I've heard it all before, Hammer.”

“You may have heard it, but I don't think you heard it, brother.”

“Are we really doing this again, Sam?”

This is the second time my brother has interfered in the decisions I have made concerning the women in my life, first Avery, now Maria. Yes, he was right when it came to Avery, but the girl was in love with a filthy biker and tried to take her own life. I would have done anything to make sure that never happened again. Maria isn't in love with Jett. She made a mistake... One I can't bear to even think about. She's pregnant and needs a husband. I found her one. Just not the one she says she thinks she wants.

I know what's best for Maria. No one would dare tell me I'm wrong, no one but this man in front of me. He barged into my home office yet again to give me a piece of his mind. For some odd reason, he seems to think he can tell me what to do where Maria is concerned.

He may be her brother, but I raised that girl, no one knows what's best for her but me!

“Yes, we're doing this again, Draven! Don't do this to her. I know what she means to you. The whole damn state knows, and I know you only want the best for her. However, do you honestly, in your heart of hearts, believe this is what's best for her?”

I roll my neck and shift in my leather seat behind my desk. I don't usually allow people in my home office; this is my private room. The place I throw around ideas, reasons for why I need to dispose of certain wastes of space. This is the room I come to get away from the stress of being the Don, even if it's just for half an hour.

“She's miserable, Draven. Any idiot can see that. They're in love, and no matter what you say or do it will never change that fact.”

“Love.” I scoff. They don't love each other; they don't even know each other. One night together does not constitute love.

“Don't do that, Draven. You know full well that he's been sneaking into your house to be with her, and you did nothing to stop it.” I grit my teeth. I do know this. I know everything. “You think that was wise? You didn't think it would just have her falling deeper in love with him?”

I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, I've been too busy covering up her pregnancy, sorting this wedding, and making sure my men keep their goddamn mouths shut. Just one let's slip even half a word, and I'll kill the cunt!

“When was the last time you saw her smile, Draven?”

I haven't seen Maria smile in weeks. Not even a slight smile. It hasn't escaped my notice how much weight she's losing either, and even I know that's not right in her condition. I mentioned it to her doctor at her last appointment. She merely told me that stress can cause weight loss, that it's not healthy and could cause Maria to miscarry. Then she told me to keep an eye on Maria and to take her back if she losses any more weight, or even feels sick.

I should have taken her before now, but with everything we've had to sort out for this wedding, I haven't had the time to scratch my head. That was so fucking wrong. Never in my life, have I put anything before Maria's health.

When you do the job, I do it's more than just a job it's a way of life. Many people depend on me. I can take your life from you in less than a second. I can allow you to keep it just as quickly. I think nothing of killing those who get in my way. I don't care who you are, if you cross me, you die.

So why the fuck is that filthy biker scum still alive?

Something in the way Maria begged me not to hurt him, the way she looked at me, those tears falling from her eyes. I'll never forget that look for as long as I live.

I told myself there's no way she could be in love with that jumped up motherfucker. He's cocky, arrogant, thinks he's God's fucking gift, and probably fucks more women than I do. How the hell could a man like that be good for my sister? He'd end up cheating on her left and right. She'd come to me in tears, and I'd end up ripping his fucking throat out with my bare hands!

Yet I've been allowing him to sneak into my house to see her, and I've done nothing to stop him. I must be losing my mind!

“He's got rights, Dray. That baby is of is blood. I know how you feel about people like me, and I know what you've threatened, but do you honestly think, unless you actually kill him and risk losing Maria for good, that he'll just go about his life and not kick up a fuss?”

“Don't preach to me, Sam. I've made up my mind.”

“Then I'll do what I can to make sure Jett stays away from Maria.”

“Good.”

“You listened to me when it came to Ghost. When I told you that deep down he was a good man, you listened for Avery's sake. Jett is a good man, Draven. He's as cocky as you think he is, but I know deep in here,” He thumps his chest over his heart. “That no one could love that girl as much as Jett does. It's fuckin' odd for me to say that. I never thought Jett would ever fall in love, but he's fuckin' miserable without Maria.”

“More like he's pissed that he won't be coming near her or that kid after tomorrow.”

“You're a fuckin' asshole, Dray!” I run my tongue over my teeth to stop the smirk trying to break my lips. I've been called worse, people have died for less. However, it always makes me smile when my brother talks to me like this. He challenges me, he isn’t afraid of me at all, which is how it should be, I am his brother, after all. “You are not God! Don't fuckin' do this to Maria. I'm not asking you to give a shit about Jett, he's a big guy and doesn't give a shit what you or anyone else thinks of him, but he loves Maria and their baby. I've seen how sad she looks. It ain't right.”

“Why do you even care, Hammer? You've never had anything to do with her! You think I don't know how you treat her?” His eyes widen with anger. This can't come as a shock to him. Nothing happens around here without me knowing about it. “You think I don't know how you won't even let her hold your son? The son you have no problem with me holding?”

