"Do you think the universe fights for souls to be together? Somethings are just too strange and strong to be coincidences."

***************

Nikolas's POV

"Someone get her away from me!" Alex whined, pushing Emma away as she tried to hug him once again, "Get her away, get her away!" He said, freeing himself from her hold, and stepped backward, building distance.

She chuckled, "Aw I know you're gonna miss me so much," She commented while pinching his cheeks, and her eyebrow raised, pretty much enjoying the fact that she was annoying him beyond measures. Alex pushed her hand away and I sighed, unable to understand how she is that same vulnerable girl last night who asked me to protect her.

Yeah, we are such a weird family.

Alex shot her a glare when she winked at him before she turned around, and headed for the jet.

"She's crazy, I swear," He mumbled and fixed the collar of his shirt that she just ruined, "I only wonder how Roman can handle her."

I shook my head at the thought and when Alex's eyes fell back on me, "So, do you need anything before I go?" I asked.

"One thing," he said, arching an eyebrow, "Don't die," He said, "You know, I lost you twice, and they say third time's a charm, so," He gave me a casual shrug, "Just don't die, stay alive and breathing, I haven't annoyed you enough yet."

I smiled, involuntarily, and gave him a nod, "I will try."

He let out a low sigh, "You know that I can't...I can't go there," He mumbled, bothered by the thought, "Isaac and I made a deal, I stay out of his way and he stays away from Max, I am not gonna jeopardize that."

I nodded, "Of course, like hell would I let you go there," This is my part in the game, my task, my mission to accomplish, "It's not gonna be easy, that I know, Isaac is more powerful than all of us, it's gonna take me some time to figure him out."

He blew out an annoyed breath, "God, do I miss the days when our biggest enemy was you," He added, sarcastically and I totally agreed. I miss the days where my father was just a ghost. Now, he is everywhere and controlling everything.

"He has a weakness," Everyone does, "I just need to find out what it is."

"Just be careful while doing so, Isaac's power is not just his position, it's his mind games, so don't let him do that to you again," Alex stressed out, worry and concern cut lines over his forehead.

I shook my head, "I won't."

"Good," He said, "Now, just leave before this gets emotional and you start crying and I will have to hug you," He added, "I am not in the mood for that now."

I shook my head at his words and he smiled, "I will see you soon?"

I nodded, "Soon."

Just when I was about to turn around and head for the jet, he said, "Hold on, hold on," The urgency in his tone had me pausing and I turned to face him, "You didn't tell me, how did the date go?"

Every once in a while, just smile.

That woman, she is...she is something else.

That alone made me want to smile. My eyebrow arched a bit and I gave Alex a low shrug before I turned around, giving him nothing.

"Hey, hey!" Alex tried to stop me, "I need actual words, I need answers!"

"Bye, Alex," I said, loud for him to hear, and without turning. The last thing I heard him say was something like such a bitch as I reached the jet.

I shrugged off my jacket and placed it aside before I took a seat, already dreading the days to come. As I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt, Roman came from the back and took the seat right ahead of me, his eyes skeptically focused on mine.

He rubbed at his chin, his eyes not leaving me for a second, and I let out a sigh, "What do you want?"

His eyebrow raised, "Well nothing, but I might not be able to sleep on this flight considering you might just pull a gun at me."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't be such a baby, I didn't kill you, did I?" Although the thought felt so very tempting at the moment.

He scoffed, "Well, you considered it, didn't you?"

I nodded, "But the important thing is I didn't do it."

Emma popped her head from the seat on the other side, "Roman, come sit beside me," She said, more like ordered, probably scared I might actually kill him if he doesn't drop this down.

"Like hell, I will," He said, as he buckled his seatbelt when the captain announced we'll be taking off, "What the-," Emma said, totally offended by his rejection. He angeled his head to the side so he could see her, and his eyebrow raised, "Did you forget what happened on the flight here?"

She sighed in frustration and he turned to me, "She was having a bad dream or something, and as the good husband I am, I just tried to wake her up, next thing I felt was the knife pressing up against my throat," He pointed at his neck, whining, "It even left a scar."

"God, Nik is right, you are such a baby!" Emma shouted.

I facepalmed, "Is this my life right now?" I asked, my eyes glaring at them both, very much bothered by their stupid argument.

Roman smiled, ever so smugly, "Yeah, if I haven't said it already, it's really good to have you back," He commented, ever so sarcastically, "It's been long since we lived in the same house."

