Welcome back amor! I know I've been gone forever, so please do go back and read if you have forgotten. Can't wait for you guys to read. Sentima, xo. ___

As much as we wanted to, we couldn't deny the split that seemed to hang between us.

What did we expect? To have things go back to the way it was almost two years ago? I thought to myself.

My love for him didn't change, and that was something I could say with confidence, but my experiences changed me as a person. It would have changed anyone in mine or his position and that was something we both understood.

We're two different people now.

Zaden stood staring out of the window with his back to me, smoke clouded around him. I knew he smoked a cigar every now and again so it wasn't surprising seeing him smoke the thick and over priced roll of tobacco leaves.

"Keep watching me like that and I might just blush for you Versana." His voice came out confident and deep.

I smiled at the memory of him saying the same thing around the time we started dating, and till this day, I'm still nervous to be around you.

"Versana." He called, pulling me out of my day dreaming state.

"I don't think I could ever get use to the name." I sighed.

Zaden's piercing eyes searched mine from across the room, they seemed to be a shade lighter than his normal grey eyes. His lips fell into the smirk I had fallen in love with. "It fits you perfectly actually, Versana Vice."

I gaped openly at him, my eyes wondered slowly. Starting from his hair, it was darker than I remember, pushed back with the help of some kind of gel, the sides short and neatly cut. He had prominent cheekbones and a well defined jaw and nose. He's always had flawless skin, he knew how to take care of himself. The all black suit is custom made, hugging and contouring his tall and muscular physic.

He let the smoke leak out of the corner of his mouth slowly, placing the cigar in an ash tray and shoving his hands into his slacks, he made his way over to me. "I'm surprised Carter let you out of his sight." He sat on the arm rest of a couch and pulled me between his legs, his hands on my waist guiding me.

"I didn't tell him." My arms rested on his shoulders.

"Are you trying to get me killed?" He chuckled lowly. "I would prefer not to die at your brothers hands."

Of course Carter knew already, he would have known as soon as I told the guys to grab my bags, nothing gets passed him without my security notifying him my every move.

"One more second without you was going to drive me insane." I sighed, feeling myself relax at his touch.

"I missed you too princess." He rested his head against my chest. "Maceo sent me videos of you and Beau when he would visit, you two are so beautiful."

"She really misses you."

"Does she still have her promise ring?" He let me see how hurt it really made him, pulling my hands into his and staring at the finger he had put the ring on.

"She never takes it off, we have to get it resized often. She's getting so big." I nodded. "She has mine as well, I leave it with her when I travel without her."

He visibly relaxed as soon as I said it, a small smile made an appearance to his lips. "Any boyfriends while I was away?" He smirked.

"No, you set the bar too high." I winked, earning a chuckle and a peck at my jaw.

There is so much to admire. My thumb traced his lips. So soft.

"I'm sorry for my absence." He whispered, his hand brushing my hair from my face. "It won't happen again."

"Good, because I'm going to need you." I lend into his hand now cupping my face. "I'm slipping Zaden."

"Doesn't sound like you Versana, you normally hold yourself very well." He searches my eyes for any clues.

"I'm breaking." I admitted. "The pressure is eating at me."

My heart felt heavy and I haven't been exactly myself. He was right, I was normally sure of myself but it's getting harder. Being in the position I am makes the things that I care for vulnerable, very vulnerable.

"Cry baby." He caught the lone tear that dripped down my cheek slowly.

And like a snap of a finger I broke.

I cried for multiple reasons, for him, Grayson, Carter, Beau and our families. My cry was silent but everything hurt, I felt like my chest was caving and my head pounded, blurring my vision.

"Tell me why." He gently rubbed my arms as I cried into my hands. "What's going on in your head princess?"

"I'm the biggest target this industry has ever had." I wiped at my face frustratingly. "The feds are watching, they're waiting. Our enemies are watching, one wrong move I make will either leave me dead or someone I love dead."

"I'll be honest with you." He pulled my hands to rest in his. "You're right about being the biggest target, you're more than valuable. Five top families, you connected the whole five to yourself. And each one you have a strong hold over."

I remained silent as he spoke, his eyes softened like they always did when he watched me cry. You always did hate watching me cry.

"Someone would have to be really stupid to come after you, and I mean really stupid." He chuckled, pushing my hair out of my face and behind my ear. "But you're the easiest target they've ever had. Someone takes you out, they buckle all of us. Carter is who they're after, and he never makes impulsive decisions, but when it comes to you. It looks like it would be a different story. No one has to be a genius to figure that one out."

"He wouldn't hesitate to see blood even if it cost him his own life." I sniffled, everything he said was true.

Carter treats me exactly how I treat Grayson. As long as Grayson was okay, I was okay. That's how it was for Carter.

He wiped the last of my tears from my face and pulled me in for a hug. "That's what they want. They're waiting for you to make the wrong move, so from now on make only smart moves, always ten steps ahead princess. Always."

I let what he said sink in, it made perfect sense. I lost myself to my thoughts, it felt like hours but was not. "Thank you." I whispered into his ear. "How are you dealing with the transition?"

"Better now." He laughed as I breathed in his scent, different from what I could remember. Exotic and familiar even, but I couldn't put my finger on the cologne and where I've smelt it before.

"Any girlfriends?" I sniffled, straightening myself out.

"You're the one and only." He smiled, his eyes darted between my lips and back again. "Can I kiss you again?"

Before I could even finish my nod, his lips brushed mine softly. "So perfect." He said huskily, leaning into the kiss. We both fought for dominance and I won, earning myself an approving nip at my bottom lip.

"Quite perfect yourself." I winked, my hand ran down his chiseled chest teasingly.

"Miss Vice, we have to leave." Messiah knocked and called through the door.

Zaden groaned, and I laughed against his lips. "I was selfish coming to see you, but I needed this." I smiled into his neck. "I wish I could stay."

"You're still you mi amor, maybe tainted a little." He laughed as I nipped at his neck. "Stop or else you won't be going anywhere for a while."

"Stopping." I teased, pulling away from him.

"I'll follow back to you once I have everything sorted here." He held onto my hand. "I love you Versana."

"I love you Don." I blew a kiss and opened the door.

He laughed as I stepped out, memories of how good we had it in high school flashed back. Falling for him was easy, and I wanted him just as much as he wanted me. He's always felt like home, patient and trusting, kind and understanding. I was the lucky one.

Messiah helped me into the SUV, handing me a phone once I was in. "Any update on Vice?"

"He's showing signs of waking up soon." Carter sighed through the receiver. "You've watched me from afar, you already know irmãzinha." (Irmãzinha- little sister in Portuguese).

"A phone call away right?"

"Call and I'll be there, be safe irmãzinha."

"Mexico is our next stop." I ended the call and stared out at the greenery that passed. "I'm going to claim what is mine."