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
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
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