LOGINDaniela landed right on top of him, breath knocked out of her, hair falling across her face… and her lips crashing right into Killian's.They both froze for a moment. Daniela's eyes widened. Before she could move, Killian's hand went up and grabbed the back of her head, pressing her lips against his. Daniela's mind went blank, her eyes closed, her lips parted, and he went deeper into her mouth. Just then, just when things were starting to get hot…CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!Four cameras flashed.The quadruplets held their phones up like crazy paparazzies. Killian released her head and Daniela quickly pulled off. She kept her gaze down, embarrassed. “I should probably change… my clothes.” Daniela stood up and ran out of the kitchen.A low smirk formed on Killian's lips as he watched her flee. He turned to look at the four boys who were celebrating. WE HELPED YOU DADDY. NOW YOU HAVE TO BUY US ICE CREAM— Alessio. Killian folded his hands. “And what if I don't?” They glanced at
Daniela was still in his embrace. Just then, tiny footsteps, tiny sounds, tiny plotting.Daniela heard it first. Her head tilted.Killian noticed the movement and started to turn.Too late.Four little shadows stood at the door like a panel of judges.Rocco held up his tablet.HE'S HUGGING MUMMY AGAIN!SHOULD WE JOIN?— Alessio. Matteo and Leo exchanged a look, both nodding with the seriousness of generals preparing for battle.Killian stiffened.Daniela opened her mouth to warn him.She gets exactly half a syllable out.“Ki—”The quadruplets CHARGE.Not walk.Not run.CHARGE.Four tiny bodies roll forward like joyful chaos incarnate.Leo latches onto Daniela’s leg, hugging with all his strength.Alessio wraps his arms around her other leg, anchoring her in place.Matteo grabs Killian’s suit and clings like a determined barnacle.Rocco — the climber, the fearless one — scales Killian’s back with the accuracy of someone who has trained for this moment his entire life.Killian froze mid
“Dani? Hey. I’ve been calling you. Are you okay?”Daniela's throat tightened.The nickname hit harder than she expected.“I’m okay,” she said softly. “Sorry, I’ve just been… busy.”“With Killian?”The way he said Killian’s name, not angry, not jealous, just quietly hurt.Daniela felt her stomach sink.“N-No, I mean… he’s not here right now. I’m just… adjusting to everything.”Danim sighed, not dramatic, just tired.“Dani, you don’t have to explain. I just… miss you. I miss talking to you. You disappeared on me.”Her eyes burned.She hated this. She hated hurting him. Danim had always been steady. Always patient. Always there.And she—She had changed.Softened, shifted, fallen.Not for him.She leaned against the wall, pressing her forehead to it.“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I really am.”He hesitated.Then…“Did I… do something wrong?”Daniela’s heart broke a little.“No. You didn’t. You never did.”“Then why does it feel like you're slipping away from me?”Her breath caught.She di
“You can sleep in my room tonight. Take the boys. My floor is the most secure in the entire fortress.”Daniela swallowed. “Are you sure?”“Absolutely.” A beat. “I’ll put the third floor in lockdown mode for you.”She nodded even though he couldn't see her. “O-okay.”It took her several trips, carrying the sleeping quadruplets one by one up the elevator. They go limp in her arms, trusting her fully, tiny breaths warm against her shoulder.Killian’s room smelled like him, clean cologne, faint leather, quiet warmth.Daniela laid the children gently on the enormous bed, adjusting pillows around their tiny bodies.Her heart finally eased when the last one was tucked in.She took out her phone and sent a message to Killian.“We’re in your room.”His reply was instant.“Good. Stay put.”A second message followed: “Activating lockdown now.”A faint mechanical hum pulsed through the floor.Steel shutters slid over the windows.Hidden locks clicked into place along the walls.Security cameras
Daniela absentmindedly prepared dinner, but Mrs. Callahan was there to assist. She was lost in thoughts. “Is there something bothering you?” Mrs. Callahan asked as she noticed Daniela spacing out for the third time. Daniela snapped out of her thoughts. “Nothing much, I just happened to hear the guards talking about someone trying to cross the perimeters. It's been bothering me since, knowing the quadruplets will be in danger if the person succeeds.” Mrs. Callahan patted her shoulder. “There's nothing to be scared off. If an intruder manages to enter, they won't make it into the fortress. We've had cases like this in the past years.” Daniela nodded, but that didn't ease her troubled mind. She wondered if Killian knew someone was trying to break in, and he wasn't back yet, making her even more scared. When dinner was ready, Emy lead the four boys down. Daniela sat with them on the table. After eating their meal, Daniela took them back to their room, while Emy helped clear up. Bac
The fortress courtyard glowed under the afternoon sun, the kind that pretends everything is calm and peaceful even when four tiny hurricanes are holding hands with you.Daniela strolled further with Emy at her side, the quadruplets wobbling forward like ducklings on a field trip.“Alright,” Daniela said gently, “we stay together. No running. No climbing. No…”The rules don’t even survive five seconds.Alessio bends down, plucks a flower with the elegance of a tiny prince, and presents it to Daniela with both hands. His face glowing, like he’s proposing marriage.Daniela melts.Emy melts.Two guards behind them nearly combust from cuteness.“Thank you,” Daniela whispers, taking the flower.He blinks… then beams… then tries to pick seven more, nearly uprooting an entire flowerbed before Daniela gently stops his royal generosity.Meanwhile, Matteo spots a butterfly.A mistake.A fatal one.Because the moment the butterfly flaps its wings and fly, he gasps dramatically and takes off.“Emy







