Max's POV My wife's baby bump fascinated me. My hand stroked and massaged it. My fucking baby was growing in there. This baby would be protected, cherished and loved beyond measure.I anticipated my family's rebellion when l took Nora back. I lied back there to protect her. Maybe her idea was not bad, it would give me time to investigate the matter and reset my family's thinking before my wife and son come home.“Baby are you sure it's safe? What if we hurt the baby?.”“It's very safe Max, l already told you.” Nora intoned with displeasure and impatience.I spread her legs and leaned over her. l lapped at her left breast, took her engorged nipple in my mouth and sucked. She arched her back, spread her legs wider and gripped my shoulders. A low rumble emanated from my chest. I leaned back and placed her butt on my thighs, my gaze on her pink clit. I raised her ass and latched on her nub. She threshed and tried to dislodge me, l dug my heels and increased the pressure. Her body vibra
Chapter 50. Repercussions Max's POV His head bobbed up and down in quick succession. “I'm not your mate, speak up. Do you know who l am?.” His gaze spiralled downwards, “ yes Mr Ratliff, l know who you are.” I barked at him, “ keep your eyes on me like a man, you are a man right?.” He started to nod, l boxed his right ear, his head snapped to the side, his eyes popped out of their sockets. He was in extreme pain, l reckoned l burst his eardrum, which l aimed to do before we parted, l just did it sooner than i planned. “Please Mr Ratliff, I'm dizzy, can i sit down?.” My eyes sought Ralph's, he gave me the affirmative response. He was the dr after all. “Go and sit on the mattress.” I grabbed his thin shoulder and pushed him in that direction. He staggered towards the mattress, the asshole was really dizzy. It didn't matter, his punishment awaited him, if he fainted or worse, it had nothing to do with me.“Shad, l want to sit down.”“I will get someone to bring chairs, i'm tired t
Max's POV Martha lived in a gated community. Personally l did not understand why, she should be living at home since she was a lazy kid. Her day consisted of shopping, boozing and whoring around. I talked to my father about it on numerous occasions, he ignored my suggestions of sending Martha to one of my friends, a badass farmer from Soulbare, Robert. Martha did badly in academia, and maybe manual work would benefit her, my father saw it as me being harsh on his only daughter. The security guards at Martha’s place recognised me and let us through. Her lights were still on. I called her and let her know l was on my way up, she sounded drunk and sleepy. I pushed the door and found her sprawled in front of the couch, the place was filthy, with plates and liquor bottles on the coffee table, everywhere you looked there was something to offend the eye. I stood over her and nudged her side with my shoe, she peeled one eye open and grunted, “ wake up, we need to talk.” She opened the o
Nora's POV My office window blessed me with a beautiful view every morning. The colourful flowers soothed my spirit. Their fragrance wafted into the office and filled it with a pleasant smell. I poked my head out of the window and inhaled deeply, my smile content. I remained in that position until my feet ached. I was now nine months pregnant, due in four days according to the ultrasound. I walked to the couch and laid down. My husband was coming in the evening, he was to stay until l delivered. My patience waned as the hours ticked by, l missed him. Though we talked everyday, in the morning and in the evening, it could not compare to the human touch.He had visited several times since our agreement.Deep down l regretted giving him the ultimatum but i had to stick to my guns otherwise he would take me for granted forever. I also missed my hometown, the nonstop heat in Zurus sapped my strength and granny's. I never got used to it.After i clocked out l headed home, got under the s
Nora's POV The proud father made a video call, grandpa, grandma and Marylin appeared on the screen. Max handed the phone to granny, who made sure we were all visible in the video. “ Look at my boy grandpa, so cute! Doesn't he remind you of his father the day he was born?.” Grandma Ratliff cooed, her eyes wet. “ He does my dear, bring him closer Max, l want to have a proper look.” Everyone burst into laughter.“well he is more handsome than his father. Nora, Max reported you have already named the child.” My cheeks burned in mortification, dammit! How could I forget such an important issue? Grandpa informed us he would name the baby after it was born.I stared daggers at the back of Maxwell Ratliff 's skull. He did not have hormones and other pregnancy related stuff to deal with. Why did he forget? Grandpa must have read my reaction because he remarked in a gentle tone, “it's ok Nora, Kidlan is a beautiful and strong name, fit for the Ratliff prince.” Marylin waved at the camera, “
Nora's POV Max made the move back to my country smooth and painless. His helicopters transported the heavy furniture l loathed leaving behind in Zurus. His private jet landed us safely in Bluewaters. Kidlan jumped about like a scalded frog as he saw the interior of his father's plane. In the past l only allowed him to view the exterior when his dad visited. Our son was a destroyer, you lost concentration for a minute, the next thing your property is in shambles. Max promised to carry him around, l put my foot down. The Ratliff family would blame me if their expensive decor got destroyed by my son's hands. The fact that the plane belonged to the kid’s dad would conveniently desert their minds. Today the choice was taken from me, the little rascal did what I feared, a thud had heads turning to the back of the stylish living room. I froze when my gaze fell on the splinters of expensive wood. The culprit also stood frozen to the spot, his eyes darted between his dad and myself. I sp
