Outside the abandoned building, Brayden’s men had positioned themselves strategically, their weapons drawn and ready. The leader of Brayden’s team, Marco, spoke into a small communication device clipped to his shirt.“Team Alpha, move in. Take them out quietly if possible. No mistakes,” he instructed, his voice low but firm.The men nodded in response, their faces set with determination. They moved silently, taking down the guards patrolling the exterior. Shots were fired, and within minutes, most of the enemies were neutralized. Inside the building, the scarred man’s second-in-command rushed into the room where the leader stood with two other men.“Boss!” he said breathlessly. “We’re under attack! Someone’s here!”The scarred man’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean we’re under attack? Who would dare?”“It’s Giovanni’s men!” the second-in-command exclaimed. “They’ve already taken out most of our guards outside.”“Damn it!” the scarred man cursed, grabbing his gun. “You two, come a
Penelope heard the front door open and scrambled to her feet. When she saw Inez walk in, her eyes widened.“Inez!” Penelope exclaimed. “Are you okay? What happened?”Inez gave her a reassuring nod. “I’m fine. Nothing to worry about. Just go to your room and freshen up.” “No I can’t. Anya isn’t back yet. I don’t even know if they are all okay. I can’t freshen up now until they are back.” Penelope uttered, rubbing her palm against her arm.Inez didn’t say a word and just walked away— leaving Penelope standing in the living room alone. Brayden winced as Luca sped down the highway, the black SUV gliding smoothly but every bump sending a jolt of pain through his side. He pressed a hand tightly against his bleeding wound, his knuckles white.“Luca,” Brayden groaned, his voice strained. “Call the doctor. Tell him to get to the house before we do.”Luca glanced back in the rearview mirror, concern etched on his face. “I already called, Don. He’ll be waiting for you when we get there.”“
The room was silent except for the soft clinking of metal instruments and Brayden’s ragged breathing. His personal doctor leaned over him, carefully stitching the wound in his side. The bullet had been removed, but the pain was still sharp. Brayden clenched his jaw, refusing to let a sound escape.“Mr. Giovanni,” the doctor said as he tied off the final stitch, his tone firm yet calm. “I’ve warned you before—your condition isn’t stable enough to handle this kind of injury. You’re overdue for surgery. Getting wounded like this could cost you your life. You do act as though you’ve got a spare life elsewhere.”Brayden looked up at the doctor, his gaze steely. “I understand your concern perfectly doctor.,” he said, his voice cold and measured. “But my daughter’s safety comes before mine. If I had to make the same decision again, I wouldn’t hesitate.”“You see Anya, she’s all I’ve got. With my connections, my money and everything, if something happens to Anya, it would all matter le
It’s been two weeks since the cruel incident occurred.Brayden stood outside Anya’s bedroom door, hesitating for a moment before pushing it open. The room was dimly lit by a small bedside lamp, casting a warm glow over the pink walls and the stuffed animals neatly arranged on the shelves. Anya sat cross-legged on her bed, playing with one of her dolls.Penelope looked up from where she was seated beside Anya, offering Brayden a small smile. “I’ll give you two some time,” she said softly, standing up and making her way out of the room.Anya’s eyes lit up when she saw her father. “Daddy!” she squealed, sitting up straighter and reaching her arms toward him.Brayden smiled, the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, and sat beside her. He pulled her into a gentle hug, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Hey, princess,” he said, his voice soft but filled with warmth. “How’s my little girl doing?”Anya pulled back to look at him, her eyes scanning his face carefully. “Are y
Morning light streamed through the curtains as Penelope gently shook Anya awake.“Sweetheart, it’s time to get up,” Penelope said softly.Anya groaned and buried her face deeper into the pillow. “I don’t wanna go…” she mumbled sleepily.Penelope smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. “I know it’s a new school, and it’s scary, but I promise you’ll love it. And remember… we have cake!”At the mention of cake, Anya peeked out from under the blankets. “The chocolate ones?”“Of course,” Penelope replied with a wink. “Come on, let’s get you dressed before breakfast.She quietly helped Anya get ready for her first day at the new school, gently buttoning up her neatly pressed uniform. Anya sat on the edge of the bed, her small fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.“Inez left your new uniform in the kitchen,” Penelope said softly, fastening Anya’s shoes. “She also helped wrap the cakes I baked earlier this morning, so they’ll be easy to share.”Anya’s eyes lit up at the mention of the
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
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