ANMELDENAdrian’s POVThe abandoned warehouse on the east side smelled of rust, oil, and old rain. My men had cleared the perimeter an hour ago. No cameras. No witnesses. Just concrete walls and silence.Marcus was already waiting in the first room.He sat tied to a metal chair under a single hanging bulb, sweat shining on his forehead. When I walked in, his eyes snapped up to mine and the color drained from his face.I didn’t speak right away. I took off my jacket, folded it neatly over a nearby crate, and rolled up my sleeves. The room stayed quiet except for the soft hum of the light.“Boss—” Marcus started.I raised one hand. He shut his mouth.Enzo stood near the door, arms crossed, watching. Two other men waited outside. No one else needed to hear this.I pulled a second chair in front of Marcus and sat down, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.“You sold pieces of my life,” I said calmly. “Routes. Locations. My wife’s schedule.”Marcus swallowed hard. “I—I didn’t have a choice.”
Adrian’s POVThe mansion was quiet when the call came in.I was standing in the nursery, leaning against the unfinished crib while Elena napped downstairs with Max curled against her side. The soft glow of the afternoon light made everything look peaceful. Too peaceful. My phone vibrated once in my pocket — the private line only a handful of people had.I stepped into the hallway and answered.“Speak.”Enzo’s voice was low and tight. “We have a problem. Someone inside is leaking.”My grip on the phone tightened. “What kind of leak?”“Business. Routes. A couple of the smaller warehouse locations. And…” He paused. “Your personal schedule from last week. The garden venue visit. The photoshoot studio.”Cold silence filled my chest.Someone had eyes on my family.“How sure?” I asked, voice dropping into something sharp.“Very. One of the mid-level guys — Marcus — has been moving differently. Money appearing in places it shouldn’t. We traced a couple of encrypted messages. He’s been sellin
Adrian’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the mansion as we all gathered in the living room. Elena sat on the couch with her hand resting on her growing bump, already five months along and glowing in a way that still stole my breath every single time I looked at her. Her mother sat beside her, gently adjusting a soft shawl around Elena’s shoulders. Her father stood near the window, arms crossed, watching us with quiet pride. Lila was flipping through a tablet filled with venue options, while Enzo leaned against the wall with Max tugging at the end of his shoelace.“Alright,” Lila said, looking up with a bright smile. “We have three outdoor options left. But I think you’re going to fall in love with the third one.”Elena looked at me, a little nervous. “I just want something that feels… us. Not too big. Not too formal.”I walked over and sat on the arm of the couch, resting my hand on the back of her neck. “Whatever makes you happy, baby. I’ll make it happen.”
Adrian’s POVA few days had passed since Max joined our family, and the little golden ball of energy had already turned the mansion into his personal playground. I watched from the doorway as Max tumbled across the living room carpet, chasing a toy Lila had brought for him. Enzo was on the floor with him, laughing as the puppy jumped on his chest. Lila sat beside Elena on the couch, both of them giggling at the scene. Elena’s mother and father were also there, her mother smiling warmly while knitting a small blanket for the baby and her father watching everything with quiet pride.Elena’s bump had grown noticeably now. At five months, it was beautifully visible under her soft maternity top. Every time I looked at her, something deep in my chest tightened with pride and raw love. She was carrying our child, glowing even on the hard days, and I couldn’t stop admiring how strong and beautiful she looked.“Boss, we need to talk about the shipment,” one of my men had said earlier that m
Third Person POV Adrian loosened his tie as he drove back from the office, the city lights blurring past the windows. The long meeting had drained him, but the thought of returning home to Elena always brought a smile to his face. She was getting heavier with their child now, and every day he tried to make her feel as loved and comfortable as possible. Her parents were still staying with them, filling the mansion with warmth and constant care.As he turned onto a quieter side street, something small moved near the curb. Adrian slowed the car. Under the streetlight, a tiny golden retriever puppy sat shivering, looking lost and wet from the light drizzle. No collar, no owner in sight. The little thing looked up at him with big, pleading eyes and let out a soft whimper.Adrian’s heart melted instantly. Elena had mentioned wanting a dog one lazy afternoon weeks ago — something soft and warm to cuddle with during the pregnancy days. He pulled over, checked around for any signs of an own
Third Person POVThe grand doors of the mansion swung open, and the entire house seemed to fill with instant warmth and life. Elena’s mother stepped inside first, her arms already reaching out as she pulled Elena into a tight, loving embrace. The familiar scent of home — spices, care, and unconditional love — wrapped around Elena like a comforting blanket. Tears glistened in her mother’s eyes as she held her daughter close.“My sweet girl,” Elena’s mother whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Look at you… carrying my grandchild. You’re glowing, even through all the tiredness.”Elena’s father entered right behind her, his strong presence filling the space. He gave Adrian a firm, meaningful handshake, eyes steady and serious. “Take good care of my daughter and that little one growing inside her,” he said, his tone carrying both trust and quiet protectiveness. Then his gaze softened as it landed on Elena’s rounded belly. “We’re here now. Family looks after family.”Those first few