I ignored him and rested the back of my head against the seat and pressed my eyes shut. I sucked into a deep breath, getting myself ready to face whatever Isaac had prepared for me. I have a feeling he will start right away.

"Isaac is already at the estate," Emma mumbled, her gaze falling on me, proving my thoughts right. I nodded, "I am pretty sure he will stick around till he makes sure I am doing what he wants."

She gave me a knowing look, "And well, your mother is there too."

My hand curled over the edge of the armrest, "I don't care," I grated out while looking at the small window, watching the city that was my home for the past months slowly fade away.

Flashback

The pain surging through my body was too unbearable to keep in. I groaned and the ache reflected all over my brain, pressing up against my skull and tightening every cell in my being. There wasn't one nerve in me that wasn't alive, firing up and sending back that agonizing sensation to every organ in my body.

I forced my eyes open, trying to grasp what's happening. Another groan rumbled from my chest when I tried to move my upper body up. I pressed my eyes shut, the pain overpowering all of my senses. A hand over my shoulders forced me back down, "No, stay down," The voice was familiar and even though it was right beside me, it felt like it came from miles and miles away.

I sucked into a deep breath, trying to pull myself together and I let my eyelids glide open again. I blinked, one time, twice, "Where am I?" I grated out of my sour throat.

"What happened?" I mumbled, bringing a hand over my face and rubbing at my eyes, trying to regain my consciousness back.

"You were shot," That same voice said and the grey cloud over my brain didn't easily clear away, I winced again at the excruciating feeling, and she added, "But, you're safe now."

I pressed my eyes shut trying to remember what happened last but failed. Soft fingers brushed my forehead, pulling my hair away, "Thank god, you're okay," The voice said, softer now and lacing with worry, "I thought you died," That same chocked voice said, "How could Alex do this?"

Alex?

Oh fuck, Alex...

I snapped my eyes open and shot up from my position, ignoring the way it ripped at my inside, "No, fuck, no," I grated out in disbelief of the whole situation. My teeth clenched trapping the pain, and my eyes connected with her green ones. She immediately urged me back down, "Nik, you need to rest, you were severely inju-"

My hand wrapped over her wrist, pushing it away from me, "What the hell happened?" I snapped, my voice bellowed into the cold room, the echo had her wincing and my hard stare had her cowering down.

My grip only tightened over her skin, squeezing the fucked up feeling clouding my chest, "I was supposed to fucking die," I snapped and she shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, "No, no-"

My chest heaved, unable to suck the oxygen in, "Why the hell am I still alive?" I snapped again, shaking her, needing an answer, but I was met with tears only, "Why?!"

"This is no way to talk to your mother, son," His voice had me snapping my head to the door, my hand leaving her and she immediately got to her feet and a bit away from me. He stepped inside, and his eyebrow raised, "Considering if it wasn't for her, I would've never even thought of saving you."

He stood there, his soulless dark eyes smugly staring at me, "Why would you save me?" I snapped, my stare just as hard as his, and my fingers twitched, the sight of him eluding me from any control I had left, "You wanted me dead."

His eyebrows pulled closer, "I don't want you dead," He inched closer, and leveled his head right in front of mine, and the look that darkened his eyes, that look was pure hate as he whispered just for me to hear, "I just want to break you."

"Why?" I grated out.

He pulled himself up and shrugged, "Because it's fun."

End of Flashback

After eleven hours flying and one hour from the airport, I was standing back in front of the estate that once belonged to me, that held way too many fucked up memories. The place where the monster in me resided for too long.

Only one good memory existed in this place, and that was Lilly. No more, no less.

I remember her running around here, between these trees, hiding and playing with her ball and little bike, because I would never let Cara get out of here, due to her many attempts of escaping. I locked her within the boundaries of this house. Her prison, it was. I made it one hell of a prison. Within the limit of those big walls, I made her live in fear and panic. I threatened her every single day. I ripped her apart for two long years.

Right in that spot, I threw her into Lucas's arms.

The thought, the memory had me stumbling backward, the energy this place held overpowering the logic in my brain and ripping every wound wide open. I knew coming here would do no one any good.

It's not Isaac and his mind games that I am scared of. It's this...these memories I keep running from; Those days where the monster overpowered the human. It's these walls that still held down the blood of innocents, the screams and cries of the pure. If they could speak, if they could act, they would collapse down on me and bury me ten feet under due to everything that happened within them.

Emma's hand over my arm shook me back in, and she nodded toward the entrance, "Let's go."

