A sky full of stars and
he was staring at her.

Justin's P.O.V

My face was glowing as I watched the scene of Blaise's body burning alive unfolding in front of me. His screams were echoing through the walls of big empty basement. Fear of death clearly evident in them.

The fire burnt hot and loyal to it's reputation, licking away at air, turning his body to ash. A burning body was nothing like they showed in the movies, where fire covered every inch of skin, while in reality, it didn't. I could still see his skin turning black with the burns and the bones being uncovered. A dulled white amongst the blazing red that ate everything away.

Smoke rose up in front of me like a cloud as I took a drag of my cigarette. Shouldn't I feel even a little bad for burning him alive? Maybe I should. But I didn't. Honestly, I couldn't care less.

Because that's he gets for fucking with a Bieber.

A scream tore itself up from the man's throat, his hands rising up to his chest, as if he could beat the fire out of him. My eyes narrowed in amusement, at how hard he was trying to stop the flames. But the thing about fire is that once it's big enough, there's nothing that can put it out. Nothing a man can do, atleast. I took another drag of my cigarette.

The corner of my mouth rose up, drinking up the echoes of his screams hungrily. Relishing in his haunted eyes.

Proud.

That's what I felt. Proud to put out one of my fires by starting another.

I took one last drag of my burning cigarette before throwing the rest of it at Blaise's body. He was burning anyway, it won't matter.

"Seriously Justin?" Zayn scoffed at my current action. I raised an eyebrow and turned to him. "You can't just leave evidences like that." He pointed making me roll my eyes.

"And what is your point exactly?" I said nonchalantly while adjusting my suit. He didn't say anything in return. That's what I thought.

Everybody knew I was the one behind crimes happening around in Chicago. If I kill someone, people would know but won't say anything. Organized crime has paid for politicians campaigns since the beginning of time. That's how we do what we do and get away with it. If I killed someone, the mayor would turn his head because I paid him to be re-elected. Even in a room full of people, I could drag someone's bloody body to the dumpster, then sit for an interrogation, only to be found not guilty over it an hour or two later. It was how everything worked.

Besides, my men and my brothers were the best at getting rid of dead bodies. It won't be hard for them to remove all traces of evidence.

"Get rid of the body." I ordered before turning away.

I walked towards my car with my head held high, showing all of the power I owned in this world. Especially Chicago.

I climbed in the driver's seat and sighed in tiredness. I cracked my knuckles and leaned back against the leather seat. I was about to start the engine when my phone started ringing rather really loudly. I rolled my eyes and pulled it out of my pants pocket.

Finding Simon's name flashing across the screen, I picked up the call immediately. I hope Charlotte was okay.

"Bieber." I said. "Justin, is it possible for you to come to Jeremy's office right now? Your father and I need to talk to you." He said making me frown my eyebrows. "Is Charlotte okay?" I asked, disregarding his request. "Don't worry, she's fine. She's at home, asleep." He answered. "Alright I'll be there in fifteen." I said and hung up.

Reversing the car, I drove away to my father's office. During my ride to that place, I couldn't help but think about what they had to say to me. Whatever it was, it better be worth my time. I was fucking tired from all of the work I have done today. So were my brothers. I bet they have left home to their wives as soon as I left, leaving some of our men workers to get rid of Blaise's body. That was something I couldn't do just yet. I didn't have a wife to go back home to. But that wasn't going to last for long.

I can already imagine Charlotte waiting for me at home when I come back to her from work. I can already imagine her smiling when she will find me walking through the doors. Her lips greeting my own with a sweet kiss before she takes me to the dining table for the delicious dinner she has cooked for me. I can already imagine having her in my arms as I rest for the night with her by my side. I can already imagine the ways I will worship and savour her body all night long.

I wasn't stupid, I knew it will take some time for her to love me back and get comfortable with the idea of me being her husband. I knew I will have to prove myself to her, prove my love to her. But, I also knew that she'll love me back eventually.

