Vincenzo leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight as his eyes scanned the document in front of him. The study was dimly lit, a single lamp casting shadows over the stacks of papers on his desk. His father's arrival was just days away, and the preparation was nothing short of exhausting.
He reached for the glass of whiskey on his desk, his fingers curling around the cool crystal. He took a sip, letting the liquid burn down his throat, when a sharp knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter," he called, his tone clipped but composed.
Luca stepped in, her expression unusually tense. "Boss, there's something you need to see."
Vincenzo straightened immediately, his instincts sharpening. "What is it?"
Luca handed him a manila envelope, sealed with a symbol he hadn't seen in years—a serpent coiled around a rose. His jaw tightened as he took it, carefully breaking the seal. Inside were photographs and a single note, written in bold, crimson ink:
"Even a king can fall. Watch your queen."
The photographs spilled onto his desk, each one more chilling than the last. Images of Vanessa—some taken from a distance, others far too close for comfort. There was one of her walking in the garden, another of her smiling as she fed the wolves. The last one, however, made his blood run cold.
It was a picture of Vanessa sleeping, her hand protectively resting on her stomach.
"When were these taken?" Vincenzo demanded, his voice a low growl.
"We found the envelope just now, outside the main gate," Luca replied, her tone steady despite the weight of the situation.
Vincenzo's mind raced. Whoever had taken these pictures had been close—too close. Security had been breached, and worse, Vanessa was being watched.
"Double the guards," he ordered, his voice like steel. "I want every inch of this estate monitored. No one gets in or out without my approval."
"Yes, boss," Luca replied, turning to leave.
As the door closed behind her, Vincenzo stared at the photographs, his grip tightening around the edge of the desk. The serpent and rose symbol was a mark of an old rival—one he thought he had eliminated years ago.
He stood abruptly, shoving the photos into a drawer and locking it. Vanessa couldn't know about this. Not now, when she was already struggling with her pregnancy.
He made his way back to their bedroom, his steps silent against the polished floors. Pushing the door open, he found her asleep, her chest rising and falling rhythmically.
Rocky and Teddy lay at the foot of the bed, their ears twitching as he entered. They looked up, their golden eyes reflecting the moonlight streaming through the window. Vincenzo nodded at them, silently thanking the wolves for their constant vigilance.
He sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair away from Vanessa's face. Her features were soft, peaceful in her slumber. He bent down and kissed her forehead, whispering, "I'll protect you. Always."
But as he looked out the window at the dark horizon, a storm brewed in his heart.
Whoever had sent that message had made a fatal mistake.
They had threatened his family.
And for that, there would