The afternoon sun beamed down on the Giovanni mansion.Inez, having finished tidying up the entire mansion, stepped outside, her sharp eyes scanning the area. She spotted Darla near the fountain, deep in conversation with another bodyguard.“Darla,” Inez called firmly, her voice steady but demanding attention.Darla turned immediately, her eyes softening with respect. “Yes, Inez?”“I’m heading in for a nap,” Inez stated, her tone clear. “I don’t want any disturbance. Make sure no one knocks or calls me.”Darla gave a firm nod, understanding how highly Brayden regarded Inez. “Understood. I’ll make sure you aren’t disturbed.”Inez’s lips curled slightly in approval. “Good.” Without another word, she turned and strode back into the mansion.The moment she entered her room, Inez locked the door, twisting the key with a sharp click. She paused for a second, listening—no footsteps, no voices. Satisfied, she rushed to her wardrobe, her heart pounding with an excitement she hadn’t felt in
Inez’s heart pounded as she sprinted through the dense forest, her lungs burning with each sharp breath. The cold night air cut through her, but she couldn’t stop—not now. Not ever. The flash drive pressed against her side, a tiny piece of plastic and metal that held the information they were willing to kill for.And they were right behind her.The crunch of heavy boots against the damp earth sent a spike of adrenaline through her veins. The men were getting closer, their sharp voices cutting through the silence of the trees.“She’s heading north!” one of them barked. “Don’t lose her! We have to get her before she escapes!”Branches whipped at her arms and legs as she ran, her body sore from the relentless escape. Every step was a gamble—one wrong move, one misstep, and she’d be dead. But Inez wasn’t the type to roll over and accept defeat.She darted through a clearing, but a bullet zipped past her, embedding itself into a tree trunk just inches from her head. She barely had ti
Inez crouched low behind a fallen tree, her pulse hammering in her ears. Her muscles ached from the endless running, and the cut on her arm throbbed, warm blood trickling down her sleeve. She clenched her jaw against the pain and forced herself to focus. The men were still searching for her, their flashlights slicing through the darkness like blades.“She has to be close!” one of them barked.Inez heard the sound of a gun being cocked. They weren’t playing around.She gripped the damp earth beneath her fingers, forcing her breaths to slow. She had to get to her van. It was parked on the dirt road just beyond the thick trees ahead, but the men were in the way. She needed a distraction.A few feet to her left, she spotted a thick, moss-covered rock. Quietly, she reached for it, her fingers curling around its rough surface. Holding her breath, she flung it in the opposite direction. It crashed against a tree with a loud crack.“There!” one of the
Inez moved through the mansion’s backyard like a shadow, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. The pain in her side was getting worse, but she ignored it. Every step she took sent sharp jolts through her body, her wounds stinging from the dried blood clinging to her skin.She had to get back inside.Her eyes darted around, scanning for guards or any signs of movement. The mansion was still—too still. She knew the security team took shifts, but Darla and the others were sharp. If they suspected anything, they would double back.The window she had climbed out of earlier was just ahead. It was still slightly open, exactly as she had left it. She exhaled in relief. That was her way in.But just as she reached out to grab the ledge, the sound of footsteps sent her heart slamming against her ribs.She ducked.A flashlight beam swept across the yard.Damn it.One of the guards was making rounds. If she moved now, she’d be spotted. She pressed herself against the cold stone wall, bare
The drive back to the Giovanni Mansion was quieter than usual.Penelope sat beside Brayden, staring out of the window as the car moved through the dimly lit streets. The tension between them was thick, making every second stretch longer than it should. Neither of them spoke, but she could feel the occasional glance Brayden stole in her direction.She knew exactly why.The kiss.The memory of it burned fresh in her mind, making her heart hammer against her ribs.She swallowed hard, shifting slightly in her seat. Maybe it was just the heat of the moment. Maybe he wasn’t thinking straight when he kissed her.But then why hadn’t he said anything about it since?She snuck a glance at him. He looked composed, as if nothing had happened. His hands rested on the steering wheel, his gaze focused ahead, his jaw tight.Penelope exhaled softly and looked away again.It was fine.She would pretend it never happened.By the time they reached the mansion, it was already late. The butlers opened
Penelope walked into the dining room that morning, feeling slightly anxious. After what had happened the previous night, she wasn’t sure how to act around Brayden. Would he bring it up? Would he pretend it never happened?She had barely slept, replaying the moment over and over in her head. The way he had kissed her. The way she had responded. The way she had asked him to leave.Now, as she sat down, she immediately felt the cold tension in the air.Brayden was already seated, his expression unreadable, his posture stiff. He barely acknowledged her presence, his gaze focused on his plate as he ate with an air of irritation.Penelope hesitated before taking her seat, casting a quick glance at Mrs. Giovanni, who was sipping her tea calmly, pretending not to notice the awkward atmosphere. Anya was swinging her feet under the table, humming softly to herself as she played with her food.Penelope swallowed, picking up her fork. Maybe she was overthinking things. Maybe—“You’re late,” Bra
