Chapter 5
The heavy elevator doors opened, and five men stepped out in synchronized, disciplined silence.
At the front was Cassian, Nico’s chief enforcer—a six-foot-four veteran with cold eyes, a tailored dark overcoat, and hands that had ended dozens of lives without leaving a trace. Behind him followed three heavily armed soldiers in tactical black suits, along with Dr. Bennett, a silver-haired physician carrying a heavy leather trauma kit.
"Boss," Cassian said, stepping up to Nico’s right shoulder, taking in the scene with a single, sweeping glance.
"Dr. Bennett," Nico commanded without raising his voice. "Examine my daughter. Now."
The doctor moved immediately, dropping to one knee beside Sienna near the SUV. He opened his kit, drawing out a fetal monitor and blood pressure cuff. "Sienna, breathe with me. Sit down on the car seat. Let me check the heartbeat."
Sienna sank into the open passenger seat, groaning softly as another contraction seized her abdomen. "Dr. Bennett... the baby. Is he okay?"
"His heart is strong, sweetheart," Dr. Bennett said, his experienced hands moving swiftly across her swollen belly. "He's under stress, and your contractions are three minutes apart. The shock and the physical trauma have initiated active labor. We need to move her to the medical wing upstairs immediately."
Nico turned his back to the doctor, his eyes locking onto Cassian.
"Secure the perimeter gates," Nico ordered, his voice rhythmic and chilled. "No one enters. No one leaves. Take their phones, their watches, and their keys."
The three tactical soldiers moved like shadows. Within seconds, Gavin, Sabrina, and Marjorie were yanked from the floor, their wrists bound behind their backs with heavy industrial zip-ties. Gavin screamed in pain as his dislocated shoulder was wrenched, while Sabrina wailed hysterically, her designer dress tearing against the concrete.
"Nico, you can't do this!" Marjorie sobbed as a guard forced her onto her knees beside her children. "We are the Cole family! Our lawyers—"
"Your lawyers," Nico cut in, walking slowly toward the trio, "will be told that you departed on an impromptu private cruise to the Bahamas. By the time they realize you never boarded the vessel, your estate will belong to the Ferrante Trust."
Gavin looked up through his swollen eye, venom dripping from his cracked lips. "You think you're so smart, Ferrante? You think locking us in this basement saves you? Marcus Cole is already at the docks. He has forty men with heavy rifles. If I don't check in by five o'clock, they hit your downtown warehouses!"
Nico stopped two feet from Gavin’s face. He reached out, his manicured fingers gently taking hold of Gavin’s silk necktie. With slow, deliberate force, Nico tightened the knot, pulling Gavin upward until the younger man was forced onto his tiptoes, choking for oxygen.
"You gave my granddaughter a warning today, Gavin," Nico whispered, his pauses deliberate, his voice vibrating with lethal intimacy. "Now I give you one. Every breath you take in my house is a gift. If my daughter sheds another tear, or if my grandson suffers a single complication... I will personally remove your skin with a detailing razor."
Nico released the tie. Gavin slumped to the floor, gasping and clutching his throat.
"Cassian," Nico said, stepping back. "Take them to the sub-level vault. Strip the car. Find the flash drives."
"Understood, Boss," Cassian replied, drawing his weapon.
May you like
Nico walked over to Sienna, scooping little Mila into his left arm while extending his right hand to his daughter.
"Come, my darling," Nico said softly, his voice transforming into pure paternal warmth. "Let us bring your son into this world."