I pushed back every troubled feeling and I walked forward, one step, two, three and I was inside. A cold wave hit me almost instantly and uneasiness pelted under my skin, just reminding me how tough this is going to be.

Seconds ticked by, then two big wooden doors opened and he came out, in all his glory. He walked around like he owned everything, head held high, eyes that probably never felt an ounce of pain. Isaac was always a mystery I couldn't unravel. Frank was different. As evil as he was, he had a motive, he had reasons, he had weaknesses and Alex was one of them, but Isaac, he has no motive. He doesn't do what he does for vengeance, he doesn't have a goal, he reached all of his goals, and that...that only makes him the more dangerous.

There must be one thing in this world that he cares about, there should be one thing only that makes those dark soulless eyes of his move. One thing that makes him...feel. There should be and when I find out what it is, I am gonna ruin it in the worst way possible.

"Welcome home, son," He said, a big grin pulling up at his lips as he came to a stop right ahead of me.

His height leveled up with mine, his stance as strong and I really wished to have a one-on-one fight with him, I wanted to see if I can claw those dark eyes of his with my bare fingers. The possible ways I can rip his skin off his bones faded away from my mind at the sound of footsteps nearing us.

My gaze flickered to the owner as she took a stop right beside her husband. Similar eyes gazed back at mine, hopeful and beyond content with my presence. Without much of a twitch or even a reaction, I turned to him as he announced, "In an hour, I want everyone present in the dining room, it's been a while since we had a family dinner."

Family dinner my ass.

Alex is seriously rubbing off on me with his language.

Isaac's eyes gleamed with a hidden motive, "And there are a few things we need to discuss."

With that, after the boss made his command, he turned around and headed away, followed by his minions. Emma mumbled a curse under her breath and I ignored every other presence, including that woman I am newly learning to hate, and I walked away as well. I stepped up the stairs and headed for the east wing, toward one room in specific.

I twisted the knob, opening the door, and when I stepped inside, a low sigh of relief parted my lips at the fact that everything was still exactly the same. I walked forward, till I reached the little crib, my fingers rested over its rails, my eyes focused inside on the many toys that still here, untouched, like it was just yesterday when she was sleeping here, filling this hell-hole with her innocence.

My gaze flickered to the bed beside the crib and I couldn't help but recall, how I would always sneak in at night when Cara was sleeping, to be able to see Lilly or hold her the least. In the beginning, Cara wouldn't let me do so, she was terrified I was gonna hurt her, it wasn't till later that she understood that I would hurt anyone, including her but I wouldn't let a thing happen to that little girl.

The door I closed behind me, opened now without much of a knock. My jaw tightened and I turned around, she ignored my unwelcoming stare and stepped forward, her eyes on my face, taking me in.

"What do you want?" I shot out.

"I just want to see you, it's been a while."

I scoffed, "Look, I came back but that doesn't mean I want to talk to you or even as much as see you, so if you can take care of that, I would really appreciate it."

Her brows tightened in sadness, "You never...never treated me like this."

"Because I was too blinded with the ounce of love you showed me, I couldn't see everything that is wrong with you."

My words hit her face with a bit of heartache and I looked away, unable to handle her looks or presence.

"I am just glad you're here," She mumbled, sadly.

I turned back to her, in disbelief of every action she did and still is doing, "How could you be so weak?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them, "How could you still follow him around like this, after everything that happened?"

She shook her head, "Your father and I have a deal, I stay as his wife, I keep giving him the Viarchi name, and he keeps you safe."

I scoffed, "Safe?" My eyebrows arched, "Since the moment I left here, he's been following me around, sending his dogs after me-"

"He was only trying to bring you back," She stressed out, "And he is right Nik, this is your duty to the family, this is what you're supposed to do, this is your home."

"This is not my home!" I snapped, inching closer to her, the anger in my tone and eyes warning her not to fuck with me.

"Then, where is your home?"

"Anywhere far from you and him."

Her gaze drifted down and I stressed out, "Get out."

She didn't budge so I wrapped my hand over her arm, pulling her out of the room, "As long as I am staying here, I want you out of my way," I can't have her disturb my plan and divert my attention, "You're the only person I thought I will never hurt, but believe me with the way I feel now, I could easily hurt you," A voice deep in my head mocked me as to how I would never do that, but the threat in my tone was still damn convincing.

I let go of her arm and her eyes widened at my words and the harshness of my touch, "Stay out of my way," I stressed out again before I slammed the door shut in her face.

Not long after, Emma sent me a text to meet her outside. I went down and made my way out of the main gate, knowing for sure we are meeting there just so Isacc doesn't hear us. The man has ears and eyes everywhere, which is beyond enraging.

