Chapter 3 - Shadows in the LibraryI stood up, pulling the wool blanket tighter around my glittering shoulders, and walked over to unlock the door.
Adrian stood in the hallway, flanked by two armed guards. His eyes swept over my soaked blouse, the glitter on my collar, and then darted inside the room to assess the four boys standing in rigid silence around their half-destroyed Lego city.
A dangerous, dark shadow crossed Adrian’s face. He stepped into the room, his voice dropping into a lethal purr.
“Evan. Caleb. Explain.”
“It was an accident, Dad!” Caleb blurted out, panic cracking his voice. “We were just testing—we didn't mean—”
“Don't lie,” Evan interrupted sharply, stepping in front of his younger brothers like a shield. He lifted his chin, staring up at his father with naked defiance. “We did it. We wanted her to quit. We want all of them to quit. We don't need a nanny, and we sure as hell don't need a spy reporting back to you every time we breathe.”
The air in the room grew so dense it felt like lead.
Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides. For a terrifying second, I thought the legendary mafia boss was going to physically strike his oldest son—or worse, drag all four of them down to the secure wing.
I moved instantly. I stepped directly between Adrian and Evan, placing a hand gently against Adrian’s chest, blocking his path.
“They were conducting a physics experiment,” I said smoothly, looking straight up into Adrian’s blazing gray eyes. “We were discussing the structural integrity of fortifications. Weren't we, boys?”
Evan stared at me, dumbfounded. Caleb and Noah exchanged wild, disbelieving glances.
Adrian looked down at my hand resting on his chest, then up into my eyes. The fury in his expression didn't vanish, but it shifted, colliding with a profound, simmering shock.
“They dropped a bucket of ice water on you, Nia,” Adrian said, his voice dangerously low.
“And I gave them a C-minus on their trap design,” I replied with a faint, calm smile. “Fair trade. Now, Mr. Vale, if you and your armed escort would excuse us, the boys and I have a mess to clean up and homework to finish.”
Adrian stared at me for another agonizing five seconds. Then, slowly, a muscle in his jaw relaxed. He turned his gaze to his oldest son.
“Clean this room up,” Adrian commanded quietly. “All of it. And if I hear one more crash from this wing tonight, you lose your weekend privileges for a month. Do I make myself clear?”
Evan swallowed hard, a flicker of something complicated crossing his defiant eyes. He gave a stiff, jerky nod. “Yes, Dad.”
May you like
Adrian turned and walked out of the room, motioning for his guards to follow. But before he stepped into the corridor, he glanced back over his shoulder at me.
“Meet me in the ground-floor library in twenty minutes,” he said quietly. “Alone.”
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