Soon, she'll become my home. And I hers.

Sighing at my thoughts, I pulled the car into the driveway. Getting out, I adjusted my suit and straightened out wrinkles on it before walking inside the building, straight towards Dad's office.

Not finding any need to ask for permission to enter, I strolled in. Simon and Dad were discussing something among themselves but as soon as they saw me, they stopped talking.

I raised an eyebrow at this. Shady. Simon was agitated while my father had a look of worry on his face. I found my eyebrows crossing. It must be something serious. "Well, I'm here. What did you want to talk about?" I asked, when neither of them uttered a single word.

"Have you thought about yours and Charlotte's wedding?" Simon questioned slowly. "Can you be more specific?" I spoke after few seconds. "What he mean is, have you decided when you want the wedding to happen yet? Have you made plans for it yet?" Dad informed.

"Seriously? You have called me here for this?" I scoffed. "Justin, just answer the question!" Dad enjoined. I faught the urge to roll my eyes at him. "Yes I have. I was thinking, maybe we can have the wedding after two weeks." I answered truthfully.

"Does Charlotte knows about this?" He asked again. "No, I am going talk to her about this tomorrow at dinner. She can do the planning for it with the girls. I'll just pay." I shrugged my shoulders.

"That won't be necessary," Simon objected. "Also, ask for her approval before taking any decision. She's mad enough knowing we never told her you claimed her." He added and I nodded, not bothering to say something.

No words were spoken for a minute or so. I counted. As every second passed, I grew even more annoyed, knowing they wanted to talk about something else too. "If you want to say something then why not just say it." I vexed.

"Justin," Simon let out a sigh. "As a father, I worry about my daughters. A lot. We were born in this lifestyle, my girls know the rules. They know nothing we do is normal, that we aren't... normal." He started talking making me confused.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

"What I am trying to say is, I do worry about my daughters. That's how a father's heart is. But I worry more about Charlotte. Whatever has happened in her life till now makes me really worried. You know how her life is. You know what have happened." He said slowly and I found myself getting strained, already knowing what he was talking about. I knew about it all. Nothing was kept away from me.

"And after being tied down with you, her life will be more in danger. Your enemies will try to find out about your weakness and when they get to know it's Charlotte, they won't sleep a night without harming her just so they can harm you. I somehow managed to give her a little bit of a normal life but after she becomes your wife, it will be far from it." He spoke his mind.

"If you're trying to tell me I should call off the engagement and walk out of her life then that will never happen." I said adamantly. If he even has a little idea in his head that he can make me walk away from my Charlotte's life, then he was so wrong. Even though, he hasn't really proposed the idea, I wanted to make my point clear.

"She's way too in to get out of this." He let out a small chuckle. "All I am asking you is to protect her. I'm not saying this as Simon De Luca, the mob, but as the father of your soon-to-be wife Charlotte. I am giving you the most precious miracle of my life and in return I expect you to love, respect, protect and take care her." He said softly and I found myself relaxing at his words.

"You don't have to worry about her. The day she came into my life was the day I made the promise to myself to protect her with everything in me. You won't be left disappointed." I said honestly and he nodded his head with a small smile on his face.

"That's what I expect from you, Bieber. You better believe me when I say this, if I ever find out Charlotte isn't happy with you or you've hurt her in any way, I'll be coming for your head. It won't even take me a second to rip her out of your life." He intimidated sternly and just like that the ruthless Simon De Luca was back. He patted my shoulder before walking out of the office.

I gritted my teeth together, my jaw was clenching and unclenching and so were my hands which were formed into fists. I counted till 20 in head, trying to control my anger before it takes over me. It wasn't working much.

"That went... well." Dad spoke up. I glared at him.

"Fuck you." I spat before bursting out of the office.

