Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Tension

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Dwayne's gaze locked onto mine, sharp yet somehow tender, as he let out a measured sigh.

"On one hand, I've just navigated a major shake-up in Italy. We need a foothold in New York, and the timing felt right. On the other hand..." He hesitated, as if weighing the gravity of his next words. "I came to claim what's rightfully mine. Nana's inheritance." The explanation aligned with what Ashley had told me before, and I found myself nodding. Still, a part of me couldn't help but question why the inheritance mattered so much to him.

"But you're already a Mafia lord," I blurted, unable to hide my disbelief. "You have wealth, power, an entire empire. Isn't the inheritance... trivial by comparison?"

"It's not just about the money or properties," he said, shaking his head. "Nana Jean owns a significant portion of the Mafia's power. If I don't secure that, rival families will move in, and there'll be blood. Chaos. That's not something I'm willing to allow." It clicked. "So, this isn't just about assets-it's about maintaining stability. Control."

A flicker of approval lit his face, and he nodded, his lips curling into a faint, almost boyish smile. "Exactly. But there's another reason," he added, his tone growing serious, his eyes once again boring into mine.

I tensed, his sudden intensity making my pulse quicken a bit. "What reason?"

He didn't look away. "Big Joe told me you've been living with Jared," he said evenly, though his tone carried a quiet accusation.

The words landed like a slap. My stomach lurched as my mouth fell open in shock. Big Joe?

So Big Joe was working for him, and not his friend like Big Joe had made me believe when we first met? I thought back to all the times Big Joe wanted to follow me everywhere like a shadow, it was all Dwayne's doing.

I stared at him, dumbfounded, words failing me.

"I couldn't wait any longer," Dwayne admitted, his gaze never leaving mine. "I was afraid-afraid you'd forgive him. That you'd make the mistake of getting back together."

I blinked, utterly startled. "Seriously, Dwayne?!"

"Yes Ari-"

"Let me get this straight," I said, my voice climbing. "You came back to..." My words trailed off as my brain caught up with my emotions. "To chase me?"

"What else?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, as if daring me to argue.

I groaned inwardly. This man!

I should know about? Because they just don't seem to have an end," I

with mine. "Arielle," he began, his voice soft yet firm, "I have my reasons for coming back. There are things I need to take and things I need to protect. But my intentions here are clear. I want you. Call me selfish, childish, whatever you want. But I'm here for

his disheveled hair and those striking emerald eyes, he reminded me of a rain-soaked stray

the night, blending with the soft rustle of leaves in the cool

a moment, I couldn't look at him-really couldn't-so I dropped my gaze to the ground, focusing on the faint outlines of pebbles beneath

tightened in my chest, and I couldn't

said, shaking my head. "You show up unannounced, dump

up at him, suddenly exhausted. "I don't even know where to start. What were we, Dwayne? What do you see me as? A fool you could play with?" My chest ached as I forced

I am. But I wasn't a part of your past,

Jared. The realization hit me. Before the dinner, Jared must have suspected Big Joe, judging from his cryptic questions about

How could I explain all of these to him? How do I tell him that I had inadvertently gotten entangled with his half

me-Jared, Maverick, the inevitable fallout. The last thing I wanted was for my son to bear the

sense my spiraling thoughts. He reached for

say," I shot back, "You spin lies and secrets like

you," he admitted quietly, "but the time

At the very least, consider

we're starting over, it's with the truth. All of it." The smile that spread across his face then was brighter and more genuine

an angry eyebrow, but eventually couldn't help

let out a sigh, already knowing who it was before I even looked up. The familiar figure came

to Dwayne, but to my surprise, he was already on his feet, moving

knowing smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. It dawned on me he'd

"So, Ostrich, do you want to handle this solo, or should I

him.

was all

could've frozen the air between

finally reached

over me, scanning my

too long.

been gone

said, his voice

laced with something

heavier-worry, maybe.