Semua Bab Surrogate For The Mafia Lord: Bab 61 - Bab 70

ArmaniI never imagined a baby could make such ear-splitting sounds.The shrill, piercing scream coming from the squirming bundle in my arms feels like it's drilling straight into my skull. I'm convinced my eardrums won't survive this ordeal. The tiny human seems determined to communicate his displeasure at maximum volume."Rena will know what to do," I mutter desperately.I hate to disturb my wife's rest, but I've reached the end of my rope. I've tried everything I can think of to quiet this child. Walking around the palace halls. Offering a bottle. Bouncing him gently. I even checked his diaper—bone dry.What could possibly be causing the poor little fellow such distress? And why must he share his misery with me at such an excruciating volume?After what feels like hours but is probably just minutes, I surrender to the inevitable. I need help.As I hurry down the corridor toward our suite, I can practically feel the weight of unseen eyes following me. Though the hallways appear empt

ArmaniI stare at my brothers in disbelief. How did two grown men become such complete fools?"Will you both please stop?" I snap, my patience wearing thin.They're stumbling slightly as we walk through the palace corridors, the smell of brandy hanging around them like a cloud. Their childish bickering has been going on for what feels like hours."I still can't believe you didn't know who the eighth king of Montovia was," Benedict taunts, jabbing his finger into Xavier's chest. "Even a schoolboy would know that!"Xavier swats his hand away, scowling. "Oh, as if you could name the tenth king. Go on, try it!""That's different," Benedict protests, his words slightly slurred."You should have at least known the sixth king," Xavier counters with a smirk. "He shared your name, you complete idiot."Benedict puffs up his chest indignantly. "If any king had been named 'Idiot,' he would clearly have been named after you!"The knot of worry in my stomach tightens as I listen to them. Every minu

ArmaniI nearly missed it. The door to the attic staircase was only slightly open, just a crack really. I wouldn't have noticed it at all if I hadn't been standing in exactly the right spot after my strange encounter with Stephan. That sneaky little man had rushed away so quickly, almost as if he was hiding something."If Stephan knew Rena came up here, why wouldn't he tell me?" I muttered to myself, staring at the partially open door.A cold feeling settled in my stomach. Something was wrong. Very wrong.I pushed the door open wider, revealing the dimly lit staircase beyond. Dust motes danced in the air where my movement disturbed them. The wooden steps creaked under my weight as I began climbing.The attic of the palace was enormous—bigger than most people's entire homes. Memories flooded back as I reached the top of the stairs. As children, my cousins and I had spent countless rainy afternoons exploring this vast space. We would create elaborate treasure hunts, drawing maps on scr

ArmaniJust one day has passed, and I still can't wrap my head around it all. I'm a father. Milo is my son. When I say the words in my head, a warmth spreads through my chest unlike anything I've ever felt before.Rena shifts in her sleep, moving closer until her body presses against mine. She hasn't wanted to be apart from me since we came back to the palace. Even in sleep, she stays close, as if afraid I might disappear.On my chest, little Milo stirs slightly, his tiny body responding to Rena's movement. He wiggles for a moment, then settles back down, his small weight perfectly centered over my heart.I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face. My son. Those two words keep repeating in my mind. I want to run through the halls of the palace shouting it to everyone who will listen. I want to stand on the highest tower and announce it to all of Montovia. At the same time, I want to freeze this moment forever, to burn it into my memory so I never forget how it feels right now.

Footsteps pounded in the hallway, and the butler burst into the room, breathing hard. His eyes landed on Mr. Serrano first, deliberately avoiding looking at the dead man on the floor."Mr. Serrano! I apologize for the interruption, sir," the butler said, bowing slightly at the waist. "I was about to inform you that—"His words cut off abruptly as he finally noticed the body slumped against the wall, blood pooling on the expensive carpet. The butler's face drained of color. He swallowed hard, a visible lump moving down his throat.Mr. Serrano tucked his gun back into his waistband casually, as if he hadn't just murdered someone in cold blood."What is it, Jenkins?" he asked, sounding irritated by the interruption.The butler pulled his eyes away from the dead man. "Angela slipped away from me again, sir. I've been searching the house for her."Killian Serrano's gaze shifted from the butler to Bella, who still held Angela protectively in her arms. Her heart pounded so hard she could fee