The classroom was buzzing with excitement as the teacher stood at the front with Anya by her side. The other kids whispered among themselves, some stealing curious glances at her. Anya shifted nervously, her hands clasped together.“Class, we have a new student today,” the teacher announced with a warm smile. “Everyone, please welcome Anya Giovanni.”“Hi, Anya,” the class chorused, some louder than others.Anya gave a small smile, feeling a little shy. The teacher gestured toward an empty seat in the middle row.“Anya, you can sit over there,” she said. “And before we move on, Anya has brought something special for everyone.”At that, Anya’s face lit up. The teacher walked to the desk and picked up the neatly wrapped cakes Penelope had packed earlier.“Anya wanted to share these with all of you,” the teacher said. “So when you get your cake, don’t forget to say thank you.”The students were thrilled as the cakes were passed around. “Thank you, Anya!” they said, one by one.Anya’
At Liam’s house, the towering bodyguard who had watched Anya so closely earlier walked through the grand hallways with determined steps. He stopped in front of an imposing wooden door and knocked firmly.“Come in,” a deep voice called from inside.The bodyguard entered and found himself in the large, richly furnished study. Behind a massive oak desk sat Liam’s father, Alessandro Moretti, a man known for his power and cunning. His sharp features were set in concentration as he flipped through a thick file, his dark eyes scanning the pages intently.Without looking up, Alessandro asked, “How was the school drop-off today?”The bodyguard straightened his posture. “Everything went smoothly, sir. No issues.”Alessandro finally lifted his gaze, his piercing eyes meeting the bodyguard’s. “Then why do you look like you have something to say?”The bodyguard shifted uncomfortably. “Sir, I saw someone today… a child.”Alessandro’s brows furrowed. “A child?” He leaned forward. “What about the
Anya arrived at school with her bodyguards, just as Liam’s car pulled up a few feet away. As soon as the doors opened, Anya stepped out, holding onto her pink backpack tightly, while Liam emerged from his sleek black car with his two bodyguards flanking him.The moment their eyes met, Liam broke into a wide grin and waved at her.“Hey, Anya!” he called excitedly.Anya beamed and waved back. “Hi, Liam!” she chirped, skipping over to him.Liam adjusted the straps of his backpack and said, “Did you sleep well last night?”Anya nodded eagerly as they began walking toward the school entrance together. “Yes! I slept so well. Nanny Penny read me a bedtime story, and I fell asleep right away.” She tilted her head and looked at him curiously. “What about you?”Liam let out a small sigh. “I tried to sleep early, but my dad was talking on the phone in his study all night. I could hear him from my room!”Anya giggled. “My daddy does that too! Sometimes I wake up, and he’s still in his office
Darla stood by the black SUV, her sharp eyes scanning the school grounds as students poured out of the building, chatting excitedly. Anya, with her bright smile and bouncing ponytails, walked side by side with Liam, their conversation animated. Darla couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but the way Anya giggled and Liam’s hands moved excitedly told her they were enjoying each other’s company.“Did you bring your toy cars today?” Anya asked curiously, looking up at Liam.Liam grinned proudly and nodded. “Yeah! I brought my red race car, the one that goes super fast! I’ll show you tomorrow during recess!”Anya’s eyes sparkled. “Really? I love race cars! I have a pink one at home, but it doesn’t go too fast.”Liam chuckled. “Maybe we can race one day. I’ll let you borrow one of mine!”Anya beamed. “That would be awesome!”Darla watched them carefully as the two approached the car. Liam’s bodyguards stood nearby, their gazes unwavering. As Anya climbed into the car, Darla’s e
Brayden strode into his study, his expression calm but his mind racing with thoughts from earlier that night. Luca followed closely behind, his posture relaxed but alert as always.Brayden sank into his leather chair and fixed his sharp gaze on Luca. “Did you do it the way I asked?” he asked, his voice low and commanding.Luca smirked, setting the black briefcase down on the desk with a soft thud. “Of course, Don. I gave them an empty case, just like you said.” He opened the briefcase given to him by the others, revealing it was completely empty. “Turns out, they weren’t serious about the deal. They were only there to rob us of our goods.”Brayden leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest thoughtfully. “I knew it,” he muttered, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Good job, Luca. You handled it perfectly this time.”Luca grinned, pleased with the praise. “Thanks, Don. And the goods?”Without another word, Luca lifted a second briefcase onto th