When I reached the spot, Roman, Ronald, and Liam were already there, waiting.

"So, how is this gonna work exactly?" Liam was the first to talk, he crossed his arms over his chest and sighed, like he couldn't bother less about the topic.

"We will watch him, and every move he makes," I answered and Liam's unsatisfied gaze was still on me, "He is bound to mess up at some point, and we'll be there to use that as our advantage."

Emma nodded, agreeing before she handed me a file, "I found out who he brought from the HEX, in here there is everything about him," She explained, "He isn't from any of the founding families but he was the strongest at the HEX and Isaac took him as his right-hand man, you know, to do the dirty work for him."

"I think we should be aware of him," Ronald interfered, "I've heard many things about him when I was in there, he is not a piece of cake."

My jaw tightened, "Great, just another one to add to the list," I mumbled as I opened the file and read his name, "Alastor," I mumbled, "That's a name you don't hear often."

"Isaac picked him for a reason," Emma said, curiosity evident in her tone.

I closed the file, "We'll figure it out."

She nodded and looked between us and ever so sarcastically mumbled, "Now, shall we head for the disaster of a dinner we are supposed to have?"

*************

"So, let's start with the main thing," Isacc said, placing his fork down after the dinner that no one took a single bite from.

His eyes were on me, "Now, that Nikolas is back to where he is supposed to be," He commented, not caring to hide the bit of mockery in his tone, the one that said, I chased you down and eventually made you do what I want, "He will be resuming his role, he will be responsible for the family in London, which, unfortunately," He turned to Roman, "Puts you down from your position," He added, satisfied with the fact, "Guess marrying my daughter did you no good."

Roman's jaw ticked but he kept his gaze anywhere but at Isaac, "You will resume your late father's role, you will work only by Nikolas's rules, well, they are my rules still, so," He added smugly, pointing out to what extent he is gonna control this and me.

Roman's fingers tightened over the fork at the mention of his father and I noticed Emma inching closer to him, she whispered something which had his tight grip loosen a bit.

"Ronald," He addressed him, his eyes on the young man, "I kind of like you, you proved yourself worthy since you've left the HEX," He commented and Ronald looked a bit taken aback at the appreciation, "I want you to be my son's right hand," Ronald and I exchanged a look, that neither of us understood what Isaac's intentions are.

One of his men walked came to a stop by Isaac's seat and he handed him a file, "Here is what you asked for, sir."

Isaac's smile only widened, "Oh, perfect," He took the file, only to hand it back to me, "This is for you."

Confusingly, I took the file from him. I opened the first page, my eyes scanned through the words written, it was all information about the name mentioned at the top: Mia Armone.

My gaze drifted up to him, "Who's this?"

Even with the glass's tip pressed to his lips as he sipped on his drink, I could clearly see him smirk as he said, "Your future bride."

Emma started coughing as she choked on whatever she was eating, while I stared back at him like he grew another head. His eyebrow raised, a challenge in his gaze. I placed the file down and I...I laughed. I couldn't help but laugh, "Wow, father, you really made me laugh," I said, and when I looked at him, I rubbed a hand over my jaw, "This is why you brought me here?" I questioned, "To get married?"

He shrugged, "The Armone's are becoming stronger each day, I can't let that happen, I need them under my control, one way to do that, is by this," He said, ever so casually, "I can't have anyone threatening my throne."

"For how long exactly do you think you gonna keep sitting on this throne?" I asked, the mockery on my tone pretty evident.

Isaac placed his drink down, his unwavering gaze on me, a promise behind his words, "For as long as I can."

The chair screeched as he backed away and got to his feet, "Tomorrow, we will be meeting with Mia's father, I expect you to be prepared to take on your duties, son," He said, placing a hand to my shoulder, he squeezed, not so very gently, "And if you defy me, you know what happens."

The moment he walked out of the room, the anger rushed back with full force and all I felt was my hand pushing the glass away, it crashed over the ground with a loud thud before I got to my feet and stormed away.

I knew he was gonna start his games right away, but this...this is the last thing I expected. It's the last thing I need right now.

Mia Armone. Armone.

Fuck.

I pulled my phone immediately and dialed. The second he answered, I shot for my question, "Jeremy, what's Mia Armone's relation to Maria?" I asked, the last name of Natalie's mother and this is just too much of a coincidence for my liking.

"Uh, just a second," Jeremy said and I heard keyboard keys clicking from his side.

