Kate's POV:

After a long day at the mall with Emerald and Kay, I was utterly exhausted. My feet ached, my back was screaming, and my body felt like it had been put through a marathon. The thought of doing this again anytime soon made me seriously consider investing in one of those motorized scooters older people use. At least then I wouldn't have to waddle around like a penguin with a backpack full of bricks.

We stepped into the house carrying just a few bags. I had picked out some baby essentials—tiny clothes, soft blankets, and a couple of toys that made my heart melt. It was surreal to think that in a matter of weeks, there'd be a little person here who'd need all of it.

I dropped the bags on the floor in the living room and let out a long sigh of relief, sinking into the couch. "Finally," I muttered, letting my head fall back against the cushions. My body screamed in protest from all the walking, and I vowed to never set foot in a mall again without being well-rested—or perhaps tranquilized.

Emily flopped down beside me, kicking her shoes off. "I think we burned enough calories for a week. This kid better appreciate all this effort one day."

Kay, ever the trooper, carried the last of the bags into the room. "Speak for yourself, Em. I'm ready for round two."

I looked at her incredulously. "Kay, are you human? My feet feel like they've been run over by a truck, and you're ready for more?"

She laughed, shrugging. "I guess I've got more energy than both of you combined."

Emily snorted. "Or maybe you're secretly a machine. No one should be that chipper after what we just went through."

As they chatted, I rubbed my swollen belly, letting my mind drift to the baby. The thought of holding them in my arms filled me with equal parts excitement and anxiety. It wasn't just about the baby, though. Lucio had been in the back of my mind all day. I hadn't told him much about the trip, and I wasn't looking forward to whatever over-the-top protective lecture he'd surely have prepared.

The trip to the mall had been both a blessing and a curse. Shopping for baby items was wonderful, but dealing with the stares and intrusive men was something entirely different. Some men blatantly eyed me like I was a piece of meat on display, despite my obvious pregnancy. A few even tried to approach, only to be swiftly intercepted by Lucio's guards or deterred by Emerald's death glares.

"Ugh," I groaned aloud, shifting on the couch. "What is it with men? Do they have no shame?"

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you noticed too, huh? The way they were ogling you? Disgusting."

Kay nodded in agreement, folding her arms. "They're vultures, all of them. Pregnant, married, single—it doesn't matter. Some men will always act like predators."

I sighed again, my hand absentmindedly running over my belly. "It's like they didn't even care that I'm obviously pregnant. I felt like a walking target."

Emily leaned over and gave my hand a comforting squeeze. "Don't let it get to you. You've got an army of people who'd gladly take those creeps down, starting with Lucio."

Kay grinned. "She's not wrong. Did you see the guards? They looked ready to murder anyone who so much as sneezed in your direction."

I chuckled weakly, trying to push the unpleasant memories of the day aside. The baby kicked suddenly, drawing my focus back to the little life growing inside me. It was a welcome distraction from everything else.

"Hungry?" Emily asked, tilting her head as she watched me rub my belly.

"Starving," I admitted. "I didn't eat much at the mall. Too busy trying not to collapse from all the walking."

Kay stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her hands. "Say no more. I'll whip something up."

Emily smirked. "You? Cook? This I've got to see."

As they bantered their way to the kitchen, I closed my eyes, letting myself sink further into the couch. The sound of their voices and the faint clatter of pots and pans was oddly soothing, a reminder that I wasn't alone in this. Despite the chaos of the day and the lingering tension with Lucio, I felt a flicker of contentment. At least for now, I could let myself rest.

Lucio's POV:

The car ride was tense. The confined space seemed to amplify every emotion and unspoken word. I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel, trying to focus on the road, but my mind kept drifting back to Kate. I had tried calling her twice now, and each time it went straight to voicemail. My chest felt tight.

"Lucio, you good?" Steven's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

I didn't look at him, keeping my eyes on the road. "Fine," I said shortly, though the tightness in my jaw betrayed me.