“I have my reasons for keeping her at arm's length, Draven. Women tend to get killed around me, or haven't you noticed? However, this isn't about me, this is about Maria and her happiness. If you really care about her the way you say you do, then give her what she wants. Don't force her into something we'll all regret in the not too distant future.”

I don't need this right now. I've got a speech to perfect. My little sister is getting married tomorrow. I'm walking her down the aisle, and I'll be damn proud to do so. No matter the reason she has to do this.

My brother gets out of his set, ready to leave. “Whatever you decide to do, no matter what I say, you'll do it anyway. I just hope you make the right choice for Maria and her baby's sake.”

No one would ever get away with speaking to me like this usually. I would have killed this man without even thinking twice about it before he got the second word out of his mouth. Trust me; I want to blow my brothers head off right now! However, I know he's only thinking of Maria and her future. The life she will have to lead after tomorrow.

I never wanted to turn into my father, but if I sit back and look at what I'm doing, am I really any different from the man who forced my mother to marry him?

I may be like him, but I have to protect my sister from the life these men lead. Fucking motorcycle riders? They have no morals, no sense of pride. I don't care what my brother tells me, Jett is not the man for Maria. Jovanni might not have been her choice, but he'll take care of her, he'll take care of her baby. The baby I know in my heart Maria will sneak to meet with its father. How long could I honestly keep the kid from him?

I don't know if Maria really has fallen in love with Jett, but I do know that once she's married, there is no way she'll step out on her husband. She won't be able to leave him without coming to the famiglia and giving a damn good reason as to why.

I've already made her a prisoner in my home. I took away her apartment and her job. She sits in her room day in and day out, never wanting to be around anyone. Hammer is right with what he said about me allowing Jett to sneak into my house to see Maria. I don't know how long it's been going on exactly, but I saw him jump over the wall the other day. I saw him scale the wall that leads to Maria's bedroom. I stormed up those stairs so fast, gun in hand, ready to shoot the cunt then and there, I thought my feet were on fire. I was prepared to kill him right in front of Maria just to put an end to all of this.

However, I didn't shoot him. I didn't even open Maria's bedroom door. I just stood on the outside and listened to my baby sister crying, bringing back the awful memories I have of my mother doing the same thing. My mother was never allowed to find real love. Even when she did leave my father and divorce him, he forced her back to him not long after. Stalked her, beat her, did God only knows what else to her.

I had my hand on the doorknob when I heard Jett telling Maria that everything would be okay, that he'd never let anything happen to her. Then I heard her beg him not to do anything that would get him killed, that their baby would need him. I was shaking with adrenaline, I was angry, but I couldn't for the life of me work out who I was more upset with Jett or myself.

I heard Jett telling Maria how she meant everything to him. That he didn't know what she'd done to him, but he couldn't get her out of his head. All he wanted to do was take her home with him where he could take care of her.

I felt my heart crack when she sobbed to him how she didn't want to do this, get married to Jovanni, that she was scared and just wanted to be with Jett.

I walked away and left them to talk. Maria needed it right then. She needed to let out whatever was inside of her. It was stupid of me to allow it to keep happening. My brother is right about that. I should have put a stop to it that very night, but I can be a cruel bastard, and I knew it would hurt Jett more the closer he got to Maria only to lose her to another man. Once she was married, he'd have to live knowing he'd never be with her again, but who have I really hurt by allowing this? That's right my sister.

I sat in my room that night thinking about everything. It's expected of me to make sure Maria abides by the rules of the famiglia as much as everyone else. After Avery went and fell for one of those filthy bikers, the family were not happy at all. Even less that I finally caved and not only let him live but allowed the two to marry. I took out a fair few of my men because of that. I won't be told I'm wrong, even if I am. The Don is never wrong!

The way I saw it, it was either allow it or lose Avery, because I had no doubt she'd again try to take her own life, and maybe she would have succeeded next time.

If I allowed Maria to be with Jett, it would cause an uproar. I'd be ridiculed for not being able to keep my sister in line. I can't have my men ridiculing me again. It was bad enough when I claimed Hammer as my brother. God, the men I killed because of that one. I'll never deny my brother. I don't give a damn who he is and where he came from.

So then why can't I allow Maria to be with whom she so obviously loves? Jett is no different from the brother I love more than life itself. Not really. They run with the same club, just as Ghost does. He's proved himself to me, showed that he can take care of Avery and be a good father to their son.

I have no real reason to doubt Jett could do the same.

“Maybe you should speak to the man and find out just why he wants to be with Maria so badly. He won't lie to you, that much I guarantee. I know appearance and respect are everything to you, Draven, but maybe you should learn the meaning of them.” Is the last Hammer says before he walks out of my door.

I'm done thinking about this shit. I have a speech to prepare.