I rushed a frustrated hand over my face as I impatiently waited for his answer, "Maria was her aunt," His answer was exactly what I expected. She's Natalie's cousin for fuck's sake.

Isaac knows this, I am sure. This can't be a fucking coincidence. There is no way.

He must've known.

It's what he always does. Playing games, because it is just...fun.

**************

Roman's POV

"Why did you turn it off?!"

I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh as Emma's loud voice echoed in the room when I turned off the light and headed for the bed.

"I said, why did you fucking turn it off?" She snapped again, and I could feel her presence beside me on the bed, "Because I want to sleep," I answered.

"You know I can't sleep when it's turned off, why do you have to do this every fucking night?" Here comes that threatening tone of hers.

"And I can't sleep when there is light," I stressed out, as I rested my head over the pillow, knowing for sure I won't be able to rest anytime soon.

What did I do wrong in life to deserve this pure torture in the form of a wife named Emma?

"Turn it back on!" She snapped, and I ignored her.

"Roman!" She said and pushed at my arm, and by push, I mean punch really hard.

I groaned in annoyance and pressed my eyes shut, "I swear you do this on purpose," I mumbled.

"No, I am not!"

"Seriously, you want me to believe that the big badass Emma is scared of darkness?"

My choice of words was probably wrong because the next thing I felt was the coldness of the knife press to my throat. Great. Another night of my married life. She really keeps the knife under the pillow, you know because...just in case. My jaw ticked and I pried my eyes open, and even with the darkness, the moonlight from outside reflected off her eyes as she glared down at me, "I am not scared, say that again," She pressed the knife further into my skin, "And I will rip your head off!"

"Then, fucking go to sleep," I stressed out again, my hand reached for her wrist to push her away but she didn't budge.

Anger reigned in her gaze but it was intertwined with so many other feelings I couldn't decipher, and I didn't want to. I know better than trying to understand Emma, "Aren't you bored of this?" I asked, an annoyed sigh wrapped my words, "Because I am," I added, "I am bored of arguing with you with every passing second, I am bored of you and your fucked up family, I am bored of this fiasco of a marriage we have on and I am one step away from snapping, Emma," Even though my voice was low, she sensed the desperation behind my tone.

She blinked and loosened her grip, retreating the knife away, "We are both stuck in this, so the best thing to do is, you stay the hell away from me and I will stay away from you because I can't take it anymore!"

She scoffed, "What about this little human in me?"

I rushed a hand over my face, "I have no idea, this is the biggest mistake we ever made," I mumbled, my eyes on her stomach, unable to comprehend the thought yet, "You and I shouldn't bring a human into this life," I looked back at her face, "We will ruin him."

The muscles of her jaw worked, "You mean I will ruin him."

Without much of a reaction after, she silently backed away from me and laid on her side of the bed, her head pressed against the pillow and she gave her back to me. I can't possibly have offended her. It's Emma, she doesn't get offended and truth be told, yeah, she would ruin him beyond measures.

Minutes passed and I still couldn't sleep, thanks to another episode from my dear wife. My gaze went to her face, and even though I couldn't see her features clearly, I noticed her eyelashes going up and down as she blinked, proving she hasn't slept as well.

I wanted to slap myself at what I did next. I got to my feet and turned the lights back on. Why? Because I am plain stupid. When I got back to bed, her confused gaze fell on me, trying to understand the meaning behind my gesture and I just said, "I still believe you are doing this just to annoy me," There is no possible way she is scared of the darkness. Everything I see her do, just proves otherwise.

She didn't say anything back, but I noticed the slightest twitch over her lips, fighting for a smile before she turned her head around and closed her eyes.

After a while, I looked back at her, and she was fast asleep. So, I turned the lights off and finally was able to sleep myself.

In the middle of the night, I was shaken back awake, the shivering human beside me had me waking up from my light sleep. I blinked, trying to regain my consciousness and my gaze fell on Emma's face. She had turned over in her sleep and was now much closer to me.

Lines etched her forehead, her fingers twisted over the sheets and her whole body was shivering, a low moan of pain came from her and her lips parted, "No, no, I don't...want to...do it," Her agonized words came out so low and hoarse and she mumbled more incoherent ones in between.

My eyebrows pulled closer at her state. Another nightmare? How often does she get these?

Her face etched in pure agony, like she was in pain and I brought my palm to her cheek, trying to be gentler this time, because the last thing I need is for her to kill me in her sleep, "Emma," I whispered her name, the pad of my thumb smoothing the lines from over her forehead.

