LOGINBONUS CHAPTERJuliana.Six months.That’s how long it had been since Malakai was born.Since I became a mother. Since Alexander became a father.Since we had built a life that was filled with love, laughter, and peace.And today?Today, I was finally becoming his wife. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.My wedding dress was everything I had dreamed of.A long, elegant satin gown with delicate lace sleeves and a flowing train.The bodice hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating the slight curve of my waist before flaring into a soft, graceful skirt.A thin veil cascaded down my back, secured with a jeweled headpiece Alexander had chosen himself.I ran a hand over my stomach, where my body still carried traces of my pregnancy.My heart thumped in my chest.Today was the day.I was about to marry Alexander Valente.A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.Roman peeked in, grinning. “You ready, Mrs.Valente?”I smiled. “Almost.”Almost.But the secon
EPILOGUEJuliana.I was not prepared for this.One minute, I was sitting in the nursery, folding tiny baby clothes.The next, a sharp pain shot through my stomach, followed by a rush of warm liquid down my legs.I froze, my breath catching.My brain short-circuited. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.No. No. No.This couldn’t be happening yet.I was only 38 weeks along.I gripped the crib for balance, heart hammering.A second later, another sharp pain tore through me, stronger than the first.I gasped, my legs shaking beneath me.“ALEXANDER!”I heard footsteps pounding down the hall.Seconds later, Alexander burst into the room, eyes wild.His gun was already halfway out of his waistband before he saw me.“What?! What happened?!”I stared at him, stunned and breathless.“My water just broke.”Silence.He blinked. “Your…”For the first time since I met him, Alexander Valente was speechless.His gaze dropped to the puddle of liquid beneath me, and his entire body locked up.Silenc
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWOJuliana.I couldn't sleep.I had tossed and turned for what felt like hours, but my mind wouldn't shut off.Alexander had come home in one piece. Boaz was dead. The threat was gone.And yet, my chest still felt heavy.Because tonight proved something I had already known but tried to ignore.That no matter how much I wanted to be part of his world, there would always be things he tried to keep from me.To protect me.But I didn’t want protection.I wanted a say in my own life.I turned my head on the pillow, my eyes adjusting to the dim light of the bedroom.Alexander was beside me, lying on his back, breathing evenly.He looked peaceful.I wondered how often he actually felt that way.Because even when he slept, he was always ready.His gun was on the nightstand, within arm’s reach. His body was tense, even in rest.He had spent his entire life in survival mode.Would it ever stop?Would he ever be able to relax?Would I?I swallowed, rolling over until I was facing
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONEAlexander.Juliana didn’t back down.She stood in front of me, arms crossed, eyes burning with determination.I had seen her angry.I had seen her furious.But this?This was worse.This was betrayal.Because she knew I was keeping something from her.And she wasn’t going to let it go. I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face.“Boaz is alive.”Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t move. “What?”I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk. “We spotted him watching the estate. He survived, and now he wants revenge.”Silence.Then, she exhaled slowly, shaking her head.“And you weren’t going to tell me?”“I didn’t want you to worry.”Her laugh was sharp, humorless. “You mean you didn’t want me to be involved.”I clenched my jaw. “You’re pregnant, Juliana. I won’t let you put yourself at risk again.”Her eyes flashed. “I can take care of myself.”“Not when you’re carrying our baby.”Her breath hitched.And I knew I had won.I stood, moving around the desk un
CHAPTER FIFTYAlexander.For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder.The city was quiet.Marco was dead.The men who had betrayed me had been dealt with.And Juliana, my Juliana was finally safe.At least, that’s what I thought. I woke up before her.She was curled against me, her breath soft and even, her body warm.My arm was draped over her waist, my palm resting against her stomach.It had become a habit.Every morning, before she woke up, I would hold her like this.Feel her breathing. Feel the steady, quiet presence of our child growing inside her.And for a moment, just a moment, everything was perfect. I carefully slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake her.Then I walked to my office, expecting a normal day.What I got instead was Liam, Roman, and Kai already waiting for me.Roman was standing by the window, arms crossed.Kai looked pissed.Liam, the only one with any patience was the first to speak.“We have a problem.”I exh
CHAPTER FORTY-NINEJuliana.The last time I had stepped foot outside this estate, I had nearly died.The explosion, the gunfire, the blood, it was all burned into my memory.So when Alexander told me we were going into town, my first reaction was,“Are you insane?”He smirked. “You’ve been trapped in here for weeks. I figured you’d want some fresh air.”“Fresh air?” I raised an eyebrow. “Or a chance to show off your scary bodyguards in broad daylight?”“Both.” He grinned.I sighed, but the truth was… I did want to go.I missed normal things.Coffee shops, bookstores, walking through the streets without feeling like I had a target on my back.I missed the outside world.And maybe just maybe it was time to take it back. An hour later, we were in the car, heading into the city.I was dressed in a simple but elegant black dress, one that Alexander had picked out himself.Not because he didn’t trust my fashion choices.But because he liked owning me in little ways.And honestly?







