“Under my arm, yes,” Dante said.

“They need to see that you are under my protection.”

“They need to know that touching you means starting a war they cannot win.”

He turned and walked toward the double doors of the penthouse.

“My men are stationed at the elevators and the lobby,” he said.

“Sleep well, Sophia.”

He left, the heavy door clicking shut behind him.

I carried Lily into the master bedroom, which had a crib already set up near the king-sized bed.

I laid her down and pulled the soft blanket over her.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands, trying to process everything.

The luxury of this apartment felt like a golden cage, but it was a cage that kept my daughter safe.

I closed my eyes, the memory of Dante’s warm touch still lingering on my skin.

Hours passed, and the rain outside turned into a steady, rhythmic pour.

I must have fallen asleep, fully clothed, across the top of the duvet.

A sudden, sharp vibration woke me.

I sat up quickly, my heart pounding in the dark room.