"Vincere aut mori;
—Conquer or die."

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

New York - The Asylum

Isaac's POV

I lowered myself, settling on the bed's edge by his side. The moonlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow upon his youthful features. My gaze traced every curve of his peaceful face, and a pang of emotion tightened my chest in ways I never liked.

It seemed as though he had grown so much in just a few short months.

Bringing my hand to rest on the side of his face, I gently brushed away the stray strands of his hair. The weight in my chest grew heavier as I realized that nothing would ever be the same again. My original plan had failed, and now, to win the bigger game, sacrifices would need to be made.

Too many sacrifices.

Some, I am not yet ready for...

As I brushed his cheek, his expression shifted, slowly awakening from slumber. A small smile tugged at my lips as he blinked away sleep, his hazy gaze flickering before eventually focusing on me. It took him a second or two before they widened and he jolted up, his wide eyes stared back at me in utter disbelief, "Dad?" He said, breathlessly.

Tears gathered in his eyes at my sight and he pushed himself forward into my embrace. My arms wrapped around his small body, pulling him closer to my chest. Closing my eyes, I buried my nose in his hair, whispering softly, "I missed you so much, little one."

He clutched into me, his little hands tightly grasping and curling over the back of my jacket, scared if he'd let go, I would just disappear again. Gently pulling back, I cupped his face in my hands, brushing away the tears that trickled down his cheeks, "I missed you too," he choked out, his tearful eyes awakening parts of me I'd rather keep dead forever. 

He shook his head, and ever so brokenly he whispered, "I thought I'd never see you again."

"Why would you think that," I said, before pulling him back to my embrace and cradling his head against my chest, savoring this moment for as long as it lasted, "I'm right here, my little wolf," I reassured him, though the lie tasted bitter on my tongue, "I'm not going anywhere."

When he edged backward, he brought his hands to his face, sniffling lowly and wiping away his tears. I smoothed his hair back, "How have you been?" I asked, my gaze flickering all over him.

He nodded his head, "I am okay," He said, assuringly, and then he shook his head, "Dad, Nikolas didn't hurt me like you said he would," He said, "He is so nice to me," He added, his features calming down and relaxing at the mere mention of him, trust and something else clouding his innocent eyes, "You should give him a chance," He suggested, a very small smile lifted his lips, "He is my friend."

The muscles of my jaw worked, both anger and relief pushed and pulled in my chest. My son has a great weakness for kids; one I slightly appreciated when it came to Nathan. He could've done him horrible unspoken things, those like Frank once inflicted on him, but he didn't.

The monster in him falls weak against any reminder of his young past self. That's what Nathan is to him, a reminder of something he wasn't, something he couldn't have; Innocence, and a childhood.

I am not going to lie and pretend otherwise, truth is, I was never okay with anything he went through at the hands of Frank. No one would. But, in this path that I led, the one I am still leading, I can't afford to fall weak and soft. I didn't with Nikolas and I can't with Nathan. I have to think of the bigger picture, the grander scheme, the higher goal.

Everything will fall back into its right place as the years go on.

I made sacrifices back then. I will have to make somewhat similar sacrifices now.

My enemy isn't Nikolas himself, but rather failure, and I can't fail. I won't.

History will bear witness to that.

Nathan now sees Nikolas as an ally. That was something I needed to change; slowly, and with time, I will. He needs a motive. A purpose, one that'll push him to carry on with a legacy generations in the making.

I caressed Nathan's cheek and mirrored his smile, going on with his innocent silly hope, "Yeah, you're right," I said, nodding my head, "I should probably give him a chance."

Nathan's smile widened and he nodded his head, happy with my agreement.

His head tilted to the side, "I met Natalie and Ronald too," He said, "You know them, right?"

Struggling to maintain my composure, I tried to push away thoughts of how those two had sided with Nikolas, in spite of who he was, and despite everything I did for them. I nodded my head, "Yeah, I do."

"Do you like them?" I asked and he nodded, his soft smile almost calming me down, "Yeah, a lot," He said, "Natalie looks so much like mom, and Ronald is so cool and awesome," He excitedly gushed about them. His enthusiasm dropped slightly as he added, his brows furrowing in concern, "I want to be with you, Dad, but you will let me see them always, right?"