Her chest heaved out and she shook her head, "No, please," She mumbled again, pressing her eyes tighter and I pulled her shivering body to me, she became so close, her sweaty forehead pressed up against mine. She whimpered and I tightened my hold over her, "I've got you," I mumbled, my lips an inch away from hers due to the closeness.

Something about her being in this state pulled at my heart and I gently brushed my finger over her face, trying to shake her out of the dream. I tucked her hair behind her ear and I felt her slowly relax in my arms, the twitching of her muscles paused and her breaths started to even out.

I felt her hand press against my chest and I let out a low breath, "I've got you, you crazy girl."

I gazed at her face one more time, making sure the dream's remnants had faded away. I hooked my hand under her chin, my thumb brushed the corner of her mouth as I mumbled, "You're gonna ruin me again, aren't you?"

************

Nikolas's POV

"It's a pleasure to give my daughter to your son, Isaac," Joesph Armone said, ever so proudly as his eyes flickered between me and my father, "I even think we should arrange this as fast as we can."

Such a bastard. Immediately ready to sell his daughter for more power, to gain a place in the famous Virachi name. He has no idea it's Isaac's way to put him and his family down and under our control.

"No need to rush anything," I commented, desperately needing to postpone this for as far as I can, "I mean your daughter hasn't even met me yet," I raised an eyebrow, "She could easily say no."

Joseph shook his head with a low chuckle, "Why would she say no, Nikolas," His confident tone showed me that she doesn't have much of a choice in the matter, "It's our pleasure to unite both families," He explained, "My daughter has her duties as well, she knows that and she would gladly agree to fulfill them."

My fingers twitched over my knee and I curled them into a fist, still in disbelief of this matter. I never gave this issue much thought before I had Lilly in my life. The girl is not even my real daughter, but if a guy breathes her way, I could already see myself pulling the trigger.

And here is Joseph, ready to give his daughter to me; the worst possible nightmare for her.

No wonder Maria ran away from all of this.

He focused his attention on Isaac, "Tomorrow is Margeret and mine's anniversary, and we are throwing a small gathering," He turned to me, his grin widening, "I think it would be a great chance for the young couple to meet and talk about their future."

Young couple?

Couple?

Wait till Alex hears this...

Isacc nodded, "Sounds great, Joesph," He got to his feet, "I can't wait for us to become a family."

"For real this time," Isaac stressed out.

What does he mean?

He shook hands with the man and when Joseph turned to me, he extended his hand forward. My jaw ticked and I shook his hand, my fingers gave it a harsher grip than I am supposed to and he totally sensed that with the change in his expression.

I have a feeling he had something to do with Maria's so-called accident and death. From the way he is willing to give up his daughter to a man with my reputation, it's more than possible that he killed his own sister.

Another name I am gonna have to add to the list. The man probably hurt Natalie's family. That's not something I am gonna look past easily.

When we stepped outside the Armone's mansion, Isaac got a phone call, hopped into the car, and left. I took a stop beside Ronald, who was waiting outside, and mumbled, "Where did he go?" I asked, but Ronald's gaze and attention were definitely not on me.

His eyes focused on the door that let me out, "Ronald?" I stressed out, shaking him out of his gaze.

He looked back at me, and his throat bobbed heavily, "Yeah?"

My eyebrow raised, "What?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Nothing," He mumbled, "You were saying?"

I eyed him skeptically as he explained that just a problem raised and Isaac went to take care of it. He stressed out it wasn't anything important for us to dwell over. I shook the thought away and focused my attention on what I am supposed to do tomorrow.

***********

Next day...

There were more than two hundred people at the Armone's mansion when I arrived, all here to celebrate Joesph and his wife's anniversary. I remember him saying a small gathering...this is definitely not small.

But, that's not why I am here. Yesterday, I gathered from Jeremy whatever information I need about the Armone's family. The father passed away a long time ago, he had three kids. Joseph, the eldest, who took after his father; Maria, who died, and Julia, Maria's twin.

She is my target for the night, "Look around and find me Julia Armone," I asked Ronald and his eyebrows pulled closer, a bit confused at the request but he nodded nevertheless and walked away to get his job done.

"Nikolas," Joseph voice had me involuntarily tightening my jaw, I really don't like the man, "I am glad you could make it," His fake smile had the wrinkling beside his eyes more obvious and he stepped aside, showing me who he had behind him.

The girl took a few steps forward, her gaze was cast down and when she hesitantly looked up, dark brown eyes stared back at mine. God, how old is she? Twenty? She looked so young.

