Page 68 of Kingpin's Secret Baby

I tighten my hold on Valeria, keeping my voice cold and certain. “You want to disappear, Harold? Fine. But taking me won’t get you there. It'll only make sure you never stop running.”

For a moment, the room feels too still, like the air itself is holding its breath. I watch Harold closely, searching for any sign that my words have struck a nerve- that maybe, just maybe, I’ve planted enough doubt to make him back off.

Instead, his laugh breaks the silence- low, bitter, and hollow.

“Even better,” he sneers. “Two payouts instead of one.”

My stomach drops.

He gestures to someone behind me. “I'm already fucked. Might as well make it count.”

Panic surges through me like ice water. I clutch Valeria tighter and turn, preparing to bolt down the hall toward the kitchen exit. But before I can take a step, rough fingers clamp down on my arm, yanking me back.

“Don’t fight,” Harold says, almost absently. “You’ll only make this harder than it needs to be.”

The other man plucks Valeria from my grip, and for the first time in two years, true terror grips me.

She doesn’t cry right away- just gasps in startled offense before she lets out a wail so loud it shatters me from the inside out.

I lunge, twisting against the grip holding me, my fingernails clawing at the man who stole her from me.

“Don’t,” Harold warns, stepping closer, his breath at my ear. “Or she'll be the first casualty.”

Panic rises hot and strangling in my throat.

I go still.

Valeria’s cries pierce through my composure, but all I can do is stand there, my whole body trembling as the man restraining me tightens his hold.

“I don’t want to hurt her,” Harold says smoothly, like he hasn’t just shattered my entire world in the span of five minutes. “So play nice, cousin. Do what you’re told, and she stays safe.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, locking down the scream building inside me.

I meet my daughter's terrified eyes, and my heart shatters. But I nod, forcing my breathing to stay even. “Alright,” I say quietly. “I'll go with you.”

Harold's smile is triumphant. “Smart girl. Now, let's move quickly. I have a car waiting.”

As his men shepherd us toward the door, I take one last look at our home. The stuffed bunny fallen beside the couch. The picture books scattered on the coffee table. The life I built here, piece by piece.

“Mum,” Valeria whimpers, her little face streaked with tears.

“It's okay, love,” I whisper, though nothing about this is okay. “Mum’s right here.”

I have no choice now. No room to run. No escape.

I have to cooperate. For her.

Chapter 33

Fantasia

The private jet's engines hum beneath my feet as we soar over the Atlantic. My wrists are bound with zip ties, pulled tight in front of me where I can see the angry red marks already forming beneath the plastic. My fingers flex uselessly, tingling from poor circulation, but all I can think about is Valeria.

I begged him.Beggedhim to let me hold her.

“She’s just a baby,” I’d pleaded, voice breaking. “She’s scared- just let me calm her down.”

But Harold didn’t care. He only sneered, his grip tightening painfully on my arm as he shoved me into my seat.

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