Bonus chapters meaning you don't need to read them in alternating manner any more
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O'Kane was in a dimly lit room drinking coffee. It was night time. Almost morning. After attending the Irish calling he had been having flashbacks of the past and thinking about his life. He was thinking of Anna, Francesco, Terrence and himself. Memories of the past were pouring in. He hadn't slept well. So he had decided to stay awake and think. He was contemplating what he was dealing with.

There was him and then there was his traitor relative who was un-Irish But Irish by blood. That was unfortunate. He would have killed Terrence if they weren't related. He had insulted him enough times and had sabotaged his missions many times. Terrence Emanuel was the prince of his own castle in his childhood and teens. He had it all as a youth. He had love. He didn't have the extended Sicilian family that Francesco had but he had good enough number of distant relatives on his father's side he could call family.

It did not seem so long ago when Terrence used to hang out with Francesco, sometimes in secret and sometimes openly. Once he had ended up going swimming with the pair somehow. That could not happen now. Back then they were swimming in the Rosario family lake at Francesco's house. The lake was no longer there now. All that was left of it was the lair where Francesco was currently trapped in apparently according to reports. The place was where he called Home but it never was homey enough for Francesco... Even when Paulo wasn't going to step foot there it didn't matter, Francesco preferred to sleep outside than inside. O'Neil had convinced Jackson to sleep outside in the summer when they were swimming, playing chess, boxing and hanging out when school was closed. They did so when their parents were busy in business. Francesco's home was the perfect place to be rebelling and spending time with the enemy. Francesco was no friend of Jackson truly. He knew Jackson was the enemy but he was welcome. Francesco's father didn't care who came over among Francesco's friends. As long as they were not turning his son soft he didn't care.

He remembered how the conversations back then started showing how different they were. They got to know him and he got to know them. Maybe the impressions of their teen gave the picture to Francesco ru be wary of him and not allow him to court Anna. Ultimately Jackson's father didn't agree to Jackson's union but Francesco had allowed Arturo to take Anna instead of encouraging her to wait for him. Francesco had ruined his chances with Anna deliberately and had given her away to a crime Lord from Milan who was untouchable. He poured more coffee for himself welcoming the aromatic taste that was mixed with Irish cream.

Francesco had come out all wet with his swimming trunks and the first thing he had picked up was his gun.

O'Neil had come out panting "You win this time. What's that? You shoot the loser of this swimming race? Is this how it goes in this house?" He has mockingly held his hand up in surrender.

Jackson had followed them out of the pool closely. He was last. He wasn't able to beat Francesco in swimming. He didn't know anyone who could Francesco.

Francesco had rolled his eyes "You wouldn't understand...."

O'Neil had asked "Its your house Francesco. What could go wrong. You have an entire army of bodyguards watching you..."

Francesco had shrugged "And?"

O'Neil had said "They are meant to protect you..."

Francesco had replied in a tone that said he had explained this a thousand times "My father is meant to protect me... But does he?"

O'Neil had said "Well..."

Francesco had replied "Exactly. Next time don't tell me to get changed before watching out for facing death..."

O'Neil had said "I thought you said you welcomed death..."

Francesco had said "I don't any more. I told you met a girl."

O'Neil had nodded "Sure... Can I see her picture? Where is proof?"

Francesco had said "The proof is I want to live for her..."

O'Neil had given his brightest smile to Francesco and had given him a tight embrace "Congratulations man. This is cause for celebration. Give us details man."

Jackson had cleared his throat "I am sorry to break up the party but aren't we going for a run?"

O'Neil had pulled away and had turned to him "You are not sorry to break up the party." He had turned to Francesco "So Who is she? Italian? Irish? Catholic? Right? She has to be catholic or she has to convert to marry you. When do you want to tell your father?"

Francesco had declared "Let's give jacky Jack a run. He isn't interested in anything and anyone."

Jackson had raised an eyebrow "You know of my intentions."

Francesco had declared "I do."

Jackson had asked "Then you know we can become related one day... through marriage..."

Francesco had said "In your dreams Jacky Jack you will be the man for my cousin. What have you done to earn her respect and trust? Where is your honour?"

Jackson had said in a dangerous tone "Don't tempt me Francesco to go against my word to Terrence and show you what I do for honour."

Francesco had chuckled "Your word means nothing to me. Terrence's word does."

Jackson said "You invite me to your home. Isn't that trust?"

Francesco had said "You are an enemy but I don't mind knowing you. My father doesn't care who I hang out with and your father thinks you are at Terrence's house. I endure you because of Terrence. You are an enemy who tries to gain an alliance one day. Anna is not a bargaining chip."

Jackson had said "I know she isn't..."

Francesco wasn't interested. He endured him and was civil. He never attacked unprovoked. He was balanced and level headed. But he was wary of Jackson's threat. Francesco had then lead them on a run and then to where they were going to sit for dinner. It was pizza for dinner outdoors on the grass. They had sat down while Francesco had continued being patronising "You know Jacky Jack. My cousin already has a boy in his sights. That's not you. His name is Arturo Agostini."

Jackson hadn't touched his pizza as he had said "Arturo can't beat me unless ... you help him Francesco. Will you throw obstacles in my way?"

