Chapter 7 - A Threat on the Nursery
The sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of the Gold Coast penthouse, casting a soft, golden glow across the master bedroom. Hayley sat on a plush carpet, surrounded by flat-packed cardboard boxes.
Beside her, with an Allen wrench in his hand and his suit jacket tossed over a chair, was Anthony.
His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, displaying the dense, intricate ink that ran up to his wrists. Sweat beaded on his brow as he struggled with the instruction manual for a white wooden crib.
“You’re putting panel B into slot four,” Hayley pointed out, taking a sip of fresh orange juice. “It clearly says on step three that panel B goes into slot six.”
Anthony scowled at the Swedish diagram, tossing the wrench onto the carpet. “I run a sixty-million-dollar real estate conglomerate, Hayley. I negotiate contracts with corrupt senators and international port authorities. This particle-board monstrosity was designed by a sadist.”
Hayley chuckled, a bright, melodic sound that seemed to chase away the penthouse’s vast emptiness. “Welcome to parenthood, Mr. Marletta. Nothing follows the blueprints.”
Anthony looked over at her, his expression softening as he watched her rub her rounded stomach. “You seem calmer today.”
“I am,” she admitted softly. “For the first time since my pregnancy test came back positive, I don't feel like I’m drowning. I actually slept six hours last night. Leo didn't even kick that much. I think he likes the Egyptian cotton.”
“He has expensive taste. Takes after his mother,” Anthony teased gently.
Before Hayley could retort, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. It was an unknown number. She picked it up, expecting a telemarketer or an appointment confirmation from her obstetrician.
“Hello?”
“Hayley Brooks?” A sharp, clipped female voice came through the receiver.
“Yes, who is this?”
“This is Nurse Davis from the Women’s Health Clinic on Michigan Avenue,” the voice said smoothly. “Your latest blood screening came back with elevated protein levels. The doctor wants you to come in for an emergency ultrasound immediately. We have a car waiting downstairs to bring you to the private wing.”
Hayley’s heart skipped a beat. “Elevated protein? Is... is the baby okay?”
Anthony was on his feet in an instant. His playful demeanor evaporated, replaced by an alert, predatory stillness. He reached for the phone, gesturing for Hayley to put it on speaker.
“The doctor just wants to monitor fetal heart tones,” the woman replied, her tone slightly too rushed. “Please come down to the lobby. The driver is in a silver sedan.”
Hayley looked at Anthony, terror widening her eyes.
Anthony shook his head slightly, his expression grim. He took the phone from her hand and pressed the mute button.
“Your clinic is closed on Thursdays for private surgeries,” Anthony whispered. “And no clinic sends a private car without calling your emergency contact first.”
Hayley gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth. “It’s her. Serafina.”
Anthony took the phone off mute. “She’ll be down in five minutes,” he said in a disguised, casual tone before hanging up.
He turned to Hayley, grabbing his jacket from the chair. “Sal is already in the building. He’s taking you down the service elevator through the underground garage. You’re going to a private clinic in Highland Park under an assumed name. You’ll be guarded around the clock.”
Hayley gripped his sleeve, her knuckles white. “Anthony, what are they trying to do?”
“They’re trying to use you to get to me,” he said, looking straight into her eyes. There was no hesitation, no fear—only an icy, unshakable certainty. “Serafina teamed up with Vincente Rossi from Boston. They think they’re going to lure me to an ambush using you as bait.”
“Then don't go!” she cried, her voice trembling. “Call the police! Stay here where it’s safe!”
Anthony reached up, his large, warm hand cupping the side of her face. His thumb gently brushed a tear from her cheek. “In my world, Hayley, running is death. If I don't settle this today, you and Leo will never be safe. They’ll hunt you for the rest of your life just to spite me.”
He leaned in close, his voice deep and steady as an anchor in a hurricane. “Listen to me carefully. You gave me back something I lost a long time ago. You reminded me what courage looks like. Now let me protect what’s yours. Trust me.”
May you like
Hayley looked into his dark eyes, seeing the ruthless warrior and the protective guardian fighting beneath the surface. She nodded, her breath catching in her throat. “Bring yourself back in one piece, Anthony. Leo needs someone to finish building that crib.”
A fierce, dangerous smile broke across Anthony’s face. “Count on it.”