Caesar Shaman chugged down shot after shot of hard liquor. They were in Peter’s home office. His jowls trembled with anger, he glared at his friend with disdain, “ Peter, tell me the truth, l won't be angry with you but if you keep lying l will be.” Peter Ratliff returned his venomous stare, “ piss off Caesar, how many times do l have to tell you l had no idea Max knew where the girl was, let alone visiting her? The child came as a surprise too. My family kept me in the dark, l'm as shocked as you are.” Caesar admitted in a reluctant tone, “ well, l trust you are not lying. We come a long way for you to fuck me. Since the situation is like this, what do we do?.” Peter swallowed on repeat, he knew what Caesar wanted and he was unprepared to give it to him. His grandson’s appearance changed everything. If anything happened to Nora, he was as good as dead, Max would see to it.His delayed response annoyed Caesar, “ what is it? You have switched sides? Peter, you will help me or die tr
Nora's POV Bluewaters welcomed me with warmth, from the weather to the people. I got accustomed to Zurus ' dry and hot weather but when the temperature reached its peak l missed my country with its wet and humid temperature. The morning drizzle kissed my cheeks as l alighted from the car. I smiled happily at anything in my sight, birds up in the sky, in the trees, a toddler running from his mother on short sturdy legs. My grin faded as my eyes met the bodyguards Max insisted l needed. I did not buy his reasons for dumping bodyguards on my doorstep. I was still at granny's place a week later after my return from Zurus.I grovelled and pleaded until he agreed to extend my stay at my former home. I got the fright of my life last night when i went to fetch something from the porch and a figure materialised out of the darkness. I screamed at the top of my lungs, “ l'm sorry Mrs Ratliff, l didn't mean to scare you.” The tall figure clad in black apologised.“Who are you, what are you do
NoraChapter 65. The meeting Nora“So, when do you want to meet Caesar? There's no pressure, ok baby?” Max questioned, as he trimmed his beard. His eyes found mine in the mirror. I was babysitting him as he made himself presentable. “ I think the sooner l do it, the better. How about tomorrow evening?.” Max lathered his face, “ it's fine. Who would you prefer to be there?” He poured water onto his face then wiped his face. “ I know who l don't want there, Angela. Everyone else is welcome.” Max dropped the towel in the washing basket. He took my hand and we headed to the kitchen for breakfast.Matilda's breakfast spread made my salivary glands ooze. We dug in with gusto, “ Max, don't expect much from this meeting. I'm agreeing because you convinced me it will save my life. I have zero feelings for that man. He doesn't evoke a father -daughter feeling inside me. He leaves me cold emotionally.” I poured out my feelings.The thought of an interaction between Caesar and I gave me gooseb
NoraThe metered taxi deposited me, Nora Reidy, at the corner of my intended destination. My neck worked overtime as l studied my environment. Downtown Bluewaters was cleaner, less crowded than my noisy, overcrowded stomping ground, the upper part of town.The upper part of town hosted a cauldron of races, blacks, whites, brown. Any colour you know, Bluewaters had it. Here the prominent race appeared to be white.The stationary and moving cars looked expensive. The few people l saw on the street wore costly clothes, shoes and accessories. I felt naked in my washed out jeans, scruffy sneakers and a sweater that had seen better days.I turned a corner and the Ratliff offices came into sight. I uncapped my bottle filled with iced water from home. l could not afford to pay for the taxi and buy bottled water at the same time. I gulped down the water and studied the building. All my hopes were pinned on this building. If l failed to get the job today, my world faced total collapse.You see,
MaxI stood at the window watching the traffic below when i heard a knock, somebody came in without permission. “Sorry Max for badging in your office without permission but things are bad, you are being made a fool of. I can't stand it.” I turned around at the voice of my sister. What was this instigator doing in my office? When the shit hit the fan, she chose her side, our father’s side.Her action came as no surprise, my father always took her side in my altercations with her. My eyes tracked her as she came across the room towards me.“Who is making me a fool?.” Her eyes glinted with an unnamed emotion. She flushed down to her neck. “It's painful for me to see you in this situation but it had to be done to protect you. Your wife is the gutter rat we warned you against.”My anger was instant. “Get out. From today onwards never set your feet in my office again..”l barked at her, she walked backwards, the fear in her eyes warring with defiance. As she put one foot behind the oth
