"Kieran," my father greeted me. 

My mind struggled to register what was going on. 

My father is supposed to be dead. He died with my mother in a horrific car accident.  

What the hell was this? 

The sound of Alina's gasp brought me back into focus and I aimed the gun at my father. 

Alina was hurt, a deep gash on her throat, bruises forming on her neck and her eyes were glazed over. 

"Let her go," I demanded. 

My dad chuckled, "That's not how a businessman makes a pitch." 

Alina moved her head forward a little to avoid the barrel of my father's pistol, "This isn't a deal, let her go." 

"Or what Kieran? What the fuck will you do to me? Your oh-so-loving father? Shoot me?" 

Alina ducked and a bullet fired from behind me. Connor leapt at my father and collapsed on the floor, the bullet grazing Connor's shoulder. 

I ran forward and lifted Alina from her crumpled position on the floor. I shot the chains of her handcuffs and lifted her up.  

I tucked her cold body to mine and made a run for it.  

I noticed then that the bullet fired at my father was from Wilson. 

Was he some gangster too now? 

Wilson came over, his eyes wide with worry, "Alina, Alina can you hear me?" 

"I'll take her to my apartment, could you please help Scott? He doesn't have enough men to fight against Connor's gang," I asked. 

He looked at me, registering the worry in my voice, "Call me once you're safe." 

"I will." 

My black Lamborghini Aventador sat outside the rundown warehouse and I placed Alina into the passenger seat. 

I got into the driver's seat and drove off quickly, speeding down to my apartment.  

She winced and groaned through the ride and my heart ached at the sight.  

I squeezed her hand, "We're almost home darling, stay with me." 

I gripped the steering wheel tight and parked in my lot, lifting her out of my car and into my apartment. 

Lucy was just done with Richard's wounds when I entered and she gasped, "Goodness me! Lay her down on the sofa, quickly Kieran." 

I rested Alina on my couch and Lucy ordered for me to grab ice packs, bandages and the whole first aid kit. 

Lucy was a veteran nurse and constantly helped to nurse my many injuries as a child.  

I trusted her with Alina. 

I wasn't sure if I trusted myself. 

- Alina - 

There was a horrible ringing in my ears and I struggled to even open my eyes. 

"She's waking up, be gentle with her. She's had a mild concussion. She'll be a little dizzy and disoriented," a lady's soothing voice instructed someone when I opened my eyes. 

Lucy was standing over me, a kind smile on her face, "Miss Simmons, how are you feeling?" 

I groaned and pushed myself up, pressing my hand to my temple, "Like shit." 

She laughed lightly, "Do you know where you are?" 

I looked around, taking in the familiar guest room, "Kieran's apartment." 

She nodded, "Good, do you know me?" 

I raised a brow, " You're Lucy, Kieran's PA." 

"Do you remember what happened to you last night?" 

The throbbing in my brain took over and I recalled every last detail. Starting with Connor shoving me to the ground. 

Lucy muttered a few words before leaving the room. Then I felt his warm hands on me. 

I looked up at Kieran, his face a mask of concern. His eyes were darker than usual and his brows furrowed with worry. 

He reached over to the bedside table and grabbed the glass of water and two Tylenol pills. 

He leaned over me and dropped the pills into my palm just like how he did in Hawaii. Then he pressed a kiss to my forehead. 

"I love you Alina." 

My heart split into two. 

I should've felt happy, over the moon in fact. But hearing the immense pain and regret in his voice brought tears to my eyes. 

He smiled this horribly bittersweet smile and wiped my tears away, "Fuck I'm so bad at this. You're the first and only person I've confessed my love to and not even two seconds into it I've made you cry." 

I smiled slightly, realising for once that Kieran was revealing his vulnerable side to me. My heart swelled, feeling the love I had for him grow.  

"God I love you too Kieran." 

He chuckled and kissed me softly, "Thank goodness, I thought you cried because you couldn't stand me." 

"It's not you, it's the concussion." 

He chuckled lowly and gestured to the cup, "Take the pills, it'll help the pain." 

I popped the pills in my mouth and swallowed them down with water. 

Kieran took the glass and set it aside, brushing his fingers over my cheek before running them through my hair gently. 

Even though he seemed at ease at the moment, I could see the worry lines on his forehead. I doubt he slept much at all. 

My heart felt whole, happy that Kieran actually found the ability to love and that love was for me. 

But on the other hand, my mind was struggling to take the reins. The hit to the head wouldn't dismiss the fact that Kieran was somehow part of the mafia.  

And if I remembered correctly, Kieran's father is Connor's boss. Which meant that Kieran is the son of a mafia gang leader. 

They said love transcends all.  

I'm wondering how true that quote is. 

Could I destroy my limitations and love Kieran wholeheartedly? Regardless of whatever illegal job he did? 

My head pounded and I let out a painful sigh with Kieran rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand. 

Fucking hell. 

Seriously now, where do we go from here? 

Kieran didn't seem to sense my inner turmoil, it looked like he was battling his own demons as his fingers travelled over to my neck. 

"Kieran." 

"Hmm?" He looked into my eyes, the troubled expression stagnant on his face. 

"Did you hit your head too? You're in a daze." 

He smiled, though not enough for his dimples to show, "I'm just glad that you're alright." 

"Honey-" 

"I'm fine darling, I really am. I'm just trying to wrap my head around things." 

"You sure?" 

He nodded, the darkness in his eyes swirling, "I'm sure." 