Penelope raced inside her room, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. She slammed the door shut behind her and leaned against it, pressing a trembling hand to her lips. Her heart pounded wildly against her chest as the memory of Brayden’s kiss replayed in her mind.“He kissed me,” she whispered, her fingers tracing her lips in disbelief. “My boss… kissed me.”She shook her head, trying to convince herself it was all in her imagination. Maybe she was just tired, maybe it was a dream. To test her theory, she pinched her arm—hard.“Ouch!” she yelped, rubbing the spot she had pinched. “No… it’s real,” she mumbled with a deep sigh.Sliding down against the door, she buried her face in her hands. “What is happening?” she muttered. “I shouldn’t have gone there looking like that… what was I thinking?”Her thoughts swirled in a mess of confusion and embarrassment until she suddenly remembered the reason she had left her room in the first place.“I was thirsty,” she mumbled, suddenly
The next morning, Brayden sat in his study room, flipping through a stack of files.He needed to review some important files before Luca arrived to drive him to the office.His brows were furrowed in concentration as he reviewed the documents, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk. The room was quiet except for the occasional rustle of papers and the ticking of the large grandfather clock in the corner.Just then, the door creaked open, and a small voice broke the silence.“Daddy?”Brayden’s serious expression immediately softened as he looked up to see Anya standing at the doorway, her school bag slung over one shoulder. A warm smile spread across his face.“Anya,” he said, motioning for her to come in. “Good morning, sweetheart. How was your night?”Anya walked over to him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I slept really well, Daddy!” she said cheerfully. “I had a dream about a big castle, and I was a princess!”Brayden chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “A princess,
At Brayden’s company, the atmosphere was professional as usual. Employees moved swiftly, carrying out their tasks, while the air buzzed with the low hum of conversations and ringing phones. Inside the large, glass-walled conference room, Brayden sat at the head of the long, polished table, waiting for his guest to arrive. His fingers tapped lightly on the table as he reviewed the documents before him. Luca stood nearby, a tablet in hand, ready to assist when needed.A soft knock on the door interrupted the silence."Come in," Brayden called, his tone neutral.The door opened, and a tall, elegantly dressed woman strutted inside. She wore a fitted Sky-blue business suit, her heels clicking against the floor as she approached. Her dark brown hair was styled in perfect waves, and she carried herself with confidence."Mr. Giovanni," she greeted with a charming smile, extending her hand. "It’s a p
Brayden leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the table as he observed the men seated around him. The tension in the air was suffocating, thick with unspoken words and barely masked fear. He could feel their unease, the way their gazes flickered toward one another, silently questioning whether they had just made the biggest mistake of their lives.They had.The drugged whiskey he had just consumed was proof of their betrayal. But they didn’t know one thing—Brayden Giovanni was always ten steps ahead.Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, sending a quick message. The moment he hit send, the air shifted, a silent command that only his men would understand.Then, he spoke, his voice smooth but carrying the weight of a lethal warning. “Raphael.”The room remained still for a moment before the door to the private dining area opened, and Raphael walked in, a thick stack of documents tucked under his
Brayden sat in his office, his expression unreadable as he skimmed through reports, but his mind wasn’t on business. His instincts had been screaming at him for days, warning him that something bigger was coming. He could feel it in the air, in the way things were unfolding too perfectly for his enemies. He was waiting, watching, calculating his next move before they had the chance to strike. A knock at the door barely pulled his attention from his thoughts. When he called for the person to enter, Giorgio, one of his most trusted spies, stepped inside with a folder in his hands. He didn’t say a word as he placed it on the desk and slid it forward, his face tense. Brayden lifted a brow before picking up the file and flipping it open. The first thing he saw was a familiar name, and that alone made his grip on the paper tighten. Darla. His fingers curled around the edges of the page as he read through the details
The night settled heavily around the Giovanni estate, but Penelope was far from relaxed.Despite Brayden’s reassurances and the increased security, an unsettling feeling sat in her chest. The red X over her face in the photograph haunted her mind. Someone out there wanted her gone.Yet, amidst the danger, something unexpected had happened.Brayden had changed—or at least, her perception of him had.She had started to notice small things about him.The way his fingers tapped against a surface when he was deep in thought.The way he adjusted his cufflinks when he was frustrated.The way his gray eyes softened slightly when Anya was around.And the way his presence, for some reason, made her feel safe.She had spent the last few days carefully watching him—not because she was wary of him, but because she was beginning to understand him.Brayden wasn’t just some cold-hearted mafia boss.He was a man carrying more weight than anyone could see.