I nodded my head, "Of course, why wouldn't I?"

I ran my hand over his arm, "As for now, you need to stay here for a bit more, just until I make sure there is no danger on you outside, then I will come back and get you out, deal?"

My words cleared out his fears and he nodded his head, "Deal," He said, his smile returning. He edged closer and wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me and trusting me with everything in him. Returning his hug, I wrapped my arms around him, and that bitter feeling crept up on me again. That tint of guilt, that miniature sense of self-loathing because of everything I am gonna have to do.

You see, I wasn't a good man. Truth is, I never wanted to be. Good men don't reach the heights I did. Good men don't play the games I play or make the decisions I make. Good men don't thrive in the shadows where I operate. Good men don't lead.

And in this dark world, where power is the only currency worth having, I've climbed the ladder, leaving behind a trail of broken promises and shattered lives. It's a path I've chosen, knowing full well the consequences.

There is no place for the weak among us.

The weak fall.

Just like Nikolas did.

If he only kept the monster alive, he would've not suffered as much.

He will never understand, that in this world of ours, you either conquer or you die.

And today, I will be doing both.

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

Sicily, Italy - The airport

Nikolas's POV

"Why didn't you leave with Emma?" I asked, settling into my seat inside the jet. I removed my jacket and draped it over the adjacent seat, then directed my attention back to Roman.

Seating himself, he let out a low grumble, his eyebrow quirking in annoyance, "Apparently, I'm not welcome in my own house anymore," he replied, exhaustion evident in his posture as he leaned back and ran a tired hand over his face.

Emma was supposed to leave with us for the States, but she said she had last-minute business to attend to in London. When I asked what it was, she dismissed it and said that she would follow right away and meet us back in New York by tomorrow morning.

So, she took the other jet to London, the one I intended for Ronald to use to take Natalie back home. Which now means, they will have to join our flight. Great, right?

I don't know when my life turned into a fucking soap opera, but it somehow did...

I untangled the first few buttons of my shirt before rolling my sleeves up, a strange heat building beneath my skin, "Well, technically, it's not your house," I remarked, which made Roman turn his head to shoot me a hard glare.

"Well, technically, you were supposed to be dead but here you are," He shot back, being the unpleasant person he is —the one I would have definitely killed if Emma didn't give a crap about him. Also, I'd rather not climb up higher on the villain ladder in Cara's book, so I am keeping him alive for now. He must consider himself lucky.

Flashing him an unfazed look, I turned my face away, staring out of the window and into the dark night outside.

"What are we waiting for exactly?" Roman asked, impatiently as he shifted in his seat, apparently uncomfortable, "Can we just go, kill Isaac, and get all of this over with?" He added with a low sigh, "I am tired because."

"Ronald will be here any minute now," I said, my gaze leaving the window and flickering back to Roman. My eyebrows pulled closer as I eyed him for a long moment, "Whatever this thing between you and Emma is, fix it," I said, having enough of it, "She is the best thing to ever happen to you."

He kept glaring at me, "You think I am not trying to exactly do that?" He grated out, "But if you forgot, let me remind you, your sister is one stubborn thick-headed woman," He roughed a hand over his face and up his hair, "She doesn't listen to anything I say," He added, crossing his arms over his chest as his eyes flickered to the window and outside.

His eyelids dropped down for a short second and when he opened them, he turned to me and gave me a bored look, "Also, I don't interfere in your relationship, so don't interfere in mine."

I rolled my eyes at his nonsense and turned away, deciding to ignore him or I would have to hurt him and deal with Emma's wrath later on. I have enough on my plate as it is.

Talking about my full plate, a low shatter echoed nearby. Roman was closer to the plane's door, and his gaze flickered there, a crease formed between his brows before he got up to his feet and headed to the entrance for some reason. I tracked his movement, tilting my head to the side and watching as he extended his hand forward, "Here, let me help you," he gently suggested, apparently assisting Natalie up the stairs and into the plane due to her injured leg.

