12 years prior...

NIKOLAI crept along the embankment, mud caking against the dark material clinging to his thighs. He frowned, dusk made it almost impossible to see but as his hands began feeling warmth, a sick sensation ignited within his stomach. "Keep low," Leon whispered, looking back at the Silvetti.

"Doesn't feel good, Lee." Nikolai murmured back.

Benedict kept low, he was turned in the opposite direction, watching the trio's rear. But even he felt the unease lingering in the air, something was off, it felt eerily like a trap. "Too easy," he spoke back at the two leading the team. They'd been on countless missions, spent hours breaking into enemy territory... So how was it that they just crawled into one of China's most secure refugee facility. They had been tasked with finding a young girl, daughter to a high power. No names, just a photo and an address.

The sun had fallen across the horizon, waves lapped shorelines in a innocuous manner. Leon, Benedict and Nikolai worked well together, known for their ability to hunt, kill and obtain any target.

Nikolai inhaled deeply and the rich scent of blood met him. He stopped, "Leon," with one strong grip he took hold of his partners calve.

Leon used his scanner but there were no heat signals. It didn't make sense, initially they'd identified the facility housed just over three hundred refugees, with seventy fix staff and thirty guards. So where was everyone.

The wind picked up and soon the sky rained down on them, they continued forward and came to a stop around the back of a large cement building, Leon lifted two fingers and pointed ahead. Nikolai nodded, following instruction, he moved in front and began fiddling with the locking system, a drain pipe led from the building and out to where they'd been crawling. Without thinking, he crouched down and swiped a gloved hand through the exposed drain. Bringing his fingers up to the flickering light above the metal door, all three men froze.

As Nikolai touched his index finger to his thumb and pulled back they saw a sticky, line of blood drip from the space between. Leon and Benedict turned their backs to the Silvetti, "open the fucking door, Niko." Leon grunted.

Once more Nikolai manoeuvred the two metal pieces in the lock, ignoring the way they slipped between his fingers from the blood. With a loud, sinister click, the lock shifted and Nikolai pushed through. Stepping into the large hall, Nikolai felt his entire gut churn and the need to upheave was strong. Leon and Benedict backed into the room before Nikolai could snap out of his shock.

Small bodies, strung up by their feet with three deep cuts along their torso. It would've been a painful death, full of thrashing and agony. Their booted feet stood on blood flooded cement. He couldn't help but wonder how many minutes it took for their young bodies to finally pass, it was cruel, even by his standards. Bulbs swung back and forth as wind carried in through the rafters above, the light carried through the hall, illuminating just how many bodies dripped around them. Making it evident why no heat signatures had triggered the scanner.

"Fucking hell..." Leon exhaled.

The cold, lifeless eyes of the young children bore a hole deep in Nikolai's chest. It was a sight none of the men would ever be able to forget.

Then Benedict shouted, "get down!" Before Nikolai felt the larger man's body tackle him to the ground. The entire building erupted in flames, Nikolai saw the bodies tear apart as the explosion ripped through them. Then he felt his body being dragged back out through metal doors, but when he looked up into the eyes of his saviour, he found death itself. The bottle end of a rifle came down on his face twice and then he fell into a black void.

Benny... Leon...

* *

Present day...

Seraphina looked out through the cracking white timber lined bay window that oversaw their yard. Rain kissed the soil in greeting and she felt a peace settle in her. Snoring came from the room behind her and a frown crease her forehead as she took note of the empty beer bottles lining the kitchen. Quietly she placed her glass into the sink and made her way through the small three bedroom home. Piero would be waking soon, so she hurriedly packed his bag and then placed her hand on the small boy's shoulder.

"Wake up sweetheart," She hummed.

Piero groaned before blinking several times, "can I sleep longer mummy?"

Smiling fondly, Sera shook her head, "no sweet boy. We will be late." She then helped him up. Piero bounced around behind her and allowed the woman to help brush his teeth before he tugged on his clothes as she held them out. "Now remember, we have to be quiet. Can't wake daddy," she winked, though a shiver of fear found its way down her spine.

Piero nodded, seriously, "okay mummy." It was their usual game, the boy was custom to it. His small hand gripped the back of her jeans and they made their way through the hallway and out into the verandah.

