FIONA

"Oh, sweet merciful God!" I murmured as I slowly regained consciousness. A headache began to form, and my mouth was dry.

The sound of an EKG machine beeped in the corner.

Where the hell was I?

A hospital?

"Fee!" A voice wailed and grabbed me by my shoulders. "You're alive!"

I winced at my best friend Louise standing over me as she sobbed hard. I see my parents standing in the room.

Dad has his arms crossed, glaring at Louise, while my mother appears worried.

"Pull yourself together!" Dad hisses at Louise, who backs away, sniffing hard.

"Dad? Mom? What are you..." I struggled to speak and licked my dry lips.

"Have some of this." Louise brought a smoothie cup to my lips, and I gratefully drank the water inside, quenching my thirst.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Don't you remember?" Louise said. "A man assaulted you two days ago."

I shut my eyes, recalling everything.

"Well," Dad grunted. "It's all over the news. Do you realize how embarrassing this is for me? What did you do to piss him off?"

"Lionel!" Mom gasped in horror.

I should have realized he only visited to scold me.

Mom turned to me.

Lionel stepped towards me. "Don't get into more trouble. Goodbye."

I stared at him and never felt more disappointed as he stormed out of the room.

"We're glad you're okay, Fiona," she said. "But we have to get back to New York. Work gave me two days off, and your... Lionel has other matters to attend to. Louise will look after you."

Louise glared at her.

"Adelaide!" Fred barked from the hallway.Mom gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried out the door.

"Wow!" Louise hissed with anger and shot a middle finger at the door.

"Can you guess who's winning the worst parents of the year award?"

I drew a sigh. "At least they showed up, Lou."

Louise gave me a warm look. "Never settle for less, Fee."

I asked for a mirror, and she handed me her small compact one. I frowned at the slight reddish bruise on my cheek; I also had a black eye. I swore at my reflection.

"Hey" Lou squeezed my arm.

"They'll heal, I promise. What happened?"

I nodded and told her everything as I struggled not to cry. "I also lost my job."

Louise's eyes widened. "Really, I'm so sorry. Wow, I'm guessing that's why the management only sent in a free gift card."

Assholes. I thought.

From the corner of my eyes, I see a bouquet of yellow roses in a Chinese vase on the bedside table. Lou follows my gaze.

"Like them?" Lou asked. "The man who rescued you brought them yesterday."

My thoughts raced to the night at the alley again. "Omigod, who is he?"

Lou began to search her purse. "He said his name was Kane. He left a card, though, don't worry. As your BFF, I looked him up."

She winked at me and handed a glossy silver card to me. McGregor Industries logo was on it, along with a handwritten phone number.

"He's the vice president of the company and said to give him a call when you get better." Lou explained. "He's kind of cute, though."

I smiled. "Well, let me see a picture."

Knowing Lou, she probably saved a few. She held her iPhone to me, and I widened my eyes at the man on the screen.

No freaking way.

It was Blue Eyes.

* * * * * * * *

KANE

The boardroom was always intense, files kept being passed around, and the directors murmured the latest developments in the company.

Underneath the large oak desk. Kane was trying to ward off his latest catch from last week. He hated when women became clingy.

Stacy texted how badly she wanted him inside of her. He simply rolled his eyes and replied with a simple word: no.

"...Kane!" Someone hissed.

Kane quickly sat up straight. His father glared at him from the head of the table.

"Huh?" Kane asked.

"I was asking what you thought of the last quarter." Carl McGregor repeated.

Kane shrugged. "Er, the last quarter, huh? I remember a lot of sandy beaches, tequila, and don't get me started on the naked women-"

The middle-aged men and especially the women glared at Kane.

Carl gave a long sigh and blinked rapidly. "The report, Kane."

Kane's lips curled up a little, and he cleared his throat. "You need to lighten up."

"And you need to quit texting and get serious." Carl growled back.

"May I remind you that two weeks ago, one of our security guards spotted two suspicious men exchanging items at the harbor?"

