughts. He would be okay. This little princess just gave us all hope.
Alessio was leaning against the wall. As soon as I walked out of the room, he pulled me in his arms.
I sobbed in his chest. “He’s going to be okay, Alessio.”
Alessio didn’t say anything. He just let me cry. When my tears finally dried, I placed a kiss in the middle of his chest, right over his beating heart.
“Can we go to the creek?” I asked, pulling away.
He smiled. “Let’s go.”
We walked down the stairs, and I waved at Maddie. She waved back and went into the kitchen.
Our walk to the creek was slow. We took our sweet time, our hands intertwined. No words were spoken. It wasn’t needed. The silence was enough. It was comfortable. It was us.
When we arrived at the creek, I settled on a rock, my feet in the water. Alessio stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
“Are you happy?” I asked, rubbing small circles around my pregnant belly.
“I’m more than happy, Angel. I’m fucking ecstatic.”
“You always addressed the baby as a boy. Are you happy that it’s a girl?”
When he didn’t answer right away, I grew nervous. Finally, I felt his lips next to my ear. He placed a kiss there before saying, “I’m happy.”
I sighed in relief, and when he continued, my heart soared higher with contentment. “I think deep inside I always wanted a princess. After losing…” He paused, but I got what he meant. “I was just scared. I didn’t want to hope. But when I heard it’s a girl, I felt like my heart just flipped. I swear it stopped for a second. I’m the happiest I can be right now.”
I leaned back against his chest and tilted my head backwards. Alessio looked back at me. “I’m happy too.”
Alessio smiled and kissed
my forehead, my nose, and finally my lips. He took my lips sweetly.
“Such a sweet moment. I almost feel bad for interrupting.”
My eyes widened, and my heart stopped. I froze and slowly went numb.
No. No. No. Please no.
My mind screamed, my heart wept, and I was suddenly hurting everywhere.
That voice.
This couldn’t be happening.
Not again. Not now.
I felt Alessio freeze behind me. From our position, I saw his lips curl in a snarl. I tilted my head down, fear clouding my vision. I shook with terror.
In that moment, I just wanted to disappear into thin air. I didn’t want to exist. I wanted to be far…very far away from the Devil.
Alessio stood straight, and I felt him turn around. I slowly got up and turned around too but stayed hidden behind Alessio.
I couldn’t see Alberto from where I was. I was completely hidden, protected behind Alessio’s back.
Alessio moved his hand to his waistband, where his gun was.
“Ah. Ah. Don’t move or I will shoot. Trust me, this time I will,” Alberto warned. “Step away from her.”
Alessio didn’t move. “Step away from her or I will shoot. What’s the point of being a hero? After I shoot you, I can shoot her. So step the fuck away from her.”
Alessio’s hand stayed on his waistband, and he still didn’t move. I heard Alberto laugh. My ears rang with it, and I pinched my eyes closed.
Without thinking, I stepped from behind Alessio’s back and came to stand beside him.
Alberto’s eyes roamed over me, and I saw his vile smirk. “There you are, love.”
I shuddered at his voice but kept my eyes on him. He looked different. He had a beard, and his clothes were rumpled.
His eyes appeared red, tired, and…crazed. Their maniacal gleam pierced me until all I felt was absolute fear.
My head ran wild; my stomach cramped. My heart ached. It hurt so much.
“If only you hadn’t run away,” he tsked. “I would have kept you alive. But now you just pissed me off. I don’t feel generous anymore.”
Panic clawed at my throat, and I glanced at Alessio. He was staring at Alberto stoically. How did it come to this? Everything was perfect just moments ago.
Alberto took a step toward us, pointing the gun in my direction. His gaze moved to Alessio. “One move and I will shoot her brains out. You know it takes only seconds.”
Alessio’s hands fisted at his side. I wanted to fall down and beg for mercy.
My breathing accelerated, and my chest grew tight. Alberto continued to walk forward until he was only a few steps away.
He pointed the gun at Alessio and then at me. “Hmm…I wonder who I should shoot first.”
Alberto pointed the gun at me. “The little Angel?”
He cocked his head to the side before pointing the gun at Alessio. “Her savior?”
My heart stuttered in pain, and I rubbed my stomach. I could barely breathe.
“You are such a coward, Alberto. Why don’t you fight like a man?” Alessio growled.
Alberto tsked and pointed the gun at me again but this time toward my stomach. “Or the baby?”
NO! I wanted to scream. My heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest. My hands shook, but I cradled my pregnant belly protectively.
“Aww, how cute,” he mocked. “The baby it is, then.”
My eyes widened. Everything happened so fast. I saw Alessio lurch forward, and his leg kicked out. He got Alberto in the hand, and the gun flew away.
Alessio tackled Alberto to the ground, and I stood frozen, watching the two men roll on the ground, fighting.
I couldn’t lose Alessio. I just couldn’t.
I was blind with terror as I watched them fight. They were out for blood, and in that moment, I didn’t know who would win.
With wide eyes, I looked for the gun. Where did the gun go?
When I finally noticed it next to a tree, I took a step forward but stopped when Alberto pushed Alessio off him.
