Sorry for the delay 😭 I'm so out of the writing zone it's crazy.

Enjoy this chapter! It may or may not be the finale 👀

A week had passed since that incident with Zari.

After consulting with Rocco - the one who was the most angry about the situation. We decided it was better to send her a message.

Rocco personally went to her apartment, scaring her into staying away from us. He reminded her who she was messing with.

I didn't want to be the one responsible for her death. As much as I hated her and I wanted her to suffer, I didn't want to cross that line. Once it was done, I couldn't say how I'd feel about killing someone I once called a friend.

Costa and I were stronger than ever now that he was finally back in New York and we could spend some time together.

Well, we were hardly ever alone together since my penthouse had been invaded by his family. But at least we were together.

"What do you think?" I asked my husband, showing him the Instagram page on my phone.

"I think you should do it." Aidan answered before Costa could. "It's cute."

"I agree. Then you can get them framed." Gio added, completely missing the look of irritation I sent his way.

"Costa?" I smiled, trying to keep my attention on my husband instead of the idiots around us.

"You really want some guy taking photos of your pregnant wife?" Rocco muttered, snatching my phone from Costa before he could tell me his thoughts.

"He's a photographer, Rocco. It's his job." I snapped, reaching across Costa on the couch to try and get my phone back. Unfortunately, Rocco only had to shuffle away and I wasn't able to.

"This one isn't even wearing any clothes, Costa." He scoffed, showing me one of the pregnant women covered by a single sheet for her pregnancy photos. "You really want your wife to be photographed by some stronzo like this?"

"I never said I wanted that particular kind of shoot and if I did, it's none of your business." I glared at my brother in-law, still trying to get past my husband so I could snatch my phone.

"It is if my baby niece or nephew is being paraded around like a fucking prop."

"Hey! It's my Mini Milk. Not yours." I huffed, still trying, and failing, to get out of my husband's grip.

"Are you two done?" He finally spoke, his arms wrapped securely around my waist on the couch.

"Tell him to give me my phone and to stop getting involved in our personal business." I glared at Costa and then Rocco again.

"My brother's personal business is also my personal business."

"I have a question." I suddenly sat up, putting a pause on my attempts to get out of Costa's arms. "Why aren't you in Sicily like Tristano? He knows to stay out of my way and out of my affairs."

"That's why he's the boring sibling." Rocco smirked. "Anyway, you like me."

"No, I don't."

"You do." Both the twins spoke in unison and then Costa nodded in agreement, still holding on to me. "You do."

"No, I don't." I disagreed, shaking my head. "Rocco is my sworn enemy. I have vowed to never like him, ever."

"Vowed?" Rocco scoffed. It's like he's forgetting all the months of arguing and hate filled stares whenever we came into contact.

"Yes, vowed. I will never like you." I stated simply, finally giving up on retrieving my phone. It'll come back to me eventually.

"That's ridiculous. You went baby shopping with me the other day."

"Please, stop telling people that." I groaned. "We went shopping for baby things, not baby shopping. It sounds weird. And anyway, I was going alone. You decided to tag along."

"Well it's not like I was going to let you go alone. Haven't you heard of the war we're currently fighting?"

"Of course. It's all anyone ever talks about." I muttered. "Now, please, shut up so I can talk to my husband."

"Sure." He leaned back, gesturing for me to speak to Costa who had barely said a word since I brought up the idea of a pregnancy shoot.

"So what do you think?" I blinked, smiling sweetly at him.

"You want to do a pregnancy shoot?" He rose an eyebrow at me, tucking some hair behind my ear.

"Yeah. It's a nice way to celebrate and to remember my Mini Milk when it comes."

"You don't even look pregnant yet." Giovanni jumped in, apparently thinking his opinion mattered.

"That's because I'm only 19 weeks." I growled, feeling my mama bear claws aching to come out. "Now stay out of our conversation."

"So when do you want to do the shoot?" Costa asked.

