I woke up in a panic, my heart racing with fear. Where was Jane? where am I? I took a deep breath to calm myself. the smell of lavender and cherry blossoms brought me back to a state of calm. I looked around and recognized the dark purple walls and gold trim everywhere. I was in my old room, in my golden Cali King princess bed, as I used to call it. the door was cracked just enough for me to hear my brother cooing and awing somewhere close by. they must have Jane. I tried to sit up, but it hurt so much to move. an unfamiliar face popped in from the bathroom door carrying a basket of medical supplies.
"Oh good, you're awake! don't move dear, you're far too weak. Let me help you, " the middle-aged woman said, hurrying over to me. I guess she was a nurse of some sort. she helped me sit up and stuffed pillows behind me. "I'll go get Mr. Kev and Dr. Brown." the woman said, walking away without giving me a chance to speak. I hate when people do that. Kev and an older gentleman in a white coat came in. both looked shocked that I was awake. kev looked relieved as well. "Hey Kar, how are you feeling?" kev asked half concerned half sarcastically. "I feel amazing!" I said, matching his sarcasm. "Well, young lady, you are a trooper for sure and strong like your brothers." the older gentleman said oblivious to the sarcasm. "I'm Dr. Brown. and I'm shocked at how well you have recovered. do you know how long you've been out?" " A few hours, I hope. where is Jane? i need to feed her, " I said, annoyed. Kev and the Dr chuckled, I glared at them, not getting the joke. "Karina, you've been passed out for 2 days." Kev said, laughing like i should have known. " Jane is safe she's with Kade in the nursery." I was in shock. I didn't know what to say. I was out for 2 days. "Bring me my baby, please." I asked, trying to process everything. Kade brought in Jane, followed by the rest of my brothers. I knew something was up by the look on all their faces. before I could say anything, I saw him. And there he stood, Alexander Branson. he was tall 6'10, dark brown hair, black eyes, and the body of a chiseled God covered in tattoos. I couldn't believe my eyes. "Well hello handsome" I said smoothly "hello doll" he said with a sly grin I jumped out of bed and straight into his arms without thinking. he wrapped his giant arms around me, and I felt instant tears running down my face. Alexander laughed as he pulled my face up to look at him. I felt my face flush and realized what I had done. I tried to get down, but he wasn't letting go. "Oh no, little doll, you're not going anywhere this time." Alexander was determined to hold me a little longer. "You left me once you can't leave again," "I'm not going anywhere this time, but I do need to get down and check on my daughter," I said shyly. "Oh, right. the little baby doll. she's adorable just like her mother, " Alexander said as he sat me down. Kade passed Jane to me, looking guilty as ever. he called Alexander, and he knew exactly what he had just set up. "Alright, alright enough with the awkward bull crap. we all know yall are long-lost lovers, and sparks are flying, but can we focus on the business at hand before yall start the honeymoon crap?" Kal boomed half annoyed, half teasing. "What business is there?" I asked, confused about everything. "Dylan is hunting you down and trying to start a blood war with every family within the country." kev said with anger and concern in his voice. "Then just hunt him down and kill him!" I screamed. "we all know he's not going to give up until I'm dead, and Jane is in his grimy hands." everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I knew it was a suicide mission. Dylan was relentless and dark. he didn't care who he hurt, even if it was his own wife and child. When he didn't get his way, everyone in his path was going to pay. I couldn't let my daughter go back to that monster, and I couldn't hide forever. I wasn't going to hide. I knew what I had to do and just the perfect team to help me do it. "Fine, we're going to hunt him back. I'm done running from that demon. and I'm going to need all of you guys to help me, " I demanded. they all knodded their head in agreement. it was time to fight back in this war. my army is bigger and badder than just one monster. I wasn't going to back down even if it meant my life to save my daughter. she was the daughter of a monster and the granddaughter of a demon, but she was the angel of a warrior. I stayed too long, but if it wasn't for Jane, I'd be dead. I was. close to giving up until I heard that graceful heartbeat. I knew no matter what, I would always have a reason to live because of her, and now she's my reason to fight. my brothers got to making their calls to get the army together while I rested and soaked in time alone with my beautiful princess. when all of a sudden, a knock at the door put me in a trance. "Mind if I come in?" Alexander asked sheepishly, standing in the doorway in nothing but gray sweats and white t-shirt. "yea come on in." I got up and put Jane in her crib. "I could use the company." I said with tears in my eyes. Alexander went straight for the bed. I crawled up beside him and curled my tiny 5'6 frame into his arms. I felt safe for the first time in years. I cried like a baby in his arms. without speaking a single word, we lay there wrapped in each other's arms. Alexander held me tight like he was afraid I was just a dream stroking my hair. I buried my face in his neck and held on tight to his shirt, afraid to let go. we fell asleep peacefully like old times.I could feel his breath in my hair. I could smell his skin right under my nose. i could feel his muscular frame wrapped around me. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or if this was real. I prayed this was real. I opened my eyes and looked around. I almost didn't believe it. I was in my old room, but nothing had changed. it was just the way I left it except for Jane tucked away in her crib in the corner next to my king-sized bed. I tried to roll over, but Alexander's grip got tighter. I guess he thought I was trying to leave. "I want to see you face not run away," I laughed. he loosened his grip and propped himself up on his elbow. "i was lost in the moment." he said sleepily. " The moment lasted all night, and your lazy bums are wasting daylight." Kade interrupted, standing at the foot of the bed. " Get out!" I threw a pillow and hit Kev completely missing Kade. all my brothers stood at the foot of the bed. once Alexander realized it, he jumped halfway across the room like a teena