My gaze lingered on their interaction, focused on his hand beneath hers, at her soft smile as she accepted his help. Suppressing a surge of complex emotions, I shifted in my seat and clenched my fist over the armrest, my nails biting into the leather.

She wore a pair of sweatpants, and the oversized hoodie enveloping her fragile form likely belonged to Ronald. Her hair fell loosely around her face, slightly disheveled from the rushed departure from the hospital. Despite the circumstances, her face looked a bit more alive now, less pallid, and her eyes held a newfound energy, a contrast to how hazy they were when I saw her earlier tonight.

Roman's gaze shifted to her leg, taking notice of the bandage, a concerned crease formed between his brows, "You're okay?"

She flashed him a soft smile and nodded, "Yeah, I'll survive," She spoke as her eyes left him, moving around and falling on me. Her smile faltered momentarily, perhaps surprised by my unexpected presence. She most likely anticipated being on the other plane, away from me, as I had originally intended.

But it seems luck was on neither of our sides today.

I averted my gaze, fixating on the window, trying to maintain distance, but the close quarters of a nine-hour flight would make that a fucking challenge.

As Ronald guided her inside, I felt her eyes on me before she opted to settle in the furthest seat away from mine. Roman returned to his seat, and Ronald took his place across from me, signaling to the captain that we were ready for takeoff.

I remained fixed on the window, attempting to isolate myself from her very near presence, but  I had a feeling it was going to be a little bit tough.

An hour or two passed in utter silence. Neither one of the four of us attempted to speak. Each was sinking deeper into his own despair. Involuntarily and beyond my control, my gaze drifted to her; she was fully awake, arms folded tightly across her chest, her head leaning against the window, lost in the world outside, lost in her own thoughts.

Across the cabin, Roman was absorbed in his phone, his brow furrowed in concentration as he typed away some words. Frustrated at something, he eventually cast the device aside, allowing it to clatter onto the seat next to him.

Turning to Ronald, I found him similarly subdued, so contradictive from his usual energetic self. Arms crossed defensively, he leaned back into his seat, his gaze fixed on some invisible point in space. The air around him seemed heavy with negativity so unlike him. Sensing my gaze, he lowered his head and met my eyes with a questioning look, "What?" he murmured, his voice barely audible.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He shook his head dismissively, "Nothing," He mumbled, unwilling to delve into the matter before he returned his gaze to the dark expanse outside.

Movements on the other side grabbed my attention again and I watched as Natalie got up to her feet, clutching into anything in sight, using it as support as she limped her way further inside, most probably heading for the bathroom or the lounge area. She winced with each step, the ache in her leg apparently multiplying with each step she took as she disappeared out of my sight.

Frustration welled up inside me, mingling with a weird sense of helplessness. Anxiously, I tapped my feet on the plane's floor, my eyes flickering between these two lovesick puppies before I gave up. A loud sigh parted my lips as I got up and made my way to the longue area, hoping to find a stolen moment of peace from the heavy atmosphere weighing down on us all.

The stewardess flashed me a polite smile as I paused by the sleek table centered in the middle of this section, the one displaying an assortment of refreshments, "Can I offer you anything, sir?"

"Water would be good," I replied, resting my arm over the table, my fingers tapping over the surface, my gaze flickering around, scanning and searching for her.

The stewardess handed me my water and I slowly sipped on the cold liquid. My gaze wandered around the lounge once again. Just as I spotted her emerging from one of the bathroom stalls, the plane hit a patch of turbulence, causing it to jolt slightly. Natalie yelped at the sudden movement, leaning into anything to keep her balance from faltering.

Without a second thought, I abandoned my water and strode closer to her. My hand reached for her arm, gently wrapping around it, I took her hand and let it rest over my arm, urging her to use me as support, "Come here," I mumbled, my tone as neutral as it can get.

Surprised by my presence, her eyes shot up to me, flickering all over my face and when she wasn't able to read anything on my expression, her throat bobbed and she allowed me to help guide her way, "Thank you," She mumbled so lowly as I let her rest over one of the plush seats lining the perimeter.

I signaled for the stewardess to prepare something for her before I walked back and sat next to her. I leaned down and gently reached for her injured leg, lifting her sweatpants slightly to inspect the bandage. My fingers moved with care, checking if she was bleeding again but thankfully there was nothing suspicious.