"Fine my ass," Jordan mumbled, shifting in his seat. "You're tapping that wheel like it owes you money."

I exhaled sharply, trying to reel in my frustration. "I'm just tired."

"Tired of what?" Steven pressed, his tone light but curious. "Or should I say who?"

"Let it go," Michen said from the back, his voice calm but firm. "You know how he gets about Kate."

"Exactly," Steven said, leaning back and folding his arms. "Which is why we're curious. Why hasn't he called her yet? Or better yet, why is he acting like he hasn't been trying to call her all damn day?"

I ignored him and dialed Kate's number again, my fingers trembling slightly. The line rang twice before going straight to voicemail again. My stomach churned.

"Still no answer?" Michen asked quietly. His concern was subtle but genuine.

I shook my head, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "She's probably busy."

"Or pissed at you," Joseph quipped from the back, earning a glare from Jordan.

"Shut up, Joseph," Jordan said, his tone irritated. "You're in no position to talk about relationships."

"Oh, we're going there?" Joseph shot back, straightening up in his seat. "This coming from the guy who can't keep a girlfriend because he—"

"Both of you, shut up," I snapped, my voice sharp and final. The car went silent, the only sound being the hum of the engine.

After a few beats, Steven broke the silence. "So... what's the plan when you get home, Lucio? Gonna grovel, or are you just gonna brood in a corner and stare at her like a creep?"

I shot him a warning look through the rearview mirror, but he just smirked. "Don't act like you don't do it. We've all seen you."

"Steven," Michen said, his tone low, "you might want to stop talking."

"Why? It's true!" Steven laughed, leaning forward. "Lucio, man, you're whipped. Admit it. And honestly? It's kinda sweet. Watching you stumble over yourself every time she—"

"Steven," I said, my voice icy. "I swear to God—"

"Alright, alright!" Steven held up his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. "I'll stop. For now."

The tension in the car lightened slightly, but my worry didn't fade. I checked the time on the dashboard, then glanced at my phone. Still no messages, no missed calls from Kate. My fingers itched to dial her number again, but I hesitated.

"What's the deal with her parents?" Jordan asked suddenly, breaking the lingering silence. "You said you went by their place, right?"

"Yeah," I replied, my voice low. "No one was there. The place was empty. Too clean."

"Too clean?" Michen echoed, frowning.

"Yeah," I said, my grip on the steering wheel tightening. "Like they'd been gone for a while. No sign of them coming back anytime soon either."

"Good riddance," Steven muttered. "They're a waste of oxygen."

"They're more than that," I said darkly. "They're dangerous. They're the reason Kate still has nightmares. The reason she wakes up in a panic, clutching her stomach like she's trying to protect the baby from ghosts."

The car fell silent again, the weight of my words settling over everyone.

"Lucio," Michen said after a moment, his tone measured, "you're doing everything you can to protect her now. Don't let the past consume you."

"I know," I said through gritted teeth. "But I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong."

"Maybe she's just asleep," Joseph offered, though his voice lacked conviction.

"Yeah," Steven added. "She's pregnant, man. She's probably napping, eating Nutella by the spoonful, or watching reality TV. You know, pregnant stuff."

I wanted to believe them, but my gut said otherwise. Something was off, and the knot in my stomach tightened with every mile closer to home.

When the house finally came into view, I felt a small surge of relief, but it was quickly overshadowed by unease. The driveway was empty, and the house itself seemed eerily quiet.

"Finally," Steven said, stretching as the car came to a stop. "Let's go eat. I'm starving."

But I didn't move. My eyes were fixed on the front door, a cold dread creeping up my spine.

"Lucio?" Michen asked, leaning forward. "You good?"

I slammed the car into park and jumped out before the engine had fully turned off. My chest heaved with a mixture of fear and rage as I stormed toward the house. The front door was ajar, swinging slightly in the evening breeze. Blood. Caleb said there was blood.

The guys scrambled out of the car behind me, their expressions ranging from confusion to alarm.

"Lucio!" Jordan called after me, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What the hell is going on?"

