"Anna!" his voice called from downstairs.
I threw open the bedroom door and ran down, practically launching myself into his arms. His embrace was warm and safe, finally giving my frayed nerves a moment of relief.
But when I looked up at his face, the fury in his eyes shocked me. This wasn't ordinary anger—it was cold, lethal rage. In that moment, I clearly understood that this gentle father and lover was also one of the most dangerous men in the New York underworld.
"Now tell me," his voice was low and menacing, "exactly what happened. No more secrets."
Faced with that intensity, I knew I couldn't lie anymore. I told him everything—yesterday's photos, today's threatening text, being followed, and the prowleroutside.
As I spoke, his expression grew darker. When I pulled out my phone and downloaded those photos from cloud storage to show him, his face became even more terrifying.
He studied each photo carefully, fury blazing brighter in his eyes.
"Fuck," he muttered, then immediately grabbed his phone and made a call.
"Ivan, get men over here now. Full security. Yeah, right now." His tone brooked no argument, pure authority.
He hung up and turned to me. "Pack your bags. You're both moving to my manor tonight."
"What? No, I can't—"
"This isn't a request, Anna." He cut me off, eyes stern. "Look at these photos. Do you know what you captured? You photographed a private meeting between city officials and the most brutal gang in Brooklyn. These people won't let you go even if you delete the photos, because they know you've already seen what you shouldn't have."
His words turned my blood to ice again. I realized I might have accidentally stumbled into a massive conspiracy.
"My manor on Long Island has comprehensive security systems and professional protection. You and Sofia will be safe there," he continued. "Here, I can't guarantee your safety."
I wanted to argue, to maintain my independence, but thinking of Sofia sleeping upstairs, all my objections died. I couldn't risk her safety for my stubborn pride.
"I... I need to call in sick to work."
"Call them tomorrow, say you're taking a week off," Alexander said. "Now go pack essentials. We leave in fifteen minutes."
I nodded and ran upstairs to pack. My hands were still shaking, but I felt a strange sense of calm. For the first time, I truly felt the safety that came with Alexander's underworld connections. The elements that terrified people in movies were now the shield protecting Sofia and me.
As I packed Sofia's clothes, she woke up.
"Mommy? What's happening?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"We're going to stay at Alex's big house for a few days," I tried to keep my voice calm. "Like a vacation."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up immediately. "Can I bring my dolls?"
"Of course, sweetheart. Bring all your favorite toys."
Twenty minutes later, we sat in Alexander's Cadillac Escalade, leaving our home behind. Through the windows, I saw several black cars following us, with more vehicles leading the convoy.
Sofia sat excitedly between Alexander and me, completely oblivious to the real reason for this "vacation." She chattered away with questions about the manor while Alexander answered patiently, though I could feel the tension radiating from him.
Watching those black cars protecting us through the window, I realized Sofia's and my life was about to change dramatically. From now on, we weren't just an ordinary mother and daughter—we were under the protection of a New York underworld power player.
The realization made me feel both safe and terrified.
But watching Sofia doze safely in Alexander's arms, I knew I'd made the right choice.
Whatever lay ahead, at least for now, we were safe.
Chapter Eighteen