He had another gun in his hand.
Oh please, no.
He laughed, a laugh filled with so much madness that made my skin crawl in dread and disgust.
Alberto didn’t even appear out of breath. He looked like a man on a mission. There was something making him stronger, crazier.
Alessio slowly stepped toward me.
Alberto moved his dead eyes to mine, smiling grimly. “Did you really think you could escape? Ayla, you seem to forget. You are mine.”
He really was the Devil. For a split second, I wondered how it was possible for someone to be this cruel.
But the thought was quickly gone when he pointed the gun right in the middle of my stomach. “Say good-bye to lover boy.”
I whimpered, holding my stomach as if I was trying to hide my princess from this horror.
But the Devil had found us, and this time there was no escape.
This was it. This was my end.
My heart hammered when I saw him pull the trigger. My eyes closed as two gunshots sounded. Terror washed through me as I waited for the pain.
Seconds ticked by, and I felt nothing.
My eyes snapped open.
I gasped and cried out when I saw Alessio standing in front of me, his face a mask of shock and pain.
“No!” I screamed, moving forward. I wrapped my arms around him, moving my hands over his body, looking for where he was injured.
No. Please. This was a nightmare. This wasn’t happening. I couldn’t lose Alessio. My face contorted as wave after wave of pain crashed through me.
“Alessio,” I sobbed, running my hands over him. “No. Why, Alessio?”
Alessio grabbed my waist and pulled me to his chest. His hands went to my stomach, holding the bump. His other hand traveled the length of my body, like I was doing to his.
“Where are you hurt? Ayla, where are you hurt?” he asked urgently, his voice hoarse. “Please, say something!”
A crippling grief swept over me. I cried in his chest. “I’m not hurt. You…took…the bullet…”
“Ayla!” Alessio shook me, his face horrified. “No. You got hit! I didn’t. I was too late.”
Agonized sobs tumbled from my mouth, my lungs constricting painfully as I shook my head. My stomach started to cramp from the severity of my sobs, and I palmed Alessio’s cheeks. “You are not hurt?” I asked.
I saw confusion in his eyes, and he slightly pulled away, his eyes roaming over my body, inspecting me. I did the same for him.
“You are not hurt,” he stated.
And he wasn’t either.
My eyes widened as my blood rushed so fast through my body that I felt suddenly weak. I couldn’t hear anything but the wildly beating pulse in my ears. What was happening?
“Then…who took the bullet?” I whispered. Alessio swallowed hard, and he held me to him.
We turned around, Alessio protecting me with his body.
The sight that beheld me took my breath my away. Agony shattered my heart, and I sank to my knees, too weak to stay upright, too weak to think.
I wailed in anguish.
“NO!”
Chapter 17
Alberto
She really thought she could escape.
How naïve of her. Stupid even. I thought she had learned her lesson from way before, and even now—but it looked like she still had so much to learn.
Too bad I had reached my limit. I was no longer patient. She tested me every day. Every time she escaped. Every time she uttered his name.
Ayla was mine. Even if she didn’t want to be. It wasn’t her choice. It was never her choice.
Only because she didn’t have a choice.
How much do I have to break her until she finally understands?
I thought I had her bent to my will. She was mine. No other man would touch her.
But I had clearly assessed her wrong. That was my first mistake.
Since the first time I s
aw her, it was only Ayla and me. But then Alessio came and fucked everything up.
If it wasn’t for him, Ayla would have still been mine.
From my place in the shadows, I watched them. I watched him hold her, his arms around my woman.
I watched her smile—laugh with him.
My fingers tightened around my gun. Fury rolled off me in heavy waves.
This was the end.
It was time for their end.
My eyes moved to Ayla’s round stomach. His baby. Not mine. Every time I looked at her, it served as a reminder.
He touched her.
I should have gotten rid of it when I had a chance.
At the thought, my lips turned up in a small smile. It didn’t matter anymore. I would get rid of it now.
I would take everything from her until she had nothing left. Until she would have no other choice but to fall back at my feet.
I watched them.
When he kissed her, I rubbed my finger over the trigger. I was itching to pull it. To end their lives.
That would be too easy.
I wanted to see the fear in their eyes. In Alessio’s eyes. I wanted to see him helpless.
He had taken everything from me.
And I was going to return the same favor. After all, payback is a bitch.
With my fingers wrapped firmly around the gun, I walked out of the shadows.
“Such a sweet moment. I almost feel bad for interrupting.”
I laughed when they swiveled around to face me. The surprise in Alessio’s face was almost comical.
But he wasn’t my target.
My target was the woman hiding behind his back.
When she came into view, I smiled. This was it, love.
Ayla didn’t realize what I wanted, I got. It didn’t matter if I had to take it by force; in the end, I always got what I wanted.
She wasn’t any different.
Pointing the gun at Ayla, I stared at her. I saw the fear and panic. It didn’t faze me.
I was going to drag her to hell with me.
She would be mine in the end.
Chapter 18
Ayla
My throat hurt from screaming. I had no tears left. I couldn’t even find my voice. Shock coursed through me, and I froze at the sight in front of me.