There was no way I could do this. 

I couldn't keep her by my side. It was ridiculous that I even thought there was a chance between us. 

I decide to try being with her and immediately my gang situation gets the better of the both of us. 

I couldn't do this to her. 

Not now when my mafia leader dad is suddenly back. It just doubles the reason why we cannot be together. 

Wilson pulled up at the foot of my apartment complex to pick Alina up. According to Scott, Wilson used to be a drug dealer during his younger years. 

When things got bad and he lost control of his life, Alina's father took him in, giving him a second chance at life. 

Like any businessman, Alexander made a deal with Wilson. To clean up his act and be his butler or to turn himself in to the authorities. 

It was then that Wilson swore his whole life to the Simmons family, even now, caring for Alina like his own daughter. 

At least he had a chance at redemption. 

Some people are luckier than others. I just managed to slip into the unlucky bunch. 

Wilson acknowledged me and I reciprocated. He walked up to Alina, "Are you ready to leave?" 

I noticed that she was staring at me, her beautiful eyes scanning me. 

She turned to him, "Can I have a moment?" 

Wilson gave a slight nod and strode a respectable distance away to give us some privacy. 

Alina reached her hand out to cup my face, "Whatever you're thinking, don't." 

I chuckled and brought her hand to my lips, kissing her palm, "So you don't want me to kiss you?" 

Her cheeks tinged a light pink, "That's not what I meant." 

I raised her chin to gaze into her eyes, "Oh I think I know what you mean darling." 

I pressed my lips to hers gently, feeling the softness of her flesh against mine. She tasted sweet, most probably from the fruits Lucy fed her. 

I had the feel of her ingrained into my mind, the pad of my fingers, my very soul. 

How am I ever going to leave her? 

I pulled away, keeping my hand on the small of her back to hold her steady. She blinked a few times and I smiled, she was simply adorable. 

She opened her mouth, “I’m pretty sure I had a point to make.” 

“Well I did too and I’ve made my point.” 

“And what was that?” 

“That acting on my thoughts is a good thing.” 

"Kieran-" 

"Shh... If it makes you feel any better, I won't do anything rash. That I can promise you." 

She didn't seem to buy into my attempt of trying to assure her. 

Wilson stepped back in, "Miss Simmons, we have to leave. The doctor is waiting for your appointment." 

She sighed and I held her face in my hands, "Do you trust me?" 

She didn't even blink, "Of course I do." 

"Then trust that everything I do from this point on is all because I love you." 

She was about to rebut me when Wilson's phone rang, "Miss Simmons." 

She gazed at me, sighed then nodded, "I love you." 

I felt my heart shatter. 

"I love you too darling." 

I fiddled with the wedding band Kieran gave me. Sunlight glimmering off it beautifully. 

I felt unbelievably uneasy.  

After he had Wilson send me back yesterday, I couldn't help the annoying nagging feeling in my heart. 

His every touch, every kiss, every word was carefully executed. 

Something was not right. 

And my brain definitely took a hard hit considering how long it took for me to get that. 

I used to see right through his lies, the emotionless chill in his eyes. 

How wrecked was my head yesterday? 

I got up and searched for my phone, I had to call him. Tell him to come back to me and stop whatever he wanted to do. 

There was a knock on my door and Wilson entered, carrying my tray of medication. 

"There's a weird group of guys demanding entry at the gates. They want to speak with you," he informed me and I swallowed the pills down. 

"I'm guessing you already tried telling them to leave?" 

"They said you'll let them in once you realise you can't reach Kieran." 

I stared at him, "What?" 

"They want to negotiate something with you in exchange for Kieran's location." 

I rummaged for my phone and dialled Kieran's number. I was sent straight to his voicemail. 

I called Scott instead and he picked up on the second ring, "Y-ellow?" 

"Scott, it's Alina." 

"Oh Princess, you looking for Kieran?" 

"I am, I think Connor's men are at my gate." 

"I know, I can see them." 

"What?" 

"Don't worry Princess, our team has your house surrounded. Kieran and Wilson's orders." 

"Do you know where Kieran is then?" 

"No idea, he cut off every possible way he knew I would use to look for him. I'm still trying to locate him." 

"Did he tell you anything before he left?" 

"He just told me to watch over you. Anyway, be careful Princess, you can try and figure out what Connor wants from you." 

"You mean make a deal with the devil?" 

"Please, I'm the devil as far as anyone is concerned." 

"Goodbye Scott." 

"See ya Princess." 

I hung up and tried to calm myself. 

Kieran is fine. Scott will be on his ass if he isn't. 

I looked at Wilson, hoping he would enlighten me in some way. 

He cleared his throat, "Under normal circumstances, I would inform the police and wait for them to be escorted away. This though, I'm not exactly sure what to do." 

I thought for a moment, "Did they say what they wanted from me?" 

He shook his head, "Should I get security to check?" 

"Please do, once I know what they want, I'll have some proper ammunition." 

Wilson pressed on his earpiece and gave out instructions while I got dressed in my bathroom. 

I stepped out in a simple striped blouse and black pants when Wilson turned to me. 

"Miss Simmons, they said their boss has something to tell you." 

I tilted my head, "No context?" 

"None." 

I bit my lip, "In that case let one man in, search him for weapons. The rest will have to wait at the gates. I've had enough of these gangsters, I won't tolerate them anymore." 

Wilson nodded but I stopped him before he could leave, "Oh right, check for walking sticks too."