"Well, much later in my pregnancy. But the best photographers need to be booked in advance. So if we want it done before I go into labour, we need to book soon."

"Just give me a camera and I'll take some photos of you." Rocco muttered, still scrolling on my phone.

"I want to kill you so fucking bad."

"Hey." He momentarily paused scrolling so he could patronise me. "No bad language around the baby, remember?"

"One morning, don't be surprised if you wake up dead." I narrowed my eyes dangerously at the youngest Accardi brother.

"How would that even-" I cut Rocco off, turning to Costa again. "So?"

"If you want one, go for it. You don't need to ask me, Millie."

"But I want you to be in it." I frowned - a frown which deepened when the twins and Rocco burst out laughing around us. "What?"

"You want Costa to be in your pregnancy shoot?" Giovanni spluttered a laugh. Even Costa chuckled, but he quickly covered it when I glared at him.

"It's cute for the husband to be in some of the pictures. We're the baby's parents after all."

"Yeah, but it's Costa." Aidan breathed and the four of the burst out laughing.

"Fine. Forget it." I sighed, pushing myself out of Costa's arms.

"Wait." Costa grabbed me again, sitting up straighter on the couch. His smile was replaced with a serious expression and he paused, building the suspension. "Would you be happy to substitute Damian instead?"

"Screw you, Costa." I snapped as the rest of laughed again.

"Oh, come on. You know he'd be happy to do a pregnancy shoot with you." My husband chuckled, watching as I got up to clear the dishes from the coffee table.

"It's Damian's kind of thing." Rocco defended his brother, still scrolling through the photographers Instagram page on my phone.

At least, I hope it was the photographers Instagram page.

But then, this is Rocco we're talking about...

"What are you doing?" I finally had the common sense to ask my brother in-law what he'd been doing on my phone for the last few minutes.

"Reading your emails, but first I read your texts." He admitted, keeping his eyes on my phone. "By the way, Julius says he's free on Wednesday. And you got an email...it says...your pregnancy bras will be delivered tomorrow by your trusty courier."

"Hey!" My outburst was drowned out by the laughter. Meanwhile, my cheeks were flaming bright red.

Rocco already knew about the bras because that was one of the things I bought the other day from the mama-to-be store at the mall. They just didn't have the ones I wanted in store so they said they'd deliver them. I tried to send him away but he insisted he didn't care about my pregnancy needs. He refused to leave me alone claiming he was there to watch me.

He was just being a dick by reading that particular email out loud.

"Rocco, stop. It's private." The way my voice softened slightly seemed to do the trick because his teasing quickly came to an end.

"Fine." He sighed, tossing me back my phone. "And don't worry, I'll make sure Costa does the nude pregnancy shoot with you."

He's impossible.

But somehow still sweet.

So maybe I do like him. But only a tiny little bit.

"Thank you." I gave him a small smile while Costa rolled his eyes, clearly realising he wasn't going to be getting out of it now that I had Rocco on my side.

Somehow, I had the brother who once absolutely hated me now on my side.

I think, of all my relationships in Costa's family, the most precious one to me was my relationship with Rocco. Not because we were necessarily the closest, but because of how far we'd come. At one point we truly despised each other. Now he's become the most protective over me thanks to my Mini Milk.

<<<<<<< >>>>>> <<<<<<<

"Hello?" I breathed, having just managed to get to my phone when it rang. I was on my way back from the bathroom for the fortieth time that day.

"Hi, is this Millie?" The unfamiliar voice asked causing me to pause my movements at my desk.

"Who's asking?" I frowned, sitting up straight in my office chair.

"Uh...Ryder - Zari's fiancé." He paused before quickly adding."We met at your birthday party last year."

"I remember. What do you want?" I was on edge just hearing her name, let alone the fact he was calling me out the blue.

"Is it...is it okay if I come down to your office? I just...Zari told me something happened between her and your husband. I'd really like to get some closure but also apologise to you. I know what it's like to be the wronged one and you deserve an explanation on her part."

