- 9 2 -

I heard the gunshot somewhere in the middle of the night and sat up straight in bed, my heart nearly beating out of my chest.

My throat felt dry and I grabbed the glass of water from my nightstand and gulped its contents down in one go.

My eyes darted around the dark room, the moonlight streaming in through the large windows as I put a hand on my heart when two more gunshots rang out, and then another.

I don't know how long I sat there like that when my room's door clicked opened and Anton stepped in.

"Darling." He spoke, surprised that I was awake but when he saw my face, his eys softened.

I put my hand to my eyes and wiped the tears that fell down as Alex followed in after Anton and stood at a little distance, his eyes giving him away.

"Anton..." I whispered as he drew me into his arms and held me as I sniffled into his chest.

"It's over, darling, it's over. He's gone." He whispered and I closed my eyes, letting a sob break through as I cried my heart out.

Alex came over to me and joined in, both of my brothers holding me tightly.

"We didn't deserve that. You ddn't deserve that, but it's over now. He can't hurt us anymore, darling. Neither of them can." Alex said when we pulled away and wiped my tears, kissing my forehead, followed by Anton.

"Stay, please." I whispered and they both shared a look before nodding, sitting on the bed on either side of me, our backs to the headboard as I leaned my head on Alex's shoulder and held both their hands tightly in each of mine.

"We'll be okay. Mom would want us to be... okay." I breathed out and they both nodded slowly.

"She's proud of you both so much." I sniffled when Anton kissed my temple.

"She's proud of all of us, sweetheart." He whispered, and we all sat like that for the rest of the night, not really speaking but our hearts saying enough as a strange sense of peace washed over me and I closed my eyes, letting out a shuddery breath.

I'm free.

"Heather? Anton? Wake up, kids." I heard dad's voice and heard Anton grumble something incoherent, making someone giggle.

"Daddy, why is uncle Anton grumbling?"

"Because he's tired, sweetheart."

"Of what?"

"Everything." Nikolai's voice rang in my head when Alex grunted something.

"What time is it?" He asked as my eyes fluttered open as I saw that my head was in Anton's lap, his fingers slightly brushing through my hair in his sleep and Alex's head was on Anton's shoulder with his arm around me.

Our hads were still clasped firmly in each other's.

I shifted my postion a bit, looking around the room and seeing literally everyone looking at us with a warm smile.

At the back of the room, Roman stood with his back leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and eyes solely on me.

"Did we fall asleep?" Alex's voice made Anton stir when my eyes fluttered shut once again, exhaustion not letting me stay awake.

"Just five more minutes, daddy." I mumbled and heard scattered chuckling as he squeezed my shoulder.

"Sleep, my children, you're free now." He whispered, kissing our foreheads one by one before smiling at us warmly with a lingering sadness in his eyes.

I heard muffled voices but neither of us budged, staying asleep until aound noon.

When we did wake up, I found out Roman was actually here in the morning with Gabriel and Enzo to discuss some matter and to invite us to his house for his birthday tomorrow.

Ferruccio Angelo wa dead. Killed by my brothers, last night. That's what the gunshots were, Anton and Alex had told me just a while ago but I knew it the moment the trigger was pulled.

Tomorrow was Roman's birthday, and I had spent the rest of the whole day collecting gifts for him.

Taking Zephyr and Zarina with me, we set out for a jewelery store that would make me what I wanted on such short notice.

Half the day passed by in searching for the right jeweler and giving my order, and I spent the rest of it sifting through pictures of Roman and I in varous places, combining them together in an album with sweet and short notes beside them for Roman to read.

I had dinner in a hurry, basically scarfing it down my throat as quick as I could and then annoying Alex and Anton to give me neices and nephews because I was bored and then finally going back to my room to pack up Roman's gifts.

It was nearly twelve a.m. when I silently squealed in excitement as I looked at the gifts all ready and packed and quickly grabbed my phone, taking a few pictures of them before glancing at the time.

11.59 p.m.

I quickly went to Roman's contact, my finger hovering over the call button and as soon as the clock struck twelve I pressed call, not surprsed when he picked up on the first ring.

