Sienna’s breath caught in her throat.“Damian,” she whispered sharply.But it was too late. Before she could process what was happening, Luca lunged forward, grabbing Damian by the shoulder and yanking him back, just as a sharp crack split the air. Glass shattered, shards flying across the balcony like a hailstorm. Damian pulled Sienna down to the floor, covering her body with his as the world seemed to explode around them.Julian.Her mind screamed the moment she hit the cold marble, but she couldn't move. Damian’s weight held her down, his arms shielding her head from falling glass and debris.“Stay down,” he ordered, his voice low but fierce.Luca’s voice came over the earpiece. “Sniper. Northwest building, top floor. I’ve got a location.”Damian swore under his breath. “Take him.”Luca didn’t hesitate. Within seconds, he was gone.“Julian,” Sienna gasped, pushing at Damian’s chest. “I have to get to him.”Damian hesitated for half a second before helping her up. He kept her behind
Sienna stood by the window of Damian’s penthouse, her eyes fixed on the city lights far below. They twinkled like stars—beautiful, distant, and cold. Her heart felt just as far away. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stay grounded, but the past few days had blurred into a haze of tension and unspoken emotions.She wasn’t sure what surprised her more: how natural it had begun to feel having Damian in Julian’s life… or how dangerous it was becoming to let herself believe he could be in hers again.The sound of the door unlocking pulled her from her thoughts. Damian entered, loosening his tie, his dark blue suit perfectly tailored to his powerful frame. His gaze found her immediately, those piercing blue eyes softening—just barely.“You’re still awake,” he said quietly.“I couldn’t sleep,” Sienna replied, turning back to the window. “Julian’s been restless.”Damian stepped closer but kept his distance. “He’ll adjust. It’s a big change.”She sighed. “For all of us.”A beat of
The morning sun streamed through the wide windows, golden and warm, but Sienna felt none of its comfort. She sat at the breakfast nook of Damian’s penthouse, watching Julian spoon cereal into his mouth while humming softly to himself. His innocence was disarming. In this moment, he was just a boy enjoying his breakfast, completely unaware of the tangled emotions threading the air between his parents.Damian sat across the room, phone pressed to his ear, voice low and clipped. Sienna couldn’t make out the words, but his expression was unreadable—mask firmly in place. Business as usual. But after last night, she knew something had shifted.Ava. Her name alone left a bitter taste in Sienna’s mouth.“You okay, Mama?” Julian’s soft voice pulled her back.She smiled at him, though it took effort. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Eat up.”He nodded happily, swinging his legs under the chair as he focused on his cereal again.Damian ended his call, slipping the phone into his pocket as he approached th
The winding road to the safehouse was quiet, lined with tall evergreens that seemed to swallow the sky. Sienna stared out the window, watching as the world grew more remote, more distant from the life she knew. Julian sat beside her in his car seat, chattering happily to one of his stuffed animals, oblivious to the storm brewing outside their little world.“Are we going on vacation, Mommy?” Julian asked, swinging his legs.Sienna forced a smile. “Something like that, sweetheart.”He grinned, accepting the answer easily. Children were so trusting. She envied that.The SUV finally slowed in front of a large, secluded cabin nestled at the edge of a forest clearing. It was beautiful in an isolated sort of way. Tall windows. Stone and wood façade. Safe… hopefully.Damian’s lead security officer, a broad-shouldered man named Cole, climbed out of the front passenger seat and scanned the perimeter before opening her door.“We’re clear,” he said. “Let’s get you inside.”Sienna took Julian’s ha
Sienna barely slept that night. Every creak of the wooden cabin sounded like a threat. Every gust of wind scraping against the windows made her heart race. She sat in the living room with a blanket draped over her shoulders, staring at the fireplace long after the flames had died down.Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows, but it did little to warm her nerves.Julian was up early, his energy boundless. He tugged at her hand as she sat sipping coffee, her mind still replaying last night’s news leak.“Mommy, can we go outside again?” he asked, wide-eyed and hopeful.She forced a smile. “Just for a little while, baby.”Cole was already posted at the back door when they stepped out. His sharp gaze swept the perimeter. He gave her a short nod—everything seemed clear. For now.Julian ran toward the clearing again, plopping down in the tall grass, collecting more wildflowers. His humming drifted back to Sienna, a sweet, familiar sound that calmed her, if only briefly.She stood
Sienna pressed Julian tightly against her chest, his small arms wrapping instinctively around her neck. His soft breathing was steady, but his grip tightened as the distant sounds outside grew louder.She could barely hear Damian’s voice through the window, barking orders into his comms, his tone sharp and commanding. The faint glow of flashlights still bobbed beyond the trees, moving closer, like predators circling prey.The house, once a sanctuary, now felt exposed.Cole’s second-in-command, Harris, appeared in the doorway. “Ma’am, we need to get you to the panic room.”Panic room. The words sounded like something out of one of Damian’s high-profile security files, not her life.“Is that really necessary?” she asked, swallowing her fear.“It’s protocol,” Harris said briskly, already moving toward the hallway. “This wasn’t a random trespasser. Whoever’s out there came with a purpose.”Sienna’s legs felt heavy as she followed him, Julian clinging to her silently. Harris led them throu
The black card with its ominous message lay heavy in Sienna’s trembling hands. "You can’t protect them forever."The weight of those words settled in her chest, suffocating. She forced herself to take a breath as Damian’s hand closed firmly over hers, steadying her.“We need to get you and Julian out of here,” he said quietly, but there was a dangerous edge beneath his calm.“Where?” she whispered. “They found us here. What’s stopping them from finding us again?”Damian’s jaw clenched, the muscle ticking in frustration. “We go off the grid. Completely.”Harris stepped forward, his expression grim. “There’s a safe house in Northern Italy. Remote. Secure.”Sienna shook her head, her pulse pounding in her ears. “Running won’t fix this.”“It’ll keep Julian safe,” Damian snapped, his voice sharp. “And that’s the only thing that matters.”She flinched but didn’t argue. He was right. Julian’s safety came first.“I’ll pack,” she said quietly.Damian nodded once, then turned back to Harris.
