-: Ares :-

After dinner, I decided to visit the mansion rooftop to clear my head, from the latest events going on in the mansion. After we managed to save Sarah in the nick of time, things turned out more messy and distressing.

With the baby's death, the atmosphere here had turned gloomy and miserable. Everyone was mourning in their own ways, sad and broken.

But the worst thing for me was Draven's return. When he left, or when everyone thought he betrayed Boss and joined the Irish mob, I was fucking ecstatic. The reasons, very vivid.

He was the biggest hindrance in my path to get Diana. Since the very moment Diana had stepped her foot inside this mansion, I qas fascinated with her.

Overtime, as I noticed her everyday, that fascination grew and changed into adoration. But I couldn't approach her directly due to Draven. He had always been a shield infront of her.

After Draven left, I finally decided to give it a shot. She was heartbroken but appeared so strong in front of everyone, which made me respect her more. We talked and got to spend time time her more, and eventually my feeling for her grew stronger everyday, unless I realised ... that I was in love with her.

But before I could had confess, that bloody moron came back, making Diana distressed and me, furious. He always got what never belonged to him, what he never truly deserved.

Heaving a tired sigh, I stepped over the threshold, but the sight infront of me made my blood boil in my veins. Draven was cupping Diana's face and she was letting her touch him !? The look in their eyes made my skin crawl, my temper flaring and I growled out,"Hands off my women!"

Both of their faces snapped towards me, Diana's eyes widening as she quickly stepped away from Draven, his hands were still up on the air, as he eyed me abhorrently. How dare he touched Diana!? Was he trying to lure her back to him!?

Never! I wouldn't let that happen. She was mine.

I charged at Draven, my vision red with wrath as my fist colliding with his jaw and Diana shrieked behind me, her hands flying upto her mouth, to cover the shock. Blood splashed out of Draven's face, and he gnashed his teeth, his face malicious.

"Stay away from her, you arsehole," I roared, almost lunging at him again, when Diana appeared infront of me, pressing down her palms to my chest. It heaved as I took deep breaths, baring my teeth at Draven.

"Shh Ares, no ... don't. You're better better this," Diana cooed, cupping my jaw as she laid a chaste kiss on my chin, trying to calm the raging bull inside me.

"She didn't mind our proximity," Draven taunted and Diana face snapped towards him. His mocking eyes instantly changed to guilty ones, but the damage was already done.

I clenched my jaw, as a vein on my forehead ticked at his words. Without caring of the consequences, I pulled away from Diana and pounced on Draven, tackling him to the ground.

Caught off guard, his head collided with the floor, as he hissed, but the thin thread which was holding my patience had broke. Grabbing his collar I slammed his head on the floor again, punching him repeatedly.

"Don't. Talk. About. Her,"

He got a grip of the situation by rolling us over. His hand was still up in the air as blood glided down his chin, his eyes wild.

"She isn't yours!" Draven bellowed.

"Stop it!" Both of our fists stopped midair at Diana's command. She was eying us venomously, taking slow steps back, disgust and horror visible on her face.

But Draven seemed to care less. He punched me one more time and jeered, "You aren't important as you think you're Ares. Or else Chase wouldn't have made me his consigliere before you. She would have never bat an eyelash for you, in my presence. It's always me in the first place. Only after I left, you got my leftover."

*******

-: Sarah :-

Everything hurts ...

But the worst part was, it wasn't physical anymore. Human bodies knew how to heal itself with time, and the same thing happened to my body too. It repaired on its own and the pain faded away. Or atlteast that's what I thought.

But what about my heart? My soul? My spirit? They had been damaged beyond repair, and I wasn't really sure whether they would ever heal. The ache in me head grew so heavy sometimes, that all I feel was to lie down and never wake up, like now.

I wished someome knew the answer to my everyday questions. I was too weak to fight anyone anymore. Even the tears had dried up.

With every passing day, when everyone around me is wishing for me to heal, I wished for the pain to vanish. But it just doesn't go away. My chest felt heavy, and the air seemed to choke me when I wake up from silent nightmares, haunting every second of my sleep.