Lifting my gaze to meet her apparently shocked expression, I asked, "It still hurts?"

Swallowing down, she nodded her head, "The doctor said I shouldn't walk on it for at least ten days," She mumbled, moving her hand and tucking her hair behind her ear, "But me being so smart, I traveled all the way to Italy," She added in a low mocking tone, internally scolding herself.

"It'll need time only," I said, straightening myself.

She met my eyes, an unexplainable look clouding them and she nodded, "Time does heal everything, doesn't it," She mumbled.

"They say so," I answered, not fully believing in that statement.

The stewardess approached us with a small tray in hand, she placed a plate of various types of small sandwiches and a steaming cup of tea beside Natalie, "Here you go, ma'am," She politely offered. Flustered, Natalie's eyes flickered from the food to the woman, "Oh, I didn't—"

Confused, the stewardess turned to me, and Natalie quickly grasped that I had ordered on her behalf.

"Thank you," She told the woman, exchanging a grateful smile before the stewardess departed, leaving us alone within the confines of this section.

Natalie's lost eyes fell into the food, her gaze flickering to the hot cup of tea and involuntarily, her lips twitched. I bet her mind was playing with similar memories to my own.

"It's not as disgusting as the one you usually prepare, but it can suffice for now," I couldn't help but say, my neutral tone slightly shifting, becoming...softer. Natalie's gaze shot to me and she no longer tried to hide her smile, the corner of her lips lifted up, and a delicate small smile curled her lips.

Her smile took me back to all that was before this; almost like nothing bad happened, almost like I wasn't who I am, and almost like she didn't stab me in the back the way she did.

She nodded, cradling the cup in her hands, and took a small sip before setting it down gently. Cupping it between her palms, she seemed to draw comfort from its warmth, "It's perfect, thanks," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the tea as though it held some bigger deeper meaning.

She turned her attention to the full plate of food and she shook her head, "I don't feel like eating anything," She murmured, staring at the food like it was going to attack her.

"But you should eat something," I said.

Hesitantly, she gazed at the food, trying to urge herself to take a bite. Despite her lack of appetite, she understood the necessity for food, especially with her injury and her need for medication. Turning her eyes to me, she asked softly, "Will you eat with me?" Her request held a hint of vulnerability, almost like accompanying her would help somehow.

Those eyes always had me in a grip, so I was utterly defenseless when they looked so fragile, so broken, and on the brink of shattering. Swallowing past the heavy lump in my throat, I nodded my head, unable to refuse her a thing. I edged closer, diminishing the distance I tried so hard to place between us.

I was so close now, close enough that her thigh touched my own, close enough for her delicate flowery scent to consume and saturate my lungs. My eyelids dropped down at the intensity of everything I was feeling, akin to an addict who just got his dose of heroin after months of deprivation. God, I was a gone case.

Natalie's fingers grasped the knife, edging it closer to the plate and trying to cut one of the sandwiches in half. Her fingers were twitching, shaking, and she tried to curl them tighter over the silverware, attempting to control herself but she miserably failed.

It was as though my closeness ruined her just as much as it tore me apart.

Her eyelids fell down, and a few tears pushed past the threshold, trickling silently down her cheek. The knife slipped from her grasp, clattering against the plate as her hands retreated to her lap. Her head bowed down, her shoulders slightly trembling as she tried to suppress her pain and tears.

I sucked into a deep breath and my body operated on a mind of its own, moving my arm and wrapping it around her back before I pulled her shaky form into my embrace, my other arm curling and cradling her shaky self against my chest.

My gesture triggered her to let it out and she silently cried into my chest. Her tears flowed freely as she nestled into my embrace, her hand clutching at the fabric of my shirt. I lowered my chin to rest atop her head, inhaling the scent of her hair as my eyes squeezed shut and my jaw clenched with suppressed emotion.

Silently, I allowed her to cry in my embrace as I struggled to gather my self-control. She eluded me of it. She stripped me of every ounce of logic and will. Silently, we just sat there, her in my embrace, her tears soaking my shirt. Silently, because there was too much left to say but also nothing at all. Silently, because I didn't know how to let her go, because she didn't know how to do that either.