The safe house was nothing like Sienna expected. A stone villa nestled high in the Italian Alps, surrounded by pine trees and silence. It should have felt peaceful. But it didn’t.Not with armed guards at every entrance. Not with Julian jumping at every noise. And certainly not with Damian pacing the living room like a caged animal.Sienna stood at the window, staring out over the dark mountains, arms crossed tight over her chest. “We can’t live like this,” she said softly.Damian turned, his blue eyes sharp. “We won’t. This is temporary.”“You said that the last time,” she murmured, not looking at him. “And now we’re hiding in the middle of nowhere with our son scared out of his mind.”His jaw clenched. “It’s better than the alternative.”Sienna spun around, anger flaring in her chest. “Which is what? Running forever? Waiting for someone to take another shot at us?”Damian crossed the room in three strides, closing the space between them. His hands came up, gripping her arms, b
The grand Cavendish estate had been transformed into a breathtaking wedding venue. Twinkling fairy lights draped the sprawling gardens, casting a soft glow over the sea of elegantly dressed guests. A long, flower-lined aisle stretched toward the altar, where Sienna and Damian were about to say their vows. Sienna stood inside the bridal suite, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The dress Ava had chosen turned out to be perfect—an ivory lace gown that hugged her curves and cascaded into a dreamy, flowing train. Her chestnut hair was swept into an elegant updo, with loose strands framing her face. “You look like a queen,” Ava whispered behind her. Sienna exhaled, trying to steady the fluttering in her chest. “I feel like I’m dreaming.” Ava squeezed her hands. “This is real. You’re about to marry the love of your life. And trust me, he looks just as lovesick waiting for you out there.” Sienna laughed softly, the nerves easing slightly. A knock at the door made them turn.
Sienna never thought she would be planning a wedding—at least not like this. She stood in the middle of an elegant bridal boutique, surrounded by rows of breathtaking gowns, each one whispering promises of love and forever. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the delicate lace and shimmering fabrics. It felt surreal. “Try this one.” Ava, her best friend and bridesmaid, held up a stunning ivory dress with intricate beadwork along the bodice. Sienna hesitated, brushing her fingers over the fabric. “It’s beautiful.” Ava grinned. “Then what are you waiting for? Go, try it on!” Sienna laughed, allowing herself to be ushered into the dressing room. As she slipped into the gown, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. She looked… different. The woman staring back at her wasn’t the broken girl who had spent years hiding. She was strong. Whole. Ready to step into a future she never thought possible. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. “Sienna
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the bedroom. Sienna stretched beneath the soft sheets, savoring the quiet. It was the first morning in what felt like forever that she woke up without fear pressing against her chest. She turned her head and found Damian still asleep beside her. His dark lashes rested against his cheekbones, his breathing deep and steady. He looked peaceful, a stark contrast to the man who had spent the last few weeks fighting battles in the shadows. Sienna smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. He had barely slept since they returned, his mind always restless. But last night, after everything, he had finally let himself relax in her arms. She slid out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake him. Pulling on one of Damian’s shirts, she padded down the hallway toward Julian’s room. The sight of her son curled up with his stuffed bear made warmth spread through her chest. He looked so peaceful, his tiny f
Sienna’s pulse roared in her ears as she stared at the screen. Julian was asleep, unaware of the danger standing right beside him. The man in black held his gun low, almost casual, as if taking her son’s life was just another job. Damian didn’t move, but she could feel the fury radiating from him, a storm barely restrained. His grip on his gun was so tight his knuckles turned white. Luca smiled, pleased with himself. “Now, let’s talk.” Sienna forced herself to breathe. Panicking wouldn’t help Julian. She needed to think, to be smart. Damian’s voice was deathly calm. “Let him go.” Luca clicked his tongue. “That’s not how this works. You took something from me, Cavendish. It’s only fair I take something from you.” Sienna’s stomach twisted. “What do you want?” Luca turned his gaze on her, his smirk deepening. “Ah, the mother. I heard so much about you.” His dark eyes traveled over her in a way that made her skin crawl. “Beautiful. Strong. And now… desperate.” Damian took
