The awkward silence. Charles wanted to kick himself. Because Carlos was right. He hasn't acted like himself lately and it's already starting to show.

Just saying that again is so out of character, he almost wants to bang his head on the control panel in protest and curse out loud.


What happened to him in the end? Is that the whole point of Mr. Aiden? That they seemed to be having a hard time dealing with the threat he posed.

No, this can't be it. He is used to hard work and dangerous situations.

Damn, Michel almost died at their hands a few months ago and he's had it better together than he does now.


Then what is it? Is it true that he finds himself constantly stimulated? And so what? It's not like he was abstinent before Rosabella.

Well, it took him more effort to find a suitable bedmate because, unlike Michel, he didn't want to sleep with any of the girls who were working in the clubs.


Charles likes women who have nothing to do with the business and also those whom he knows he will never see again. Or at least it would be very unlikely to meet him since they were from outside X city. And that was enough.

Two or three times a month, he drives to a suburban bar or club and returns feeling relieved and satisfied.

Ok, it's different with Rosabella. She literally lives under their roof and, compared to any other woman, is completely unaffected by him.

He'd only experienced it with Kaylin, who then again was a completely different type of person.

With Kaylin, it's clear that she can fight dirtier than some of their men can even.

On the other hand, Rosabella has the look of a beautiful elegant woman with siren curves and soft, doll-like lines.

Her speech, however, was a completely different story. That woman had a mouth that clearly showed how fearless she was.

God, she's not even scared of Michel, who acts psychotic sometimes. Because of that, sometimes between sleeping with her and getting to know her better, too, he started calling her his little flame.

And that's how he thinks of her. His little flame.

Though again, what does this mean overall?

Yes, he was attracted to her.

Yes, sex is great.

Yes, her attitude amused him.

But is this enough to distract him like that? No. of course.

Once again Carlos ripped his thoughts a second time, as he cursed loudly and gestured for his phone.

"Vengo won't join us."

Charles turned to look over while still trying to drive at high speed.

"Why?"

Audrey is having a baby so Michel tells him to stay with her."

---

No matter how much training she's had over the past few weeks, it hasn't been enough to prepare Rosabella for this.

Five hours later, Audrey still has three centimeters to dilate before she can start pushing.

Falling back into bed, she sobbed as she rode out another powerful contraction she was feeling.

"Her vitality is dropping. I'd say ten percent." Rosabella said as she looked at the screen and then at the midwife who was shaking her head.

"The minutes between her contractions are also decreasing. We may need to consider a cesarean section if that doesn't change in the next thirty minutes."

"What?" Vengo's eyes widened.

He was standing by the medical bed Audrey was lying on and was holding her hand as he glared at Rosabella and then at the midwife.

"This is not what we planned."

"It's not an exact science. If the baby wants to come, the baby will come."

"But..."

Audrey groaned as she tore her hand from his to cradle her large bump.

"I swear to god, Vengo. I love you, but if you don't shut up now, I'll kill you with my own gun."

She exclaimed, her face expressing her unusual discomfort so much that it silenced everyone in the room.

Taking a deep breath, Rosabella stepped closer to Vengo and placed her hand on his arm, hoping to say something to him.

"Do your best, Vengo."

She led him out of the room and into a small space directly across from the infirmary.

Rosabella grabbed a chair and made him sit down.

"Listen, Vengo. Whatever Audrey says now doesn't make any sense. She's in a lot of pain and can't think clearly."

Looking defeated, Vengo nodded as he stared at his hands resting on his lap.

"Why don't you stay here? Or go get a drink? I'll call you as soon as it's time, okay?"

Finding eye contact with the nurse, the tired and emaciated former leader seems familiar with all sorts of gruesome realities but can't quite handle it when it comes to his own family.

Somehow, Rosabella was surprised to see how deeply Vengo loved his wife. He was always so strong and rational.

However, now that he had stood by his wife for hours, watching her writhe in pain without any strength to do anything, he had transformed into a helpless man.

"No, I just need five minutes."

Frowning at him, she looked at him worriedly. "Are you sure?"

He nodded, running a hand through his hair. "I just lost it for a second there. I'll pull myself together and be with you in a few minutes."

Patting his shoulder, Rosabella showed an encouraging smile. "It'll be fine, Vengo."

---

Charles debates whether he should go to Rosabella's room after he gets home.

He knows she's busy delivering Vengo and Audrey's baby and a glance at his watch confirms that it's past 2 a.m.

Though, he couldn't let it go. He couldn't ignore the daring she had the previous afternoon when she went to him for a quick fix, no matter how exhausted he was.

That he had to check one financial account after another for their players, messing with his brain and energy.

No, he needs to see her. Even if they obviously won't go crazy or he can fulfill that promise to make her do what he wants.

Charles just had to feel her against his skin before he could close his eyes.