A huge part of me was missing, still trapped in that dungeon, where the villain of my story wrecked havoc in me. And it wasn't only my baby. He was not gone ... I knew that. My son was just missing. When the right time would come, I would bring him back.

This body did't possess what it used to, anymore. This Sarah was just a hollow shell of my former self. My head was frenzy and all I wished every minute of the day is for me to forget it. Forget everything. Even meeting Chase. If it wasn't for him, I would never be here in the first place.

But a tiny part could never blame him entirely. It wasn't his fault that I fell for him. Holding him guilty for what that monster did, was not the right thing to do. But I just didn't know what to do anymore.

I felt empty, lost, shattered and ... dead inside.

My stomach churned and the soles of my feet pricked uncomfortably as a heavy sensation settled over my chest. On instinct, my hand wrapped itself around my stomach in order to soothe. Whom ...? I didn't know.

This was a habit I had developed during my captivity. Whenever that monster would torture me verbally, I would try to remind myself that there was someone I had to be alive for. Someone, who was solely dependent upon me for his survival. And I couldn't just give up.

Even though I was safe right now, I wish I hadn't survived at the cost of my son's death.

Death? Was he dead?

My lungs constricted in pain as my breathing started heaving up and my vision blurred. Blood rushed up my head as it started growing heavy and my palms started sweating.

What was this ...

My son ... the baby ... the monster... where were they? Where was I? Was Chase here?

I frantically looked around me, alarmed at my surrounding. This was't where I was supposed to? Or was it?

Chase was sleeping on the couch infront of me, his arms draped over his eyes to block the light. I scoffed silenty at the bright room. Once upon a time, I used to think that darkness was my solace. But that monster changed everything in me. Even my thoughts. After being locked up in a dark, for so many days ... after being buried alive in a dark coffin, I never wished to be in dark again.

I pressed my feet to the ground and climbed off the bed. Staying cooped in this room all the time was getting suffocating. I needed to leave, go somewhere ... anywhere to feel the fresh air on my face, leaves beneath my naked soles, whispering touches of the branches on my body.

Tettering upto Chase, I kneeled down beside the couch, eye leveled upto his. His hair was disheveled and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. Was he missing our son too? Or was it just me, who was dying yo hold him again.

My palm gently carressed the swollen belly again. But it wasn't hard anymore. The skin would easily sink in whenever I poked it, unlike the pastimes. Was my baby shrinking in size too?

The floor beneath my knees creaked, and Chase's sharp eyes snapped open, as he shot up in a sitting, his left hand curled around his right hip.

"Sarah?" Those glaring eyes softened as soon as he saw me, and his shoulders relaxed, as he gazed at me.

"What happened lo ... ?"

"Do you miss our son?" I asked.

Chase's eyes widened as he looked down on my belly and my lips curled up in a smile. I knew it! Even he did. The baby wasn't dead. He was just missing, maybe lost in my belly. He was too small anyway.

He licked his lips, gulping down as his Adam's apple bobbled, before sitting down on the floor beside me, a few inches gap between us. Why was he maintaining so much distance with me? Was he worried that he might hurt the child.

"I ... " He was about about say something, when I grabbed his hand and he stopped, his lips parting. Gently curling my fingers around his palm, I kept it on my belly, and smiled softly at him.

"See, you won't hurt him by being close to me. So don't stay away from us. We need you Chase. He loves it when you touch my belly."

Chase exhaled a shuddering breath before gulping down audibly, his tensed hand on my stomach relaxing, as he palmed it.

I chuckled at his tensed facial expressions. Why was the mighty Chase Morgan afraid of a unborn baby? Well, they do said that a mighty is weakest infront of his offspring.

"Do you wanna know something about our son?" I was eager to share the mother son moments we shared at his absence in that prison. Even if that place was my hell hole, my sons kept me grounded.

He nodded, his eyes full of admiration and awe as he gazed at me. The beard looked unkempt but he still managed to looked so handsome. My heart fluttered whenever I gazed at him.