Sera smiled, the earthy scent hitting her. Piero grinned too, this was their favourite weather. Nodding towards the rusty Ute parked on a makeshift gravel driveway, the two took off running. Laughing she wrapped her arms around his small body and lifted him into the back seat. Then she quickly rounded the vehicle and started the ignition. The rain picked up and they hummed a tune from the radio as they drove to the manor.

Her boss was terrifying, but she owed him her life. He paid her more than any glorified gardener should receive, she was grateful. "You be good for la signora Gabriella," she was indebted to the older woman who accompanied both Piero and her own grandchild to school drop off. "Make sure to eat your lunch today, Piero, you want strong muscles like mummy don't you?"

"Yes ma, of course!" Piero grinned cheekily.

The drive was short and she pulled up around the back of the manor. Walking through the yard, Seraphina entered through the back door where she found Gabriella and young Liana. "He did not wake this morning, figlia?" Gabriella questioned, concern dousing her expression.

Sera shook her head, "not this morning. He came home late last night," she replied.

"Say the word, Seraphina... Killian would help you." She pressed, while ushering the children through the kitchen.

But there was no response, disheartened, Gabriella passed a sad smile over her shoulder, "Mr. Silvetti has some guests, I might need help in the kitchen for lunch." To this she received a curt nod, before the young chestnut haired woman disappeared back out through the large sliding doors.

It wasn't that easy. Sure Killian could make Santino disappear, but she'd never forgive herself for taking Piero's father from him. Their family was complicated, at twenty her entire life shattered. She'd been in her second year of environmental science when Santino demanded she return back home, at first her brother has been absent most nights and days. He'd left his pregnant missus, Mia, under Sera's care, though as the pregnancy progressed, Santino seemed to brew hatred.

He'd accused Mia of cheating multiple times, but even Seraphina could see how broken the woman was. She'd caught her multiple times trying to fill a void with drugs and alcohol. It surprised her when Piero was born perfectly healthy, such a precious young boy. Sera had instantly fallen in love with the small bundle of life, but Mia fell into heavy depression. Santino and Mia's relationship became volatile, often resulting in broken glass, bruises and destruction.

That's how a year passed and on Piero's first day walking, he stumbled across his mother's lifeless body.

Seraphina prayed the boy wouldn't be traumatised by the event, hoping he was to young to absorb the gravity of the situation. She'd come home from work, her brother was passed out in the living room and instantly dread filled the soles of her feet. With hurried steps, the woman had scanned the entire house before stopping on the last room and finding Mia cold, pale and foaming at the mouth. Pills scattered around her blue fingers.

Piero had been sitting beside her, stroking her hair. It was an action too calm and mature. She'd scooped his small body into her arms and raced back out to the main room.

Santino had been furious she'd called the police and ambulance, as it placed heat on him. But after an autopsy it was clear Mia had committed suicide. From that day Santino's violence turned to her, it wasn't often that he was physically violent with her, but his aggression was enough to keep her living in fear. It would've been easy to leave if it wasn't for Piero, she was in love with the small child. Would willing give her life for her boy, and it was a weakness Santino exploited. He held custody over Piero and in the same way he kept her captive in their dark home.

Shaking the thoughts from her mind, Sera made her way out into the shed.

The rain had eased up, it would be perfect weather for plucking weeds. So Seraphina got to work on the flowerbeds, the sun shone on her heavily, causing her to pull off her long sleeved flannel shirt. Then she felt it, a heat more blistering than the sun burning into her exposed back.

Sinn glared at the man opposite him, "Move." He spoke quietly, ignoring the way his blood sung to rip the man's trachea from his throat.

"Capo said to keep you inside," the soldier replied.

Keep... Like a pet. Cocking his head to the side, Sinn assessed the man. He was obedient and loyal, but stupid, what good would he be dead. Without pausing, Sinn made his way around the armed man, only to be stopped by a hand on his forearm. Rage and discomfort melded, with one swift movement, Sinn grabbed the man's neck and thrust him against the wall. Nikolai Silvetti stood tall and lethal at six foot five, pure lean muscle and death oozing from every poor. Touching was off limits, it was a visceral reaction that had been abused into him for years.

