I tried calling Noah’s nanny, but her phone remained unreachable, and the home telephone was off for some reason. My anxiety was shooting off the roof, and I stepped on the gas, diving down the street at a dangerous speed.

The option of sending Noah back to England had always been at the corner of my mind, but I figured it’d be easier to keep him safe if he was close. Plus, I’d miss him so much if he was away, but now it seemed like the only reasonable option.

Once I’m home and certain of their safety, I’d send Victor a text, telling him that Noah wanted me home. That way, I can have some time to start processing the travel documents for Noah and his nanny.

My knuckles were white as I squeezed at the wheel, mentally willing my car to go faster. I have killed Lilith a thousand times in my head within my short stay at the palace. She had been trying to get my attention with silly antics, but I had been successfully ignoring her. If as much as the hair on my son's skin is harmed, hierarchy be damned, I'll peel her skin from her body and hang it for all to see.

It took roughly forty-five minutes for me to get home, and I blasted my horn so loud the birds resting on the trees nearby ran for safety.

A strange vehicle in my parking lot had me flying out of my car mid-drive and dashing inside. There was no one in the living room,but everything looked intact. I ran up the stairs, trying my best to be discreet in case we were under attack, but the sight I ran into comforted me and scared me at the same time.

Noah was seated on the floor with his construction toys carefully erected into skyscrapers and multiple structures. Next to him was Griffin, holding an airplane and making a buzzing noise as he passed it over the structures.

“Mama,” Noah shrieked, tackling me into a hug.

I picked him up, pulling him into a deep hug, letting his cinnamon roll scent calm my nerves.

“Hey, big boy, how are you?”

“I’m fine. Uncle Griffin came to play with me.”

Uncle Griffin. Again, with the fondness at the park, only this time, he seemed to have added a bit of adoration to the equation with the way he was looking at Griffin. Just how long has he been here?

“I see, and what did I say about strangers?” I queried, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

Noah pulled his lips into a cute pout.

“He said you sent him to play with me.”

I threw Griffin a pointed look.

“He said that?”

Noah nodded before squirming from my arms and running back to Griffin.

Watching them had my stomach in knots, and a strong wave of nausea washed over me. My fear of my son being under attack was replaced by a stronger fear of Griffin finding out about him.

“Sweetie, why don’t you go get your nanny for me? I’m sure Griffin will be here when you return.”

Once Noah was out of earshot, I turned back to Griffin, pinning him with an angry look. “What is this supposed to mean? I asked you to stay away from my family.”

He got up from the floor, careful not to destroy Noah’s skyscrapers. “I was only here to keep the little man company. I figured since you were busy playing wife, you’d barely have enough time for him.”

His words hit me like a slap on the face, and I held the door open for him. “Take the stairs out, and never show your face around me or my son.”

“Mira, I didn’t mean—”

“Get out!” I ordered, not letting him finish his words. I have had enough of him running into my son and telling me how to take care of him.

He didn’t try to argue with me. He picked up his keys and with one last look at me, he walked out.

I fell onto the sofa, rubbing circles on my chest to soothe the pounding in my heart. Every time I thought I had made some progress keeping him away, he found another way to sneak back into my life.

“You sent for me, ma’am.” Nora, Noah’s nanny, appeared, standing in front of me.

“You let a stranger in my house and abandoned my son with him? How careless can you be?”

“He said you sent him to keep Tom away, so I assumed he was a friend.”