AIDEN'S POV

I woke up with a hangover. I had fallen asleep in the home bar. Memories of last night came flooding in. "Avery..." I could recall how wrenching her sob was; I couldn't go after her or soothe her because everything she heard was true. I got up with the strength I could muster and headed straight to my room to freshen up.

"Good morning Aiden." It was Avery. She looked lovely but way too excited to see me when she should be mad at me. It felt off.

"Good morning," I responded with a raised brow. "Is there anything I can do for you?

"Yes, actually. I'm meeting up with my friend Kiesha, and I'd like to do a bit of shopping for some stuff I need. And-"

I handed her a card I got ready for her. "Here, I forgot to give you this yesterday. There's twenty million in the card; let me know when it's exhausted. Steve would get a team ready to accompany you."

"Thank you, I-"

"No need to thank me. You're an Armstrong."

"Fine then, but I can go out on my own."

"You don't go out without proper security, understood?"

"Yes, sir." She turned to leave before I could say anything. Sir? After what we did last night? My eyes registered what she was wearing: a milky white silk gown that clung to her curves.

"Avery!" I don't know why I called, but I couldn't stop myself.

"Yes?"

"Ummm... nothing, I just... nothing." I mumbled like an idiot as I stared at the exposed skin of her cleavage. What was wrong with me?

"Okay, see you later." Nothing like a cold bath to calm a hangover and strong coffee. I didn't feel like dealing with work in the office today, so I stayed home, doing the little I could in my study.

"Hey darling!"

"What are you doing here, Lana? Leave." I told her to stay away. Her dad was a friend of my father, some sort of business partner. We had fun with each other every once in a while. She was dressed in a red short dress, exposing most of the package I've enjoyed countless times.

"Aren't you happy to see me? What, your new plaything got you hooked?"

"Get the hell out of here; I didn't ask for your presence."

"Calm down, baby. I know you love me, but you just don't know what that is. I saw your new plaything last night; she seems to be nosey, trying to get into the dark room."

"What were you doing here? Who let you in? Let me get something straight: she's my wife; stay away from her."

"Fine, I'm here to celebrate your marriage." She pulled out a glass from my shelf. "Unless marriage has ruined your taste for alcohol." I took the drink she poured me and drank its contents.

"Thanks, now leave; I have work to do." My head started spinning. I shouldn't have taken wine after yesterday's drinking. Lana seemed to have taken this as an opportunity to try and do something funny. The more I ordered her out, the more she came closer to me.

"You still refuse me?" She may have your name, but I have your heart." She came closer to me and lifted her skirt higher. She sat on my desk with her left leg between both of mine, revealing her pussy; she wore nothing underneath. "I am the only woman you've ever really wanted. You and I know that. I wasn't a virgin, but you were so crazy about me.

"That's in the past; now leave." I couldn't deny the attraction, but it was different. It felt like the heat of the fire had reduced drastically. I tried to move away as much as I was aroused, but she caressed my dick through my pants with her feet. I couldn't stop myself from reacting. I needed some release, but I wanted it to be with Avery. "Not right now, Lana." I said when I finally got some control. My control started to fade once more, and I just couldn't seem to keep my eyes open. She must have drugged me.

In my haze, I watch her do away with the tiny little clothing she had on and proceeded to undress me. Everything went blank.

AVERY'S POV

Faking a smile and pretending like nothing happened isn't easy, but it's what is best. I can't let him see how much this all hurt me. I've got plans and goals to achieve. I stared at the card Aiden had given me. Twenty million? I could get used to this life. I got to Delicio's, where I and Kiki had agreed to meet, and I called her as I stepped out of the car.

"Hi girl! I just arrived at Delicio's. Where exactly are you?"

"I headed to the second floor, the taco unit. I know you love tacos so I figured it'd be good to have some while we chat." How I love this girl! I was already craving tacos. I met her at the taco unit in a minute. Immediately she caught sight of me, and she rushed to give me a hug.