O'Neil had cleared his throat trying to change the subject. Francesco endured Jackson. Knowing the enemy was worth it but obviously Jackson underestimated how much Francesco loved Anna like a sister. Francesco was civil just because this was a peace meeting. O'Neil had asked "Francesco I am sure one day Jack will get wiser so he won't openly challenge you in your house about your cousin. Now tell us about your girl."

Francesco had decided to drop it with Jackson and had ignored the Irish unwanted guest. He had said "Her name is Adele. She is Italian-American."

O'Neil had nodded "Perfect. So she is catholic. Sweet. You won't get any resistance."

Francesco had said "Resistance based on religion? Stop talking nonsense O'Neil. My father is an atheist."

Jackson had asked "I would say so are you... I don't see you going to church often."

Francesco had shrugged "I have backbone that's all I need. Do you have that Jackson. I can't see that."

O'Neil had said "Alright. Enough." He had tried to keep peace "Ok. So your father knows?"

Francesco had informed them of the arrangements. How he wasn't allowed to see Adele. It had given Jackson satisfaction. He wanted to see Francesco struggle. Francesco's home life was already hell. Francesco wasn't allowed to see his mother and now his brother seemed to be also separated from him on top of him not being allowed to see his beloved Adele. So Francesco was living in hell for a teenager who was only fifteen. But still Jackson felt jealous of him.

Francesco hardly had any choices. His father was a controlling dictator who didn't allow him any freedom of choice. However Francesco managed to have power. Jackson knew that it was Francesco Who was going to ultimately determine if he could be with Anna or not. He was going to be the head of his family. Every one knew that. His father's men feared him even though he was just a kid. He had authority. He spoke with certainty and his words were always calculated. He was intrigued with Francesco and that was why he wanted to know him.

Back to present, Jackson had come out of his thoughts as the phone had rang. He picked up the phone and had nodded "Very well. Job done." He put down the phone and waited. He leaned back in his sofa and smiled at his victory. Minutes later the door opened and two men accompanied a figure who was blindfolded. They set down the figure seated on a chair and tied their hands behind them.

As they left and closed the door he said "Welcome Anna."

Anna froze and her mouth went dry at hearing his name. Her breathing fastened as she was scared. She tensed as she heard his footsteps approaching her. It was all her fault. She had tried to be adventurous sneaking out of the hotel where Arturo's men were guarding her to meet a client for her business that Arturo had forbidden her to do business with. Now she was abducted. Alone. Somewhere she didn't know and at the mercy of Jackson O'Kane.

Her blindfold came off and she looked down. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of looking into her eyes.

His voice boomed as he towered over her "Look at me."

His rough hands forced her chin upwards and she closed her eyes. She knew he loved looking into her eyes the most. She wanted to deny him the pleasure.

He leaned down and whispered "Open your eyes. Don't defy me Anna. Open your eyes or I won't be gentle."

Anna had opened her eyes looking at him with hate "You call this gentle? You are a coward... Tying me up."

He was gripping his chin with one hand and his other hand was free. She saw how he balled his hand into a fist to hit her but he didn't. He said "You know. If you insult me, I will hurt you Anna. No one disrespects me."

Anna said "Respect is earned. Let me go. Why have you abducted me for?"

The predatory look he gave him made her swallow hard. She wanted to be away from this man. She appreciated Arturo. Now she could see how Francesco saved her from this monster by backing her up in her marriage. She was too young and careless back then. She never saw what a cruel and heartless man he was. But Francesco did. He made sure to protect her even by manipulating Jackson's father into not allowing their union to go on. It was all Francesco. She didn't think Jackson knew that detail. If it wasn't for Francesco maybe Jackson's father would have let him pursue her. Francesco had managed to say the right words and have the influence to make Jackson's father believe Anna was not the right choice as an Italian American. Oh boy. As if he needed more reasons to hate Francesco and want his demise.

Jackson said "Make yourself comfortable here Anna. I am not giving you back. If your husband is worthy he needs to find you and he needs to set you free. I will be waiting. When he comes I will kill him and then ...." He then leaned close and his breath brushed against her lips "I will make your marriage void. You will carry my child."

Anna gasped "You are sick. I belong to Arturo. I will never belong to you." She then saw his fist up. She closed her eyes bracing herself to be hit but he didn't hit her. She was surprised. She opened her eyes "You want to hit me. Do it."

Jackson said "I don't wish to damage you. You belong to me. I would hit anyone else but I don't wish to harm you. I didn't bring you here to hurt you Anna. But I will make your stay unpleasant if you don't do as I say."

Anna said "You really think you will get away with this? Do you? Francesco and Arturo will come after you..."

Jackson gave a dark chuckle " Francesco is busy with his father right now and of course with his son who wants to take me on. It's a war zone already and you know me... I thrive where there is war and mayhem. So don't keep your hopes up. You are stuck with me. You are trapped. The next time you will see your husband he will be lifeless."

Anna was filled with rage. She tried to rip her restraints but it didn't work. She felt weak. She breathed "You won't get away with this."

Jackson said "No one knows where you are." He then started stroking the soft golden strands of her hair "You will carry my child one day. Your children will have my name one day. Your husband will die. I will kill him and bury him. Then you will be my wife."