Knowing his cousin wouldn't take well to a dead solider dirtying his grand hallway, Sinn released the suffocating man. Then he turned and continued walking through the manor. Curious looks were sent his way, he looked like hell. With blood dripping down his face and bruising forming along his eye, he screamed danger.

Feeling uncomfortable in the marbled mansion, Sinn easily navigated his way outside. The prickling discomfort did not dissipate until fresh air filled his lungs as he stepped out onto the large deck.

The sky had cleared and the earth flourished around him. The broken man did not know of beauty, but as he scanned the greenery he found his gaze stalling. Very little intrigued Sinn, even less that caught his attention. So the desire that coursed through his body as his sinister eyes traveled the curves of a small woman hunched over roses, came with uncertainty. He found himself fascinated with the way sweat glistened along the back of her neck, he felt his lips part and the need to taste the salty drops crushed him.

Taking steps forward, he closed the distance between them, needing to take in every detail of the woman like she was a bible and he'd just found religion. His steps faltered as he noticed what she was doing, she was weeding so why did she leave all the imperfect flowers only to crush a perfectly formed rose within her small dainty fingers. Then she looked up and their gazes crashed, such deep malice seemed to brew within those innocent brown irises. He wondered what it would feel like to be crushed between her fists, the answer that came shook him... Pretty fucking holy.

His presence startled her and she fell back in shock.

The man's shadow fell over her. Sera found herself arching her neck to a painful degree to catch sight of the strangers face, and what a face it was, devastatingly beautiful. Sharp green eyes, clenched ridged jaw, dark black hair... She'd never seen a man sculpted so beautifully, then she took in the drying blood and bruises that shook reality right back into her senses.

Swallowing hard, she stood up. Then she took a step back as her eyes hit his chest, she felt terrifyingly small.

"Why the rose?" His deep timber came from a broad chest.

Seraphina felt parched. Her skin tingled and her pulse quickened, "w-what?" She stuttered out, before reprimanding herself. "Sorry, I mean, please repeat the question." Whoever stood before her was a stranger but she was vividly aware of the power he held.

Sinn leant down, dropping to her eye level, he took a stray piece of her warm chestnut hair and tugged. "Do not apologise without reason."

He smelt of citrus, mint and something else entirely addictive. And though he only held a slither of her hair, Sera felt heat travel from it through her roots and down to her core. Maybe it was the fact that she'd never been given the opportunity to date, hell she'd not had the time to partake in any extra-curriculum activities in general... maybe that's why her panties damped and her nipples pebbled as his cold eyes cut through hers. "Please let go..." she found herself whispering.

He did. She instantly felt his warmth retreat. "Why that rose?" Sinn repeated.

"It did not belong. There is no real beauty in perfection." She replied, honestly, knowing better than to lie to him.

The sweet scent of her words hit Sinn, clenching his jaw he turned on his heels and left. A crack formed in his chest and he willed it to fuck off, but those innocently dark words would haunt him. Needing a distraction from the mesmerising woman, Sinn utilised the rest of the day to map the entire manor. It wasn't until he found himself sitting at a dinning table that he felt the urge to vomit, the man rarely ate with others. Hell he couldn't remember a time since his return that he'd sat at a dining table, let along with anyone else.

Not once did he touch his plate, his cousin's ate, their conversations not of interest to him. When enough time had passed, Sinn stood and left without a word. He found himself navigating back towards the honeyed woman, this time he remained in the shadows of the alcove bordering the large industrial kitchen. Her gentle voice filled the air with colour and life, the Silvetti felt himself rooted, finding his own sweet intoxication in the sound of her laughter.

Unable to control his need to see her, Sinn turned into the room. Only to be halted by another soft voice.

"Mummy!" Small legs carried a equally small figure towards the only woman who'd been able to gain his attention.

Sinn felt his jaw clench in unknown irritation. She was taken. The thought felt bitter and unnatural on his tongue. Flickering one last look down at her sweet form, he turned on his heels. Feeling her stare burn into his back with such intensity, he was sure the shirt he wore would ignite...

* * *

So it begins...
Thoughts?

- Queen of Cliffhangers -