I knew, god, from the start I knew we were a tragedy in the making but I kept going on, feeding her and myself lies about a future that wasn't going to be ours, that isn't supposed to be.

As she began to regain composure, I loosened my hold, allowing her space to collect herself. She retreated slightly, wiping away her tears with a trembling hand. I watched in silence, giving her the time she needed to compose herself once more.

I carefully sliced the sandwich in half, my fingers deftly handling the task before I lifted one portion toward her lips. She gazed at me, her eyes holding a mixture of vulnerability and hope as she accepted the offering, taking a bite and chewing slowly.

As I held the sandwich, my thumb involuntarily brushed over her lower lip, caressing the delicate skin, a tender gesture that seemed to convey more than words ever could.

I felt her breath hitch, the little moment both liberated and suffocated us.

She broke her gaze, forcefully averting her attention away from me, trying to escape the moment before it overwhelmed her, "I am sorry," She whispered, apologizing for falling weak and breaking down.

I shook my head, words failing me as none seemed to part past my lips.

She tucked her hair behind her ear, pretending to be busy as she grasped her cup of tea and took a sip, "So, how...how are you feeling?" She asked, turning her head to me, desperately trying to drift the conversation somewhere else, "You know after what happened today," She added, attempting to smile as she recalled one of her old nicknames for me, "Considering you are literally the big boss now."

I shook my head, "I am not sure," I said, "It's almost like I am incapable of feeling anything at all."

I should be glad at the fact that this power was stripped away from Isaac, that it was mine to keep, that his end was near, but...I am not. I am neither happy nor sad. Putting my messed-up feelings for Natalie aside, I feel literally nothing but coldness creeping over my chest, one I am so unfamiliar with.

All the rage, all the anger, it's simply not there.

It's just cold.

Lines etched between her eyebrows, "But you are so close now, the end is near, you got him, it's what you always wanted—"

I shook my head, "I never wanted any of this," I spoke, cutting into her words and multiplying her confusion. I shook my head again, "I am merely fulfilling a promise, Natalie," I added, "I didn't want any of this," I said, "I wanted to leave, to go far away, from all of this, and I will, just after I do it, I will."

Her head tilted to the side, "And all this power, what will you do with it?"

"I will give it to someone who really wants it," I answered, because that was the plan all along, "Someone who knows exactly how to use it the right way."

She nodded her head, "I understand," She mumbled, her eyes falling down, her eyebrows furrowing again as she added, "But for you to do this last step, you're gonna have to at least feel something, Nikolas," She mumbled, speaking her thoughts out loud and she was right, I knew she is.

For me to kill him without any restraints, I need to feel that anger, that rage at least, I need it.

My gaze flickered down, falling into my hands. There was this little tiny scar, one engraved on the inside of my palm, I don't remember its exact origin, just another one left by Frank. I ran my finger over it, once and twice...

I lifted my gaze up, looking at Natalie as I shook my head, "I was told before by someone that a man cannot live by two names, by two identities," I spoke, letting out something I wasn't sure I would ever say out loud, "You see, in me, there was always the monster and the man, and now...now I don't feel like either one of them."

I shook my head, exposing a certain vulnerability I wasn't comfortable showing anyone, but I would still willingly show her, "So, I don't know who I am."

"I was always the man that came out of Frank's abuse, the one that came out of Isaac's hate, the one that came out of my mother's neglect, I always existed among those three versions, I was shaped into something because of the three of them, so now that...that they will all be gone, I...I don't exactly know who I will be."

"Who am I when Frank isn't here, when Isaac isn't around, and when my mother is dead?" I shook my head, helpless, numb, and just so fucking done with everything, "I don't think I am capable of feeling anything now, Natalie," I said, "Because I simply don't know who I am anymore."

My words had tears gather in her eyes, triggering something within her and she brought her hand forward, and gently rested it over mine, "But I know who you are," She said, genuinely believing in those words, her head tilting as she gazed at me, "Whether...whether you are the villain who once hurt his brother, whether you are the grumpy man who walked into my office, whether you are the kid who was abused and hurt," Her tone had an edge as she added, "Whether you are the boss of this damned world...I know who you are."

