Sienna’s pulse thundered in her ears. “Someone else?” she echoed, trying to make sense of Damian’s words. “Who? We thought it was Ava.”Damian stood at the window, his back rigid, hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Ava was the beginning,” he said, voice low and controlled, but there was an undercurrent of rage Sienna recognized all too well. “Someone helped her. Someone with deeper connections.”Sienna’s mind raced. “But Ava’s gone. She’s in custody. Who else would—”“An investor,” Damian cut in. “A former one. I had suspicions before, but now… now I’m certain.” He turned to her, his gaze steely. “His name is Victor Marcellos.”Sienna’s stomach knotted. She’d heard of Victor. He was a name whispered in business circles with a mixture of awe and fear. A man who’d clawed his way to the top, ruthless and without mercy.“Why would he come after you?” she asked carefully, though a sick feeling told her she already knew.Damian’s jaw tightened. “I cut him out of a major deal six m
The blinking red light on the security panel seemed to pulse in time with Sienna’s pounding heart.“Damian,” she whispered again, but this time there was urgency in her tone. “What does that mean?”Damian was already moving. He crossed the room in three long strides, his hand flying to the panel. He punched in a code, but the light stayed red. His jaw tightened.“Security’s been breached,” he said grimly. “They’ve cut the perimeter feed.”Sienna’s blood ran cold. “How? You said this place was secure.”“It is,” Damian ground out. “Or it was.”A faint crackle came from the intercom again, this time clearer. A voice, distorted but unmistakably male, sliced through the silence.“Did you really think you could hide, Cavendish?”Sienna clamped a hand over her mouth, muffling a gasp. Damian’s face darkened with fury as he ripped the intercom off the wall. “Victor.”The voice chuckled. “Enjoy your little island retreat. I’ll be seeing you soon.”The feed cut out.Damian swore under his breath
The roar of the helicopter blades was deafening as they lifted off the private island. Sienna held Julian close, shielding his ears with her hands while Damian sat opposite her, strapped in and staring out into the dark horizon.His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, but his hand rested briefly on her knee—a small gesture, grounding her as much as it reassured him.They flew in tense silence. It wasn’t until they were miles away from the island, heading toward the mainland airstrip, that Sienna allowed herself to breathe. The night sky stretched out around them, offering no comfort, only more uncertainty.“Are you okay?” Damian’s voice was low, but it cut through the thrum of the engine.Sienna nodded, though she wasn’t sure she believed herself. “I will be.”He studied her for a moment longer, then gave a curt nod. “We’re going home.”The word “home” lingered in her mind, foreign but somehow comforting. Could she ever think of London that way again? Or anywhere?She glanced do
Damian moved like a shadow through the garden, his steps silent, his body tense. The moonlight barely pierced the dark clouds overhead, but he didn’t need to see clearly to know what was at stake.Victor’s men were here. On his property. That was a declaration of war.He gave a silent signal through his earpiece. “South garden perimeter, two intruders. No shots unless necessary.”“Acknowledged,” his head of security replied. “Backup en route.”Damian tightened his grip on the weapon in his hand. A lightweight pistol, silencer attached. He hated the necessity of it, but he wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger if it meant protecting Sienna and Julian.A flicker of movement to his left. He pivoted, silent as a predator.One of Victor’s men knelt by the hedges, planting a small black device against the wall.Damian’s blood turned cold. Explosives.He didn’t think. He moved.In two strides, he was behind the man. He caught him in a chokehold, cutting off air and sound in a single practice
Damian sat at the head of the long conference table in his private office, his fingers steepled, his sharp blue gaze scanning the faces before him. These were not his usual board members or executives. These men and women were shadows—operatives from his private security network, people he had employed years ago but never thought he’d need again.Until now.Victor had crossed a line. And Damian wasn’t going to wait for him to strike again.“We have two objectives,” Damian said, his voice like steel. “First, neutralize Victor’s access points—his people, his resources, his ability to move freely. Second, I want his weaknesses exposed. If he has debts, alliances, dirty deals, I want them. We use everything we find.”Heads nodded around the table. His team was silent, disciplined. They didn’t need pep talks. They needed targets.A woman at the far end of the table spoke first. Her name was Mia, a former intelligence agent who now ran Damian’s private security arm. “We’ve already identifie
The night was heavy with silence. Damian stood by the large windows of his study, the New York skyline sprawling beneath him like a web of glittering lights. He could feel the weight of Sienna’s presence behind him before she spoke.“You’re thinking about him again,” she said softly.Damian didn’t turn. “He’s a threat. I can’t afford to think about anything else.”Sienna took a slow step forward. “You can’t live like this. Always waiting for the next move.”His jaw tightened. “I’m not waiting. I’m preparing.”She exhaled quietly, but said nothing more. Damian had always been this way—controlled, calculating. But this wasn’t just business. This was personal. And Sienna knew how dangerous personal could be for a man like him.Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the desk. He answered immediately.“It’s Mia,” came the voice on the line. “We’ve got something.”Damian’s eyes narrowed. “Go on.”“We tracked Victor’s men. They’ve made contact with someone inside your company.”A slow burn ignited in
The grand ballroom of the Cavendish Hotel was an ocean of elegance and opulence. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above like stars, illuminating the elite of New York as they sipped champagne and exchanged pleasantries. The annual Cavendish Charity Gala was in full swing—a night designed to display power, wealth, and benevolence.But beneath the polished surface, tension crackled like an exposed wire.Damian stood near the entrance, dressed in a tailored black tuxedo, his piercing blue gaze sweeping over the crowd. He wasn’t here for charity tonight. He was hunting.Victor Langston was out there. Somewhere. Damian could feel it.He adjusted the cuff of his jacket, glancing briefly toward the staircase. Sienna was upstairs with Julian, waiting for his signal. They were under strict protection, two of his best operatives stationed outside their suite.He wouldn’t take chances.Mia approached, her expression as hard as steel. “Security is tight. No signs of Victor yet.”“He’ll be here,” Dami
Sienna’s pulse pounded in her ears as Victor’s men poured into the suite. There were three of them, dressed in black, eyes cold and focused. The kind of men who followed orders without question. Dangerous orders.“Get behind me,” she whispered to Julian, shielding him with her body as she instinctively backed them toward the far wall.One of the guards lunged at her.Sienna’s reflexes kicked in. She grabbed the nearest object—an ornate lamp from the side table—and swung it hard. It crashed into the man’s shoulder, making him grunt, but he kept coming.Julian whimpered behind her. “Mommy!”“Stay down!” she shouted, her voice fierce despite the fear clawing at her throat.The second man grabbed her wrist, twisting it painfully. The lamp clattered to the ground. Sienna fought like a wildcat, kicking, clawing, but they were too strong.“We don’t want to hurt you,” one of them said, though his grip told another story.Sienna’s heart nearly stopped when she saw the third man heading straigh
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