Annizah sat in the cozy armchair by the window, a warm afternoon light spilling into the room. She had a book in her lap, her fingers idly tracing the words on the page as she read. The house was unusually quiet, a rare moment of peace amidst the recent chaos. As she turned a page, she felt a sudden, distinct movement in her belly. Her eyes widened with surprise and delight as the baby kicked for the first time. She placed her hand over her stomach, feeling the tiny, insistent thump again. "Vincenzo!" she called out, excitement threading her voice. "Vincenzo, come quickly!" There was no immediate response. She called again, louder this time, but still nothing. Annizah felt a mix of impatience and urgency. She needed Vincenzo to share this moment with her. Standing up slowly, she made her way to his office. She knew he had been exceptionally busy lately, focused on ensuring their safety. She gently knocked on the door and opened it slightly, peeking inside. Vincenzo was at his des
--- The peace of the afternoon was short-lived. Vincenzo's phone buzzed insistently on the coffee table, shattering the tranquility. He glanced at the screen and saw Katana's name. His heart skipped a beat, sensing something urgent. "Give me a second," he said softly to Annizah before answering. "Katana, what's going on?" "Vincenzo," Katana's voice was urgent, "are you with Annizah?" "Yes, she's right here," he replied, a knot of tension forming in his chest. "Why? What's happened?" "Keep her close to you," Katana instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Mark and I are on our way to your house. We have a lead on the threat, but we can't discuss it over the phone. Just make sure she's safe until we get there." Vincenzo's grip tightened on the phone. "Alright, we'll be waiting. Hurry." He ended the call and turned to Annizah, who was watching him with concern. "What's wrong?" she asked, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach. "It's Katana," Vincenzo said, his voi
He. stood in his office, the soft glow of a single lamp casting long shadows across the room. He stared at the collection ofguns displayed in a glass cabinet, each one meticulously cleaned and maintained. These weapons were more than just tools; they were a testament to his journey, each carrying its own history and memories. His favorite firearm, a sleek Beretta 92FS, lay in his hands. He traced a finger along its barrel, remembering the first time he had used it. It had been a tense standoff, a matter of life and death. The memory of the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the sound of gunfire, and the metallic scent of blood filled his mind. He placed the Beretta back in the cabinet and picked up a SIG Sauer P226, its weight familiar and comforting. This gun had seen him through one of the darkest periods of his life, when he had to defend his family's honor against a rival syndicate. He could still recall the tension in the air, the cold determination in his heart, and the rel
His footsteps echoed in the basement as he approached the reinforced door where Baltazar was confined. He paused for a moment, steeling himself before unlocking the heavy bolts and swinging the door open with controlled force. "Baltazar," Vincenzo began in a voice that brooked no dissent, "I need the truth. Are you involved in this betrayal?" Baltazar met Vincenzo's gaze with unwavering composure, his blue eyes reflecting a deep-seated resolve. "Boss, I swear on everything I hold dear, I am innocent," he replied with measured conviction, his tone as steady as granite. Vincenzo's jaw tightened, the weight of suspicion heavy in the air between them. "The evidence points otherwise," he countered sharply, his voice tinged with skepticism. "Explain the discrepancies." Baltazar's gaze didn't waver. "I understand your doubt, but I've served you faithfully," he stated firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "I wouldn't jeopardize everything we've built." Vincenzo's stare bore into
After they finished breakfast, Vincenzo stood and extended his hand to Annizah. "Ready for our training session?" he asked, his tone serious but filled with a hint of excitement. Annizah smiled, taking his hand as he helped her up. "I've been looking forward to it," she said, her eyes shining with anticipation. They had discussed this plan yesterday, and she was eager to start learning how to defend herself. He led her to a smaller room adjacent to their bedroom, one he had recently converted into a private training space. It was outfitted with various equipment for self-defense and firearms training. He handed her a simple yet elegant pistol, its sleek design catching the light. "I want you to feel safe and prepared," Vincenzo said, his voice steady. "With everything that's been happening, it's important you can protect yourself and our baby." Annizah took the pistol from him, feeling its weight in her hand. She had always known the dangers of their world but had never felt the ne
As the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the estate, Vincenzo stood on the balcony just outside their bedroom. He lit a cigarette, the familiar burn and smoke providing a momentary reprieve from the whirlwind of thoughts that consumed him. Annizah was resting inside, exhausted from the morning's training session. He watched her through the open doors, her peaceful face a stark contrast to the turmoil inside him. He exhaled slowly, the smoke curling up into the air. The threats against their family, the constant vigilance, and the uncertainty of their enemies' next moves weighed heavily on him. Every decision, every action, had to be carefully calculated. As he took another drag, he heard footsteps approaching from behind. "Boss," Baltazar's voice was low and respectful, breaking the silence of the moment. Vincenzo turned slightly, acknowledging Baltazar with a nod. "What is it?" he asked, his tone neutral. Baltazar stepped closer, holding out
I woke up, reaching out instinctively for Vincenzo, but his side of the bed was empty and cold. A frown creased my forehead as I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I glanced around the room, but there was no sign of him. The house was unusually quiet, and even Arcel, my maid, was nowhere to be seen. Deciding not to dwell on it, I slipped out of bed and headed to the shower. The warm water helped to wake me up, and I let it cascade over me, trying to shake off the unease. When I stepped out, wrapping myself in a plush towel, I still saw no sign of Arcel. Strange. Just as I was about to call out for her, the bedroom door opened, and Vincenzo walked in. A wave of relief washed over me as he smiled, crossing the room in a few strides to kiss my forehead. "Morning, Bella," he said softly, his lips lingering on my skin. "Good morning, Enzo," I replied, smiling up at him. "Where were you?" He didn't answer directly, instead guiding me to the vanity. "Let's get you ready for the
Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the bedroom. I stirred, reaching out for Vincenzo, but my hand met an empty space. I sighed and sat up, running a hand through my hair. The spot beside me was cold, indicating he had been gone for a while.A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called.A young woman entered, her posture straight and her expression professional. "Good morning, Mrs. Romanov. I'm Alizanda, your new maid."I forced a smile, missing Arcel's familiar presence. "Good morning, Alizanda. Thank you."She nodded and began tidying the room as I went about my morning routine. Despite the newness of her presence, she was efficient and respectful. Still, I couldn't shake the sense of loss for Arcel.Once I was dressed and ready for the day, I decided to visit Vincenzo's office. Maybe he could explain the sudden change in staff. I walked down the hall and knocked on the door, but there was no response. Opening it, I found the r