Kane narrowed his eyes. "It could be just the average dealers selling fake AirPods or something. I'm not sure why we need to dwell on it."

"They were not the average salesmen, Mr. Kane." Pete, who was head of security, spoke up. "When the security guard confronted them, one of them revealed himself to be a goon for the Spinelli crime family."

Kane gripped his pen tightly till his knuckles turned white as he listened to Pete. The Spinellis were a notorious crime family, trying to infiltrate McGregor Industries for years. They seemed to think the McGregor port belonged to them.

"This is the final straw; I'm going to ensure our security guards are fully armed." Carl decided.

Murmurs arose.

Kane glanced at his father curiously. "We don't want to make things worse than they already are."

"And I don't want my harbor becoming a hellhole for those criminals to operate." Carl stated. "All in favor?"

Kane was skeptical about this; the Mafia was not a group to be messed with. All eight hands rose. His father watched him, hoping for support. Kane raised his hand.

As the meeting drew to a close, Kane gathered his things and made a move for the door. But his father's voice stopped him.

"Kane, can I have a word?" Carl asked.

Kane turned back, his eyes meeting his father's.

"Kane, how long do you wish to continue this?" Carl asked.

"Continue what?"

"Fooling around with women and breaking hearts."

"I don't fool around, and I make my intentions very clear."

"Which is?"

"Not to commit."

Carl shut his eyes with disbelief, and Kane could see a vein pop.

Carl lifted a brow. "What happened to your hand?"

Kane lifted his right hand, running a thumb over the dark bruise. "I...used a punching bag without gloves."

He didn't want to go into details and was glad Carl didn't press further.

His cellphone rang. "Excuse me, I need to take this." Kane slipped away to a corner and answered the call.

"Stacy, you have perfect timing-"

"Who's Stacy?" An unfamiliar voice asked.He frowned and looked at the number again.

He pushed the phone to his ear and asked. "Who are you?"

"Uhm, it's Fiona...Fiona Higgins.”

FIONA

"Oh God, oh God!" I cried as I walked down my old street; the rain poured down on me as I sobbed my heart out. Everything I knew was a lie. I'd been deceived all my life. My so-called parents had ruined me for good.

How do I even begin to live again?

I could see my misty breath as I wailed in pain and anguish. I heard a car drive past, but I didn't look up. Then someone approached. I tried to circle around them, but they grabbed me. I screamed in terror.

"No!" I cried out as a tall man dragged me towards an open black car. Not again! "Let me go, let me go, you idiot!"

He forced me into the backseat and shut the door as I struggled to escape.

"Go!" He yelled at the driver. "Aieee!"

He howled in pain when I bit his hand. He slapped me across the face, and the other man in the back seat held a cloth to my face, and I slowly felt darkness wash over me.

* * * * * * * *

I gasped awake and jolted upright. I realized I was in a bedroom, sitting on a queen-sized poster bed with pink lace. It definitely wasn't mine. I slipped off the bed and frowned at the gold-colored PJs I was wearing.

I had been kidnapped!

"Where the hell am I?" I rushed to the window and discovered a large compound below; several hard-faced-looking men in dark suits walked about. I jogged for the door. Luckily, it was unlocked. I ran into a hallway.

A youngish woman in a housekeeper uniform holding a tray of tea smiled at me. "Signora?"

I rushed past her.

"Wait!" The woman called after me.

I hurried down the stairs. I needed to get out of here!

"Ow!" I yelped. Someone caught me as soon as I got to the landing.

"Hold it!" A man growled.

"Hey, let go of me!" I screamed. "Let go, I'm calling the police!"

"There's no police saving you, sweetheart." He said viciously. So, I sunk my knee hard into his groin.

He swore and let go, but as soon as I turned to run. Another man caught me.

"Alright, fun's over." The other man, who had a scar slashed across his cheek, sneered at me. "Come with me quietly, and I won't let Bubba here nail you with a bullet."