I stomped out to my car and got in, slamming the door behind me. How could Simon talk to me like that? I know he's my father-in-law and I respect him a lot but that doesn't mean I'll let him walk all over me. I was still the same Justin Bieber, the one whose ruthlessness cannot be matched by anybody. The one who owns and runs not only Chicago but so many other places in the world. If Simon thinks he can just rip Charlotte away from my life then he was so wrong.

I won't let anybody take her away from me. She was mine. She will always be mine.

My hand reached out for a packet of cigarettes I had in my car. I really needed something to calm me down. But before I could even grab one cigarette for myself, I threw the packet on the backseat. I started the engine of the car and speed off. It didn't take too long to reach my destination due how hastily I was driving the car.

Killing the engine, I walked out and glared at the familiar mansion. I let my eyes wander off to check on the security who were guarding the house. They stood tall and had a look on their faces which only meant business. They were really professional and have potential. That's why I hired them.

Even though the security was going a good job and had eyes on all of the places, I managed to sneak inside without anybody noticing. The way my mind works and how I do things, it wasn't hard for me to go unnoticed when I wanted to. That's one of the reasons why I was chosen as the next heir of the family after my father.

A sigh left my mouth as soon as I jumped inside the familiar bedroom through the window. I straightened my suit and got rid of imaginary dust from my body. I was kind of a clean freak because my OCD would always kick in. I looked around the bedroom as I walked further inside. It looked the same. Same paint on the walls, same furnitures, same bed. Nothing was out of place. Just how I liked it.

Then my eyes landed on the beauty, sleeping soundly on the bed. Charlotte had a content look on her face, her arm was wrapped around one of the pillows with her chin tugged inside. She was wearing a lose oversized white t-shirt while her hair was in a lose messy braids.

My eyes softened and I walked towards her slowly. I kneeled down beside the bed, my eyes admiring her, not in a creepy way. As if my hand had a mind of its own, it raised up to caress her hair. I smiled to myself when her lips curled up in a soft smile and naturally she tried to lean more into my touch in her sleep. I felt myself relaxing, the rage inside me calming down.

"Nobody will ever take you away from me. I won't let them," I whispered. "I promise to protect you with my life." I promised and leaned in to kiss her forehead. I let my lips linger there for thirty seconds before I pulled away. A soft moan left Charlotte's mouth and her fingers raised up to rub her eyes. I got alert at this.

Fuck I didn't want her to ruin her sleep because of me. I thought.

Before I could pull my hand away from her hair, she fell back into her slumber and snuggled more against the pillow. I had to refrain myself from kissing her pouty lips. I smiled to myself again. "I love you." I whispered and slowly got up to leave.

And I bet, I saw her smile.

_______________

𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

I was looking at my appearance in the mirror trying to find anything out of place. I was getting ready for the dinner date I have with Charlotte tonight. I've already informed her about it yesterday morning and told her she could ask me whatever questions she might have in her mind. I knew she did have a lot of questions to ask. She wasn't able to ask them on the gala night due to us being surrounded by our families almost the entire time.

When I found nothing wrong, I gave myself an approving look before stepping away from the mirror. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and glared at my gold wrist watch to check time.

I hummed in satisfaction when I saw that I was on the right time. Making my way downstairs, I didn't forget to grab two bouquet of flowers I have bought. One was for Charlotte while the other one was for Grace. Grace was a really nice lady. I have known her for a long time. She was really sweet and caring towards me just like my Mom was.

I left my apartment on time, the driver, Benjamin, was waiting for me with the car ready. "Good evening Mr. Bieber." He greeted and I nodded, not bothering to say anything. He opened the door of backseat for me. I settled in and he closed the door behind me before walking towards driver's seat and getting in.

During the car ride, I decided to check few emails for business. Just because I was a mafia doesn't mean I didn't have any legal job. My father owned a big and successful company and my brothers and I would help him run it. Besides that, Andrew and Sloan owned some expensive and famous restaurants around the city while Zayn and I owned well-known clubs. We all worked together. But then again, the company is ought to be given to me whenever Dad retires.