"This is my daughter, Mia," He introduced, very much proud of his progeny. Her throat bobbed heavily and she parted her lips and mumbled a low, "Hello, it's nice to meet you, Mr. Viarchi."

My eyebrows pulled closer, trying to understand the whole situation. She is practically a kid. Her voice didn't even make it out from how low and soft it is. Her hair is of a dark brown color, matching her eyes, and her olive skin resembled that of her father's. She was the exact opposite of Natalie. And at the moment, I didn't understand why I was comparing the two...since when Natalie became my base for comparison.

Fucking Alex, what did you do to me?

"How about I leave you two alone," Joseph said, "You can talk and get to know each other more, while I will talk with your father and see what we'll do about this," He said, tapping his hand over my arm before he left. I stared at his back in pure disgust, does he think himself my friend?

The girl's scared gaze flickered to her father's retreating back, probably terrified of being left alone with me. I don't blame her. From the outside, it looked like I could eat her alive. She moved a bit closer to stand by my side, but made sure to keep her distance, and she didn't dare for once to look me in the eyes again.

I looked around, searching for Ronald to save me from this uncomfortable situation and probably save the poor soul from being terrified as hell. I felt the need to tell her not to be scared, that I won't be marrying her no matter what, but kept my mouth shut for now.

"Is there anything you would like to know, Mr. Viarchi?" She mumbled, ever so politely, breaking the silence, and probably just following her father's pathetic orders.

"No," I simply said.

My answer had her finally meeting my gaze, she blinked, confused and a bit taken aback.

I rubbed at the side of my neck and looked away; Where the hell are you, Ronald?

"Unbelievable," I mumbled under my breath, still unable to comprehend my father's actions.

"Am I...am I not like you expected?" Her weak voice had me staring back at her in disbelief, "Who told you to talk like that?" My furiousness was toward her fucked up father but she misunderstood it as toward her and she jumped backward, her eyes widening a bit in fear, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to anger you."

"You didn't anger me," I assured her, flustered by her panicked state.

She gulped down and my eyebrows pulled closer, "Do you want this?" I asked, starting my investigation with this girl.

She gulped down and stared back at me in silence. My eyebrow raised, urging and intimidating her to talk, "It doesn't matter what I want," She said the words she was probably taught to say since day one, "It's my duty to serve our family any way I can."

"Why?" I asked, trying to reach my intended purpose.

Her head tilted to the side in pure confusion, "Because...."

"Because?" I asked, but she kept her mouth shut, "Because if you don't, you'd end up like your aunt?"

My words had her gasping, and her eyes widening, only proving my theory.

She looked away at where her father is, "Please don't tell dad I said anything," She mumbled over a plea, more terrified than ever.

I shook my head, "I won't."

"Nikolas," Ronald's voice had me turning around, his gaze flickered to Mia and then to me, "I found what you asked me for."

I nodded and gave Mia one last glance, "Let's go," I said to Ronald as we headed toward Maria's twin sister. She was standing alone at one corner, her gaze drifting around the room in pure distaste. One look only and I knew, she hated it here. She doesn't approve of her brother's ways. The energy vibrating from her said that and more.

I came to a stop by her side, grabbing her attention to me, her eyes met mine, eyes so blue, and I knew Natalie must've gotten her eyes from her mother. The woman standing in front of me, looked probably my mother's age, or younger by a couple of years, not more.

"Julia," I said, pulling on a friendly tone, "I am-"

"Nikolas Viarchi," She said, not daring to hide the dislike from her tone, "You've got quite the reputation around here."

"Good, so need for introductions," I said, "Can we talk somewhere in private?"

Her eyebrow raised, "What would we talk about exactly?"

"Your sister," I explained directly, and her eyes grew a bit wide when I said the name out loud, "Maria."

She looked around her then back at me, "Are you crazy?" She hissed in pure panic, "If Joseph as much as hears you say that name, he'd kill you!"

I scoffed, "Believe me, I'd have him dead before he'd even try," And I would enjoy it very much.

My eyebrow arched, "So, can we talk?"

She pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes went around the room before she nodded her head toward the door. She walked out first and when I was about to follow, I felt Ronald's hand grip over my arm, I turned to him and looked at his hand, silently telling him to take it off before I break it.

He pulled it back, his gaze of pure rage, "Why are you asking about Maria?"

"None of your business," I remarked, reminding him where he stands.