"Shut up and follow me," I barked, not stopping to explain. My head was spinning, scenarios racing through my mind, each worse than the last. Kate was supposed to be safe here. She was pregnant. How the hell did this happen?

I burst through the door, my eyes immediately scanning the floor. Blood smeared across the polished wood near the entrance made my stomach drop. The metallic scent hung heavy in the air, making it harder to breathe.

"Find her!" I roared, my voice echoing through the massive space. "Search every goddamn room, every closet, every fucking corner!"

The men scattered, rushing up the stairs and down hallways, their hurried footsteps pounding against the floors. My fists clenched at my sides as I moved further into the house. My ears strained for any sound, any indication that she was still here.

"Lucio," Caleb said, stepping into the living room. His face was pale, his hands trembling slightly. "I...I checked the rooms. The blood is near the kitchen and stops at the back door. It's like—like someone dragged something."

His words made my vision blur with fury. My hands shot out, grabbing him by the collar. "You were supposed to protect her!" I snarled, shaking him. "Where the fuck were you?"

"I—I don't know," Caleb stammered, fear evident in his eyes. "She was fine when I left her in the living room. I swear! I only stepped out for a moment to take a call, and when I came back...the blood—"

I shoved him away, my breathing ragged. "Get out of my sight," I growled. "And pray to whatever god you believe in that I find her alive."

Just then, Jordan came running down the stairs. "Lucio! I found something," he said, holding up a crumpled piece of paper. His face was grim as he handed it to me.

My hands shook as I unfolded it. The message was hastily scrawled, the letters smeared in places.

"You took something from me. Now I'll take everything from you."

The world seemed to tilt. My heart pounded painfully in my chest as I crumpled the note in my hand. Carson. It had to be him. That sick bastard had taken Kate.

"Get the men," I ordered, my voice cold and sharp. "I want everyone searching for her. Every street, every alley, every goddamn inch of this city. Find her!"

The guys exchanged uneasy glances, but none of them argued. They knew better than to challenge me when I was like this.

Steven placed a hand on my shoulder, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something more serious. "We'll find her, man. We will."

I nodded curtly, swallowing the lump in my throat. I couldn't let myself break. Not yet. Kate needed me.

Hours passed, each one more torturous than the last. The house buzzed with activity as men came and went, reporting their findings—or lack thereof. My patience wore thinner with every second, my rage bubbling just beneath the surface.

I paced the living room, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. Every ring felt like a gunshot to my nerves. My mind kept replaying the worst scenarios—Kate hurt, bleeding, crying out for me, and me not being there.

Just as I was about to lose it entirely, the phone rang. I snatched it up without looking at the caller ID.

"Talk," I barked.

"Sir, we found her," one of my men said. Relief washed over me so suddenly that my knees nearly buckled.

"Where?" I demanded.

"She's at the old warehouse near the docks. Carson's men left her there. She's alive but—"

I didn't let him finish. I was already grabbing my keys and heading for the door.

When I reached the warehouse, my heart threatened to burst out of my chest. I stormed inside, the cold, damp air doing nothing to calm me. My eyes scanned the dimly lit space until they landed on her.

Kate.

She was slumped against the wall, her face pale and streaked with tears. Blood stained her clothes, but she was alive. I rushed to her side, my hands trembling as I cupped her face.

"Kate," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'm here. You're safe now."

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, relief flooded her expression. But then it was replaced by something else—anger.

"You," she said weakly, her voice laced with venom. "This is your fault."

The accusation hit me like a bullet, but I couldn't deny it. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice hoarse. "I'll fix this, Kate. I swear. I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you or our baby."

She closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Just get me home," she murmured.

I nodded, swallowing my guilt. There would be time for apologies later. Right now, all that mattered was getting her back to safety.

The sight of Kate trembling in my arms with tears streaming down her face made my blood boil. Carson. That bastard was the reason for this chaos, and now he had the audacity to threaten her. My arms tightened around her, my jaw clenching as I fought to keep my rage in check.