She curled her hand over my own, "You are a son, Nikolas, you are a brother," She said, "You are a friend," She smiled ever so weakly, "You are an uncle," She whispered, "You are a father."

"You are a kid who couldn't make it past ten years old, who was killed at that age, and who has been grieving that loss ever since," She added, a lone tear trickling down her cheek, "You are, like the rest of us, a combination of days, of events, of tragedies, of lives and deaths, of triumphs and failures..."

"And you are," she continued, letting out a low stuttered breath, "You are a survivor, Nikolas."

Her lips lifted into a somber smile, anguish flashing in her tearful eyes, "You've survived all of this, you've survived this far," She added.

"I know who you are, Nikolas," She squeezed my hand, "You are the man that I believe in."

I felt them again, those unwanted feelings and emotions, resurfacing, breaking through the barrier, through the numbness, and creeping into my veins, burning me from the inside out.

"I believe that you will do this, you can do this; you will win and you will get over it, you will move on and survive again."

"But for that, before you go and do it, you will have to feel it all," She added, "Before you go ahead and kill him, unless you want to kill yourself right after, you will have to face it all beforehand, you will need to accept it," She said and I knew she was right. I was always terrified of what would come out after I killed him, how it would push back upfront every pain I've ignored, every trauma I buried; how it would all resurface and eat me alive.

"Accept all that he did to you, accept that he was never a father, that he never fought for you, accept that he left you for years to get hurt, accept that he wanted you dead, accept that he...that he killed your mother," My eyes pressed shut, wincing because accepting was so fucking painful.

Her voice was both strong and weak, almost like she could feel my inner ache but also needed me to get through this, once and for all, "Accept all that Frank did to you and your mother," She said, "Accept that he was just a sick man and you had no fault," Her voice lowered, my inner pain reflecting into her words and tone, "That you were just a kid, and you didn't deserve any of it."

Her grip on my hand tightened, keeping me teetered to the presence amid this dark sea of my past, "Accept that she hurt you too, maybe just as much as Isaac and Frank did," She whispered, "That you only saw the world in her because you had no one but her," She added, speaking another truth I always tried to ignore and look over, "But she too hurt you."

"The three of them did, and now, the three of them will be gone," She added and I could feel the pain burning beneath my closed lids, fighting through, and when I glided them open, one or two went, trickling down my cheek.

Natalie edged closer, her tears mirroring my own, her hand left mine and she brought it up, she rested it over my cheek, her gaze flickering to the couple of tears that left my eyes, "Accept what they did, that they are gone, that you will be free."

"You will be free, you will be okay," She moved her thumb over my cheek, wiping my single tear away, hers still falling down, "You will be okay."

"You will go back to that ten-year-old kid you've been grieving, you would either finally bury him or you would allow him to live and you will watch him grow," She said.

"You will be okay, Nikolas," She added, assuring me again, "And I know that you never want to see me ever again, that you don't trust me, and it's the right thing to do, but..." Her lips formed a very weak smile, and her blue eyes felt like the only home I've got left, the only home I ever had, "But if you ever....if you ever felt like you need me, I will always be there for you."

She shrugged helplessly, "That only if you accept everything that I did, too."

My heart was a mess, "Did you accept what I've done?" I asked a similar question to her own.

My words dimmed the little light in her eye, they tightened the painful lines etching her forehead, and her brows quenched in sadness, "No," She whispered, shaking her head, "No, I didn't."

I nodded in understatement. I never thought she would, no one should ever be able to.

"Then help me let you go," I mumbled, "Because I can't...I can't do it on my own."

I brought my hand up, hooked my hand below her chin, and my thumb gently brushed the apple of her soft cheek, "Because I forgot how I am supposed to breathe without you."

She nodded her head, sniffling lowly as she fought against her tears, "Okay," She whispered.

We were so close, breathing the same air, breaking apart at the same seams, teetering on the brink of the same edge, and before I could do it, she did. She closed that little distance and pressed her lips against mine, the contact of our lips erupted a tortured breath out of the both of us as we longed for the impossible.