I gasped, turning to look at the large, red-faced man flashing a gun at me.

I turned to Scarface in horror. It was no use resisting.

"Good girl." He smiled and took my hand, leading me down a hallway. My teeth clattered in fright.

"Who are you?" I managed.

"No one important." He replied.

"I don't have any money." I stated.

And he threw his head back and laughed at me.

We got to a door, and Bubba pushed it open.

Behind a large oakwood desk was a man sitting in a high chair. His face was marked by age, his hair was silver-grey, and he had tan skin. He had to be Italian, and he wore a white shirt and tie. There was a chair in the middle of the room.

"Don, the little mouse is awake." Scarface announced.

The Don stared at me. I swallowed hard and glared back.

"Listen to me, you...assholes, if you think you can just kidnap me for no reason, there will be consequences!" I snapped.

Scarface gripped my arm tightly. "Show some respect, you little broad."

"Ow!" I hissed. "You're hurting me!"

"You deserve more for hurting my little brother." Scarface sneered.

I glanced at Bubba, who glared at me. I realized he was younger than I expected. He couldn't be more than twenty-one.

"Enough." The Don thundered.

I clenched my hands at my sides.

"Have a seat, my dear." The Don offered.

"No!" I declined.

"Yes!" Scarface forced me down on the chair.

I gripped my fingers. My thoughts raced to Crompton. Was he part of a gang or something? Had I messed with a Mafia member?

The Don stood and walked towards me. He studied me.

"What do you want from me?" I asked.

"You have my mother's eyes." The Don said softly.

My lips parted in surprise.

"You and Vinny have my nose." The Don continued, his eyes drifting to Scarface, who glared at me.

"What?" I whispered.

The Don cupped my jaw and glared at Bubba. "Please, you must forgive your brother for hitting you. Dante doesn't quite understand his strength with women."

Bubba, who happened to be Dante, scoffed defensively. "She bit me, and then she tried to crush my balls!"

"Hold on a minute!" I snapped. "What's this about? Who the hell touched my clothes? Eyes? My brother?!"

"Half-brothers." Vinny corrected.

I leveled my eyes at The Don.

"You see, Fiona." The Don spoke with a little cold smile, gesturing to the men. "I'm your father, and these are your brothers."

I widened my eyes. "No, no, it can't be-"

"Of course it is," the Don said. "I knew it from the moment I saw you, and believe me, I already did a DNA test; we're blood. You're a Spinelli."

"Spinelli?" I leaned back in my seat. "L...like, the Spinelli crime-"

"My dear child," the Don interrupted. "We're not criminals as the media says; we're merely business people."

I glared at him. "Tell that to all the people you've killed over the years."

The Don shrugged. "I call it liabilities."

I lifted my arms up in disbelief and stood. "I need to leave right now. I don't care if you say you're my father. I've never needed one!"

I turned around, and Dante aimed his gun at me.

"I have plans for you, Fiona," The Don placed his hands on my shoulders; a cold shiver ran down my spine. "Like all Spinellis, we have a strong loyalty to the family. To me."

"What the hell are you saying?" I pulled away and faced him with a bitter laugh. "You want me to join a bunch of criminals because we're related?"

"We're not criminals." Vinny corrected.

"I suppose I'll have to earn your trust along the way, but just to make this clear." The Don snapped his fingers.

The doors burst open. Three people were dragged in by goons, bags over their heads, and they were tied up. The goons forced them to kneel.

"I understand your pain," The Don began. "Betrayed by the people you loved."

The goons took off the bags. I gasped upon seeing my adopted parents and Crompton. Their mouths were gagged.

"Omigod." I muttered. Crompton was covered in blood and bruises. He stared at me with a defeated look.

How did he get out of jail?

"And I can take all the pain and misery away." The Don continued.

"What are you doing?" I demanded quietly. My feet were frozen to the floor.

"Nobody hurts a Spinelli and gets away with it." The Don hissed.

