Chapter 4 - The Mountain Estate
The Maybach rolled to a stop in front of a sprawling, modern minimalist glass-and-stone mansion built directly into the side of the Cascade mountains. Floodlights illuminated the clearing, and armed guards in tactical gear stood at attention near the entrance.
As the car door opened, Chloe’s heart jumped into her throat.
"Mommy!"
A small, high-pitched voice echoed from the wide double doors of the foyer.
Before Dante could even step out of the car, a pair of heavy black SUVs had pulled up behind them, and out stepped Mrs. Gable—the elderly, fiercely loyal nanny Chloe had hired six months ago—holding four-year-old Lily in her arms.
"Lily!" Chloe cried out, shoving past Dante and scrambling out of the car.
She ran across the gravel driveway, scooping Lily out of Mrs. Gable’s arms and crushing the little girl against her chest, burying her face in Lily’s curly brown hair.
"Mommy, why did those big men in black suits bring us here?" Lily asked, blinking her big emerald eyes sleepily, clutching a worn-out stuffed rabbit. "Are we moving again?"
"No, sweetheart," Chloe whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks as she kissed her daughter’s forehead. "We're... we're visiting an old friend."
"She looks just like you," a deep voice rumbled from behind them.
Chloe stood up slowly, keeping Lily clutched securely against her hip, turning to face Dante.
Dante was standing a few feet away, his hands shoved deep into his trouser pockets. His usually unreadable expression had softened completely as he stared at the little girl in Chloe’s arms. He took a slow, hesitant step forward, his blue eyes wide, looking at the small button nose and emerald eyes that were an exact mirror of his own.
"Lily," Dante said softly, his voice dropping into a gentle register Chloe had never heard him use before.
Lily tilted her head, staring at the tall, intimidating man standing before her. "Are you a king?" she asked innocently.
May you like
A rare, genuine smile touched the corners of Dante’s lips. He crouched down to eye level with the little girl. "Something like that, little bird. And you're my princess."
---
