NOLAN’S POVThe night was awfully silent as we moved into the compound. We could hear the mutter and footsteps of the men in the compound. “How the hell was he able to get this many men?” Dimitri whispered as he looked around from where we were hiding. "Clara definitely paid for the mercenaries," I said as I looked around trying to come up with the perfect strategy. Anna is in there somewhere, and every second wasted was a second she was in danger.I’m going to burn everything Leo owns to the fucking ground.I raised my fist, signaling my men to take their positions. Dimitri crouched beside me, loaded and ready to attack. "I can see six men loitering around and four at the front entrance. Two more on the east side and a few more around the back. What’s the move?" Dimitri asked in a hushed voice.I clenched my jaw. "We take out the men in the compound quietly. No unnecessary noise until we get to the entrance."Dimitri nodded, signaling to the others. Within seconds, I watched my m
NOLAN’S POVThe tires of the car screeched hard as I took a sharp turn. My knuckles were turning white from the tight grip I had on the steering wheel. I pressed harder on the gas as I sped to the hospital. The hospital wasn’t far, but it felt like I wasn’t getting there fast enough.I slammed my fists against the steering wheel as I glanced at Anna through the rearview mirror, her eyes were still shut and her body was unmoving. “Just stay with me, Princess,” I muttered, “We’re almost there,” I said, my voice sounding strained.Jax, who was seated in the passenger seat, looked back at her, stretched his hand to check her temperature, and cursed under his breath. “She’s burning up, man. We need to get her help now. Are we close to the hospital yet?”“Shit, yes!” I snapped.I reached for my phone and dialed the doctor’s number as soon as the hospital came into view. He picked up on the first ring.“I’m set up and ready,” he said before I could speak. “My team is almost outside. They’ll
NOLAN’S POV“My wife’s not breathing right,” I choked out, grabbing the arm of the first nurse I saw. “Something’s wrong.”She looked at me in shock before responding, “Mr Russo… I’ll get the doctor now.” She turned to page the doctor and before she could, he came out of another ward. “Marshall, you have to check on Anna now!” He nodded sharply and ran down the halls to Anna’s room with two nurses trailing behind him.He started checking on her immediately after he got to her side. “Get the crash cart!” The nurse who was checking her vitals shouted.The crash cart? What the hell was that?I pressed my back against the wall, clenching my fists as Dr. Marshall and the nurses moved around checking Anna. “Her oxygen levels are dropping,” one of the nurses announced as she adjusted the mask over Anna’s face.“Come on, Anna. Fight,” I muttered under my breath as I paced back and forth. Dr. Marshall grabbed a syringe, filled it with something, and injected it into Anna’s IV line. “That sh
ANASTASIA’S POVIt has been three days since I was admitted to the hospital, and aside from the weakness, I was getting better. The constant beeping of the hospital machines had somewhat become familiar to me. “Anna, are you listening to me?” My mother, who I had tuned out, called out to me. “Of course, Mother,” I said, giving her a fake smile.Before she could continue talking, the door to my room creaked open. I turned my head to see Nolan walk in with a bouquet of white lilies in his hand. The sight of him made my heart skip a beat, and I sat up eager to hug him. “Easy, Princess,” he said, as he walked over with a concerned look on his face. He reached my side and handed me the flowers before pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.“Thanks, husband,” I murmured with a chuckle, before bringing the bouquet to my nose to smell.“Hello, Father and Mother,” he said, greeting my parents.My father cleared his throat before responding and said, "Hello, Nolan." He crossed his arms before
NOLAN’S POV “Nolan –” An awfully familiar voice called out as the door creaked open. Anna and I froze on the spot. My body tensed and we turned our heads toward the entrance to see Dimitri standing in the doorway. His eyes widened before he blinked rapidly as if trying to get rid of what he saw from his brain. I snapped out of it and yelled at him, "Get the hell out!" “Ah, hell no,” he said in horror. “That’s just nasty, man.” He said as he turned around and shut the door. Silence passed before I turned to Anna, my lips twitching. “Are you okay?” I asked, trying to hold back my laughter. Anna didn’t respond and she also looked like she was trying to hold back her laughter. And then suddenly, we both burst into uncontrollable laughter. Our laughter filled the room as we leaned against each other. “I think we just scarred him for life,” Anna managed to say between laughs. I smirked, shaking my head. “Serves him right for not knocking.” Anna wiped a tear from her eye
ANASTASIA’S POVThe sight of Leo hanging upside down from the ceiling filled me with a bit of satisfaction. His body was bloodied and covered in bruises. “Good,” I muttered as I stepped closer to his unconscious body, which was swaying slightly from the chains suspending him. The satisfying echo of my boots against the cold concrete floor filled the air. Dimitri and Nolan stood behind me, watching.“Hello, Leo,” I called out, kicking him hard in the ribs, causing him to let out a strangled cry as he woke up, his swollen eyes darting around frantically before they landed on me.“Anna?” Leo called out weakly. “Surprised to see me?” I crouched to his eye level, tilting my head. “Guess you didn’t do your job so well, huh?”“I’m sorry, Anna,” he managed to choke out. I let out a cold laugh, shaking my head. “It’s too late for that, Leo. Don't you think“ Straightening to my full height, I turned to Nolan and Dimitri. Can I get a bucket of hot water, husband?" “Whatever you want, princes