we landed in Chicago and went to luggage claim. Jane slept in her baby wrap snugg as a bug on Alexander's chest the whole flight. I was falling in love with Alexander more and more. he was amazing with Jane and a natural at that. she didn't even cry when she woke up at the air port. " I'm surprised she behaved so well for her first flight," I told Alexander as I helped him take off the wrap. "Well, she had a comfy bed and a great sound machine," Alexander laughed as he patted his chest. I laughed and took Jane to get changed while the guys found our luggage. I returned back to the group and noticed Cousin juno kept checking his phone. I didn't think much of it until I saw the number that was calling him as he ran off from the group. " Well, I'll be damned." I said, walking over to my brothers. " What's wrong, Kar?" Kyle asked " I'm gonna ring a blue canaries neck," I said, pointing to the poll, juno was trying to hide behind taking his call. "What do you mean?" kev step
I woke up to the sound of knocking at the door. I looked at the clock- 1030 am. Hurriedly, I threw on a robe and opened the door. it was Nona holding a tray of breakfast. "I thought you two could use some nourishment." Nona said with a wink. "Your brother and a few cousins are off tending to some things. sweet Jane is playing with nonno in the sitting room. come join us when you're ready, " she said casually as she placed the tray on the dresser and walked out of the room. "Thank you, Nona!" I said as she shut the door as I carried the tray over to the bed, Alexander sat up, stretching his long muscular arms. he kissed me and helped me back in bed with the food. on the tray was a couple of plates with eggs, bacon, sausage, crepes, and fresh fruits. we each had a nice cappuccino and orange juice as well. "Nona outdid herself," Alexander mumbled with a mouth full of bacon. "This is amazing. reminds me of my childhood, " I said, scarfing down my crepes. after we finished our b
After the family meeting, I was left with so much fear and frustration that I couldn't seem to shake a feeling. I decided to take a walk around the garden and get some fresh air with Jane. Alexander and kev joined us. the garden was full of beautiful flowers, ripe fruit trees, and gorgeous weeping willows. everything was beautiful under the full moon. in the center of the garden was gazebo covered in vines. it looked almost abandoned but was well kept. there was a sitting area and a child's swing set as well. I decided to stop and think. I placed Jane in the swinging basket and gently pushed her. kev and Alexander went over to the fruit trees and started picking some peaches and plums. lost in thought, I sat absently pushing Jane. a noise in then bushes near the gazebo caught my attention. I looked around to see what it was. I saw nothing but the shadows the moon light casted off the beautiful plants and trees. I searched for kev and Alexander but couldn't see them, not even thei
after hearing that Dylan was hunting us, i needed to get to Jane. My instincts kicked in, and i lost control. I was no longer an innocent child. I was officially a Romano woman. I left the garden without a word and let my brothers deal with the intruders. I walked into the house and said nothing. I just stood in the doorway of the sitting room watching my Nona and aunts awe over Jane. Alexander walked in behind me and scooped me up without a word. he carried me upstairs and into our bathroom. Alexander sat me on the side of the tub and started a shower. I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. I was covered in blood, and my dress was ruined, but I didn't care. I was numb and infuriated. Dylan was relentless and heartless. little did he know so was I. I wasn't going to give up until he was dead and no longer a threat to my daughter or my family. Alexander walked up behind me and undressed me without saying a word. his touch was gentle and caring. the silence was heartbreakin
after a great breakfast and plenty of laughs, it was time to get down to business. we needed to get everyone on the same page and get this plan into action. I was tired of sitting around and waiting to be attacked. Jane and I were ducks in an open field, and anyone outside could be the hunters waiting to get us. Alexander's family was more than helpful. they had ties to the Costa family, business partners, you could say. they even knew where Dylan was and how to get to him. "Well, since we know where he is, what's stopping us from getting him?" I asked a little irritated. "we had no idea Dylan was causing trouble like this until you called us," Mrs. Branson explained calmly "Then we need to get the ball rolling," kev said, ready to take charge. "Let's make a plan." "As soon as possible would be lovely," Alexander said, seeming annoyed I placed my hand on his thigh, trying to calm him, but something was off. he didn't acknowledge my gesture and just stared down his brothers
like all good things last night had to end. it was the next morning, which meant it was time to finish this war with Dyan. I rolled over to find an empty bed and note. *had to get some last-minute preparations to take care of, see you at breakfast. love Alex
I drove straight to the airport. Dylan officially had an hour head start on me. I called ahead and had a private plane waiting on the strip, ready to take off as soon as I boarded. I was off to a tropical paradise of hell. the clue dragons was dylans hint to lure me back to where everything started going south. I was hesitant about going at first, but my daughter was in danger with her father. Dylan was a monster and didn't care who he hurt or what he did to hurt them. Jane was just a baby she was only 5 months old now. he didn't know the first thing about her or how to care for her. the plane landed a few hours later. I got off the plane and headed straight for the boat. the boat was going to be my last journey to my daughter. I was nervous about being on the boat, but again, it was a short ride, and my daughter needed me. I turned my phone back on, and the text and missed calls started pouring in. all my brothers and Alexander were on their way. they had news to tell me when