I smiled and curled up on his lap, my legs dangling on his thighs as he wrapped his protective muscular arms around my frame, burying my face beneath his chin. I inhaled his musky scent, sighing in peace.

"He kicked me when I was in deepest despair."

"Who?" he growled, his body tensing. His chest rumbled beneath my cheek.

"Our son silly." I chuckled at his protective tone. He could be such an idiot sometimes.

"Ohh."

"Yes, and that moment felt so beautiful Chase, that it can't be explained. I felt the connection between us deepening. Since that day, whenever I had felt my head going haywire, I used to talk to him. Telling him about his brave and strong father, both of his valiant grandfathers, and fearless grandmothers. All of his ancestors were mighty and courageous." I smiled, reminiscing the old memories.

Chase's arms tightened around me as I rubbed my cheek on his chest, my eyes falling close.

"All except his mother ... "  As soon as my words were out, Chase pulled away from me, glaring at me with a thundering expression. My heartbeat accelerated at his visage, and my breaths quickened, sweat breaking out on my temple.

The scowl from his face vanished the moment he saw its effect on me, as he took a deep breath and joined our foreheads, breathing heavily. We were silent for more than a few minutes. He, trying to calm down, and me, not knowing whether to continue anymore or not.

"Love, listen to me. You are the strongest among all of his ancestors. You hear me? His mother is the most gallant one among us, his protector and saviour. Never consider yourself anything beneath that. You are my valorous Queen."

I shook my head, my throat choking in emotions. No, I wasn't strong. I couldn't hold my head high whenever that monster tortured me. I still freaked out when he haunted my dreams.

"No Chase ... "

He cupped my face and gently lower his lips in my forehead. My chest swelled at his warm gesture and a tear slided down my cheeks.

"Yes, you were and you are. You will always be. The fearless Queen and a mighty protector," he announced making a sob breaking it's way out of my throat.

"I am too tired Chase. I can't do this anymore. I am exhausted of protecting him," I wailed out, wrapping my arms around his neck and sobbing out, spittle splashing out of my mouth.

"Shh, you don't have to anymore. No one would dare to hurt you. He is gone, and you would never have to fear anyone, anymore."

"Really? The past won't repeat right?" Cause last time when he promised to protect me, I was kidnapped that very day.

"No. I won't let it." He murmered, but his voice was ruthless, and eyes brutal. Strangely, it didn't fear me anymore. I guess, nothing would, after facing the worst.

"I love you Chase. Please don't ever leave us," I whispered as my throat tightened. I knew I couldn't be a perfect mother to his child, but if he left me for that, I would be shattered.

"Never. I love you too much to abandon you." He shook his head, before scooping me up on his arms and carried me down to my bed. My stomach growled lowly and Chase chuckled.

"Sleep cancel. Let's feed you something." He smiled at me, love gleeing in his gaze.

"Uh huh ... let's feed us something." I said, caressing my belly. Chase wide grin lowered a bit before he eyed my stomach and nodded gingerly.

*******

-: CHASE :-

My feet felt too heavy as I stood beside her bed, arms crossed, gazing down at Sarah. She had fast asleep, but the frown lines on her forehead was still intact. As soon as she started munching on the salad, her eyes had started drooping and before I knew she was snoring lightly, her head on the table.

A gentle knock rang in the room, when I collected my suit from the loveseat and strode out of the room, Diana waiting outside the door.

"Did everything went well?" she asked, as soon as I stepped out. I passed her a curt nod, and pinched the bridge of my nose. She had mixed a tiny dose of sleeping powder in Sarah's food, according to the Doctor's instructions.

Sarah's mental state was highly disturbed. So her Doctor had told me to mix light doze sleeping pills in her food, so that her health doesn't detoriate due to lack of sleep too.

"You should gather some sleep too." Diana whispered, touching my forearm, passing me a thinned lip smile. I wish I could, but I couldn't.

"I can't. She won't let me leave her side while she is awake. I have to finish this meeting before she wakes up."

This virtual conference meeting I arranged was important. Every Underbosses, Capos along with their consiglieres had been ordered to join the meeting. Ireland was in our grip now, Benjamin's empire had crumbled down, lying dead. The smaller gangs there were trying to grow and they were needed to be chopped off, before they could flutter their wings anymore.