"Angel." His deep voice greeted me, complete silence around both of us as I smiled wide.

"Happy birthday, Roman." I bit my lip to stop the smile but failed as I hopped on my bed and snuggled into the pillows.

"Thank you, baby. It means a lot to hear that. Especially from you." He spoke and I sighed, tracing the edge of a pillow case.

"You deserve so much, Roman. So much, and everything." I whispered and heard his soft sigh.

"You deserve the best too, angel. And I know I'm not the best, but I'll always try to be." He said and my heart warmed, butterflies making me feel giddy.

"Thank you, Rome. What are you doing now?" I asked and heard him hum.

"I'm waiting for someone." He replied.

"For who?" I asked as I gazed at the stars from my window.

"You." He spoke and I sat up straght with a frown.

"Me?" I asked when he hummed in respponse.

"Yes, you. Come at the window." He said, making my frown deepen as I got off from my bed and rushed to the window, drawing the rest of the curtain back with a swooshing sound and opening the window, I peeked down.

"Oh my god." I whispered under my breath as I stared wide eyed at the man below, leaning against a shiny bike with a bouquet of red roses in his hand.

He wore a black button down and matching pants, a shiny, black leather jacket on him and his silver chain gleamng in the dark.

"You're actually here." I whispered and heard him chuckle as he looked up at me.

"You up for an adventure, angel?" He asked, cocking a challenging brow at me when I grinned, leaning against the window.

"I'll be down in ten." I said and blew him a kiss as I hung up and quickly closed my window, silently squealing and jumping around before rushing to my closet.

I quickly took out my black pants and a deep maroon lace crop top, wearing them and then shurgging on my black leather jacket.

I quickly laced up my black boots and pulled up my straight hair into a high ponytail, adding some jewellery to my look and swiped on some eyeliner and gloss.

I grabbed my phone along with some money and stuffed it into my pocket before making my way out of my room.

I tiptoed downstairs, aware of the guards on duty but I was glad I knew their posts and their schedules.

As soon as I made it out of the house and saw Roman, a big smile lit up my face as I rushed towards him and jumped into his arms, making him step back from the force as he laughed softly.

"Happy birthday, Rome." I placed kisses all over his handsome face, a big smile taking over him as he grinned down at me before taking my lips with his and leaving me breathless.

Our tongues collided in a frenzy, fighting for dominace before he took it from me, squeezing my ass with one hand while my own ran down his chest and then back up, feeling him tense beneath my touch as I sighed into the kiss.

"Best fucking present ever." He mumbled onto my lips, placing a harsh kiss on me again before pulling away to peck my forehead when I giggled.

"This is for you." He said and handed me the beautiful roses, making me beam.

"These are so pretty. Thank you, Rome." I kissed his cheek when his eyes raked my body appreciatively.

"You look beautiful, angel." He whispered and I smiled just as we heard a noise from behind me, my body freezing in place.

"Ms. Elias?" Tom nearly gave me a heart attack as I turned around to face him in a flash, my eyes wide.

"Tom." I stated, aware of Roman's arm wrapping protectively around me as he stood in font of me.

"Are you going somewhere?" He eyed Roman and then me behind him when I blew out a harsh breath.

"Yes. Roman's taking me somewhere." I answered confidently when he nodded.

"And does anyone else know?" He asked with a knowing smile when I huffed.

"No." I mumbled, my shoulders slumping.

"I see. Well, have fun." He waved at us before heading wards the house when I stood up straighter with a slight frown.

Wait, what?

"Tom? You won't—"

"Don't worry, sweetheart, I won't." He smiled warmly at me, making me sigh in relief as I walked up to him and handed him the roses.

"Could you please put these in my room?" I asked and he nodded.

"Of course. Have fun, and stay safe. And don't get pregnant." He added as an afterthought, maing my eye widen in shock when he chuckled and Roman pulled me back with a smug grin.

"I'm gonna go." I pointed in a random direction with a red face when he waved us goodbye before heading inside while I hid my embarassed face.