Sienna’s hands trembled as she gripped her phone, her mind racing through every possible scenario. Luca Romano had just made his move. He knew where she was. He knew about Julian. And if she didn’t act fast, she could lose everything. She forced herself to breathe, to think clearly. Panic wouldn’t help her now. She grabbed the spare phone Damian had given her and dialed. Oliver answered on the second ring. “Sienna?” “There’s been a call.” Her voice was tight. “From one of Luca’s men. He threatened Julian.” A beat of silence. Then Oliver’s voice turned sharp. “What did he say?” “He said I needed to cooperate. That they’d be in touch.” Oliver cursed under his breath. “They’re testing you. Trying to see if you’ll break.” Sienna swallowed the lump in her throat. “Then they don’t know me very well.” She turned to the bedroom, her gaze softening as she watched Julian sleeping peacefully. He had no idea of the war that was closing in around them. And she would never let i
Damian stepped out of Luca Romano’s club, his fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms. The London night was cool, but the fire in his chest burned hotter than ever. He had given Luca a chance—a warning. Now, it was war. Mia was waiting by the car, leaning against the sleek black Aston Martin, her arms crossed. She looked at his face and sighed. “I take it he didn’t accept your generous offer of staying alive?” Damian opened the car door but didn’t get in. His mind was already calculating, strategizing. “He wants me to pay him back the money he lost.” Mia scoffed. “Of course he does.” “He also implied Julian could become collateral damage.” Her expression hardened instantly. “Then he’s a dead man.” Damian nodded once. “We hit him before he hits us.” Mia slid into the driver’s seat. “Where do we start?” Damian got in beside her, his voice like steel. “With a message.” ---### **Sienna’s Safe House – Paris** Sienna paced the length of the penthouse sui
Damian sat at his desk, the glow of his computer screen casting sharp shadows across his face. His jaw was tight, his fingers curled into a fist against the polished wood. The information in front of him was worse than he had expected. Luca Romano wasn’t just a threat—he was preparing to strike. A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He knew who it was before she even stepped inside. Sienna. She closed the door softly behind her, her gaze locked onto him. “Tell me the truth,” she said, crossing the room. “I know you’re keeping something from me.” Damian exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. “Sienna, it’s complicated.” “No,” she shot back. “It’s simple. Either we’re in this together, or you keep shutting me out and let me walk away.” That hit him harder than he expected. His expression darkened. “You’re not walking away.” “Then tell me what’s going on.” He studied her, the fire in her eyes. She deserved the truth. “Luca Romano wants revenge,” Damian
Sienna stood frozen, the dial tone ringing in her ears. Morelli’s words slithered into her mind, cold and unforgiving. *"By the time this night is over, Damian Cavendish won’t be coming home."* No. Her grip tightened on the phone until her knuckles turned white. She had been waiting, trusting Damian to handle things, but now? Now she knew waiting wasn’t an option. She had to act. Her gaze darted to Julian’s room. He was safe, for now, but if Morelli had reached out to her, it meant he was confident—too confident. And that meant something was about to go terribly wrong. She strode to the bedside table, yanking open the drawer. Damian had left her a gun, just in case. She had never needed it before, but tonight was different. Tonight, she would fight. She tucked the weapon into the waistband of her jeans and grabbed the car keys. Mia had briefed her about Morelli’s estate in Italy before she left. Sienna had pretended not to listen, but she had memorized the details.
The night air was crisp as Damian and his team moved like shadows toward the north entrance of Morelli’s compound. The moon hung low, casting long, ominous silhouettes against the stone walls. Mia kept pace beside him, her weapon drawn, eyes sharp. “Thirty seconds until rotation.” Damian’s heartbeat was steady, his focus razor-sharp. The past few days had led to this moment. Morelli had pushed too far—threatening Julian, hurting Sienna. Now, it was time to end it. A distant murmur of voices signaled the guards changing shifts. Damian raised a hand. “Go.” His team moved. Silent. Efficient. They slipped through the small gap in security, pressing against the cool stone as they advanced through the courtyard. No alarms. No signs of detection. Yet. Mia tapped her earpiece. “We’re in.” From their position, they had a clear view of the main house—Morelli’s stronghold. Massive windows overlooked the estate, their glass shimmering under the pale light. “Security’s heavier in