"We have arrived, Mr. Bieber." Benjamin announced and I looked up from my phone. I grabbed the bouquets sitting beside me and got out of the car. The security greeted me as I made my way inside.

"Good evening, Justin." Grace smiled when she saw me entering the living room. "Good evening to you too, Grace," I grinned. "This is for you." I handed her the bouquet which she took in her hands delicately, "Thank you so much. This is lovely." She smiled lovingly before walking in the kitchen with the flowers, probably to put them in a vase.

I took a seat on the couch and looked around at the interior. "Where is Simon?" I asked when I didn't find him walking out to greet me as he usually does. "He's still at work," She answered. "Would you like to have something?" Grace asked sweetly and I looked at her, "Just water please."

She nodded and walked back inside the kitchen to fetch me some water. "Charlotte will be down in few minutes. I'll go check up on her." She said and I nodded and took a sip of water while getting comfortable on the couch.

As soon as she walked upstairs, Eliza and Sarah came in the living room. "Hello Bieber." They greeted in unison and sat down in front of me on another couch. "Hey girls." I greeted back.

"So, how's everything?" Eliza spoke up, trying to build up a conversation. I knew they both wanted to say something but were refraining from speaking it making me grow annoyed. "Other than the fact that I am getting annoyed by you both 'cause you clearly have something to say but aren't, everything is perfect." I said, faking a smile.

"Since you have already mentioned, how about you answer our question." Eliza said and I looked at her. "Fine by me." I shrugged. "So, when are you taking the test?" Sarah asked, getting serious.

"What kind of test are you talking about?" I grew confused.

"STD test, duh!" She said in a obvious tone. I grew even more annoyed now. My body started itching with irritation. How dare they ask me this? Do they think I have some kind of disease? "Excuse me?" I snapped.

Seems like they were already expecting me to snap because they didn't react as they would usually do. In fact, they crossed their arms around their chest, glaring at me with seriousness in their eyes. "Don't think we are oblivious to your whorish ways, Bieber. You may have claimed Charlotte three years ago but you never stopped whoring around. Maybe you're still doing it. Who knows?" Eliza shrugged her shoulders. How dare she? How dare she say I was cheating on Charlotte? Yes, I'd admit I have slept with a couple of women, okay maybe a lot of women in my life but since the incident which has happened at my club, I haven't touched anybody sexually. I was entirely commited to Charlotte now. Only she could touch my body and have her ways with it.

"I am not whoring around with anybody." I spat.

"That's good then. But I suggest you take the test and if you already have then hopefully it is negative." She clasped her hands on her knees. "I don't have STD and I don't need to take some fucking test." I said adamantly with gritted teeth.

"Awe, no need to get mad at us, Justin." Sarah faked sadness. "Don't provoke me Sarah." I warned. "Provoke you? Well, I am so sorry for being a concerned sister and looking out for my big sister so she doesn't catch STD from her soon-to-be husband." She said sarcastically.

Okay that's enough! I thought.

I was about to open my mouth to speak but ended up getting interrupted by a beautiful voice which belonged to none other than Charlotte. "What is happening?" She asked confused as she made her way in the living room with Grace.

I turned my head to look at her, my eyes widening immediately as soon as they landed on her. She was wearing a blue colored oversized Vera Wang dress with extra long sleeves and off shoulder paired with black colored strappy heels and large diamond hoop earrings. She had nude make-up on her face while her hair was wavy. She was looking... perfect.

Gorgeous.

I was forgotten of all of my anger as soon as my gaze fell upon her. The more I stared at her, the more my breath was taken away from me. I found myself standing up while my eyes shamelessly checked her out. "You are looking beautiful, stunning." I managed to let out, even though I was lost at words to describe her beauty, as I gave her the flower bouquet.

"Thank you." She said softly with a blush creeping up on her rosy cheeks and took it gently in her arms. "What were you guys talking about?" She asked after few seconds, still confused. "Nothing, we were just talking about random things." Eliza smiled and I glared at her.