The sound of the gunshot caused me to jump. A neat bullet hole had pierced Compton's forehead; he fell with a thud, blood splattered across the floor.

I let out a shriek of horror and covered my lips.

Lionel and Donna struggled with groans and pleading eyes.

"I'm asking you to join us, Fiona." Don Spinelli said.

"You're insane!" I yelled in outrage.

"He abused you for years!" Don Spinelli pointed at Lionel. "He knew you weren't his blood, and she hid my child away from me for two decades; there are worse ways to hurt a man!"

I wiped my eyes. "Please let them go, I'm begging you."

"They don't deserve my forgiveness." Don Spinelli said.

The goons aimed their rifles at my adopted parents. A gunshot went off.

I fell to my knees and sobbed as I looked up at the cold man who was my father. I saw my adopted parents unhurt; the goons had missed the shot and were prepared to fire again.

"Please, I'll do anything!" I pleaded.

"Anything, my child?" Don Spinelli asked.

I nodded.

A cold smile slit across his face. "Welcome to the family."

KANE

He would never call her again. She made him feel fuzzy and warm, her sarcasm and smiles could light up a room, something the models he had dated never made him feel and he hadn't even made love to Fiona.

He enjoyed the kisses and late night texts, like he was a kid again. Kane needed to make love to her and get it out of his system.

Kane stood on the factory floor watching as massive steel rolled into production to be shipped to major vehicle companies.

He pretended to be interested in workers pushing the steel into the machines.

He stepped out of the building and dialed Fiona's number and pressed the phone to his ear.

"Hey Fee," He winced at his nickname for her. "What are you up to tonight?"

Fiona's laugh was music to his ears. "Probably binge watch cooking shows till I pass out. Why? Do you have something big planned for us?"

Kane sighed, her normal night activity interested him. "Cool, listen, I gotta attend this big formal event, it's mandatory and I wish you could come out with me but it's crazy exclusive, perhaps I could skip on it."

"What? You don't have to skip your party for me, Blue." She replied. "What kind of event?"

Kane waved a passing worker. "Uh, we're supporting kids with cancer."

"Wow, that sounds major, don't skip on my behalf." Her voice sounded nervous. "We could see each other afterwards."

"Okay." Kane replied. "I'm really looking forward to seeing your beautiful face."

She chuckled. "Careful Blue, now I'll never be able to concentrate on the show."

"Good." He said firmly.

They said goodbye and hung up and he couldn't stop grinning. The party should be a breeze.

A few hours later, Kane adjusted his bow tie as he scanned the ballroom. Live music filled the room as the rich and famous of Boston mingled with each other.

He grabbed a flute of bubbly champagne from a passing waiter and made his way across the room to speak with a friend he'd spotted. But his mother had other ideas.

"Kane darling, over here," Emily McGregor called to him. She was adorned in a black dress and a silver feather boa around her shoulders.

He managed a smile and kissed her cheeks. "Mother, what a pleasant surprise."

"You look so handsome tonight and you combed your unruly hair." Emily beamed at the young woman next to her. "Doesn't he look like a well-bred gentleman?"

Kane rolled his eyes. "Okay Mom, I was just going to speak with-"

Emily gestured to the blond woman. "Oh this is Cora Brandon, I'm sure you've heard of her."

Kane turned to the slender woman who gave him a seductive smile and said no. Cora quickly recovered from her frown and extended her hand, which he shook.

"I own the Cora Boutique and Glam Stores across the entire East Coast, but then again, you are just a man." Cora teased lightly and shared a laugh with Emily.

"Hmm, sounds great." Kane drew his hand away from Cora's and stalked away from the women.

"Kane!" Emily leapt in front of him. "Young man, if you want to give me grandkids, now is the time to market your qualities to Cora, she's worth millions."

"Wow," Kane mused. "And not a single thought about my happiness."

"I care about your happiness Kane, especially because you're my only child and being a playboy isn't a fad anymore." Emily adjusted his bow tie.