"Not get you pregnant, huh?" Roman raised my chin with hs fingers when I shrugged shyly, avertg my gaze and making him chuckle deeply.

"Well, does he know I plan to do that soon?" He put one of his warm hands on my lower belly and I gulped as the butterflies swarmed my tummy and my whole body grew hot, staring into his bright green eyes which shimmered with happiness.

"I'd rather not have Anton after my life just yet." I said and he chuckled, shaking his head and pecking my lips.

"Can't wait to start a family with you, baby." He mumbled and I blushed, slapping his wandering hands away from my ass as I walked towards the bike and ran my hand over the smooth metal.

"You have to marry me frst, dummy." I playfully glared at him and he smirked a he swung one of his long legs over the bike.

"I'll do that too." He said casually as he placed his glasses on his eyes which I assumed were to help to see in the darkness and protect against the wind because there was no way he could be wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night.

I got on behind him, wrapping my arms firmly around his torso, feeling his muscles tense as he started his bike.

I was afraid someone might wake up, but before anyone could come out, we had sped down the driveway and onto the road.

The wind buzzed in my ears and I squinted my eyes as a laugh bubbled out of me when Roman sped up, my hair flowing back and I clutched him tighter, burying my face in his back and kissed it slowly.

I heard Roman chuckle when I laughed again and spread my hands out, trying to catch the wind on and threw my head back to bask in the moment.

He turned into a smaller road and slowed down considerably as we entered what seemed like a small town.

We stopped directly in front of a small restaurant, lit up by little fairy lights hanging from the lamposts outside.

He got off, running a hand through his hair before taking off his glasses and then helping me off as well.

He looked me over for a good moment before reaching behind me and tugging my hair out of the ponytail gently. He ran a hand through my hair and smiled faintly.

"Better." He muttered as if to himself and grabbed my hand, pulling me inside the restaurant.

"Roman!" A man announced from behind the counter and rouded the corner, coming over to us and clapping Roman on the back.

"How are you, my boy? You've grown so much since the last time I saw you." The man who seemed to be in his early fiftes with graying hair looked at us with a warm smile.

Roman pressed me impossibly closer to him, making the man's eyes shift to me and his smle widened.

"E chi potrebbe essere questa bellissima signorina?"(And who might this beautiful young lady be?) He spoke and I frowned, glancing at Roman questioningly.

"La mia futura moglie."(My future wife.) Roman replied smugly, looking me over and smirking as he pecked my temple.

"Even better! I'm Giusseppe." He said and pulled me nto a bar hug. I smiled wider, hugging him back.

"Heather, it's nice to meet you. Your restaurant is really pretty." I said and the man laughed heartily.

"I like this one, Roman. Marry her as soon as you can . Thank you, signorina." He said with a grin as Roman's hand tightened around mine.

"Get us your best, Sep." Roman said, shutting down any further conversation and the man mock saluted him before disappearing into what I assumed was the kitchen while Roman pulled me towards an empty table to a side.

"What is this place?" I asked when we had sat down, me practically in Roman's lap because he had refused to sit opoosite me.

"Giusseppe was our old cook, for me and my mamma, when I was younger." Roman said and I nodded, interlacing our fingers together which made him smle faintly.

"He had hid me in th kitchen and fed me more times than I can count when I was hiding from my... father." He added in a heavy voice and my heart skipped a beat.

Does he know?

"Roman—"

"I know, angel." He cut me off and looked at me with an intensity that told me he knew his father was dead.

"I'm so sorry, Roman." I murmured, brushing my lips wth his as I framed his face in my hands when he shook his head, covering both my hands with his.

"It's okay. He had it a long time coming. It doesn't affect me iny way anymore. I'm just glad it's over." He said and I nodded slowly, pursing my lips as placed a gentle kiss on his jaw and his hand tightened around mine.

"And here is your food!" Giusseppe walked towards us with a big grin and set down a large pizza in front of us, my mouth watering at the heavenly aroma.

"Thank you, this looks delicious." I said gratefully when he grinned, waving his hand in dismissal.

"Anything for Roman's girl." He said and I blushed at his words when he laughed and left, muttering somethng about being young and in love.