"Oh okay." Charlotte nodded. "Give it to me Dolcezza. I will put it in a vase." Grace spoke up making Charlotte nod her head. She handed the bouquet to her and within few minutes, we were about to head out for dinner.

"Divertiti!" Grace smiled and I grinned at her.

"Have fun."

"Noi!" I grinned before holding my hand for Charlotte to take. She glared down at it for few seconds before clasping her hand on mine.

"We will!"

We walked out, hand in hand, to my car. I opened the door of backseat for her. She thanked me and got in and I followed in after her. We were going to one of Sloan's Italian restaurant to have dinner. It was one of the finest restaurants in Chicago.

The ride to the restaurant was mostly filled with silence with music playing in the background. The silence never got awkward though. It was rather peaceful.

When we reached the restaurant, I took Charlotte to my usual seat which was already ready for us. "Good evening, may I have for your order please?" A waiter who assigned to our table asked politely. "The chef knows my order. Other than that, we'd like a bottle of red wine." I said and he nodded before walking away.

"You know the chef?" Charlotte spoke up. "Yes, this is Sloan's restaurant so I know the chef." I answered and she nodded. "This is nice." She said while looking around. "One of the finest." I licked my lips, trying to moist them.

The waiter was back to our table with a bottle of red wine. He poured a glass for me but before he could pour one for Charlotte, I told him to leave it. "I will be back with your order shortly." He said and walked away.

I took a sip of the finest and expensive red wine with Charlotte glaring at me the whole time. "Do you want some?" I raised an eyebrow and she glared at me. "What's the point of asking when you're going to refuse either way." She huffed. A chuckle left my mouth and I leaned towards the table and poured a glass of wine for her. "Don't tell anyone." I joked and held the glass for her to take. She glared down at it and then back at me. A grin took over her face and she took the glass from my hand. She took a sip of it with me watching her movements. "It is good, isn't it?" I said and she nodded while humming in agreement, "It is."

The waiter was back with our food. He placed it on the table and walked away. "This is my... favourite Italian food. How do you know about this?" Charlotte asked confused. "'Cause I know you like the back of my hand." I smirked. "You don't know me at all." She let out a small chuckle while shaking her head. I let out a small laugh and took a sip of wine from my glass.

If only she knew. I thought.

We started eating and talking in between here and there. "I actually wanted to ask you something." I said making her look at me, all ears. "I was thinking, maybe we can have our wedding after two weeks." I proposed the idea. "But isn't it too soon?" She frowned.

"I don't think so beside Dad is most likely going to be retired after few months. I am the next heir but I can't take over without having a wife by my side." I explained. She was staring at me, although her mind seemed to be at some other place, thinking. I was hoping she'd understand the situation and agree.

"Do I get to choose our wedding date at least?" She said after few minutes, giving me a small smile. I smiled and nodded my head eagerly. Thank God, she agreed. "You can plan however you want to plan our wedding. I'll be here to pay for things." I said grinning. "Thank you but that won't be necessary." She smiled politely. "But I want to!" I stated stubbornly, trying to convince her. She shook her head with a small smile.

I decided to drop the topic for now. I can convince her later. "Thank you for agreeing." I smiled. "I will have to marry you someday. If it has to be now, considering the situation, so be it," She shrugged. "But I do have some demands." She said and I looked at her in confusion.

"What demands?" I asked confused. "First, I want to finish college. I want you to let me attend it and graduate with a degree." She said and I nodded my head. "I was going to do it anyway. Education is important if you want to become successful." I shared my opinion. "What's the next demand?" I asked after few seconds.

"I want you to tell me what you are doing and where you are going to. I want to be aware and not kept in the dark." She demanded. "I can do that. But I have rule of my own. I'll give you limited information. I will tell you what I think is okay for you to know. Just remember whatever I'm doing is to protect you and earn money for us." I said seriously. "As long as you tell me, I don't mind." She agreed and took a bite of her food.

