Inez stirred awake, her body aching with exhaustion. A dull pain throbbed at her side, a reminder of the mission she had completed earlier that day. It hadn’t been an easy one. She had pushed herself past her limits, and now her body was making her pay for it. Her limbs felt heavy, and her head pounded slightly as she blinked against the dim light of her room.She rarely allowed herself to rest this much. Normally, she was up before everyone else, ensuring that the mansion was running smoothly. But today was different. Today, her body had given her no choice but to slow down.The bullet wound which Mariana, her sister had helped her treat before she returned home, Hurts like hell.She couldn’t remember the last time she had sustained a bullet wound in a mission in many years.A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.“Inez?” A voice called from the other side. It was one of the younger maids, her tone hesitant but concerned.Inez
Darla arrived at the airport, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way toward the private arrivals section. Her heart swelled with satisfaction as she anticipated seeing Brayden again. Not because she had any deep affection for him, but because she relished her position in his life.Brayden was a man of power, and standing by his side was a privilege not everyone had. She had worked hard to secure her place, always ready to do whatever he needed. But lately, something had been bothering her—Penelope.Darla’s hands clenched slightly at the thought.Ever since Penelope entered the mansion, things had changed. Brayden was paying attention to someone who should have been insignificant. It didn’t sit right with Darla. And today, she was going to make sure Penelope knew exactly where she stood.The moment she spotted Brayden walking out with Anya by his side, a proud smirk formed on her lips.She straightened her posture, her fit
The cars pulled into the grand driveway of Brayden’s mansion, their tires crunching against the gravel. Outside, Inez stood with a few other maids and bodyguards, waiting to welcome them back. Though she tried to maintain her usual composure, there was a noticeable paleness to her face. She still wasn’t feeling well, but her sense of duty kept her standing there.As Brayden stepped out of the car, Anya immediately ran to Inez with a bright smile. “Inez! We’re back!”Inez forced a small smile, patting Anya’s head gently. “Welcome home, Miss Anya. I hope you had a good trip.”Brayden’s sharp eyes flickered over Inez, taking in her sickly appearance. He gave her a nod before saying, “See me in my study in a few minutes.”“Yes, Mr Giovanni,” Inez replied softly, bowing her head slightly.Meanwhile, Penelope climbed out of the car, dragging the luggage behind her. She barely had time to adjust her grip before Brayden walked past her as if she didn’t exist.
“Inez,” Penelope said softly, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Anya was looking for you. She wants to tell you about her trip.” She paused before adding, “I’m sorry if I interrupted anything. I didn’t mean to.” Inez gave her a small smile, sensing the awkwardness in her tone. “It’s no problem. Let’s go.” Without sparing another glance at Brayden, Inez stepped out, and Penelope followed close behind. Their footsteps echoed in the hallway as they walked away from the study Brayden stood stiffly in his study, his fingers tapping lightly against his desk as he listened to the fading sound of footsteps in the hallway. Inez and Penelope had walked away, their conversation drifting further and further from his reach. His jaw clenched. I need to get over her. This whole thing was getting ridiculous. The fact that Penelope had managed to get under his skin this much was unacceptable.
Brayden quickly composed himself, his grip on the door tightening. The moment he saw Penelope standing there, an unsettling wave of emotions surged through him—panic, irritation, and something he refused to acknowledge. But he wouldn’t let himself react. He refused to give her that satisfaction.Instead, he brought his phone back to his ear, pretending as though he was still on the call. A smirk played on his lips, and his tone turned low and teasing as he spoke into the phone, his eyes never leaving Penelope’s face.“Oh, really? You think I’m that charming?” he murmured, chuckling as if he were truly engaged in a flirtatious conversation. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to prove you right over dinner.”“Do you have an idea of what we should do after having such a romantic dinner?” He asked after a while of silence, acting as though someone was replying at the other end.“Since you don’t, then this is it. I’ve made reservations at a top notch hotel. After d
Brayden stood from his chair, adjusting his cufflinks as he glanced toward Inez. His expression was unreadable, his cold demeanor in full force. He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone still lingering in the dining room.“Inez,” he said flatly, slipping his hands into his pockets, “I have a meeting later with Victoria, followed by dinner. There’s no need to prepare anything for me tonight, and no one should wait up.” His tone left no room for questions. Without sparing another glance, he turned on his heels and strode out of the dining room.He had purposely not referred to her as a client to Inez because he knew Penelope would be listening to his words.Penelope, who had been in the kitchen washing dishes, froze when she heard his words. Her fingers trembled slightly as she gripped a plate, her heart sinking in her chest. Victoria. Again.She had overheard his phone conversation earlier when she went to call him. She had seen the way he ha
Brayden leaned back in his chair, watching as Victoria Monroe crossed her legs, a confident smirk on her lips. Their discussion had gone smoothly, and she had been particularly pleased with the outcome. She always knew what she wanted, and from the way she kept staring at him, it was obvious he was included in that list. “Well, I’d say this has been a productive meeting,” Victoria said, tilting her head. “I’m glad we could finally sit down and discuss things properly.” Brayden didn’t respond right away. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair, his expression unreadable. Victoria leaned forward slightly, placing her elbows on the desk as she gazed at him with amusement. “You know, Brayden, I have to admit, I was surprised when you reached out to me. I thought you weren’t interested in… anything other than business with me.” His sharp blue eyes met hers. “Business comes before personal matters,” he said smoot
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
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