"Kate, listen to me," I said, my voice firm yet soft enough not to scare her. I tilted her chin up so her watery gray eyes met mine. "He's not taking you anywhere. Not while I'm alive."

Her sobs slowed, but her breathing was still ragged. "You don't understand, Lucio," she whispered, her voice shaky. "He always finds a way. He doesn't stop."

I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Then I'll end him before he gets the chance."

Emily stepped forward, her usual fiery demeanor replaced by a worried expression. "Lucio, we need to be smart about this. Carson isn't just any enemy—he's relentless. We can't afford to underestimate him."

Kay, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "We barely managed to hide in here when the alarms went off. It was like he knew exactly how to scare us, how to get into our heads."

I glanced at the blood-streaked note clenched in my hand, my vision blurring with fury. Carson knew how to play mind games, but he'd made one critical error—he underestimated how far I'd go to protect Kate and our unborn child.

"Enough," I growled, my voice low but commanding. "No one is taking Kate, and no one is getting away with this."

Kate pulled away slightly, her eyes searching mine. "Lucio, what if something happens? What if he—"

I cut her off, cupping her face in my hands. "Nothing is going to happen to you or our baby. Do you hear me? I'll burn this entire city to the ground before I let anyone touch you."

Her lips quivered, and she nodded reluctantly. "I'm scared," she admitted, her voice barely audible.

"I know," I said, my voice softening. "But I've got you. Always."

Emily cleared her throat, crossing her arms. "So what's the plan, Lucio? Carson doesn't play fair. If he's this bold, he must have a backup plan."

I nodded, releasing Kate and turning to face Emily and Kay. "We're doubling security. I want every corner of this house locked down. No one gets in or out without my permission."

Kay raised an eyebrow. "And what about Kate? What if Carson tries to target her directly?"

"I'll keep her by my side," I said without hesitation. "Wherever I go, she goes."

Kate frowned, shaking her head. "I don't want to be a burden, Lucio. You can't handle this and me at the same time."

I turned to her, my expression firm. "You're not a burden, Kate. You're my priority."

Emily muttered something under her breath, but it didn't matter. My decision was final.

"Kay," I said, turning to her. "Help Emily set up a safe room that's easier to access. If anything happens, that's where I want you all to go."

She nodded, her face serious. "Got it."

"Lucio," Emily said, her voice cutting through the tension. "What about Carson? What's the plan for him?"

I smirked, the thought of finally putting an end to that bastard filling me with grim satisfaction. "Leave Carson to me. I'll make sure he regrets ever stepping foot in my world."

Kate's fingers curled around my arm, her touch grounding me. "Lucio, promise me one thing," she said, her voice trembling. "Promise me you'll come back."

I looked down at her, my heart clenching at the vulnerability in her eyes. "I promise," I said, pulling her close. "But I need you to promise me something too."

She nodded, waiting.

"Stay safe. No matter what happens, trust me to handle this."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded again. "Okay."

As the house buzzed with activity, men moving in and out to fortify the property, I stayed close to Kate. She was visibly shaken, her hands trembling as she tried to sip water.

"Are you cold?" I asked, draping a blanket over her shoulders before she could answer. She didn't resist, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"Lucio," she said after a long silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't live like this. Always looking over my shoulder, always waiting for something to happen."

I crouched in front of her, taking her hands in mine. "You won't have to," I said, my voice firm. "Once Carson is gone, you'll have the life you deserve. Peaceful, safe, happy."

She looked at me, her eyes searching mine. "And if he doesn't stop? What then?"

"Then I'll make him stop," I said simply, the weight of my promise settling heavily between us.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she nodded. "Okay."

I could see the doubt lingering in her eyes, but I didn't blame her. Carson had haunted her for too long, and it was my job to put an end to it.

That night, as I lay beside her, listening to her steady breathing, I made a vow. Carson would pay for every tear he'd made her shed, for every fear he'd planted in her heart.

And I wouldn't stop until he was erased from her life forever.