"I want you to be present at home at the time of breakfast and dinner. If you unable to stay home for dinner due to work then it is fine. But you must stay at home at the time of breakfast. If we are going to be living under the same roof then I, at least, would like to know you and not have us act like strangers." She said, licking her bottom lip. I found myself grinning at this. She was really giving me a chance. "I promise." I grinned. "Thank you." She grinned back and got comfortable in her seat.

"I have one last demand," She bit her bottom lip. I raised an eyebrow, letting her know I was ready to hear whatever she has to say. "I want to have a separate bedroom for myself." She demanded, seriousness evident in her voice. My eyes never left her face, as I blinked once, twice, thrice.

Did I hear her clear?

She was staring back at me, waiting anxiously for my answer. "No can do." I stated. Her eyes widened at my reply. "Excuse me?" She scoffed. "I am leaving behind my home for you and you won't let me have my own bedroom?" Anger was evident in her voice as she started talking. "No matter what you say, I won't let you have a separate bedroom for yourself. It's not only because you'll be my wife but also for your safety. I can't afford for you to get hurt." I said adamantly.

"My safety? Is that how bad your security system is that I won't even be safe at your house?" She argued. "My security is the best. I just like to be prepared for the worst." I shrugged. "That is so not fair! It's not like I'm asking you to chop off your balls." She said hotly. I could feel myself slowly getting angry. I have accepted all of her demands except for this one and she was acting as if I was being the worst person to her.

"Don't try to start an argument you won't be able to win, Charlotte. I mean it." I tried to control the anger in my voice. I didn't want to explore in front of her. This was supposed to be a nice dinner date. She huffed before rolling her eyes and looking away from me irritably.

I sighed and leaned back against my seat. I poured myself another glass of wine and gulped it down in one go before pouring another glass for myself. I almost slammed the glass on the table making Charlotte look at me. I held her gaze. We were supposed to be having fun. I was supposed to make her laugh not make her glare at me with anger.

"I don't want us to leave the dinner at a bad note." I spoke my mind. She sighed before grabbing her glass of wine and taking a gulp. "Can't I have my seperate bedroom for myself?" She almost begged. "I am sorry but I cannot do that, baby. You will have to trust me on this. Whatever I do, I do it to protect you." I said honestly making her sigh again. "Fine." She mumbled.

******

The car ride back to Charlotte's house has come to an end. This time we actually talked on our way back. "We are here, Mr. Bieber." Benjamin annouched and then held the door open for me. I stepped outside and held my hand out for Charlotte to take. She grasped my hand in hers and got out of the car.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but," She mumbled to herself but my sharp ears have managed to hear her words. "I had fun tonight, except for the whole "separate bedroom" thing, but I had fun." She smiled.

I kissed her cheek in respond, letting my lips linger at her soft skin for few seconds. "I am glad to hear that." I smirked when I saw her cheeks turning red.

"Would you... like to come inside?" She cleared her throat as she asked. I shook my head in denial. "I would love to but I can't. I have work." I answered. "It's almost midnight." She let out a small chuckle and I shrugged. "Alright then." She shrugged her shoulders and started making her way inside her house. She opened the door but she looked over her shoulder to look at me before she could even walk inside.

"Buona notte, Justin." She smiled.

"Good night, Justin."

My heartbeat picked up while butterflies started fluttering in my stomach. I could feel this amazing feeling around me again. The feeling I can only ever get from Charlotte.

Love.

"Buona notte Amore."

"Good night love."

---------------------------------------------------------

Guess who finally updated?

I, honestly, really like what I've written. I'm kinda proud.

Also, what would you like to see further in this book? Between Jarlotte, Justin and his brothers, Charlotte and the girls (Bella, Maya, Ashley, Eliza and Sarah), the family?

How are you? I hope you all are okay. I hope you're safe. I love you <3

Hope you guys liked this 🤍