Slowly, my lips moved against hers, savoring every little thing about this, about her and her taste. My hand moved from her cheek, my fingers tangling between the soft strands of her hair, cradling her head. My heart raced, pounding against my chest with desperate longing, aching for her touch, her warmth, her presence.

I could feel her heart beating in time with mine, each thud echoing the silent promises we broke and the shattered dreams that we had built as they turned to ashes.

I felt her tears fall through, into my hand, onto my face, our heartbreak mixing, our pain intertwining.

I desperately wished for time to stand still and stay here, locked in this moment forever.

With a heavy heart, I watched her edge back, the lock of our lips breaking in a silent cry only our shattered hearts heard. Her eyes looked into mine and in the midst of the pain, she gave me my favorite smile, "Now go and be a hero," She whispered.

Her words triggered a smile of my own. I shook my head, "How many times should I tell you that I am no hero."

She nodded her head, "In your story, you weren't, true," She said, "But in mine, you were."

Her smile, so soft, so delicate, so beautiful, curved her lips, "I love you, Nikolas," She gazed into my eyes, recalling a sentence she had once said, "In another universe, you and I would've made really hot babies."

I chuckled lowly, because she was...my Natalie now, not the one who worked with Isaac, not the one who betrayed my trust, she was the one who stubbornly pushed past my boundaries, who said all types of inappropriate things, and who was just out of this world, so innocent, so delicate and beautiful.

"The three N's, right?" I asked.

Her smile widened and she nodded her head, "Yeah."

"As long as it lasted, it was a really beautiful image," I said, speaking of the image I had drawn in my head of a future with her that no longer exists.

Natalie nodded her head, her eyes tearing up, knowing that this was our final goodbye, her voice cracking, "Yeah, yeah, it was a very beautiful image."

And that's what it'll always be; an image.

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

London, England  - The Virachi's Mansion

Emma's POV

I pushed open the metallic door and descended the stairs with urgency, making my way to our underground floor, our very own lair.

Pulling out my phone once more, I read Isaac's cryptic message for the umpteenth time today, each iteration sending a shiver down my spine.

"I left you a gift back at home, hope you'll like it."

The words hung ominously in my mind, igniting a surge of fear that gripped me tightly and pierced into my core. Abandoning everything in Italy, I raced here as fast as I could, my imagination conjuring the most terrifying scenarios imaginable.

With each step, my heart pounded louder, echoing the dread that consumed me. I scoured every inch of the house, searching for the hidden meaning behind Isaac's vague words, but found nothing. Whatever it is, it must be here.

As I frantically combed through the rooms, a dark thought crept into my mind. Could he have done something to Noah? The thought alone had me clutching my chest, trying to tame my heart that was about to burst out from the fear.

No, no, it's not that. It can't be.

I halted to a sudden stop by one of the rooms, my eyes widening as they fell at what was lying ahead of me. All of my previous apprehensions were proven wrong as I stepped inside, edging closer to the scene.

Two people were on the floor. Dead bodies. One that belonged to Matilde. The other to Mila; the bitch who tried to put me in jail and separate me and Roman.

They were both dead.

Killed.

Not by me.

I kept Matilde locked up and didn't even get the chance to capture Mila after all that unraveled. I was going to deal with them both after everything else was taken care of, but—Isaac took care of it already.

Beside their lifeless bodies laid a piece of paper. I bent down, reaching for it before I stood up straight, my shocked gaze still fixed on the grisly scene before me.

I unfolded the piece of paper and read the words inside;

God help anyone who disrespected the queen.

I shook my head, unable to comprehend a damn thing. I couldn't understand him. His actions—the way he got me out of jail, his puzzling words back then. Presenting me to the higher table as a candidate, and now this...

"What are you trying to do, father?" I mumbled to myself, feeling utterly lost and fucking bewildered by these unfolding events.

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The next day...

New York

Nikolas's POV

We gathered around, quickly going over our action plan one last time before we set it into motion. All that happened with Natalie, both in Italy and on the plane was thrown to the back of my head and my mind was focused on the game, on the main task at hand, a newfound determination surging through my veins, mixing with rage and anger I was more than ready to unleash.