"Avery... I've missed you. I was so scared; I feared something bad had happened to you."

"Kiki, you saw me yesterday. I'm fine, I promise."

"I know, but still... Considering the situation yesterday, I have every right to miss you. I can see you're fine. Girl, you smell and look like money. What's going on?" I filled her in on all that happened yesterday.

"Let me get this right, he's a pervert that's obsessed with petite, blonde virgins?"

"I guess so. Everyone in his journal was blonde, blue-eyed, petite-looking and a virgin, so yeah, he has a fetish for blonde virgins.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't do anything to help. I can only imagine how you felt. He's such a jerk for making you feel safe just to hurt you."

Speaking about it brought the pain back, so I thought of talking about something else. "Doesn't matter anymore. On the bright side, I have money." I showed her the card, and she gasped, "some level of freedom and a comfortable bedroom. I know no one's going to lock me out of the house."

"You're right. I guess it's way better than life at your parents. Girl, that card... Tell me something!" A smile at her curiosity.

"It's twenty million dollars. He'll give more when it's exhausted-his words, not mine. Kiesha..." I signalled her to come closer as I scanned the room to ensure none of my security team was close by. "I have a plan... revenge, actually."

"Tell me." I filled her in on everything.

"Girl, I love this version of you. They wouldn't know what hit them." She smiled and took a sip of her drink. We spoke for some time, ate tacos and went for a little shopping, and then we called it a day.

"Take care of yourself, Avery. Call me when you get home." I watched her get into her car and drive off. I headed straight to my car... no, that sounds strange. Someone bumped into me. It was Serena, brat of the Kingston's.

"Hello swine! You look good, I must confess. I hope your husband isn't treating you badly?" She asked sarcastically. It was obvious she wished I looked a mess and badly beaten. I ignored her and continued walking over to the car, but that brat couldn't stand being ignored. She pulled me back forcefully.

"Witch, I'm talking to you. How dare you walk out on me?"

"I think you're forgetting who you're speaking to." I signalled my security to take control of the situation. I had no plans of ruining my look.

"Oh, now you think you can do as you please because you're married to the richest man in the city? You're just a toy to him." That stung. Serena was going to say more but was dragged into a nearby mobile toilet and locked in there. I must admit, my security team are creative; I wouldn't have thought of such a good punishment.

"Thank you, let's go." I couldn't wait to get home and talk to Adrian about my plans of employing Mr Brutus. He deserves better pay and a better environment. We got to the mansion, and I was helped with my bags while I asked Steve if Adrian was still home.

"Yes, ma'am, he wasn't feeling too well, so he decided to work a bit from home today. He's currently in his study." I nodded at his response. I didn't want it to look like I desperately want to be with Adrian. Slowly I walked away and hurried my pace when I was certain no one could see me.

I got to the study and forgot to knock in my hurry to talk. "Adrian, I-" Oh my god! My husband was fucking another woman right in his study and didn't even have the decency to lock the door.

"Oops. Sorry, I didn't know you'd be home early." It was the girl from yesterday.

"How? Why? But..." I couldn't get the right words out.

I heard her whisper, "You're shocked that I'm not blonde, right? I'm also not a virgin. He isn't my first but I'm his only love." She smiled mischievously.

"Soon you'll find out why he keeps chasing after girls like you for fun. When you find his truth, who and what he is, you'll pack your things and leave." Then she strolled out, barely taking time to clothe herself.

I turned to the man who was my husband for an explanation, but I got nothing. He just lay there, eyes closed, like he couldn't care less. I felt hurt even though it shouldn't hurt.

I couldn't stand the sight of him. "Avery...?" His voice sounded so weak.

Great, he exhausted all his energy while cheating and had the guts to say my name. I headed straight to my room. Pacing back and forth, I recalled what the girl had said. What could be the reason for his obsession with virgins? was he really in love with that girl? What else was he hiding?

AIDEN'S POV

"Boss! What's wrong?" Stephan came to me, concern evident in his face. I had drifted off once more.