"I really don't think it's necessary that you come here. I mean, we can just talk on the phone if you have any questions." I'd happily tell him what a psychotic bitch he was about to marry, without hearing an explanation.

"Just ten minutes. I work nearby anyway. It won't take long, I promise."

I chewed on my lip before releasing a reluctant sigh. "Fine. I'll be leaving in an hour. You can come down in 30 minutes."

"Okay, great. Thank you, Millie. I'll see you soon." He hung up, leaving me confused and wondering what in the world he'd even want to talk to me about.

I mean, I know he wasn't happy with his arrangement with Zari. But it's not like I had much to do with her anymore.

With a sigh, I continued with my work, pushing it to the back of my mind for now. Whatever it was, it wasn't my problem.

Half an hour later, a knock sounded at my door. I glanced at my watch, noting that Ryder was surprisingly punctual. I called him in, my curiosity mingled with a lingering unease.

"Millie, thanks for agreeing to see me." His voice was sincere, a stark contrast to the chaos Zari usually brought into our lives.

Yet, she always described him as overbearing and a little psycho when it came to their toxic relationship.

Even though I didn't believe anything that woman said, I remained cautious around Ryder. For one, I stayed seated at my desk where a panic button was attached underneath.

"Come in." I gestured towards the chairs by my desk. "What's this about, Ryder?"

He sat down, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. "First, I want to apologise for Zari's behavior. I had no idea she was going to go this far to get to your husband."

"What do you mean?" I frowned, sitting up slightly. "Did you know she wanted to sleep with him?"

"I mean...yeah. She told me. She used to talk to me about the guilt she felt about your friendship and how she wanted your husband. I tried to talk her out of it, but when she's got her sights on someone, it's kind of impossible."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. I pursed my lips, thinking back to some of the conversations I had with Zari during our friendship. "Why are you still with her if you know what she's like? She's a fucking psycho."

It seemed like he expected the question or he was just used to being asked it. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated. I love her, Millie. I know she's a little...unconventional. But I know it's just a phase. Eventually we'll settle down - that's what she promised, anyway."

I nodded my head, suddenly seeing why their relationship had survived this long. They refused to let each other go even though they both clearly wanted different things.

But like I said, she's no longer my friend and it's not my problem. She's lucky she's even alive after what she did.

"What do you want from me, Ryder?"

"Honestly, I just wanted an explanation. She won't tell me exactly what happened - just that the bruises around her neck came from your husband."

"She tried to seduce him after sneaking into the shower with him." I stated bluntly. "He told her to leave. She didn't so he got a little angry. She also made a mess of our bedroom to make it look like something happened, but it didn't."

Ryder nodded slowly, absorbing my words. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that."

"I appreciate the apology, but it doesn't change what happened. Zari's actions have consequences, Ryder. She's trying to destroy my marriage, and I won't let her."

"I understand." He nodded, looking around my office for a moment. Then he released a heavy sigh. "You know, Millie, I'm trying to do right by Zari. Our engagement is hanging by a thread, and after this..."

"That's your decision to make - if you want to stay with her, I mean." I replied. "But if you stay with her, just know that you're inviting more chaos into your life."

"Maybe. But you see, the thing is, Millie, she's worth the chaos to me. I want her to be happy." The subtle change in his tone had me frowning as he leaned forward. "And I'll do anything to make her happy."

He held my stare for a few seconds, his previous friendly demeanour morphing into a threatening one.

"I've gone over it so many times in my head. And every single time, you're the problem in my equation, Millie. Which means you need to be removed."

I didn't need another warning before I pressed the panic button under my desk. Nothing happened in the room, but I knew my security would be coming in soon.

I was talking from experience, by the way. One time, I must have accidentally pressed the button while I was going through some files out on my desk. I was busy reading a document when seven of Costa's highest trained security came storming into my office with their guns drawn.

Then they saw me sitting there with my reading glasses on and cup of coffee and they knew it was a mistake. It didn't matter though, because I also had Costa phoning me incessantly to find out what was wrong. Then the whole of his family were mad at me like it was all my fault.

