ログインI ran into the hallway and grabbed the secure wall phone. I punched the emergency extension button with shaking fingers, and the line connected right away. The security team at the front gate answered the call, but I shouted over the guard before he could say a single word. I told him Amy was burning with a massive fever, and I demanded they send Dr. Thorne to the master suite right now.I dropped the phone and ran back into the bedroom. Kade was still kneeling on the floor beside his daughter. He held her small hand between his large palms, rubbing her cold skin to provide some warmth. He murmured soft, desperate words in Italian, trying to keep her conscious.Amy did not open her eyes. Her breathing grew faster, and her small chest heaved up and down in a harsh rhythm.Fifteen minutes later, heavy footsteps echoed down the long corridor. Dr. Thorne rushed into the bedroom holding a large black medical bag. Two nurses in dark blue scrubs followed him closely, and they carried silver
Heavy rain lashed against the thick glass windows of the master suite, and the loud noise woke me up from a deep sleep. The thunderstorm we heard rumbling last night finally broke over the city of Chicago. A bright flash of lightning illuminated the dark bedroom for a brief second, followed quickly by a deep roll of thunder that shook the stone walls of the estate.I stayed warm under the thick blankets. Kade shifted his weight on the large mattress, and he wrapped his strong arm around my waist to pull me closer to his chest. His bare skin felt very warm against my back."The storm is very loud this morning," I whispered into the quiet room.Kade opened his dark eyes and looked down at me with a soft smile. "The rain is good for the gardens. We can still set up the new swing set on the covered stone patio so Amy can play outside today.""We should probably wake her up soon," I suggested, turning my body so I could face him. "Turning four years old is a very big milestone, and she has
"Yes," I answered, and my voice did not shake at all. "I want to sleep in your room tonight."Kade let out a heavy breath, and he closed his eyes for a brief second. He squeezed my fingers, yet he did not pull me down the hallway immediately. He stood still in the quiet corridor, giving me the space to change my mind if I needed it."You do not have to do this just because we kissed on the roof," Kade told me softly. His dark eyes searched my face for any lingering hesitation. "I can wait for you. I will wait as long as you need.""I do not want to wait anymore," I promised him, taking a step closer to his solid chest. "I trust you, Kade. I want to be with you."He offered me a warm smile, and the remaining tension melted away from his broad shoulders. He kept his fingers laced with mine. We walked past the empty guest bedroom together, leaving the lonely space behind us for good. We walked down the long hall and reached the heavy oak doors of the master suite.He pushed the doors ope
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the guest bedroom when I woke up the next morning. The heavy memories of the dark basement still lingered in the back of my mind, but the warmth of Kade's kiss on the roof chased the shadows away. I stretched my legs under the warm blankets and smiled. We survived the terrifying Russian threat, and we finally crossed the emotional boundary we spent weeks ignoring.I washed my face and put on a comfortable blue sweater before walking out into the long hallway. I found Kade waiting for me near the top of the main staircase. He wore dark denim jeans and a simple black shirt. He looked relaxed and happy, and the dark circles under his eyes seemed much lighter today."Good morning," Kade said, holding his large hand out toward me."Good morning," I answered, sliding my fingers into his warm grip. "You look very well-rested for a man who spent half the night standing on a cold roof.""I had a very good reason to stay up late," he smiled, pulling
I looked at the harsh lines of his face under the silver moonlight. The freezing wind blew past us, yet I did not feel cold anymore. I listened to his painful question and searched my own heart for the answer. I thought I would feel an overwhelming urge to run away, but I only felt a deep urge to step closer to him."You did not hurt an innocent man downstairs," I stated, keeping my voice loud enough to carry over the rushing wind. "You punished the person who sold our security secrets to your enemies. That man helped Svetlana pump toxic smoke into a locked room while your daughter was inside.""He committed treason against my family," Kade agreed, his jaw clenching tight. "I made him suffer for that betrayal, and I made sure he will never hurt another person again. But my reasons do not change the brutal reality of my actions. I took a life tonight.""You took a life to save Amy," I countered, refusing to let him drown in his own guilt.Kade turned his head and looked out over the da
The fresh blood dripped from the sharp edge of the silver knife, and the sight made my stomach twist into tight knots.Kade stood in the dim basement hallway. He did not try to hide the weapon behind his back, and he did not rush forward to offer me empty excuses. He just stood in the shadows and watched my horrified expression.The silence between us stretched for a long time. I waited for him to yell at me because I disobeyed his strict rules about the forbidden basement. I braced myself for the harsh anger of a mafia boss whose private sanctuary had been breached.He did not raise his voice. He looked down at the crimson stains covering his hands, and a deep wave of shame crossed his face. He never wanted me to witness the brutal reality of his underground world. He fought violent wars to keep me safe upstairs, and my curiosity had ruined his efforts."You should not be down here, Amelia," Kade said. His deep voice carried a rough, exhausted tone. "Go back upstairs right now. I nee
I stared at the three large black garment bags hanging on the wooden coat rack in the corner of the study, and my heart immediately began to race against my ribs. Kade had just declared that we were attending the annual Silvano Foundation charity gala tomorrow night, and he expected me to accompany
"Go back to bed, Amelia," Kade said, his voice carrying through the silent house. "You don't want to know what's downstairs."I stood there on the landing. My bare feet sank into the plush carpet. The air in the foyer was cold. Kade stood in the moonlight coming through the high window.
I threw the heavy grey duvet back and climbed out of the large bed. I walked into the attached closet and searched through the organized rows of clothing Mrs. Halloway had previously provided for me. I found a pair of black athletic leggings and a fitted white cotton tank top. I pulled my dark hair
"A nanny, to be specific," he clarified, turning his attention back to his tablet as the car began to move smoothly down the highway.I let out a harsh, disbelief-filled laugh. I couldn't help it. The hysteria was bubbling up again. "A nanny? You expect me to believe that? No one pays that kind of