Nora I watched as Maxwell Ratliff bounded up the steps. I mentally observed my house from a stranger's perspective; chipped blocks, rusty roof. A house that appeared ready to give up the ghost anytime. His presence made me uneasy. To meet me at his workplace was one thing, to follow me home and witness my living conditions was another. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. He halted in front of me, l peered at him. “ Hello.”His resonant voice greeted. “Hi, armored SUVs, is that not an overkill?.” l joked to hide my uneasiness. He looked over his shoulder, “ no it's not. My father was nearly killed sometime ago. The culprits mistook him for me, so they are a necessary devil.” My eyes widened, “ you are a Mafia Lord?.” His deep throated laughter surprised me. His scowling face yesterday made me think he was incapable of such an act. “ I'm not, but l have Mafia friends. We had a meeting that day with one of them. My dad went home while l finished up at the office. They ambushed my c
Nora's POV I sat on the living room floor, my back against the couch, earphones in my ears, eyes closed. Majority of my peers listened to hip hop, reggae, l preferred soul music.It soothed my spirit. Hands removed my earphones, a face appeared in my sight. “Come, let's go to my home office.”Max helped me to my feet. I followed him into his office. My wondering eyes saw a family portrait on the wall, “ who are the others, l recognise Mrs Ratliff, Martha and you.” Max came and stood behind me, his cologne swirled around me, “ the silver fox is my father, on the chairs are my grandfather and grandmother.” “ Do you have to always look fierce? You are scowling in the photo.”Max massaged my shoulders, when did he develop the need to touch me? But deep down l liked it, it was better than our usual cold treatment that we subjected our lives to.I turned and peered at him, “ so, what is it?.” Instead of answering he caressed my cheek, his eyes intent on my face. “ From now on keep a cale
NoraTo discover my father was a thug gutted me. My face burned, l threw the cotton wool l used to tone my face away. In my mood l forgot l was dealing with a delicate structure and scrubbed too hard. Initially l was angry that my mother allowed herself to be used by that despicable man. As the days went by and my anger subsided l put myself in my mother's shoes. She was a young naive girl, Caesar Shaman, a young man ready for marriage.He used his financial muscle to lure her, deceive her and have his way with her. To discover such a man played a part in my existence appalled me.I grew up without him, l was a full grown woman now, l did not need him. He attempted to meet me after my mother's confession, l turned him down. I finished my morning routine and joined granny and Onica Reidy in the kitchen. I loved weekends, especially Saturdays. Onica was staying with us for the time being. Granny and l used the dining room only if we got visitors. I hugged granny from the back and murm
NoraThe voices l heard in my head confused me, was l dreaming or were they real? I struggled to peel my eyes, the sedatives did me in. My mind was foggy all the time. They pumped the damn things into my system because i suddenly started having nightmares. As l fought hard to open my eyes the bed dipped behind me, a scent l loved enveloped me, my body relaxed. The scent soothed my senses. I heard Max and his father talk about someone who fainted, it sounded like my husband hurt somebody. I hoped he caught my shooter. Before they mentioned names l heard Caesar Shaman's voice followed by one l knew so well and wished i did not, my mother's. So, it took this woman for me to almost die before she pitched up? I listened as my mother dropped a bombshell. Caesar Shaman sired me? Impossible, that thug could not be my father. Tears of betrayal seeped from my eyes onto the pillow. My mother slept with a man who wished to see me gone.I believed Caesar Shaman was inherently bad, l believed
Max's POV My astonished gaze fell on my father, “ so soon?.” My dad hit his chest with pride, “you act as if you don't know your old man. I'm faster than a puff added if cornered. Caesar made me feel cornered.”I clapped his back, “ good job dad, l'm proud of you.” He took the compliment with a neutral face but his shining eyes betrayed him. “ Listen son, l think we should take shifts to guard my daughter in law. Go and do what you have to do, l will look after her.” I grinned at him. This was huge. My dad hated my wife, wished her out of my life. The turnabout was unexpected, l felt profound joy. The words he just uttered erased the animosity and grudge l harboured against him.You love my wife, l love you, you hate her l hate you more.After my dad snitched on his friend, l was still unsure of his motives, but his offer to protect my wife redeemed him in my eyes. I decided to let bygones be bygones. He and i would start on a clean slate. Shad or Ralph, l forgot who, advised me
Max's POV Nora's eyes moved from my face and roamed around the room. She touched her bandaged arm, “ Max, l was shot, who shot me?.” The question threw me off guard. I thought the first thing that would cross her mind would be relief she was alive.A look passed between Ralph and I. “ It's Caesar, my love. He hired some thugs and then ran, we have no idea where he is now. Your husband will do everything in his power to catch the culprit.”Nora stared at me for a long time, mute. “ What's going on in your head, baby?.” I asked her when minutes ticked by and she remained unresponsive. She inhaled deeply and remarked, “ l maybe wrong, but l think you must track Cathy down. I don't think it's Caesar.” l sandwiched her hand between my hands. “ Baby, we have reasons to believe it's Caesar, he made threats against your life. After a short interval you are shot, it's him.”Nora searched my face, her gaze doubtful. “ Don't rule out Cathy, my gut feeling says it's her.” Once my wife made up