I stayed well away from that stupid little button after that. Until today, of course. But Ryder didn't know I hit the button.

"You can't hurt me." I narrowed my eyes at him, staying rooted to my chair behind my desk.

"I can't, maybe you're right. No doubt you're highly trained - being part of the mafia and all. But they can." On cue, the door to my office opened and a line of people came storming in.

Every single one of them was dressed in normal office clothes which explained how they managed to get into the building undetected. Yet, they held their guns up, all of them trained on me until their leaders came in last.

And my blood ran cold at the sight of them.

"H-how..." I stuttered, panic filling me when I saw Viktor Kozlov's triumphant grin.

"I knew putting that bounty out on your head would do me some good eventually." He chuckled, his thick Russian accent sending ugly shivers down my spine. "Ryder, here, heard all about it and couldn't resist contacting me. He assured me he'd plan it all, getting me into your office and right in front of you. Just like I've been waiting for."

"If you're out of the picture, it's likely your husband will follow. If not, Zari can have her time with him and then come back to me." Ryder explained his screwed up thought process as he stood up from his chair. "I'm sorry it had to be this way. But I have to do what's best for my relationship - that means getting rid of you."

Ryder spared me one last glance and nod towards Kozlov before leaving the room.

"Now you're going to suffer for what you did to me." Alina smirked, stepping further the room, commanding all the authority.

"This building is securely guarded. How could you think you'll last more than a couple of minutes before my security team arrives?" I was stalling, still struggling to process the sudden turn in events.

I suddenly found myself and my unborn baby defenceless and at the mercy of the Bratva.

"They're not coming, Millie." He smiled. But make no mistake, there was nothing friendly about his smile. It was sinister and evil. "I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time. You didn't think something as trivial as your security would stop me, did you?"

I wanted to tell him Costa had more than one team watching me and they were stationed all around the building - especially now that I was carrying his child too. But I didn't. I just hoped that at least one of those guards would be able to get to me.

"So, here's what's going to happen." Viktor spoke so casually, dropping down in a chair across from my desk. "I'm going to ask you some questions about your family's operations in this little war of ours. The more you answer, the less painful your death will be."

"And for every question you refuse to answer, I get my chance at revenge." Alina stepped even closer, now coming up to the side of my desk.

"I'm not breaking omertà." I scoffed, although the reality of the situation wasn't lost on me. I had to think of my baby too. But I couldn't betray the Accardi family or the Darmos family.

That was also punishable by death - even if you're the wife of the future capo.

"That's up to you." Kozlov shrugged. "If you don't want to answer the questions, you know the consequences. Either way, I get something out of it. I mean, I would have preferred to keep you as my personal baby making machine for the rest of your life like I said before. But killing you now is also pretty good."

That was the moment it suddenly occurred to me that they didn't know I was pregnant.

I never actually told Zari I was pregnant, so she couldn't have told Ryder. It was also the most securely guarded secret ever. Only the top officials of the Sicilian and Greek Mafias knew about the baby. The fact I was still seated behind my desk and hardly showing at 18 weeks definitely helped.

"You're sick." I spat, earning a deep laugh from Viktor. "I know."

"Can we get on with it, please? I can't wait to hurt this bitch." Alina smirked, pulling out a knife from the side of her boot.

"Sure, baby." Viktor nodded. "Question number one - where is Costa right now?"

"Like I'd tell you that."

"I don't think you understand the situation, Millie." Alina brought her knife closer, her Russian accent dripping with venom. "Answer the fucking questions or you'll get hurt."

"He...he's in a meeting with the top officials of La Famiglia." I lied, knowing my husband was actually having a business dinner with some politician.

"Where?" Kozlov asked.

"I don't know." The words slipped out and seconds later, a searing pain shot up my arm. I looked down to see a huge gash going up my arm, already spilling blood.

"That's just a warning." She purred, coming in closer. "By the time we're done here, your body is going to be too hideous for your husband to love. Then he'll come right back to me."