"Lana...She-" I couldn't make up words. "Make sure she never steps foot into this house every again." She dared to drug me, a foul game to play with a mafia. I'm currently in a feud with the Martins, vulnerability isn't what I need right now.

"Yes sir." I could feel him fight the urge to ask what had happened.

"Avery...Where is she?"

"Last I saw her, she was asking to know your whereabouts. I'm guessing you must have seen her earlier." It all came rushing back. She'd seen I and Lana.

"She's probably in her room. Her security team and car are still here." He'd gotten me to my room and helped me to my bed. I don't know how I got my legs to move but now, I couldn't seem to unhook my arm from his neck. My head hurt like hell.

"I got you boss." I mouthed a thank you as i struggled to stay awake. This coupled last night's reckless drinking was doing numbers on me. "Boss, an Intel says the Martin's have plans to attack and rob from our warehouse in Bronx. I've gotten my team ready and I've informed the men there so security is right. We'll arrive there in an hour for reinforcement.

I tried to get up from the bed as I heard the news but I couldn't. "Stephan, help me."

"Don't worry boss, we've got this. Take care, I'll fill you in on everything." He walked away and I drifted back into a deep slumber.

I was awoken by the continuous sound of my ringtone and luckily, I felt much better.

"Yes? What's up Stephan?"

"It was a trap, a distraction boss. The mansion is under attack," my mind immediately went to Avery, "we won't make it in time and most our men joined in to help with the Bronx defense." He paused to catch his breathe and swallow, "I've contacted the Morali's they'll arrive sooner, I know you're not feeling well so I had to make arrangements for your safety and madam's. Security at the hospital where your grandma is has been strengthened."

"Did you take Simon with you?" I asked wanting to know if i had least the second best available.

"Yes sir. I'm sorry I - I should have planned better. I've tried to reach Mrs. Armstrong, she isn't picking up, I was hoping she might be with you. Berry claims he can't find her."

I was up before I could realize it. I had to make sure she was safe, hidden from this crap. I walked to her door and didn't bothered knocking. "Avery are you-" She wasn't there, I checked her bathroom, the balcony and she wasn't there. My heart started racing. I've never been this careless and let my guard down, now Avery might be paying for my mistake.

"Berry, have you found her?" I held my phone tightly as I awaited his response.

"No sir." I'll find her myself. I stormed out on unsteady legs determined to find Avery.

"Boss, I can't let you go out there like this, You're unwell, it's dangerous."

"What's dangerous is you trying to tell me what to do. You have one task, how hard could finding such petite human be?" With the tone I used, he stepped aside immediately.

Just when I stepped out, my phone rang, it was Avery.

"Hello, Aiden I'm outside, somewhere in the garden. I can't explain where, I'm being followed I don't know what's going on and my arm hurts so bad," I was certain she'd been shot. "When are the cops getting here? I'm not sure I can stay up for much longer i-" the call got disconnected.

"Avery! Avery! No no no. Avery!!!" I thought the worst might have happened.

I have to find her fast. "Berry get more men to join me at the garden." Then I hurried as much as I could on unsteady legs to get to the garden as fast as was possible. Where was she?

AVERY'S POV

I can't deny, the food here is always delicious. I needed to clear my head so I went outside, by the pool and had my dinner there. I still hadn't heard or seen Aiden, it hurt that he hadn't tried to apologize or anything but it wasn't surprising. Cool air and music did wonders for the mind. Before long, I started drifting off to to sleep and decided it was time to go to bed and just then I noticed a dark figure pass by but when I turned, I saw nothing. It was probably all in my head. Alarms went off, I could hear shouts and then gunshots. It felt like a horror movie I was scared and my Left arm thought it a good time to start hurting.

"God please, God please." Who ever was shooting for whatever reason, should stay far away from here. I don't want to get shot or lose my life over some stupid shoot out. I heard footsteps, "Security? Help, I'm over here." When I rushed out, it wasn't any of the security here and this man looked strange, dangerous with a look that tells he meant to cause harm. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I got to a spot where I could hide for a while and tried to call Berry, the head of the security team Aiden had left in charge of my safety but the line wasn't connecting so I decided to call the one man I didn't want to speak to, Aiden.

