The longer I'm near Rhea, the more I see a side of her that I'd never thought I'd see. Seeing her like this. All emotional and not telling me why, makes me crazy. I love Rhea with everything in me and the fact that she's like this makes me want to find the problem.

After a few minutes, I began to feel her trying to pull away, but I didn't let go. I only made enough space between us so I could see her.

"If someone hurts, I need you to tell me," I said, our lips inches apart. "You mean the world to me and I'll go to Hell and back to protect you."

Before either of us knew anything, our lips had collided with each other. Her lips making contact with mine and me nipping her plump lip as I laid my hands on her waist. This woman was everything that I needed. That I wanted. There were no lies. No stress. Just peace.

I wanted more when her nipples pressed hard against my chest. Our tongues dance a fiery song of fight and dominance. Giving her a hint of what I wanted, she surprised me by pulling away. Was it something I did? Is it the contract? What is it?

"Rhea," I said, reaching out for her, but she pulled away. Something she never did. "Tell me what I'm doing wrong. Is it the contract? If it is, We don't have to do this. Just tell me, my love. Please."

For a while she didn't say anything, but then she started crying and that got me. Who hurt her?

"It was after we met," She started. "Enzo, you were-"

Before she could finish, Dima walked in.

"We have a problem, Enzo."

"It can wait." I growled, not pulling my attention off Rhea.

"This is a family matter, man."

"I'll leave." She whispered.

"You're not going anywhere," I said, facing Dime. "What is it?"

"Someone robbed Sophia's restaurant?"

"So, why am I needed again?"

"Damn it, Enzo," Dima yelled. "Sophia wants a family meeting."

"Then go," I stated, taking Rhea's hand and walking out. "It sounds like our sister has everything under control."

"I would if it wasn't mom who wanted you to be there."

"Why does she want me for?" I asked, walking into the elevator.

"She said something to do with you and Aunt Martha. "He said, following us.

Hearing this, I think of the worst. Was Martha so pissed off that she told my mother what happened between us years ago? If that's the case, why want both of us?

Pushing the thoughts to the back of my head, I looked down at a very worried Rhea. What was bothering her? She wanted to know about my rules, but why would Dima tell her in the first place? What were they even talking about?

Thinking about it, I finally decided that I'll tell her why. If it puts ease to her mind, then so be it. I hate seeing her like this.

Walking out, I guided Rhea to my car even though she brought her's. Helping her in and making sure that she was settled in, I climbed into the driver's side and followed Dima home.

"Lets not do the contract," I said, taking her hand. "I want our relationship to be... different and with that, I'll tell you my reasons for my rules. I see that the fact worries you."

"Thank you." She said in a small voice.

Making the last minute decision in bringing Rhea with me, I begin to think of what kind of issues there will be for me bringing her. I mean, Sophia still hates Rhea and is starting to hate me. So, there's really no telling what problems it'll bring.

Arriving home, I help Rhea out of the car and walk hand in hand all the way inside. Getting into the living room, all eyes are on us and of course, Sophia has something to say about it.

"This is a family meeting for family members only, Enzo." She said as I spotted William next to her.

"I could say that same," I said, sitting down with Rhea next to me. "And if he's here for me to give him everything that he wants, he's just wasting his time. I gave it to him after we signed the contract."

"Can you two not start," Mother asked. "We have a guest."

Mother, this 'guest' broke your son's heart years ago," She spat out. "And besides. The last time that I checked, she was nothing but a fucking whore."

"Sophia," Mother yelled. "This is your brother's house and his guest. You don't speak of her as if she's not here."

"It's fine, Mrs," Rhea said, standing up. "Sophia is right. I'm not a part of this family and I shouldn't be here."

"Love. You are family," Mother said. "My son has never brought a girl into his home and it doesn't take a fool to see that he's in love with you. So, stay. I don't know what you have done, nor do I care. That was in the past. My daughter will soon get over it."

"I hate to interrupt this lovely moment," Martha stated. "But you do know that the point of a family meeting is to discuss an important matter?"

