“What is it?” I asked him, my heart pounding. I expected a call because Arlo couldn’t sleep. Or because he had a tummy ache. Not something scary. “Lucian, what is it?”

“Someone is in the grounds,” he told me. “Security saw them moving on the cameras. They called for backup, but they haven’t found the guy yet.”

We were out of there in seconds, still flushed and panting but desperate to leave. He took my hand before we left the bathroom.

“Composure,” he said. “We don’t want the world to see our battle. It will only encourage them.”

I nodded, already struggling. I let him lead me through the ball, token little smiles on our way as my heart thumped like crazy. Our little boy… our beautiful little boy. I did everything I could to stop it consuming me, but it was pointless. The fear took over me the moment we were in the back of the limo, tears beginning to fall.

“Drive,” Lucian said. “Fast.”

The limo charged off, and I gripped Lucian’s hand like a vice.

“Do you think they’re there for him?” I whispered. “Do you think they’re coming after Arlo?”

“They’d have to be seriously fucking crazy,” he snarled.

I sank into him, letting the power in him reassure me all that it could.

It was only minutes to cross Bishop’s Landing and back to our home, but hell, it felt like hours.

Chapter Three

Lucian

I let the monster inside eat me up, filling me with rage. Rage was better than fear. Rage puts you back in control.

“Faster,” I snarled at the driver and he obeyed me, just like the rest of the world.

The tires screeched as we reached our driveway. The limo had barely stopped before I charged out of there and scouted around us. No sign of anyone. Not security, not invaders, nothing.

It was only then that I pulled Elaine up and out of there.

Ella was already standing on the doorstep, waiting for us.

“Arlo is in bed,” she said. “I’ve been around the house. A member of the security team is up there with him. I came down to wait for you.”

“Inside,” I said to Elaine. “Go to our baby.”

She didn’t need telling again. She was moving like the fierce, loving mother she was, desperate to reach him. I was too, but I had the protector raging inside me. I wanted to hunt the piece of shit who’d dared to enter our grounds and make him suffer.

Kyle from the security team was breathless as he reached me.

“We’re still searching,” he said. “I’ve called for backup.”

I walked alongside him. “Who is he? Any ideas?”

He shook his head. “He was holding something and looking up at the windows.”

Looking for our son.

“I’ve secured the house,” Kyle said. “Zach is stationed outside the child’s room.”