I stared at the masked man, my face a mask of cold composure. He was doing his best to provoke me, to get under my skin, but I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. Around us, the room was tense with anticipation, eyes flicking between us as if expecting a fight to break out any moment."You think you can protect your family from us?" the masked man sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're far from home, Romanov. Here, you're just another player in our game."I kept my expression neutral, my eyes boring into his. "And you think you're in control?" I replied evenly. "That's cute."Helios, standing nearby, let out a booming laugh, clearly enjoying the exchange. But I wasn’t here for his amusement. The masked man took a step closer, his attempt at intimidation almost laughable."You’re just a puppet," I said, my voice low and steady. "Following orders without a mind of your own. Tell me, how does it feel to be nothing more than someone’s errand boy?"The man's eyes bl
As I stare through the glass of the incubator, watching our daughter’s tiny chest rise and fall, relief floods through me. The doctors said she was gas-poisoned, but now she’s stable. Annizah leans into me, her warmth a stark contrast to the cold hospital environment. The steady hum of the machines around us fades into the background as we stand together, united in our silent vigil.“This world is so dangerous,” Annizah whispers, her voice trembling. “I never realized just how much until now.”I tighten my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. “Do you regret it? Choosing me, this life?”She looks up at me, her eyes filled with love and sadness. “I don’t regret choosing you, Vincenzo. I only feel sorry that you had to be born into this kind of lifestyle. But I love you, and that’s all that matters.”Her words are a balm to my soul, and I press a kiss to her forehead. “I promise you, Annizah, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll end this once and for all. Our family will be safe.”
A month has passed since the hospital incident, and our daughter, Fiore, has been growing healthier and stronger every day. The threats against our family have seemingly quieted down, but I’ve learned not to let my guard down. Even in moments of peace, I remain vigilant, always on edge, always searching. In my study, I sit hunched over my laptop, scanning through files and databases, desperately trying to find any trace of my half-brother. Despite our advanced technology and the network of contacts at my disposal, he remains elusive. It's as if he’s a ghost, slipping through every net I cast. Just then, Mark walks in, his presence a surprising interruption. “Got any leads?” he asks, casually leaning against the doorway. I glance up, my brows furrowed in confusion. “Why are you asking?” He smirks, a glint of mystery in his eyes. “I might have some clues for you.” My interest piqued, I shut the laptop and focus on him. “What do you know?” Mark shrugs nonchalantly. “Let’s jus
Baltazar stood as well, giving her a reassuring pat on the back before turning to me. "I'll leave you two to it. Don't go too hard on her, boss." I chuckled, watching Baltazar leave, but my mind remained alert. Turning my attention back to Annizah, I softened. "You didn't have to do this, you know." She shrugged, looking a bit sheepish. "I wanted to. I'm sorry for earlier. I know you're just trying to protect us." Leaning down, I kissed her gently. "It's okay, Annizah. I understand. We're both under a lot of stress. But we'll get through this, together." She nodded, and I could see the relief in her eyes. "Yes, we will." We walked away from the training room, and I decided it was time to discuss our plans. "So, about the gender reveal," I began, trying to sound casual. "Have you thought about how you want to do it?" Her eyes lit up, and she giggled sweetly. "Yes! I’ve been thinking about a small gathering, just family and close friends. Maybe some balloons, a cake with col
After ensuring Annizah was asleep, I quietly slipped out of bed and made my way to the study. The events of the day replayed in my mind, fueling my determination to get to the bottom of this threat. I couldn't let my guard down, not with so much at stake. I settled into the leather chair at my desk, opening my laptop and initiating a secure connection. My fingers flew over the keyboard as I accessed various databases and systems, my mind sharp and focused. Years of experience had honed my skills in cyber infiltration, a necessary tool in our line of work. I delved into the networks of known mafia organizations, seeking any information that could lead me to those who dared to attack my family. The door creaked open, and I glanced up to see Katana entering the room. She moved with her usual grace, her eyes sharp and alert. "Thought you might need some help," she said, pulling up a chair beside me. I nodded. "Thanks, Katana. There's something big brewing, and we need to uncover it.
The office was cloaked in a heavy silence, broken only by the soft hum of the computers and the rustling of papers. Baltazar sat across from me, eyes scanning through some documents. I leaned back in my chair, the weight of recent discoveries pressing heavily on my mind. "Do you have any siblings, Baltazar?" I asked suddenly, breaking the silence. He looked up, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place crossing his face before he masked it. "Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?" "Just curious," I replied, trying to sound casual. "You never really talk about your family." He nodded, a shadow passing over his eyes. "It's not something I like to discuss. Family can be... complicated." Before I could press further, the door swung open, and Katana walked in. She had that mysterious smile on her face that always made me wary. Her presence often heralded significant news or events. "Well, look who's hard at work," she said, her tone playful but her eyes sharp. "Katana," I greeted, m
Vincenzo arrived at the Russian airport, his eyes scanning the crowd with practiced ease. He stepped through the terminal with confidence, his presence commanding attention. As he exited the gates, a tall man with a sharp suit and an equally sharp smile approached him. It was Helios, one of his long-standing business partners in Russia. "Vincenzo, welcome," Helios greeted, extending his hand. Vincenzo shook it firmly. "Helios. Good to see you." "How was your flight?" Helios asked as they started walking towards the exit. "Uneventful, just the way I like it," Vincenzo replied. Helios laughed, a deep, booming sound. "I hear congratulations are in order. How's your family?" "Annizah gave birth to our daughter," Vincenzo said, a rare warmth in his voice. "That's wonderful news!" Helios exclaimed, patting Vincenzo on the back. "Congratulations. I assume you’re here on business, though?" "Always," Vincenzo said, his tone shifting to a more serious note. They walked to a sl
I stared at the masked man, my face a mask of cold composure. He was doing his best to provoke me, to get under my skin, but I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. Around us, the room was tense with anticipation, eyes flicking between us as if expecting a fight to break out any moment. "You think you can protect your family from us?" the masked man sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're far from home, Romanov. Here, you're just another player in our game." I kept my expression neutral, my eyes boring into his. "And you think you're in control?" I replied evenly. "That's cute." Helios, standing nearby, let out a booming laugh, clearly enjoying the exchange. But I wasn’t here for his amusement. The masked man took a step closer, his attempt at intimidation almost laughable. "You’re just a puppet," I said, my voice low and steady. "Following orders without a mind of your own. Tell me, how does it feel to be nothing more than someone’s errand boy?" The man's ey