I followed Julia and so did he. Once we were inside one of the rooms, she closed the door behind her, her gaze skeptically looking around, hoping no one is hearing us before she turned to me, "Why do you want to talk about Maria?" She asked, suspiciously, "Aren't you here just to meet Joseph's daughter?"

I shook my head, "I am here trying to figure out my father's motive, and something tells me it has something to do with your family."

I noticed the hard swallow, her anxiousness just proving me right. Her chest heaved out and she looked at me again, studying me, analyzing me, "Why would I tell you anything?" She stressed out, seeking a real answer.

"If I told you I am gonna avenge Maria's death, would you tell me?" I questioned, "You're her sister, twin sister, you cared about her, I can see it, so if you gave me what I need, I can help you."

She looked down for a second, making up her mind before her pained gaze flickered up to my face. She breathed in and walked toward the bookcase. She pulled a random book from there. She opened it up and it wasn't just a random book, within its pages, there was a picture.

I stepped closer to her, curious and my eyes followed her tearful gaze and fell down on the picture in her hand. Her fingers gently brushed over one of the two girls in it. That girl must've been Maria. They looked so much alike, but not identical, and Natalie, she is a carbon copy of her mother.

She placed the book on the table and turned all of her attention to me. Determination flared in her tired blue eyes and I urged, sensing that the answer is not something I am expecting, "Tell me, Julia, what's your family's relation to mine?"

"Before Isaac got married to your mother," She started, "Before he even infiltrated the Viarchi's kingdom and became one of them, he was...engaged to my sister, they were gonna get married," Her words had me taking a step backward, the news hitting me with a slap to the face. What the-

"But they never did," She said, "Because Maria ran away."

Oh fuck-

"And-" Julia's words were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She looked at the screen and her eyes widened, "It's Joseph, he is probably wondering where I am," Panic enveloped her words and she scurried toward the door, "Wait a bit then get out of here, Joseph can never know we talked."

"But, I need to know more!" I stressed out.

"You probably can find my number easily, call me and we'll arrange it," She said in a hurry before she left.

I stared back at the door she shut behind her, way too shocked to understand what any of this meant. I rushed a hand over my face, just when I thought this can't get any more fucked up, it does.

My gaze went to Ronald, who didn't make a sound through all of this. He wasn't paying much attention to me anyway, his gaze focused on the book Julia left behind, on the picture laying there. His gaze was of pure agony as he ran his thumb over the woman in the picture.

And it all just made sense.

"She is your mother, isn't she?"

His head shot up to me, his pained eyes widening in pure shock and I realized I should've seen it before. The eyes, same eyes as Natalie's.

This just keeps getting more fucked up by the second.

*************

Natalie's POV

I unlocked my apartment's door and walked inside, I let my purse fall into the floor and I didn't bother to pick it up, too energyless to do the simplest of tasks. Massie came running toward me, rubbing her head over my legs, and I knew I am gonna have to hug her later and cry my eyes out, because today just sucked.

He left today.

I let out a loud breath and dropped my keys over the console table. Right when I was about to walk to my room and probably just sleep till tomorrow arrives, my gaze fell onto something out of the ordinary over the table. My eyes grew wide at the small note laying there, and into the keys on top of it.

No, not just any keys.

I grabbed the paper immediately and read what's written, "Since I won't be here for some time, would you mind taking care of her till I come back?" My heart thudded against my ribcage, faster than it should as I stared at the car keys in my palm, and the Audi logo over them, "P.S. you left the rose I got you in there, I didn't go through the trouble of getting it so you'd just leave it there, take it out," I chuckled, totally imagining the look in his eyes as he wrote that line.

At the bottom, he simply signed it with, "Your grumpy Nik," The three words alone had me stupidly tearing up, because as silly as it is, I miss him already.

I immediately left my apartment and went to the parking area of our building. I clicked the button on the keys and I heard the car's voice at the other end. I scurried there and stared at it, still in disbelief of his action, "You crazy man," I said, both smiling and holding back emotional tears, because I didn't expect him to be so sweet.

I should learn to expect the unexpected from this man.

I looked back at the paper in my hand, on the specific words that said...till I come back.

I traced the letters with my fingers, believing in them and I nodded, whispering, "You will come back."

***********************************

So, whatcha ya think?

There are new people that came into this chapter, so try to keep up and not get lost. For any questions or confusion, just ask me! ;)

Also, I've been thinking to not resume Emma and Roman's book and I could just put in a few scenes of them in this story every once in a while, so we can keep up with them.

What do you think? Are you okay with that, or not?

Anyways, see ya in Blue Ribbon next time. Love ya all!