Chapter 3 - The Golden Cage
I stared at my billionaire ex-husband in absolute disbelief.
"Who wants to kill me?" I demanded, holding my children tightly against my legs.
Luca gestured for his armed guards to secure the perimeter of the destroyed house.
"My enemies," he answered, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"When Evelyn caused a scene at the restaurant, word spread quickly through the city."
"The underground syndicates now know that Luca Moretti has secret heirs."
He stepped closer, invading my personal space just like he used to do years ago.
"They broke in to find proof of the children's identities, and now they have it."
"You are no longer safe here, Nia."
I shook my head, refusing to let him take control of my life again.
"I do not need your protection, Luca."
"I survived without you for five years, and I will keep my children safe."
Julian placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"She is right, Moretti, I can hire private security for them tonight."
Luca glared at Julian with a mixture of disgust and terrifying authority.
"Your private security is a joke compared to what is coming for her."
Luca pulled a folded document from his tailored suit jacket and held it out to me.
"The DNA results were expedited."
"They are mine, Nia, and I am not asking for your permission anymore."
Before I could react, two of his massive guards stepped forward and gently picked up the twins.
"Mommy?" Mia whimpered, looking at me with frightened eyes.
"Put them down!" I screamed, lunging forward.
Luca caught my waist, easily restraining me against his solid chest.
"They are going to my armored estate, and you are coming with them."
"If you fight me, I will leave you here and take them alone."
I realized with horrifying clarity that I had no choice.
He had trapped me in a corner using the lives of our own children.
I followed him into the back of his heavily fortified SUV.
We drove in tense silence until we reached his sprawling, fortress-like mansion on the lake.
The heavy iron gates closed behind us, sealing me inside his world once again.
The front doors opened, and Evelyn stood in the grand foyer.
She looked at my children with a smile that sent a terrifying shiver down my spine.
"Welcome to your new home, little ones," Evelyn cooed softly.
May you like
She stepped close to me and whispered directly into my ear so Luca could not hear.
"You should not have brought them here, Nia, because only one of us will survive this week."
