Chapter 5

Mireille's POV “That’s my son,” Laziel breathed. Softly, like he was convincing himself. But there was no need. The moment Zion and Laziel were in the same room, the truth became undeniable. “Mommy…” Zion clung to my leg, his small fingers gripping tight. He had always been wary of new people. I made sure of that, keeping our world small, safe. I knelt beside him, looking up to meet his nervous gaze. He kept sneaking glances at Laziel. “Go inside, okay?” I murmured with a reassuring smile. “I’ll be there soon.” “Can I watch a show?” I pulled up his favorite on my phone and handed it to him. Strict screen time rules didn’t matter when our entire reality was on the verge of implosion. Zion settled onto the couch, Donny at his side, the theme song playing as I pulled the door shut. Laziel remained frozen at the top of the stairs, staring at the spot where Zion had stood seconds ago. If it was possible, he looked stunned. “Listen, Laziel, I don’t know what you want, but I just want to—” “My son.” His gaze locked onto mine, steel-hard. “That’s my son.” “No.” I shook my head. “He’s mine. We just want to leave. Whatever this is, I don’t want any part of it.” He studied me, peeling back every layer until I felt exposed, raw. “He’s why you changed your name. He’s why you disappeared.” “You are why I disappeared,” I snapped. “You told me to run while I had the chance. You told me not to be anyone’s pawn.” “That was before I knew you were carrying my child!” He moved in an instant, pinning me against the door, roaring the words in my face. I tensed, keeping my voice low. “Lower your voice. My kid is in there.” Laziel dipped his head, his breath warm against my skin. We were back in Mr. Taylor’s office, but this time, I wasn’t some scared girl. This time, I would fight. “Are you protecting him from me, Mireille?” His voice was quiet now, but no less dangerous. Alfred had to yell to be intimidating. Laziel only had to exist. “I’m protecting him from that world. Yours and mine.” A slow smirk tugged at his lips, but then realization dawned. “Your father. He knows about the boy.” I said nothing. Laziel let out a bitter laugh. “That explains why Salvatore didn’t come for my throat when I screwed over his deal with Alfred. He had another plan. A baby seals an alliance even better than a marriage.” “My son isn’t a bartering chip.” I jabbed a finger into his chest. “Stay the hell away from him.” Laziel grabbed my wrist, pinning it above my head. My back slammed against the door. Inside, Zion’s show paused. “Mommy?” I swallowed hard, forcing calm into my voice. “Sorry, bud. That was me. I’ll be inside soon.” The show resumed, but Laziel leaned in closer, his breath hot on my skin. “He’s mine, Mireille. Admit it.” I shook my head. His thumb traced my jaw. “Don’t lie. You see the resemblance.” I shrugged. “I don’t see it.” Laziel exhaled sharply, stepping back. “If you won’t cooperate, I don’t have much choice. You know how this works. I can’t have my son running around unaccounted for.” “How?” He moved for the door. “I’ll take the kid and get a paternity test. It’ll only take a few hours. I’ll bring him back when I’m done… probably.” “No!” I shoved myself between him and the door. “Don’t touch him.” “Then tell me the truth.” Every decision I had made since Zion was born had been to prevent this moment. Every sacrifice, every lonely night, every scraped-together bill—all to keep Zion safe from the man standing in front of me. And now, I was out of options. Tears blurred my vision. My voice shook as I looked up at Laziel, silent pleas spilling from my lips. “Please don’t take him away from me. Please.”