"I'm very aware of that, sister." Mother said, leaning back in her chair.

"So? Why are we here?"

Wondering what my mother is about to say, one of the maids comes in with a tray of pickles. Knowing my mother, I know for a fact that she hates them, but she did have a taste for them when she was pregnant with Sophia. Thinking about the timeline and adding things up, I found out why she called the family together.

"Is it Zander's?" I asked.

"As it may seem like it, it is not," She said. "Sophia, Dima, Enzo, I would love to welcome the fact that you all will have both a brother and sister."

Twins. What a surprises.

Finding out the news, I - as always - didn't know what to do. After all, what does one do when he finds out that his mother's pregnant again?

"How far away are you?" I asked, after Sophia and Dima hugged her.

"Four months." She smirked.

"You slept with our father while you were with Zander." I chuckled.

"So, what was the reason to get with Zander in the first place?" Martha asked.

"Because he was working with Alex for someone I couldnt find out," Father said, walking in. "Before I passed everything over to Enzo, Zander and I had an agreement. One of them being that he wouldn't work for someone that I dont know of. Because of the mistake I made by giving the man access to my stock intel, he was the reason why my company failed."

"Isn't that the same thing that happened?" Rhea asked.

"Yeah, but it still happened after I killed Zander," I said. "Besides, no one knows about my stock intel but Dima and I."

"Well, you have a rat in your circle," Father said. "And since you know nothing about it, you're either friends with this rat or they work for you."

Hearing this, the only one that comes to mind was Adam. Could he be the rat? If so, why? Why go against me and work for the enemy? Well, all I can say is that lets hope that it's not him.

"Is that all, Jessica," Martha asked, standing. "I'm about to be late for my nail appointment."

Not saying anything at first, I caught my mother looking over at me. Could she know?

"Yes, Martha. That's all," Mother said, standing up with my father's help. "Enzo, I hope that you and your girlfriend will stay a while before leaving."

"Mom, this is his house." Dima said.

"Well, he leaves and stays out all night like it isn't, but I was just saying." She said, walking off.

Once it was just William, Dima, Sophia, Rhea, and I, I thought about how Rhea was acting earlier. Is there something going on that I should know about? Is her father stressing her out? Thinking not to think about it, I grabbed her hand and got her attention.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," She sighed. "Sorry about earlier. I had just met up with my long lost brother."

"Oh. Well, you should've told me," I stated. "You made me worried."

"Urgh. Enough with whatever's going on," Sophia said. "I can't stand it."

"Then leave," I said, standing. "Mom told me to stay. You and your... boy toy don't have to stay."

Before either Sophia or William could say anything, I took Rhea's hand and ran out of the living room. Finally out, Rhea and I looked at each other and bursted out laughing. Time always seems to stop when she laughs.

"I want to show you something."

"Oh. Don't let it be your office," She groaned. "I know that dont say it but you having me in your office isn't relaxing."

"If I was going to take you, it wouldn't be in my office. It'll be in my bedroom," I said, placing my hands in my pockets as we walked down the hall. "Besides, I want to not think about fucking your brains out for once. I want to try something... new."

"So, no contract?"

"Did you want it?"

"No, but I'd like you to have some dominance in our relationship."

"The 'some' is something I'll have to work on, but I'll try my best," I said, taking her hand. "I want us to last. No matter what happens, no matter how much we'll hate each other, I'll still fall on my knees and beg you to stay with me."

I've been with so many girls in my life. Most of them being whores I'd fuck when I was bored or horny. Lisa and my relationship was never like how I'm hoping Rhea and my relationship is. With Lisa, I always worked but thought about her and made time for us. With Rhea, it's something more.

Knowing the only thing between us is work, drives me crazy. Even though she works for me. With Rhea, I want to throw everything that I've built and am today all away, just to be with her. Never would I'd thought I'd see her again when Alex asked me to protect her. This is the girl that I want to be with and start a family. This is the woman I want to marry.

