a'S

w do you know Xavier Maxwell?" I ask a

vier Maxwell?" I ask as she closed the door to a small

down on the sofa. It's been a few years since I've seen her. It was at dad's

d this. I get that Caine has put a hit out on me, but what I don't

safety before it was too late. I don't know Alonso my dear, so I feared if anyone kne

hile she soft rubs mine softly. "I'm afraid my famil

fia boss of all things." I plea. "I feel as if I'm in some kind of ni

eyes. Taking in a deep breath, "I am Pamela Ricci, daughter of Antonio Ricci." she exp

"My mother and father were both shot and killed in a drive-by a few months after I turned

, pulling her in for a hug. Holy shit! My grandf

back then. He was my father's, right-hand man. He was young,

ask, curiously. This feels like a s

story straight out

g to get us

as he wraps his arms around my waist, placing so

ng." He admits as he pulled me closer to his chest. "I need

vy breaths. His hands roam up my back. "I'm telling him tonight that I'm i

oesn't approve? He will send you away and I'll never see you a

r. So many guys have tried to convince your father for your hand." He leans his face to mine and softly kisses my lips

a traditional man. Antonio Ricci was a man who everyone feared and respected. His daugh

Xavier when he tells him he's in lo

he let me know that he told my father and what he had said. I to

my heels off as I sigh, glad to be done wi

oat being cleared just as I open my close

ts to race, fear that he doesn't approve of me and Xavier and

ooks at me and pats the spot beside him, "Sit down, I

my heart is beating so fast. "Yes, Fathe

nd the rest of your life with him?"

spend my life with him." I softly

to him tonight." he says, grabbing the back of my neck, pulling me to his face. He kisses my forehead, "No more secrecy. I'm your father, and the head of this family." he sig

p lip softly pulls up. "Goodnight sweet girl. Remember you're a Ricci, I'll always remind you, no one will ever be wo

ling my thoughts and nerves. No matter what happ

the lights out. I close my eyes and hope for sleep. I pray my f

ng away the sleep, I focus on the dark figure standing over me. I qui

nce I see it's Xavier. "For heaven sakes Xavier!"

rt. "Xavier!" I raise my voice as fear takes effect. I climb out of the covers and grab his face with my

ng me to stop and stare into his eyes. "They're g

sharp pain. "Please don't say, my Father," I whisper, letti

Oh, Kat- I tried to save them!" he cries, his face dropping to the

y arms around my body as I held myse

ack your stuff." He says suddenly, qui

as if I'm in some sort of dream, a nightmare that I can't pull m

ts his head fall again. "Shit, when we got home we found a note on the front door. Whoever it wanted your entire family gon

ks to me and bends down cupping my face. "Until we find out who it was, I need you far f

." He states firmly, Kissing my lips softly

ad passed, and not

want that life anymore. I made a life in Georgia. I began attending classes at the local college and

Robert Audrey. The man who broke me down aft

t married, had your father Robert Aud

formation she said. "Did he ever contact you dur

t when he asked for me to come home, I told

st as friends. He was my first love Nora, and I can't change it. Even after all these y

ith our lives, so once he gets things under control with Cai

st be kept in the dark for now. He's being closely watched

to confirm before we let Alonso know." I just sit, unable to move.

"I'm going to lie down. I'm a little tired." She says, smiling through her

p anything from Alonso. I'll figure a way to get a mess

ooking