Page 155 of Secret Heir

“Again, father’s prerogative.”

“And when she said her first word.”

Leo rolls his eyes. “Are you finished?”

“And when⁠—”

“Valentina, I will disown you,” Leo threatens.

“No, you won’t. You love me too much.”

I’m laughing, watching these families who’ve woven their lives together in complicated ways. They’ve created bonds that go beyond territory or power. I rub my belly, thinking of Daniel’s little sibling. I can’t wait to see them together. I know they’ll be the best of friends despite their age gap.

Maksim’s hand finds mine under the table, squeezing gently. When I look at him, his eyes are soft.

“To family,” Nikolai says, raising his glass. “Blood and chosen.”

“To family,” we all echo.

I feel completely relaxed and safe, surrounded by people who’ve become friends despite the violence that brought us together. The men discuss summer vacation plans. Leo is talking about taking his family to Italy and Cillian mentions visiting Ireland to see his extended family.

“Aria’s never been to Greece,” Maksim says, his hand still holding mine. “I want to show her the islands. Maybe in the fall, after the baby is old enough to travel.”

“It’s beautiful there,” Cillian says as Emma gets up to check on the kids. “You’ll love it.”

I’m imagining it—our children playing on beaches while I’m eating some delicious Greek food—when Emma’s scream shatters everything.

She’s at the window, staring into the yard with horror on her face.

“Where’s Seraphina?” she breathes.

The words freeze my blood. The sounds of chairs screeching back envelope the room as everyone runs to the window, crowding around to look. The yard is visible in the dusk light and I can see Daniel standing near the swing set, holding Nora’s hand.

But Seraphina is nowhere to be seen.

“Seraphina!” Emma screams, already running for the door. “Seraphina, baby, where are you?”

Leo is immediately behind her, his phone already out. “Lock down the property. Now. No one in or out,” he orders.

Maksim is on his phone as well, coordinating with his security team. “I need every guard searching the grounds. Check every room, every closet, every possible hiding place. She’s two years old, dark curly hair, wearing a yellow dress. Find her. NOW.”

I grab Daniel as he comes running inside, Nora still clutching his hand. His face is pale, tears in his eyes.

“She was right there!” he’s saying, his voice breaking. “She was right there and I looked away for just a second to help Nora up the slide and when I turned back Seraphina was gone! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I was supposed to watch her!”

“It’s not your fault,” I tell him, pulling him into my arms even though my pregnant belly makes it awkward. “You didn’t do anything wrong, sweetheart.”

But he’s sobbing now, his whole body shaking. “I was supposed to watch her! Papa said I was responsible! And now she’s gone and it’s my fault!”

“Daniel, listen to me.” I cup his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me even though my heart is hammering. “This is not your fault. Do you understand?”

Valentina takes Nora from Daniel’s arms, her face bloodless. Cillian is on his phone, calling his own security, his face carved from stone. Guards are swarming through the house and grounds. I can hear them calling Seraphina’s name, searching everywhere.

Emma is in the yard, screaming for her daughter. Leo is trying to hold her together while also coordinating the search, his face a mask of controlled terror.

The search goes on for hours. They check every place large enough for a toddler to hide in. They expand the search to the neighboring properties.

Nothing.