"Hello, Aiden I'm outside, somewhere in the garden. I can't explain where, I'm being followed I don't know what's going on and my arm hurts so bad," She's been shot. "When are the cops getting here? I'm not sure I can stay up for much longer i-" the call got disconnected while I was still talking. "No no no, why now?" I tried calling back several times but it wouldn't connect.

I had to try and escape on my own, it was the only way. Looking left and right to make certain no one was out there waiting to get me, I ran as fast as I could but I stopped by a huge guy who appeared in front of my path, I quickly turned around to take the other route.

"One more move and I'll pull the trigger." I went ice still, fear rocketed through my body. Was this how I was going to end? Loveless, unhappy, zero accomplished goals, no child. I said my last prayer and then I heard sound of gunshot come from behind me. This is it, this was the end.

"Avery!" I turned at the sound of my name. It was Aiden. The man from earlier was laying on the floor lifeless. I ran as Aiden as fast as I could, my legs were shaking, I could barely move them.

Aiden rushed over to me, "Stay with me, Avery don't go to sleep." Why was he shouting? My head hurt like hell and he was making things worse. Somebody tell this man he had no right to tell me when I can and can not go to sleep. I felt him grip my right arm and the pain intensified. "Let go! It hurts...why? My words were slurred. I heard more gunshots as i drifted off while Aiden barked orders that I couldn't process. When would this be over? Will i ever get to safety?

Aiden's POV

Did you get info on their location?"

"No boss." Stephan replied in a tone that showed how disappointed he was.

"What do I pay you for?"

"I'm sorry Boss."

"You sure you torture that man or do I have to do it myself?"

"Yes Boss but he has refused to say anything. If we torture him anymore, he'd die."

"It doesn't matter. Shoot him or whatever, if he doesn't want to cooperate why keep him alive?"

"We could get info on him, boss. you know what they say: if you can't hurt them, go after something they care about. There's always something or someone we can use against him."

"True. Good thinking, Stephan. Let me know if you get anything. For now, we'll focus on finding and destroying their warehouses until we're able to get info on their hide out."

"Yes Boss. When do we head out?"

"12 am." I watched him nod in understanding. I turned to leave. I had to check on Avery, make certain she was okay before heading out for today's mission.

The hospital wasn't far from home, so I got there in three minutes. Rudy did step on the gass.

"How is she Doc?"

"She's stable, nothing to worry about, bullet's out so her arm will heal just fine. Due to her injuries, she might be in pain when she wakes up."

"And her Ankle?"

"It was sprained but for now, we'll focus on the injury, we don't want it getting infected."

"Alright, thanks Doc."

Seeing her small frame in the hospital bed, looking so frail and vulnerable did something to me that I couldn't explain.

"Such a small thing you are. I must admit, you do have strength." I smiled at how stupid it felt speaking to someone who couldn't hear or respond to me at the moment.

I had hoped she'd awaken but it seemed like she really needed her sleep, leaving her felt wrong. I had security guarding the room but still... They weren't competent the last time, would they be now?

"Simon, I leave you in charge. No matter what, don't let anyone in here. If a doctor or nurse gives you weird vibes, keep an eye on them. Infact, keep an eye on every doctor or nurse that walks in."

"Yes Boss."

"Good."

My phone rang as I stepped out of the hospital. "Hey cousin!"

"Sydney, what's up?"

"That's not how to greet your cousin you haven't spoken to in months. Where are you? I just got back."

"What do you mean you just got back?"

"I got here a few minutes ago. My flight got delayed. Where are you?"

"You didn't tell me you were coming back to New York, Sydney. I'm currently at the hospital. Though -"

"Hospital? Why? what happened?" Such a dramatic girl.

"I'm fine, my wife got attacked a few hours ago."