Roman and I took each a slice of pizza and I sighed when the cheese practicaly melted in my mouth.

"This is heavenly." I leaned my head on Roman's shoulders who hummed, squeezing my hand as we continued eating.

When we were done, Roman paid and after saying thank you and goodbye to Giusseppe, we headed out and I looked at Roman questioningly when he tugged me in the oppsite direction from the bike.

"Where are we headed now?" I asked him as he looked down at me, his eyes gleaming in the dark.

"Surprise." He said and I pouted, but swung our arms nonetheless as we walked down the dimly lit streets.

Even at this time of night, there were still quite some people outside, laughing, smiling, talking to each other and walking around.

We entered a more emptier part of the town and after a few more minutes, we reached a clearing and Roman pushed aside the large leaves of an overgrown bush and tugged me forwad, my eyes meeting a beautiful view of the starry sky.

"Wow." I breathed out as I walked on ahead, the soft grass cunching under my feet a I looked up at the stars before turning around and jumping into Roman's arms with an excited squeal.

"This place is amazing, thank you so mch for bringing me here!" I said in excitement, watching his eyes soften the longer they gzed at me before he relaxed and smiled in contentment.

"Come." He pulled me a little further and sat down on the grass, pullng me down with him, he laid my head on his lap and I sighed as his fingers gently combed through my hair.

"This feels amazing." I whispered, closing my eyes and basking in the gentleness of his touch before opening them and smiling up at him, he pulled me up by the back of my neck to attach his lips to mine.

The kiss was slow, sweet, and so full of love I couldn't breathe as he caressed me so adoringly and with love before pulling back and kissing my forehead.

"I love you, angel." He whispered against my lips, making me smile as I pulled him in for another kiss before letting go.

"I love you too, Rome." I murmured and saw his face light up wth the most beautiful and dazzling smile, his eyes glistening as he took my hand and kissed each of my fingers one by one.

A while later, he laid beside me as well and I rest my head on his chest as we both looked up at the stars, talking about a possible fututre and how much we loved each other with soft sighs, gentle kisses, loving caresses and sweet nothings.

When he figured I was about to doze off, he helped me up and dusted me off before leading us back to the bike.

The way home was quicker than I would've liked and when we stopped, he fixed my hair and held me to his chest for a while, just standing there and holdng me before kising me slowly.

"Dream of me." He whispered and I smiled as his hands framed my face before he kissd both my cheeks, the tip of my nose, and then my forehead before finally letting me go when my eyes drifted up and I froze.

Anton was leaning against the balcony, a cigarette dangling from his mouth before he blew out smoke and breathed heavily, his eyes on the two of us.

Roman followed my gaze and didn't look fazed, instead gave a nod to Anton who didn't reply. Roman looked one more time at me and gave me a faint smile.

"Get inside. Go." He patted my hip twice and I nodded, pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek before going back inside with one last look at my man and waved at him when he nodded in return.

As soon as the front door was closed, I heard the roar of an engine and a bike speeding away. I sighed, trudging upstairs and decided to go see Anton first but saw him already waiting for me at the door of my room.

"Did you have fun?" He sounded genuinely curious and I frowned as I looked aroud to see if he was being sarcastic.

"I did, yes." I raised my head higher and he nodded, blowing out a breath when I sniffed him and scowled.

"Don't get close to Ana with that smell on you." I said and he nodded, looking me over for any injuries.

"Go to sleep." He said in a tired voice and I cocked my head to the side when I didn't hear any sarcastic comeback, no argument, no reprimands.

"You're not going to ask me anyting?" I asked incredulously as he began to walk away and waved his hand in dismissal.

"Like you would've given me a straight answer." He muttered before clearing his throat.

"No, it's none of my business. I trust Roman." He said before disappearing roud the corner while I stood there surprised.

Did he just admit to trusting Roman?

I did a little victory shimmy as I walked into my room, happy that they had finally sorted out their differences.

Changing back into my nightie, I collapsed onto the bed, a big smile on my face as I stared at the red roses on my nightstand and drifted off to a peaceful sleep after so many years.

It was all over now.