LOGINRachel POVWe finally arrived at the restaurant Marcus had reserved.A valet took Marcus's keys as the three of us walked through the glass doors.Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting warm light across the polished marble floors. Soft piano music played in the background, mixing with the quiet sound of conversation and clinking silverware.I glanced at Dad. His eyes widened as he took it all in, his hands clasped nervously."Your brother really went all out," he whispered to me in awe.I linked my arm through his. "Of course he did. It's Mom's birthday."Marcus was already at the front desk, speaking with the hostess. She nodded with a polite smile and gestured for us to follow.We walked past the main dining area into a smaller, private section. Our table was tucked in a corner, separated by elegant wooden screens that gave us privacy."Wow," I said as we sat down. "Marcus, this is beautiful."He shrugged, already looking at his menu. "I thought we'd want privacy.""How
Rachel POVThe city lights blurred past the car window as Damien drove through the quiet streets.Tonight was Mom's birthday dinner, and despite everything-Marcus's suspicions of Damien, Dad's obvious guilt-I couldn't help feeling excited. Marcus had actually invited Dad. That alone felt like progress.I smoothed down my red sundress for the third time, checking my reflection in the side mirror. My hair was pulled back in a simple bun, and I'd kept my makeup light.Simple. Appropriate for a family dinner."You look nice," Damien said quietly, his eyes flicking to me before returning to the road.I felt my cheeks warm. "Thank you."A pause settled between us, comfortable but weighted with unspoken worry."Rachel," Damien said finally, his voice softer than usual. "If anything happens tonight-anything at all-call me immediately."I turned to look at him fully. His jaw was tight, his grip on the steering wheel firm."I don't like this," he continued. "You being out there with no securi
Rachel POVI stepped out of the car, exhaustion settling into my bones. The school day had drained me completely that I had to skip the library and come straight home.The moment I stepped into the foyer, Leo came running."Mama!" He crashed into my legs, wrapping his arms around them tightly. "Welcome back!"I smiled despite my tiredness, running my fingers through his hair. "Hi, sweetheart."His attention shifted immediately to the figure behind me. "Hello, Mark!"He waved enthusiastically at him, practically bouncing.Mark's gaze dropped to Leo for just a moment. He gave a single, curt nod before turning away and heading up the stairs.My smile faded as I watched him go.The Mark I'd known would have at least ruffled Leo's hair. Would have asked how his day was. Something.Now he was just... empty."Mama, guess what!" Leo tugged on my hand, pulling my attention back. "I met your brother today!"My heart stopped."What?" I blinked down at him. "Marcus?""Uh-huh!" Leo nodded eagerly.
Damien POVI stared after Marcus's retreating form, still caught in a haze of disbelief.Then I heard small footsteps behind me.Leo came to my side, carefully lifting Scout from the ground into his arms. She remained asleep, her body limp with trust, her small head tucked against his chest as if nothing in the world had changed."Are you mad at me?" he asked quietly, watching Marcus's car disappear down the street. "Did I say something wrong?"I knelt and ruffled his hair. "No. You didn't do anything wrong. That was just... adults talking."Leo nodded, though he didn't look convinced.We stood there for a moment longer, watching as Marcus's car pulled away-accelerating faster than necessary.I exhaled slowly and looked down at Leo. His eyelids were already drooping, his movements sluggish."It's time to go home," I said gently.He nodded and leaned into me, careful not to wake Scout as I lifted them both into my arms.I carried Leo back to the car. Vance was already inside, waiting.
Damien POVMarcus stopped a few feet away, hands in his coat pockets, posture relaxed enough to be insulting."I was driving past," he said lightly. "Saw you buying ice cream. Thought I'd stop and say hello."My jaw tightened.Of course, he had.Of all the places in this city-of all the days-he'd noticed me standing in line like an ordinary man, fumbling money while my son gave me love advice."Don't you have somewhere to be?" I asked coolly. "Work, perhaps."Marcus smiled, but it never reached his eyes. "I do. But then again..." His gaze slid briefly to Leo, then back to me. "You're dating my sister. I figured that earned you a minute."Leo shifted beside me, clutching his ice cream cup tighter. I felt it instantly-the subtle change in his breathing, the way his body leaned closer to mine."Papa," he whispered. "Who's that?"I placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. "An acquaintance."Marcus raised a brow. "That's one word for it."He crouched slightly, lowering himself to Leo'
Damien POVMr Vance opened the car door, and Leo climbed in, settling Scout on his lap. I slid in beside him while Vance took the front passenger seat.The car pulled away from the training centre, and for a moment, there was only the sound of the engine and Scout's quiet panting.Then Leo spoke up, his voice still a little wobbly from earlier. "Papa?""Yes?""Can we go to the dog park?" He looked up at me with those wide eyes, still red-rimmed from crying. "Scout would like it. And... I want to play with her outside."I hesitated.The Raven was still out there. Unresolved. Taking Leo to a public park-even with security felt reckless.But then Rachel's words from yesterday surfaced in my mind, clear and sharp."If you don't want Leo to be like you, then maybe he needs more than just this world. School. Other kids. Space to figure out who he is outside of guards and cars and walls."I looked at Leo. He was watching me hopefully, one hand absently stroking Scout's ears.He'd been cooped
Chloe dragged Mark toward the kitchen counter.“I can’t drink. I’m working,” he said for the third time, his voice flat, standing stiffly beside her as he’d rather be anywhere else.Chloe sighed dramatically, dropping his hands. “You’re at a party, not a military base. Why are you standing there lo
Rachel POVThe water was warm, the faint scent of soap curling through the air.I rested back against Damien’s chest, his arms loose around my waist—skin to skin, nothing between us. His breathing was slow and even, eyes closed, as if he’d finally allowed himself to stop guarding the world for once
Rachel POV I held Leo’s hand as we stepped into the mall, my phone already in my other hand half texting my friends, half aware of the quiet formation behind us. Black suits. Earpieces. Mark walked just close enough to remind me my life isn’t as ordinary anymore. Leo slo
Damien POV I sat behind my desk, tugging my tie loose and letting it fall to the floor. The day had left a tight, persistent pressure behind my eyes. Mr Vance and Sullivan sat across from me, both watching carefully. “I take it lunch was tense?” Vance asked. “He doesn’t be