Brayden sat at his expensive desk, his sharp eyes scanning the documents spread out before him. The dim lighting of his office cast long shadows across the sleek mahogany surface, highlighting the cold, calculated expression on his face. His upcoming meeting with the business tycoons was one of the most crucial gatherings of the year. This was more than just business—it was about power. Influence. Control. He flipped through the agenda for the night, double-checking the security measures. Everything needed to be airtight. No surprises. No risks. The last thing he could afford was a mistake. His assistant, Raphael, stepped into the office, his usual composed demeanor slightly off, a hint of concern shadowing his features. “Sir, there’s been—” Before he could finish, Brayden’s phone rang. The shrill sound cut through the stillness of the office. Brayden’s eyes flickered to the screen. Penelope. S
Penelope sighed as she tucked the last of Anya’s stuffed animals into the storage box. The little girl had a habit of leaving her toys everywhere, but Penelope didn’t mind.Cleaning up after her was a small price to pay for the warmth she felt being around Anya.She wiped her hands on her dress and stepped back, admiring the neatness of the playroom.Finally, a moment to breathe.She made her way to the living room, collapsing onto the couch as she reached for the remote. The large flat-screen flickered to life, showing the evening news.She didn’t usually care for the news, but today, something kept drawing her to watch it and then; something caught her attention.The headline at the bottom of the screen read:“SERIAL KILLER STILL AT LARGE—NEW TARGETS IDENTIFIED”Penelope’s brows furrowed as the anchor continued.“…Authorities are warning the public to stay alert as the killer appears to be targeting specific individuals. Witnesses have described
The room was dimly lit, the heavy drapes drawn over the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table at the center. The air was thick with tension, the kind that came when powerful people gathered in secrecy to discuss matters that could alter lives. Three men and a woman sat in an orderly manner, their backs straight, their eyes darting toward the door every few seconds. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Then—the door creaked open. The moment she stepped inside, the four of them immediately stood, their expressions shifting from unease to strict reverence. The woman walked in with graceful authority, her heels clicking against the floor, her presence commanding without needing to utter a single word. She was dressed in an elegant black pantsuit, her dark auburn hair cascading over her shoulders in controlled waves. Tonight, she was in charge. Witho
Brayden walked through the estate, his sharp eyes scanning the quiet hallways. It had been a long day, filled with endless meetings and business negotiations, but his mind wasn’t focused on work. It was on her. Penelope. Ever since she had shown him the recording of the traitorous guard, something inside him had shifted. She wasn’t just some woman staying under his roof—she had unknowingly become a part of his world. And that meant she needed his protection, whether she wanted it or not. As he neared the kitchen, the soft sound of laughter reached his ears. He stopped. It wasn’t just any laughter—it was Anya’s. And Penelope’s. Brayden stepped forward, pushing open the door. The sight before him made him pause. Penelope and Anya were seated at the kitchen island, decorating cupcakes. Anya had flour smeared across her cheek, her tiny fingers holding a frosting bag as
Penelope stirred awake in the middle of the night, feeling warmth on both sides of her body. As her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was still in Anya’s room, wrapped in the soft comforter with the little girl nestled against her chest.She turned her head slightly and saw Brayden lying on the other side of Anya, his arm draped protectively over his daughter. His breathing was deep and even, his usually sharp features softened in sleep.A strange warmth settled in Penelope’s chest. She had never seen him like this before—so unguarded, so human.For a moment, she just lay there, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.But then reality settled in.She shouldn’t be here.Carefully, she peeled Anya’s tiny arms from around her waist and slipped out of bed. She stood slowly, making sure not to wake them, and tiptoed toward the door.The hallway was dimly lit, the estate unusually quiet at this hour. As she walked toward her room, she caught
Brayden Giovanni was a man who thrived on control. He built an empire by keeping his emotions in check, by ensuring that nothing—no one—distracted him from his goals.And yet, Penelope had become a distraction.Ever since he had rescued her, ever since he had carried her into his villa and kissed her when she was asleep, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind.That was a problem.A problem he intended to fix.So, he did what he always did—he buried himself in work.The moment he arrived at Giovanni Enterprises, Luca was already waiting for him outside his office.“Sir,” Luca greeted, falling into step beside him. “The board has called an urgent meeting. They want your input on the new marketing strategies before the campaign goes live.”Brayden adjusted his cufflinks, barely reacting. “What’s the issue?”Luca handed him a folder. “Some concerns about the branding approach. The marketing team is waiting in the conference room.”Brayden