ANASTASIA’S POVI squinted my eyes as the rays from the morning sun filtered through the curtains. Stretching, I reached out for Nolan, but my hand met only empty sheets. I sat up frowning as I glanced around the room. "Nolan?" I called out softly, but there was no response.I swung my legs off the bed and stood, rubbing my arms as goosebumps formed from the cool morning air. I checked for my robe, but it wasn’t in its usual place. I sighed and made my way toward the door in nothing but my silk nightgown. I heard the murmur of voices from the kitchen, and I followed the sound.As I stepped into the kitchen, I was greeted by an unfamiliar sight. Nolan was sitting casually in a chair, and a tall man with his back to me stood in front of him. He had a lean, muscular build with broad shoulders. The moment they heard the soft patter of my bare feet against the tiled floor, they turned towards me.My gaze landed on the stranger first, as I took in his striking blue eyes and the faint scar
NOLAN’S POV“So, how were you able to sleep next to her last night? Dimitri asked, readjusting in his seat. I scrunched my brows at him. “What do you mean by that?”“You know… the thing with Leo?” he said, raising his brows suggestively. “Oh, that”“Yeah, that,” he said scoffing. “Dare I say she’s more brutal than you are.”I let out a loud laugh. “It just might look like that.”“Damn, maybe she should be running this show and not you,” He said with a devilish smirk on his face. “Careful now,” I said in a warning tone. “I bet she’s going to give Ivan hell,” Dimitri said, shaking his head with an amused chuckle.I leaned back in my chair, stretching my legs. “He’s a big boy. He can handle it.”Dimitri raised a brow. “You sure? Because I give him a week before she has him questioning all his life choices.”I smirked. “If he can survive her, he deserves a raise.”Dimitri laughed, but the amusement faded as he leaned forward. “We need to talk.” He said, resting his elbows on his knees
EPILOGUEANASTASIA’S POVThe soft afternoon breeze rustled through the leaves, swaying the tall trees in the empty private park. The sunlight came through the tree branches in soft lines, casting golden patterns on the grass.I sat on the picnic cloth spread over the grass with my arms wrapped loosely around my knees as I watched Hailey dash across the open space with her bubble stick.She giggled wildly as she waved the stick through the air, bubbles floating into the sky before popping in soft, invisible bursts.“Mommy, look!” she squealed and ran toward me, her little legs carrying her across the open space as she swung the bubble wand with dramatic flair as bubbles danced into the air, floating around her like tiny enchanted orbs. One burst against my cheek as she got closer, laughing mischievously.“You got me!” I laughed, grabbing her and pulling her into my lap. “Tickle monster’s coming!” I warned and dove my fingers into her sides. Her giggles filled the empty air as we tumble
ANASTASIA’S POVI stood by the window as I watched Camila’s car drive out of the compound. The headlights disappeared into the darkness, swallowed by the trees lining the road. I crossed my arms over my chest involuntarily as a chill ran down my spine.There was a strange weight in my chest, like a knot that wouldn’t loosen. I wanted to believe he would be okay, the mission would be successful, and he would come back like he said.I turned from the window, picked up the throw pillows on the floor, and began tidying the living room. The table was cluttered with empty mugs and pieces of paper from earlier strategy sessions. I stacked them neatly and arranged everything, trying to distract myself.Max appeared silently in the doorway like a shadow. “You should get some rest,” he said in a calm, steady voice.I gave him a faint smile. “I could say the same to you.”He shrugged. “I’ll just check the perimeter first. Make sure things are secure.”“That’s a better idea,” I agreed. He nodded
NOLAN’S POVIt was already dark outside when I stood by the window, arms folded, watching fog settle over the field. The silence in the house felt heavy, like we were waiting for something. Tonight, I was going after Ivan. No more running and hiding. Behind me, I could hear Dimitri and Camila going over the plan for tonight.I turned and walked down the short hall to the bedroom where Anna and Hailey were. Anna sat in the rocking chair, cradling Hailey, gently humming some old lullaby. The sight nearly undid me.Anna looked up at me with a smile as I entered. “She’s finally calm,” she said, sounding exhausted.“That’s great,” I nodded and stepped closer. “I want to say goodbye before I go.”Anna adjusted Hailey in her arms so I could take her. Hailey stretched her tiny hands as I held her in my arms.“You look tired,” Anna said softly. “Sit on the bed.”“It’s going to be a long night,” I muttered as I settled on the bed."Don't let this turn you into him," Anna said quietly as she se