Brayden sat in his study, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden desk. His whiskey glass sat untouched in front of him, the amber liquid catching the light from the small lamp beside him. His father, Mr. Giovanni, sat across from him, one leg crossed over the other, a cigar resting between his fingers.“So,” Mr. Giovanni finally said, breaking the silence. “You’re leaving today?”Brayden gave a curt nod, adjusting his cufflinks. “Yes. Our flight is booked. We’ll be back in Los Angeles tonight.”His father raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. “So soon? You barely spent three days here.”Brayden sighed, already anticipating the questions. “I have things to take care of. Work, the company, and other matters I can’t put on hold.”Mr. Giovanni remained silent for a moment, studying his son’s face with a look Brayden had grown up recognizing—a look that said his father wasn’t buying a single word of what he just said.“You didn’t seem too concerned a
As they stepped out of the mansion, the cars were already lined up in front, waiting to take them to the airport. Brayden walked ahead, his cold demeanor evident in the sharp way he moved. Penelope followed behind with Anya, keeping her head down, still confused by his sudden change in behavior.The trip here had been different. She had sat beside Anya and Brayden, and though he wasn’t overly warm, he had at least acknowledged her presence. But now, it was as if he wanted nothing to do with her.Just as she reached the car, she was about to open the door to the back seat when Brayden’s voice stopped her.“Sit in the front.”Penelope froze, blinking in surprise.“What?” she asked, unsure if she had heard him correctly.Brayden didn’t even look at her. Instead, he turned to the bodyguard sitting in the front passenger seat. “Take another car.”The bodyguard hesitated for a second but then nodded and stepped out, heading toward the other vehicle.Penelope stood there, staring at Brayd
Penelope stepped out of the cab, her heart still pounding from what she had overheard at Desmond’s house. The cool night breeze did little to calm her racing thoughts as she made her way toward the villa’s entrance.She had to tell Brayden.She hesitated at the door, gripping the cold handle. Part of her still burned with resentment toward him for how he had treated her earlier, but this wasn’t about her. This was about Anya. If those men went through with their plan, Anya would be in danger, and she couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t do something to stop it.Exhaling shakily, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.The house was quiet. The usual staff had already retreated for the night, and the dim lighting cast long shadows across the marble floor.She walked up the grand staircase, her fingers gripping the railing tightly as she debated her next move.Would he even believe her?Would he care?Her hands curled into fists as she
The room was suffocatingly dim, the only source of light coming from the flickering candles placed at the center of the worn wooden table. Shadows danced along the cracked walls, making the two cloaked figures sitting across from each other appear even more ominous.They had been waiting for the arrival of their third partner.The silence was thick, tense. Neither of them spoke, but the rhythmic tapping of one’s fingers against the wooden surface echoed softly in the space.Then, the heavy metal door groaned open, indicating someone was coming in.A figure stepped inside, dressed in a crisp black suit. Unlike the cloaked men, he wore no hood to conceal his identity, but his features remained shadowed in the dim lighting.His polished shoes barely made a sound as he strode forward, his movements exuding quiet confidence. He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek tablet, placing it in front of them before sliding it across the table.One of
Brayden’s piercing gray eyes swept over the group standing before him, his expression dark and unreadable. The tension in the air was suffocating, pressing down on everyone like an invisible weight. His fingers tapped against the side of his expensive watch as he exhaled sharply. “What happened?” His voice was quiet, but the dangerous edge beneath it sent a chill down Penelope’s spine. Darla stepped forward immediately, her posture straight and composed. “Don Giovanni, it was reckless on Penelope’s part,” she said smoothly, her tone carrying just the right amount of concern and authority. “She insisted that we step back and let Anya play freely, despite my objections. I warned her that it wasn’t safe, but she refused to listen. That’s how we lost sight of Anya.” Penelope’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s not true!” she blurted out, stepping forward. “I never ignored any warnings. I only—” Brayden lifted a hand, cutting her
