"Fuck." Marco's voice was tight. "He's fishing."
"He's circling." I pulled up the security feeds again, watching Leo play. "Increase the perimeter. I want to know if he comes within three blocks of this building."
"Done. Anything else?"
"Find out who's feeding him information. Someone on our payroll is talking."
"I'll handle it."
I hung up and stared at the monitors.
Matteo was getting too close. And if he discovered Leo—
I stood and moved to Leo's room, standing in the doorway unnoticed. He was showing Isla how to make the trains go through the tunnel, his small voice explaining the rules with complete seriousness.
This was what I was protecting. This small person who didn't know his father was dangerous, who didn't know the world wanted to use him as a pawn.
I'd do whatever it took to keep him safe.
Even if it meant going to war with my own blood.
CHAPTER 14
Isla
Icouldn't sleep.
The guest room was beautiful—cream silk sheets, soft lighting, a bathroom bigger than my entire old apartment. Everything whispered of wealth and taste and a life I'd never imagined living.
But it felt like a cage.
I rolled over for the hundredth time, checking my phone. 11:47 p.m. Leo had been asleep for hours, exhausted from the excitement of his "adventure." He'd been so happy about the trains, about his new room, about Cassian.
Cassian, who'd threatened to take my son if I didn't comply.
Cassian, who'd looked at Leo with something raw and unguarded in his eyes.
Cassian, whom I still didn't truly understand.
Ithrew back the covers and pulled on the silk robe I'd found in the closet—another item that had mysteriously appeared in my size. Everything here felt borrowed, temporary, like I was playing a role in someone else's life.
Maybe warm milk would help. Or checking on Leo one more time, reassuring myself he was real and safe and still mine.
I padded barefoot into the hallway, the plush carpet silent beneath my feet. Leo's door was cracked open, nightlight casting soft stars across his sleeping face. He clutched his dinosaur, lips slightly parted, completely at peace.
My beautiful boy. Oblivious to how complicated his world had just become.
I was turning toward the kitchen when I heard it—Cassian's voice, low and hard, coming from down the hall. Not from his locked office, but from one of the other rooms—the guest bathroom, maybe, based on the echo.
Another phone call. I'd heard him on the phone earlier when we'd first arrived, discussing security. But this sounded different. More urgent. Darker.
I froze, my hand on Leo's bedroom doorknob.
"Situation at the docks is escalating." His voice was different from his usual business tone. Cold. Controlled. Dangerous. "Matteo's making his move tonight."
Tonight? This morning, Cassian had said Matteo was "circling," asking questions. Now he was making a move?
Who was Matteo? And what kind of move?