"Ronald went to LA to make sure everyone else is hidden and safe," I started to explain.

After we landed in New York, Ronald took the jet to LA, securing his father and Natalie. Making sure Alex and everyone else were safe and far away from any possible danger.

One thing I know about Isaac is that he likes to play dirty. I expect him to pull something like this at the last moment. I expect him to bring Alex, to bring Max, or even Cara and threaten me with them just so I'd back away. I know him and his tactics and this time, I've thought of every single detail.

This time, he has nothing on me.

"Isaac's men that were based in London all went to Italy to try and salvage whatever is left of the HEX," I added, a group of our men stayed back there to get that part done. Taking over the HEX played well on my side, presenting a distraction, a ploy for Isaac to focus on as I make my next move.

"While over here, the majority of his men are staying in one spot," I added, looking down at all the information I was able to get, everything Jeremy had been working through as he hacked through every system Isaac had, giving us better information about their movements and location, "It's making me a bit suspicious that he'd keep them all in one place and not by his side, considering—" Considering I am coming to kill him and he knows it.

I turned to Roman, "You will take a big group of the guys and go take care of them," I said and he nodded, already prepping himself, "We are more in number, so we have the advantage."

I have my men, Giovanni's men, Emma and Roman's, so basically we have the upper hand in this fight. It will be laughable if we lose.

"And I will take a couple of the guys and go right for Isaac," I added. He had less security in his house, which was stupid, but Isaac wasn't stupid. Whatever it is he is planning, I will find my way around it. I've thought of almost every scenario, every possible way this could go wrong, and I have a way for each probability.

I've worked hard on this, and today is the day. There is no going back.

I looked back at Roman, "Ronald will get back here any moment now, and he will join you too over there."

Roman nodded before he edged closer to me, "Emma will be here any minute now," He informed, only for me to hear, "How exactly are we gonna do that?"

I nodded, "I know my sister, she will want to be where there is more danger, which is where you're heading," Roman's mission was the hardest out of the rest. Most of Isaac's men are gathered there, in a safe-guarded headquarters, their motives unknown to us, which tips the scale to their side, "But I need her on my side, today," I added, "So, I have an idea."

Roman listened intently as I filled him in, nodding in agreement as we finalized the last details.

Then, we set our plan in motion, and everyone went to his assigned mission, with one goal on our hands, this day will end with Isaac's demise. No more, no less. No compromises, no retreat.

This was a battle —a war we had to win, no matter the cost.

I climbed into my car, a few of my men following close in the car behind as we sped toward Isaac's residence. With each passing moment, the adrenaline surged through my veins, heightening my senses.

I was so close, I could finally taste it, I could feel it on the tip of my fingers.

His end. His death, and my freedom.

Natalie's words rang true— the way she made me face it all. Now, all the numbness had gone, it dissipated into the air and I was filled with so much at once. So many feelings. Anger. Rage. Hate. Determination. Revenge.

Oh, revenge, it was the most prominent one.

I needed to avenge her and fulfill my promise today.

When we reached, I wasted no time as I went down the car, the gun in my hand loaded as I marched forward. The security guard at the gate was my first target, I aimed and fired. His body propelled backward, crumpling under the force of my shot.

Entering the premises, I kicked open the door. We were instantly met with Isaac's men, those few of them he had left in here for his safety.

Taking them was like a child's game. My men and I each took one and in no time, they were all on the ground dead. In mere minutes only, the threat they posed lay vanquished at our feet.

Reloading my weapon, I turned to my men, issuing quick commands, "Search every inch of this place," I instructed, my voice firm, "No room goes unchecked. Then, secure the perimeter. I'll handle the rest."

They did as told dispersing to execute their tasks. While, I turned around, and walked to his office, for where I knew he must be sitting and waiting for me.

My hands curled over the knob and I pushed the door open, stepping inside, a man on a mission. Behind his desk, he sat down, ever so casually, like his whole world wasn't about to end and vanish.

"Hello, son," He said, amusement in his voice as he raised his glass of alcohol up, "I was waiting for you."

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Next chapter is already up. Keep reading ;)