Penelope’s heart pounded violently against her ribs as she sprinted through the park, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her voice was hoarse from screaming.“Anya!” she called, desperation clawing at her chest. “Anya, where are you?”The afternoon sun bathed the park in warm light, but to Penelope, everything felt cold and suffocating. Parents strolled with their children, unaware of the panic gripping her. Some cast curious glances, sensing the distress in her voice, but no one had seen a little girl wandering alone.Behind her, Darla and the other guards moved swiftly, searching every bench, every slide, every hidden corner.“Spread out!” Darla barked at the men, her sharp eyes scanning the playground. “Check near the fountain and behind the bushes. Someone had to see something!”Penelope’s hands trembled as she gripped her phone, hesitating for a moment before shoving it back into her pocket. Calling Brayden now wouldn’t do any good. She had to find Anya firs
Penelope sighed as she pulled the soft blanket over Anya’s small body, brushing a few strands of hair away from her peaceful face. The little girl had dozed off mid-sentence, exhausted from the morning’s activities. Penelope smiled faintly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead before straightening up.She walked quietly out of the room, careful not to wake her, and stepped into the hallway where Darla stood, already waiting.“She’s ready for school,” Penelope said softly.Darla gave a curt nod and opened the door wider. Anya stirred, blinking sleepily as she saw the bodyguard. “Darla…” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.“It’s time to go, princess,” Darla said, her tone softer than usual.Anya yawned and stretched her little arms before slipping off the bed. Penelope helped her into her coat and adjusted the straps of her pink backpack.“I’ll see you when you get back, okay?” Penelope said, crouching to Anya’s level.Anya nodded before wrap
The morning sunlight filtered through the large windows of the dining room, casting a warm glow over the space. The sound of clinking cutlery and soft footsteps filled the air as the household staff moved about, ensuring that everything was in place for breakfast.Brayden sat at the head of the table, dressed in a crisp black suit, his expression unreadable as he scrolled through his phone while sipping his coffee. His plate was mostly untouched, the food before him barely registering in his mind. He had a long day ahead, and his thoughts were already occupied with business matters.The sound of small, hurried footsteps caught his attention. Looking up, he saw Anya running toward the dining area, her face bright with excitement. Behind her, Penelope followed at a more measured pace, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. She wore a simple dress, her features neutral as she realized who was seated at the table.Brayden’s eyes flickered to Penelope brief
Brayden stepped into his villa, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. The evening had been unnecessarily draining, filled with public appearances, staged moments, and the suffocating presence of Victoria Monroe. He had tolerated it all with his usual indifference, knowing full well what she was playing at, but he couldn’t let his irritation cloud his judgment.He loosened his tie as he walked through the quiet hallways, his footsteps silent against the polished marble floor. The house was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the security fixtures along the walls. He made his way toward Anya’s bedroom, his body instinctively guiding him there despite the late hour.Pushing the door open slightly, he peeked inside. The warm glow of the nightlight illuminated the room, casting soft shadows along the walls. His daughter lay curled up on her bed, her small body wrapped in the blankets, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. But
The evening had played out exactly the way Victoria planned.From the moment they arrived at the high-end restaurant, everything had been carefully arranged. The paparazzi had been stationed at strategic angles, capturing shots of them walking in together, exchanging subtle glances, and sharing what appeared to be a pleasant dinner. Every element screamed elegance and power—just as she wanted.The moment they stepped out of the restaurant, the flashing lights returned in full force. Reporters and photographers called out to them, asking questions about their relationship, speculating on the nature of their bond. Victoria smiled, clutching Brayden’s arm with just the right amount of intimacy.Brayden, however, remained impassive. His face betrayed no emotion as he led her through the chaos. He was used to this. His presence alone was enough to stir media frenzy, but tonight, the focus wasn’t just on him. It was on them.As they reached his car
Penelope woke up the next morning feeling drained. She had barely slept the night before, tossing and turning as thoughts of Brayden and Victoria clouded her mind. Even now, as she forced herself out of bed and went to freshen up, the memory of the news report still played in her head. The images of Brayden and Victoria looking so comfortable together, so intimate, were burned into her mind. But today, she wasn’t going to let it affect her. She had a job to do, and that was all that mattered. Taking a deep breath, she pulled on a simple but neat outfit and stepped out of her room. She was expecting Brayden to have already left for work by now, which would make it easier for her to avoid him. But when she descended the stairs and stepped into the dining area, her feet almost stopped in their tracks. He was there. Brayden sat at the dining table, dressed sharply as always in a crisp dark suit. He had a newspaper spread open in front of him, his focus on the articles as h