IVAN’S POVI hadn’t slept.Not even a wink.My jaw ached from how hard I’d been clenching it, and my phone had been glued to my hand all night. Every hour, I called her number again, even though I knew I’d get nothing but her voicemail.My men were scattered across the city, pulling every string we had—contacts, cameras, informants, even bribing airport personnel and gas station clerks.Still nothing.No one had seen her.No one had heard a thing.And that fact alone told me she didn’t do this alone. Nolan must have helped her.I sat at the head of the long dining table that had been turned into a makeshift command center. Three laptops were open in front of me, each screen displaying different feeds—security cameras from local streets.“She had help,” I muttered, my voice low, simmering. “She wouldn’t have pulled this off alone.”“Obviously.” Klaus didn’t look up. “You maybe wanna grab her parents?”I leaned back and let out a slow breath through my nose. “Nah, suggesting that alone
NOLAN’S POVThe car rumbled softly as Dimitri drove through winding roads and quiet intersections. The city lights faded behind us, replaced by wide stretches of empty land and tall trees that looked like shadows in the night.Camila’s tail lights blinked in the distance as we followed her car down an almost invisible road. The farther we drove, the quieter it became.“Where the hell is this place?” Dimitri muttered beside me, eyes narrowing.“I don't know, but it’s discreet. That’s what we need right now,” I replied, looking around.Finally, Camila's car slowed and turned onto a gravel path hidden behind a row of overgrown bushes. A few feet later, a small bungalow nestled between thick trees and shielded by a long fence and sliding gate. It was simple, but private. No neighbors in sight. Just silence and space.“Well, this could work,” Dimitri said, parking behind Camila.I stepped out of the car and looked around. The air was cooler here. And for the first time in weeks, I felt lik
IVAN’S POVI parked across the street and leaned back, letting my eyes scan the house, especially the window in the nursery.There was no movement.The cream-colored blinds she always kept half-drawn were closed, and there was no soft glow of the lamp she usually left on.I narrowed my eyes and looked down at my watch. It was 10:34pm.Usually, by this time, she'd be putting Maya to sleep. Sometimes she sat by the window after, curled up with that little blanket draped over her legsBut tonight? There was nothing.I stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door of the house. I rang the doorbell once and waited, but there was no answer.I knocked next. “Anna?” I called out in a stern tone, but there was still no response. I reached for the handle and twisted it. The door creaked open with an ease that made my skin crawl. Anna never leaves the door unlocked. I closed the door behind me with a soft click and stood still for a moment, listening.There was no sound from Maya, no
ANASTASIA’S POVI watched as Nolan held Hailey so gently, his large hands supporting her fragile frame. I stood beside him as he admired her. His brows were furrowed as if he was still fighting to feel joy through all the pain.“I should’ve been here,” he murmured, barely above a whisper.“You can still be,” I said softly.His jaw clenched.Nolan turned slightly, not enough to face me completely. “Don’t do that.”“Do what?” I asked, although I already knew.“Act like everything’s fine now,” he said, voice low and tight. “Like I can just forget what you did.”My heart sank. “I’m not asking you to forget,” I said quietly.He looked back at Hailey, gently swaying her as she nestled deeper into his chest. “I missed a whole week of her life because I thought she was his.”“I know,” I whispered, my voice catching. “And I hate myself for that.”For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of the low hum of the air conditioner.“I’m moving back in,” he said firmly.My head snapped up. “
NOLAN’S POVIt had been a week since the confrontations at the hospital, and it had been the most excruciating week of my life.I hadn’t seen Anna. Not once. Not my family either. The only two people who had managed to find me were Camila and Dimitri. They knew where I was staying, and Camila made sure of that. She was the one who rescued me and my team from that goddamn warehouse.Since then, I’d been holed up in a hotel room, staring at the ceiling more than I’d like to admit. Every day, I replay the betrayal in my head like an endless loop. And it wasn’t just the betrayal from Anna. It was from my father also. My whole life had been wrapped in lies.And now… this baby. The one I had promised to love, raise, and protect wasn’t mine.I’ve been tempted more times than I could count to call Anna and ask to see the baby. But every time, the image of Ivan grabbing Anna’s arm and claiming the child haunted me. A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.I sat up, annoyed. I wasn’t
ANASTASIA’S POV“Accept it, Anna. She is mine,” Ivan said to me in a firm tone.I opened my mouth to speak, to scream that he was wrong, to deny everything, but I saw something behind him that made my heart stop.Nolan was standing in the doorway looking bloody and bruised.Ivan turned, finally noticing him. He didn’t even flinch. He just smiled, smug and unbothered. “Nolan,” I whispered. “You’re alive,” I said moving to stand from the bed. He raised his hand to stop me from moving, his eyes darting between me and Ivan. “Did I hear him right?” He asked slowly. I could only sit there as tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision.Nolan stepped into the room fully with his fists clenched. “Tell me I didn’t just hear him claim my daughter,” he said, turning to me. “Anna, tell me I heard wrong. Please,” he said, his voice breaking.I wanted to scream yes, he heard wrong, that Ivan was lying. But I couldn’t. Because I didn’t even know what the truth was myself. Not after everything