"Mom, I'm not a playboy, and now's not the time to discuss the McGregor bloodline." Kane stated.

"Time is very fragile," Emily insisted. "You need to get married. Someone you won't push away in a month."

He sighed and took a sip of his drink. "Well, I have been seeing someone."

Shit.

Emily lifted a brow, curiosity spread across her features. "Who is she?"

He shouldn't have said that.

"Hey, if we make it past thirty days," Kane cupped his mother's cheek. "I'll bring her home for dinner."

Suddenly, the atmosphere began to change, murmurs rose, and Kane turned to the cause of it. A frown spread across his mouth.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Kane growled.

Giovanni Spinelli had walked into the ballroom, along with his sons. Giovanni acted like he owned the place, shaking hands and exchanging kisses with some of the guests.

"Just ignore him Kane," Emily advised. "Those people have no class and decency."

But Kane wasn't listening anymore.

Someone had caught his eyes.

"Wow, what a beautiful dress?" Someone close by said.

"Who is she?" Another asked.

Fiona appeared at the entrance, wearing a silver dress that fit her curves perfectly, her curly hair was clipped in a top knot and she wore a sapphire necklace.

He felt his crotch grow tighter, she was so attractive that he moved across the crowd to get to her, like bait. She seemed to be looking for someone.

"Fiona?" He said smoothly, reaching for her hand.

She jumped at the sight of him. "McGregor? What are you doing here?"

He smiled. "So much for Netflix. What are you doing here?"

Her eyes lifted up. "This...This is a charity event?"

The music switched and he gripped her hand. "Well since you're here, why don't we dance?"

Fiona's eyes went wide and shook her head. "Oh no, no."

He drew her across the dance floor and she nearly stumbled into him. "Light on your feet aren't you?"

"I'm wearing heels, you clown." She hissed as he began to lead her. "Kane, why don't we..."

"You must have searched the internet for this in order to surprise me?" He interrupted.

He felt her body grow tense. "Uh, sure."

She would fit perfectly beneath him, with her legs wrapped around him. He decided it didn't matter, whether she was on top or at the side. He wanted her tonight.

"I have to say, it's been a while since a woman stalked me." He said.

Her eyes flashed with anger. "Excuse me?"

He pushed his lips to her ear. "Are you wearing a thong beneath this dress?"

Fiona sucked a breath, he suspected he'd gone too far.

"Sorry, I can't help myself sweetheart." He murmured as he swayed her around. He noticed Spinelli was watching them. "Is it so bad to want a woman? You don't like games, and I agree. I want you in my bed Fiona. Do you understand?"

Fiona's forehead creased and she chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "You can't be so sure of that."

"I am." He nodded, and noticed the music had stopped. Giovanni approached them. He looked at Fiona. "Hold on a sec, sweetie."

Kane glared at the Don. "What do you want, Spinelli?"

"I can see McGregor's etiquette brewing in you." Giovanni noted with a frown.

"Sorry, but I don't usually reserve manners for criminals and liars." Kane sneered.

Giovanni looked at Fiona. "If you'll excuse us."

Kane's instincts screamed at him to protect Fiona. "Not a chance, for God's sake she's old enough to be your kid."

Fiona slowly drew her hand away from his. "Actually, I'm...with him."

Confusion filled his nerves, Kane blew a hot breath. "What the hell?"

Giovanni flashed a cold grin. "Fiona, I think it's time to take our seats. And just to warn you, McGregor, she's my daughter, my little princess."

Kane's eyes grew wide, the music, laughter and everything around Kane melted away in silence as his world threatened to implode. Kane looked at Fiona, and her expression confirmed it was true.

What the hell?

Giovanni continued. "Due to professional courtesy, I'm gonna pretend you didn't have your paws over her just now, she's off limits to you. Capisce?"

"Stop it!" Fiona hissed at Giovanni.

As Giovanni led Fiona away, his body burned with anger and shock. Kane McGregor had a feeling he had just stepped into a landmine.