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.

The abandoned warehouse near the docks smelled of salt, rust, and decay.

Marina stood perfectly still in the center of the massive, empty room, holding a bundle of blankets tightly to her chest.

Noah was not in the blankets; he was safely locked in Victor's armored car miles away.

Marina's heart pounded a frantic rhythm against her ribs as the heavy metal doors of the warehouse screeched open.

Liam walked in alone, holding a suppressed pistol at his side, looking around with paranoid intensity.

Where is he, Marina? Liam demanded, stepping into the dim light of the overhead bulb.

Let me see the money first, Marina replied, channeling every ounce of courage she possessed.

Liam sneered, tossing a heavy black duffel bag onto the concrete floor between them.

There is half a million in there, enough for you to disappear and never come back, he said.

He took a step forward, reaching out to grab the bundle of blankets from her arms.

Marina stepped back, letting the blankets fall to the floor to reveal they were completely empty.

Liam's face twisted into a mask of pure, unadulterated fury.

You stupid bitch, he hissed, raising his gun and aiming it directly at her face.

Before he could pull the trigger, the warehouse was flooded with blinding tactical spotlights from the upper catwalks.

Drop the weapon, Liam, Victor's voice boomed over a hidden loudspeaker.

Dozens of red laser sights painted Liam's chest, leaving him completely trapped in the center of the room.

Liam panicked, looking frantically for an escape route, but the doors were already sealed shut.

He lunged forward, grabbing Marina by the throat and pulling her against his chest as a human shield.

He pressed the barrel of his gun hard against her temple, his breathing ragged and desperate.

If anyone shoots, she dies right here! Liam screamed into the blinding lights.

A dark figure stepped out from the shadows on the ground floor, moving with a noticeable limp.

Adrien Cole walked slowly toward them, a fresh white bandage visible beneath his dark shirt.

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

Adrien dropped his own weapon onto the concrete, holding his empty hands out to his sides.

Let her go, Liam, Adrien said calmly, and you can take me instead.

Chapter 8 - The Bait