"Where's Draven?" I asked, taking out my mobile to check the time. 10 minutes left for the meeting to start. I desperately needed a coffee.

Diana stared at me with an unwavering gaze, her eyes sharp. "Why do you need him?"

"Because he is my consigliere."

At my words, Diana face turned into a scowl and she huffed, her eyebrows puckering.

"And what about Ares?" She demanded, crossing her arms on her chest, glowering at me.

"What about him?"

"Isn't he supposed to remain your righthand? After all this time, he stood by you?" Was she seriously lecturing me on how to appoint my men?

My face turned hard and I clicked my tongue, before leaning down to her eye level.

"Draven was my consigliere from the very first day I started leading. He is, and he always will be. Ares was just a temporary replacement. Now that Draven is back, Ares can't remain the consigliere anymore." I didn't know why was I explaining my business to her. I never did, not even to Sarah. She never really asked much. But I had a soft spot for Diana.

"I can't believe you! Is this how it's going to be? You treating Ares as a child, not handling him over what he truly deserved. He is the one who always stood by you Chase, when everyone was against you. He mentally supported you, assisted you during your search and was ready to take a bullet for you at the beach house. And you still think he didn't deserve the consigliere position!?" she jeered, her eyes narrowed in slits and fist curled.

She was growing a lot of guts. Just because I had a soft spot for her doesn't meant that I would let her talk to me in that tone. My annoyance spiked at her words and demands. If Ares had a problem with working under me, then he should have directly came to me.

"Diana!" Before I could chide her for her behaviour, a heavy gruff voice echoed in the hallway. Ares hastily strode upto her, and gently cupped her face, her bloodshot eyes settling down on his hard face. Angry tears poured down her eyes. I turned my face away from the scenario.

"Go, please." That's the only word I could decipher from whatever conversation they silently had. Diana passed me a scorned look before walking away. Ares, who stood immobile in his position, took deep  breaths, his face appearing disturbed. They were bruises on his cheek.

I didn't have much time left, so I decided to cut the bullshit and sauntered away before saying, "Send Draven to the office room."

*******

Innumerable faces stared back at me from behind the screen, all of them belonging to those who was under my wings, working for the Ndranghata. 

"I have taken the decision, as to whom to assign as the next Capo of Ireland. It's under our rule now and whomever I assign, if I don't see Ireland's dynamics rising within next year, would be permanently removed."

All of them nodded, agreeing to my words. It was law, and no one had the guts to question me. I was Boss for a reason.

"I am handling over the charge of Ireland to .... Mark."

Pindrop silence echoed in the room, all of the underbosses' face ashen. Draven, who was sitting beside me, on a separate laptop looked at me as if I had grown two heads. The reason of their behaviour was not too hard to gauge.

Mark was Antonio's consigliree, who was Denmark's current Capo. A consigliree didn't have the right to become a Capo directly under no circumstances. Exception, Boss' order.

But if there was anyone who deserved to be Ireland's Capo, it was Mark, more than anyone else. He had rightfully earned it.

Whispers rose from the screen but as soon as my eyes narrowed down into a cold, lethal glare, it vanished.

"Mark?" I called him out and he appeared beside Antonio, his face hard and malicious.

"Sir."

"Report to me before you leave for Ireland."

Familiar olive green eyes stared back at me through the skin, but this pair not empty, dead or psychotic ... unlike his half brother's.

"Don't disappoint me."

"I won't."

<<~~~~~~~~~~~~∆~~~~~~~~~~~~>>

Hey, my lovelies! How're you all doing? 😃🥰

As the journey will further proceed, we will see Sarah getting better, but right now, she is unstable. So it will take some time.

Hardly 12 - 15 chapters of this story is left, before it will be over, and I will working on it's spinoff. Another couple, who will be breaking your heart. 😌

I hope you liked the chapter, of you did, please consider leaving your precious

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Thank you to all of you who patiently wait for the chapters and 💗❤🥺

Take care lovelies. See you soon. 😘

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