Madeline’s POVThe house feels almost serene as Logan and I step through the front door, the sunlight streaming in through the large windows catching on the polished wood floors and casting long golden rectangles across the living room, but I know better than to trust the quiet because in our lives, peace is always temporary, especially with the twins around, and sure enough, barely have I set my bag down and started to take a deep breath when I hear the unmistakable sound of plotting laughter echoing down the hall. The laughter is far too knowing for their ages, and I can already feel that pit of apprehension forming in my stomach that tells me I am about to be dragged into one of their chaotic schemes, whether I like it or not. I glance at Logan, who is settling onto the couch, taking a newspaper to read with a look of calm detachment that I know is entirely performance on his behave because his eyes are darting toward the hallway, already anticipating the impending ambush.Before I
Madeline’s POVThe afternoon sunlight slants through the tall office windows, hitting the polished surfaces of my desk and casting long, shifting patterns across the floor, and yet, despite the light, the weight of the morning lingers like a shadow that refuses to leave. My hands hover over my keyboard, fingers tapping absently, but my mind is elsewhere, replaying every detail of the confrontation with my father and Sean, the way their arrogance and sense of entitlement had collided with the quiet, absolute authority of Logan’s men, and how it had felt to finally stand with someone behind me who would not allow me, or my children, to be harmed, no matter how loud or threatening the opposition became. I can still feel the adrenaline in my veins, the pounding in my chest gradually fading into a steady rhythm, like the aftermath of a storm that has passed but left the air heavy with electricity.I glance at my phone again, the small vibration against the polished wood drawing my attentio
Madeline’s POVI step into my office, the familiar scent of polished wood and leather settling over me like a shield. Sunlight streams through the blinds, cutting across the floor and landing on the desk where my spreadsheets, contracts, and reports usually feel safe, organised, and contained. Today, nothing feels safe. The quiet noise of the air conditioner and the soft clatter of the keyboard aren’t enough to calm the pit in my stomach. I barely have time to take a deep breath before the sharp, unmistakable voices hit me.“Madeline,” My father’s voice sounds hard in the office above Heavenly. I freeze. Behind him, Sean’s smug tone follows, sharp and predatory. My chest tightens, and my fingers curl around the edge of my desk.“What are you doing here?” I ask, forcing my voice to remain steady, even as adrenaline sharpens my senses.“You know why we’re here. We have a right …” My father says, leaning lazily against the doorway as if the office is his playground.“No. You have nothin
Logan’s POVThe house finally breathes. The chaos of the morning has settled into a rare quiet. The twins sleep soundly in their rooms, their soft breathing drifting through the hallways, and the golden sunlight slants across the living room, casting long shadows across the floor. For a moment, I allow myself to just sit and breathe. But my mind doesn’t stay quiet. Not after last night. Sean and Owen were standing at the gates of Maddie’s Grandfather’s house, threats spilling from their lips like venom. The guards told me. Luckily, Maddie and the children were not staying there. The guards would not let them in. Owen, Maddie’s father and Sean think Sean should inherit the old Don’s estate and money.Luckily, the guard called me and explained to me what was happening. Sean and Owen had both raised their voices, threatening lawsuits, legal action, anything they could think of to intimidate the guard. But he hadn’t wavered, and eventually, they’d left, vowing that the battle was far fro
Logan’s POVThe house is alive with chaos. I move carefully through the hallways, trying to keep my mafia-trained instincts sharp while dodging the tiny tornadoes that are Connor and Carmen. Connor is a walking, talking security audit. Every door he touches gets a finger on the lock, every window receives a scrutinising tap.“Too thin glass, can’t stop bullets,” Connor mutters. I suppress a laugh. Kid, if only you knew what we’ve survived outside these walls. Carmen, on the other hand, is a one-girl demolition squad. She darts from room to room, poking at cabinets, opening drawers, and somehow climbing onto the piano bench with a look of pure determination.“Daddy, do you play this?” Carmen asks, bouncing her little fingers over the keys. A discordant note shrieks through the hall. I can feel Maddie’s eyes on me, willing me not to explode into laughter, but it’s impossible. She’s like a tiny chaos engine. I know Maddie and I need to talk, but the two terrors must first calm down.“You
Logan’s POV The gates close behind us with a heavy clang. Maddie flinches like it’s the sound of a prison door, not protection. I want to tell her the truth that no one, not even death itself, is getting past those gates while I’m alive. But her knuckles are white where she clutches the kids, so I keep my mouth shut. The car rolls to a stop in front of the main house. Sunlight spills across the stone steps, catching on the iron railings and the big oak door that’s guarded by two of my men. Connor peers out the window, wide-eyed despite himself.“Is this a castle?” He asks. Carmen leans forward, grinning.“It looks like one, right? Maybe Daddy’s … Maybe… uh… Daddy Long Legs lives here. From the cartoon. You know. With the… legs,” Carmen says quickly. She knows Madeline does not want them to call me Daddy. Connor narrows his eyes.“That doesn’t even make sense,” Connor says. Carmen huffs, crossing her arms.“You don’t make sense,” Carmen says. Maddie rubs her temple like she’s alre