The silence in Adrian Kane’s private study was heavy enough to choke on. Every muscle in my body locked. My fingers dug into the fabric of my maid’s uniform, my nails biting into my palms as I waited for the axe to fall. / Chapter 10 / 20

Chapter 10 - THE FAMILY WE BUILTThree Years Later.

The sun was shining brightly over the sprawling green lawns of the newly expanded Morgan-Kane estate in upstate New York.

Gone was the cold, terrifying fortress of Manhattan; in its place was a home filled with sunlight, laughter, and the patter of running feet.

At nine years old, Mia was officially the smartest, sassiest kid in her private academy—and the undisputed princess of the household.

I stood on the back patio, wearing a simple summer dress, watching as the most feared mafia boss in New York—now retired from active syndicate enforcement and fully transitioned into a philanthropist and loving family man—lay flat on his back in the grass while a giggling two-year-old toddler bounced on his stomach.

Yes, a toddler. Our son, little Leo, had arrived two years after our wedding, completing our chaotic, beautiful family.

"Daddy! More horse ride!" Leo squealed, tugging on Adrian’s tie.

Adrian groaned playfully, surrendering with a dramatic sigh as he rolled over onto his hands and knees, letting our son climb onto his back.

I walked across the grass, carrying a tray of fresh lemonade and chocolate chip cookies.

Adrian looked up as I approached, flashing that rare, blinding smile that only I and our children were ever allowed to see. He stood up, brushing grass stains off his designer trousers without a single care in the world, and wrapped his strong arms around my waist, pulling me against him.

"You're spoiling him," I scolded lightly, handing him a cookie.

"I'm just practicing for when Mia brings home her first high school boyfriend," Adrian deadpanned, taking a bite of the cookie. "I've already briefed Marcus and Viktor to have the armored personnel carrier ready for surveillance duty."

I rolled my eyes, laughing as I leaned my head against his chest.