The eviction notice was still taped to her door when Marina Holtz strapped her six-month-old son to her chest and walked into the home of the most dangerous man in the city. She had no choice — the agency made that clear, and the heat had been shut off twice that month. But when Noah stirred mid-service, his cry cutting through the silence of Adrien Cole's private dining room like a blade, Marina understood the true weight of her gamble. Every weapon in the room turned toward her. Every conversation stopped. And then the impossible happened: her baby, who screamed at every stranger, went silent the moment the mafia boss touched him. The same baby who now gripped Adrien Cole's jacket with both tiny fists and would not, under any circumstances, let go.

Marina stared at the monitor, her mind completely unable to accept what her eyes were seeing.

The man she had mourned, the man she had loved and buried in her heart, was walking through the mansion with a weapon.

He faked his death, she choked out, her knees buckling beneath her.

Adrien caught her by the waist, easing her into a leather desk chair before she hit the floor.

He needed to disappear because he stole millions from my syndicate, Adrien explained, never taking his eyes off the screens.

He knew I would hunt him to the ends of the earth, so he staged the crash.

But why did he come back tonight? Marina asked, clutching Noah so tightly the baby let out a soft whine.

Adrien turned to look at her, his expression grim and terrifyingly honest.

Because he found out you had a son, and the Rossi family requires a male heir to claim control of the syndicate.

Liam did not come here to kill me tonight, Marina, he came here to take your baby.

Marina felt a primal, violent wave of maternal rage wash over her terror.

She looked down at Noah, swearing to herself that Liam would have to kill her before he ever touched her son again.

Suddenly, the steel door of the panic room vibrated violently as something massive struck it from the outside.

They found the tunnel, Adrien said, calmly ejecting the magazine of his pistol to check his ammunition.

He walked over to a hidden wall panel and pulled out a sleek, suppressed submachine gun.

He tossed a small, compact handgun onto Marina's lap.

Take the safety off, aim for the center of mass, and do not hesitate to pull the trigger, Adrien ordered.

Before Marina could even pick up the weapon, a high-pitched, electronic whining filled the room.

The heavy steel door began to glow bright orange in the center.

They are using a thermal cutting torch, Adrien warned, stepping between Marina and the melting door.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

The metal groaned, giving way as a massive hole was burned straight through the center of the reinforced steel.

Through the glowing, jagged opening, Liam's face appeared, wearing a cold, psychotic smile.

Chapter 4 - The Ghost Returning