"Okay, Alina." Kozlov chuckled. "Next question - what's his next move against me?"

"He doesn't tell me that kind of stuff, maláka." I spat, holding a hand to my arm. Of course he told me, but I was never going to tell Kozlov Costa's secrets.

This time the pain erupted in my shoulder where Alina stabbed the knife - exactly the same place I stabbed her.

"The next one is a broken nose. Do you know how much money I spent on my nose before you broke it? Even after three procedures, it's still not the same." Genuine sadness filled her expression as she touched her nose which looked exactly the fucking same as it did the last time I saw her.

"It's okay, baby. You're just as beautiful as before." Viktor spoke softly to her, his eyes full of adoration.

"It's not good to lie to the person you love." I spoke through gritted teeth with the pain burning through my left arm and shoulder.

This time it was a mighty slap to the face from Alina while Kozlov glared at me like I'd just killed his cat.

Clearly their toxic relationship couldn't handle my comment.

"Next question." That stupid bitch wasn't as amused as he was before when he asked the next question. "When is the next weapons shipment coming in from Sicily?"

"Bitch, do I look like I know or care about that?" Seriously, he was asking me some really stupid questions. I had no reason to know the next shipment was due to arrive at the Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal in exactly two weeks, roughly around 2am. Why would Costa even bother telling me that?

"Alina." Kozlov muttered, hinting at her to hurt me again. Before she could do anything though, a commotion erupted outside my office door. I couldn't see exactly what it was since I had my blinds mostly closed over the windows.

However, judging by the way Kozlov and Alina stood up and all the guns were suddenly trained on the door, I'm guessing this wasn't part of the plan.

Only a few seconds later the door slammed open and a very injured Ryder was tossed back inside. He was coughing, with blood spluttering out of his mouth as the Sicilian guards edged inside.

Then, to my surprise, it was Rocco who entered, his eyes immediately landing on me - his expression one of concern and fury.

"You're going to pay for hurting her." My brother in-law seethed, pulling out his own gun.

Meanwhile, the Sicilian and Russian guards were still at a stand off.

Kozlov raised his hand, a signal to his men to hold their fire. "Well, this is an interesting turn of events." He mused, his voice deceptively calm. "Looks like the Accardi family is more protective than I gave them credit for."

Rocco's eyes never left mine as he spoke. "You made a big mistake coming here, Kozlov. And an even bigger one thinking you could touch her."

Alina's knife gleamed as she moved closer to me, clearly prepared to use it again. "Drop your weapon, Rocco, or I'll make sure your precious sister-in-law doesn't survive this."

Rocco's face hardened, but he didn't lower his gun. "You think you can kill her before I kill you?"

Kozlov chuckled. "Let's not escalate this, Rocco. We can still resolve this peacefully. Just step aside and let us take her. No need for bloodshed."

I knew Rocco and I knew he wouldn't back down. "You're not taking her anywhere. This ends now."

"Kozlov!" At that moment, Costa's voice boomed from the hallway causing relief to wash over me. "Step away from my wife or I will personally ensure you never see daylight again."

Kozlov glanced towards the door as Costa walked in, his domineering presence commanding the room. He was flanked by several heavily armed guards, their weapons aimed directly at Kozlov and his men.

Alina's grip on her knife tightened, but she hesitated. Her eyes darted around the room. She knew she was outnumbered and outgunned. "Viktor, we need to leave. Now."

Kozlov's eyes flickered with frustration, but he knew when he was beaten. "We'll go, but just know this isn't over."

"Ah, but I think it is." Costa spoke, his voice eerily calm. "See, the moment you came after my wife, all my other plans for you went out the window. Our war ends today. Your rule over the Bratva ends today."

I think the reality of the situation quickly caught up to Kozlov. By coming into my office he just authored his own downfall. Thinking the Accardi's and their security wouldn't come was the worst mistake he could have made.

Because regardless of how many guards he thought he killed, Costa always had more. Always.

