r it like a storm cloud. Emma couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Sh

Alessandro. Elio had been called away, and though the guards were

h static so loud that it startled her. She gra

id, knowing it

ed abruptly, rep

hurned. Somethin

lissfully unaware of the growing tension in the air. Emma paced, glancing out the window at the ga

the nursery doo

called out, her

arco was one of Leo's more approachable g

d. "What's th

was a

I

. She scooped Alessandro into her

sword," she whispered to he

nd then came the unmistakable sound

re. She hurried to the adjoining bathroom, locking the do

g. She grabbed a towel and draped it over the tub,

door crashing open echo

, her breathing shallow. She could he

kid," a ma

think. She grabbed the first thing within reach-a bottle of baby powder-and held

uder, and then the ba

here," the

tall and lanky, with a scar running down his cheek. The

bottle, her ha

he warned, her

that down, lady. You're not

ld, the powder exploding in a white cloud that filled the sma

swung it at the stockier man, hitting him square in the head. He stumbled, and she

tching Alessandro tightly. She could hear the men chasi

" one of t

d nearly ran into Elio,

took in the sight of her tear-streaked

r Alessandro!

pulled his gun from its holster and tu

office," he b

to her neck. The office was at the end of the hall, its heavy oak d

is expression dark as he

ing on?" h

lessandro," Emma said

y taking Alessandro from her arms. The baby whimpered, hi

ow but steady. It wasn't clear if he was

somewhere in the mansion, a

le it," he said

e body trembling. "What if he do

said firmly. "No

and crouched in front of her, his

ut I'm not going to let this happen again. From now on,

rotectiveness in his voice s

that mean?"

moving to my wing of the house,"

ped her. She nodded, holding Alessandro close as Leo stood

hing became clear: Emma's life had just become e