Getting to what I wanted to show her, Before I could say anything, I looked down to see the sparkles and joy in her eyes.

"I used to bet on horses before my father passed down his role to me," I said, watching her explore the area. "When I realized that I wasn't going to be able to bet on them anymore, I bought them all."

"Wow," She said, petting them all. "Did you give them names?"

"Yeah," I said, standing next to her. "I named this one Dustin because of his dusty coat. The dark one, I named Randy. The gray one Diamond and the white one Snow."

"You named them based on their coats but one." She said as I took her hand.

"I've always wanted to name something diamond," I confessed as we walked out. "Don't ask me why cause I don't know."

Laughing, we walked back inside. Wanting to get out of my suit, I thought about going upstairs but I didn't know how Rhea would feel. After she left, I couldn't find myself to change up things, so I left everything the same. It would kill me if she started to hate herself again. In her defense, she didn't know that I had fallen in love with her.

Shaking my head, I decided to go up to my room with her in hand. Walking in, I let her go in first because if she tried to leave, I'd block her.

Closing the door behind me, she took one look then turned to face me. Trying to leave. Again.

"Rhea. I know-"

"Why would you do this," She asked, hurt. "Why bring me back?"

"Because I want to show you a side of me that I never showed anyone," I said, holding her face as tears formed in her eyes. "I know that this is hurting you. It's even hurting me seeing you like this, but I want to be with you, Rhea. I want a life with you."

"I left you hurting," She stated. "Why forgive me and take me back?"

"Because you didn't know," I said, drying her tears. "It was only supposed to be a one time thing. We both knew that but we felled in love with each other only I was so fucked up to show it."

I never understood people when they said that their hearts had opened up. I knew it was just a feeling, but how could someone open up one's heart? With Rhea, I can't say that. She didn't just burn down my ice heart and open it. She stole it. Just now. Just in this moment. Just by looking down into her golden brown eyes. This woman has stolen my heart and no matter what she does to me, I do not want it back. My heart belongs to Rhea.

"Enzo." She whispered.

"Let me love you," I whispered back. "Let me be yours."

"Enzo, no. I can't," She said, trying to pull away. "I don't want to hurt you again."

"Hurt me, goddamn it," I shouted. "I've waiting too fucking long for you, Rhea. I want you. I fucking need you."

Trying to do things differently now and not trying to fuck her, I just couldnt. I needed this woman to know that I wanted her. That I would do anything for her.

Not saying anything, I picked her up and threw her on my bed. Not wanting to rush anything, I slowly kissed every inch of her body until I looked up and saw tears.

"Rhea. It kills me to see-"

"I was going to come back, Enzo," She stated. "I really was but Mike happened and him killing... killing our daughter, I just-"

"Rhea, slow down," I said, trying to calm down from what I just heard. "Our daughter?"

"That night... when we first fucked. I was-"

"Rhea, please tell me that I didn't," I degged. "Please tell me that you were fucking someone else and I didnt take you."

"You were my first," She said as I backed off her. "I didn't tell you because I thought you wouldn't care."

Her telling me that I was the one who took her virginity, sets me off. I have rules. Rules I made to tame me. Rules so I wouldn't make the same mistake again. One of them being to never take a girl's virginity and that's the one I broke. But the fact that she was pregnant with my baby. My daughter and some fucker had the balls to kill her overpowers everything.

"What's Mike's full name?" I asked, standing.

"Enzo, no one's been ever to find them," Rhea stated. "He's probably out of town."

"Rhea, I want you to listen to me, okay," I asked, facing her. "What is his fucking name?"

"M-Mike Benz."

"Stay here." I said, walking toward the door.

"Enzo," She sobbed. "Please."

Knowing exactly what she's pleading about tears me apart and it's my fault. I should've been understanding. Should've heard her out, but I didn't. I hurt her but I cant do anything until I find the fucker who killed my baby.

"Stay here," I said again, as I opened the door. "I'll come back in the morning."