"You think it's that easy?" Kozlov laughed - the laugh of a madman. "This can get very bloody, very quickly, Costa."

"You're outnumbered. My men don't need to wait for my command. The second you move, you'll be gunned down." Costa remained extremely calm and level headed despite the fact I was still in harms way and so was he.

"Maybe." Alina suddenly spoke, stepping up behind me. I froze when she brought the knife to my throat, holding my head in her other hand. "But that doesn't mean we can't take this bitch down with us. If your men shoot, they'll shoot her too. If not, I'll slice her throat as I go down."

"Let her go, Alina." Costa ordered, his voice like steel. "My fight isn't with you, it's with Kozlov. Let her go and I'll let you walk."

I couldn't tell if Costa was telling the truth or not, but it didn't matter.

"I won't leave him." She shook her head, tightening her grip on my head for emphasis.

"Let me go." Ryder suddenly spoke from the floor, slowly rising to his feet in his battered condition. "I-"

Rocco silenced him with a single bullet between the eyes, muttering to himself. "Stronzo."

Then he turned his attention back to Alina.

"His family killed my mother and he killed my uncle. Now you've gone after Millie. Your loyalty is foolish, Alina." Rocco snarled, still pointing his gun square at Viktor Kozlov. "He's dying today and so are you."

"One slice." Kozlov spoke, his eyes meeting mine briefly before going back to Costa's. "One slice and she dies. Is revenge really worth it?"

Despite his poker face, I know Costa and I know when he hesitates. He was thinking about it. On one hand, he had a responsibility to La Famiglia to kill Kozlov and end the longstanding tensions and war with their biggest rival. But on the other hand, his wife and baby were currently at risk.

"Yes, it is." Costa's voice was unwavering. "But not at the cost of my family. Millie, close your eyes."

I barely had time to register his words before Alina's arm tensed and pulled back like she was about to slice my throat.

But at the same time a shot rang out.

For a split second, everything seemed to freeze. Alina's grip on me loosened, her body slumping forward. Costa had shot her clean through the head with precision only he could manage.

"Move, Millie!" Costa's command snapped me out of my shock. I pushed Alina's lifeless body off me and dropped to the floor, crawling behind my desk for cover. Thankfully I could see everything through the gap in the wood.

Gunfire erupted in the office, the sound deafening as the Accardi guards clashed with the Bratva. Viktor tried to aim at Rocco, but my brother in-law was faster, shooting him in the knee and causing him to collapse in agony.

Costa moved with deadly efficiency, his men covering him as he approached Kozlov. The look in Costa's eyes was enough to freeze the blood in my veins. He was a man possessed by the need for vengeance.

"You should've never touched my family." Costa growled, standing over Kozlov, who was writhing in pain on the floor.

Kozlov spat blood, his defiance still flickering despite the wound. "This isn't over. Even if you kill me, others will come. The Bratva will never stop."

Costa knelt down, grabbing Kozlov by the collar.

"It ends with you." He hissed before driving his knife into Kozlov's chest, ending the Russian's life in one swift motion.

The room fell silent except for the heavy breathing of the survivors. The Sicilian guards secured the area, ensuring no threats remained. That's when I crawled out from underneath the desk. I was Costa turned to me, his eyes softening as he rushed over and pulled me into his arms.

"Are you okay?" He whispered, his eyes examining my injuries.

I nodded, the reality of the situation hitting me all at once. Tears spilled over onto my cheeks as I clung to him. It was only then that pain in my body reappeared in full force.

I buried my face into Costa's chest trying to block it out.

Rocco approached us, his usually stoic expression showing a rare glimpse of concern. His eyes scanned my body and the blood still staining my skin and clothes. "We need to get her to a doctor."

Costa nodded, lifting me effortlessly into his arms. "We'll take care of you, Millie. You're safe now."

Kozlov is dead! 💀 What did you guys think?

Also, once again sorry for the delay 🥺 it makes me so sad I don't have time for writing anymore. But this book is almost finished!