Page 11 of False Heir

I killed the engine, the silence of the forest enveloping me like a shroud. For a moment, I remained in the car, my hands gripping the wheel, gathering strength. Then, with a resolve that surprised even me, I stepped out into the chill night air and headed toward the cabin, my sanctuary in the storm.

The gravel crunched under my boots as I approached the cabin, my eyes scanning the surrounding woods with practiced vigilance. A sense of urgency propelled me forward, even as the weight of my unborn twins reminded me to move with care. Tristan’s training kicked in, and despite my condition, I moved methodically around the cabin’s perimeter, checking windows, doors, and any potential vulnerabilities.

I was alone, but the lessons Tristan had imparted during sun-soaked afternoons felt present, like whispers on the wind guiding me. The padlock on the shed remained untouched, and all the windows were secure. With a final glance over my shoulder, I stepped inside and locked the door behind me.

The familiar scent of pine and the faint hint of a wood fire long since extinguished greeted me. It was a comforting embrace from the past, but comfort was a luxury I could ill afford now. My heart raced, not just from the physical exertion but from the whirlwind of thoughts that demanded my attention.

“Okay, Ade,” I murmured to myself, attempting to steady my breathing. “Think.”

I sank into the worn couch, allowing myself a precious moment to gather my thoughts. First things first: Tristan. His safety was the most important. Without him, the foundation of our carefully constructed world would crumble. I needed to know he was out of harm’s way, that he was somewhere secure, plotting his next move.

Next, the threat level. Information was power, and right now, I was sorely lacking. We’d been careful, always steps ahead of the game, but this...This felt different. More personal. More dangerous. If I was going to devise a strategy to protect us—my little family—I’d need to understand what we were up against.

As I sat there, the quiet of the cabin closed in around me like a vice. But it was a vice I welcomed. It was here, in this isolated haven, that I would draw upon every resource I had. I would be the shield for my family. For Tristan. For our children.

“Whatever storm is coming,” I whispered into the stillness, “we’re ready for you.”

But I didn’t mean it. Whatever we were up against, I had a feeling it was only just starting. And things were only going to get worse before they got better.

Chapter Six: Tristan

Everything was a fucking mess.

My brothers were still trapped with Silvio Orsini, and so were his daughters.

And right then, I was dealing with a massive crisis still unfolding from men I had failed to kill, because…fuck, I didn’t even know why. All I knew was that everything was going horribly wrong.

The Crooked Thorn’s walls stood silent, the only testament to the chaos that had reigned moments before I got there was the faint scent of gunpowder lingering in the air. My hand ran over the back of a chair, fingers grazing the dark wood. It was done; at least the immediate threats were neutralized, but a gnawing restlessness squirmed in my gut like a caged beast. Adriana. Her image flashed in my mind—resolute and fierce, yet I knew beneath her tough exterior, vulnerability simmered.

“Sean,” I called out, my voice a low command slicing through the quiet aftermath. He appeared, his presence as solid as the walls themselves. “I want eyes on every corner. Double the men at each post. Make sure our homes are fortresses. Every single one of us. Except Killian’s.” The words felt like stones, heavy with the weight of what we faced.

“Yes, boss,” Sean said. “Uh, why not Killian’s?”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’ll explain later.”

“Understood, boss,” Sean replied, his nod was curt, efficient. We’d been through this dance of security and survival too many times, yet this time, something primal urged me to reinforce our defenses.

“Nobody gets in or out without my say-so. And keep it tight, especially around the Callahan estate,” I added, thinking of Adriana, how closely danger stalked her now more than ever. “I want a lot of men there at all times. Around Adriana’s apartment too. Can you do that for me?”

“Will do,” he affirmed, already moving to carry out the orders.

I looked at the mess that had been left behind by the attack and gave orders to a few people; clean this up, lock this down, stay inside…make sure your family stays at home.

But I didn’t want to stay at the pub for too long, this had always been my father’s domain and I still felt pretty uncomfortable taking his place.

Plus, I had more important things to worry about. I slipped out the back door when I wasn’t being bothered, certain there were more things I could take care of, knowing that I should probably stick around to take care of my crumbling empire.

But my father wasn’t there anymore, and all I could think about was how little I cared.

I didn’t worry about my empire. All I ever really worried about was Adriana and the twins.

With a final glance at the Crooked Thorn, assurance settled within me for the safety of this place. But it did little to ease the unease for her. I needed to see Adriana, to know she was untouched by the shadows that loomed over our heads.

I slipped into the night, the cool air a brief respite from the heat that had built up inside the pub. A whisper of worry tickled my thoughts, drawing me toward the driver’s seat of my car parked in the shadows. As I started the engine, the purr of the motor was a familiar comfort, yet it couldn’t chase away the unease coiled within me.

I thought about going back to the Callahan estate; Adriana must still have been there, and it was home.

Then my phone buzzed in the console, breaking through the hum of the road beneath me. With a glance, I saw Adriana’s name flash across the screen, a beacon in the digital night. Her message simple, her words coded for safety, but the meaning clear—she had left the estate and was at our cabin, tucked away from prying eyes and lurking danger.

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