"You got a wife? Jesus! What did I miss? I'm on my way to the hospital. What hospital are you at?"

"Life Haven. Call Simon when you get here. I'm leaving now, I've got matters to attend to."

"You should stay. She would want to see you when she wakes up."

"Someone has to make certain those who attacked her are dealt with. Besides, you'll be watching her, make sure she sees you when she opens her eyes."

"What?"

I hung up and called Stephan. "Head out. I've sent you the location, I'm heading there now."

"We're on our way."

An idea popped in my head, I needed to look a bit different for it to work out. I stopped by the boutique not far from the hospital.

"Wow boss, you look different." I raised a brow. I did feel different but was he trying to say I looked like shit? "In a good way of course." He said in a rush and I nodded.

"Now drive as fast as you can Rudy, I have shit to buy."

Rudy never disappoints, we go there in half the time we were supposed to get there.

"who goes there? Who are you?"

I raised my hands up in surrender as the men pointed guns at me.

"I'm here to get merchandise. I was told you've got the best in the city." One guy stepped forward to search me.

"He's clean." The rest acknowledged his announcement then I was led into the building.

"So what kind are you seeking to get?" A guy with heterochromia said as he stared at me.

"I want the best of what you've got."

"It seems like I know you... Have we met before?"

"I don't think so but I do get merchandise a lot so that's possible." I replied to him firmly.

"But-"

"Oh shut the fuck up Green, you're acting like a pussy in love. He said he doesn't know you." The rest laughed.

That's right idiots, laugh while you can.

"I almost got lost finding this place, is it new? I came all the way from Manhattan." I lied.

"Woah! all the way from Manhattan to Brooklyn?"

"Yeah, I'll do anything for good stuff. I buy and sell to clubs, you know the drill."

"So how many kilos are you getting?"

"As much as can fit in my car."

"And the cops? I have a cover up. I can't be in this business if I don't know how to go about it."

"he's right." The heterochromia guy, Green said. He still looked at me like he didn't believe me.

"What payment method do you accept?"

"Cash, card payment, we got a machine right here."

"I'll pay with a card. Here." I handed them my card. Good thing I came with my design company's card. No one knows I own it. Green looked to check the name on the card but it didn't ring a bell, obviously.

"Looking for something on the card?"

"No, nothing, just checking if it's real."

"I see. Is there a warehouse closer to Manhattan I can buy from next time? It seems y'all are new at this and not popular yet."

"Are you kidding? The Martins new to this? You can't be serious."

"Shut up smith, Here's a few places you can find our warehouses in Manhattan." Green said, writing something down on paper. He handed it to me. With a huge smile I said "thank you, I still haven't paid. What's the delay?"

"We're confirming how much would be enough."

"You, what's your name again...Yeah, Green. You say you recognize me from somewhere, yeah?"

"yeah."

"Look closer."

"Why? I'm certain I was mistaken."

I got a signal from my boys like two minutes ago. The party was about to begin.

AVERY'S POV

I opened my eyes but the light forced me to close them back. It was too bright here. I tried again but this time slowly, letting my eyes adjust to the light.

There was a dark haired girl who seemed to be a little too excited. "You're awake! I got a little worried."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Sydney, Aiden's Cousin."

"Where is he?"

"He had matters to attend to." He didn't care after all.

"How long have I been unconscious?"

"I don't know, maybe 5 hours?" She answered unsure. She looked at me like she was wondering why I was asking.

"What's the time?"

"It's 1 am."

"I see..." I replied weakly. He probably didn't care if I lived or not. Why couldn't he just wait till I opened my eyes?

"I see what this is about. Don't worry, my cousin went after the idiots that attacked." was she always this excited when she spoke?"

"Isn't that supposed to be the police's job?"

"Yeah but-" she paused. "Nevermind." What was she about to say?

"Water, please?"

"Of course, is there anything else you need?"

"No thank you."

She left the room in a hurry. She seems nice, maybe a little too nice. She knew something I didn't, what was it?