Chapter 144

SPENCER

The party was perfect. Exactly what Luca deserved for his first birthday—a day filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of family. I stood near the edge of the garden, taking it all in as everyone played their part in celebrating. Isabella was glowing, as she always did when surrounded by those she cared about. Her joy made me feel like I’d done my job right. Protecting her and Luca wasn’t just a responsibility—it was an honor. Watching them laugh, seeing Luca toddle around, I couldn’t help but feel proud of what we’d built together. I wasn’t family by blood, but they made me feel like I was, and I would give my life to keep them safe.

The evening sun cast a golden hue over the yard, the soft breeze carrying the sound of laughter across the garden. For a moment, I let myself relax—just enough to appreciate the day. I saw Chase and Mikaela snapping pictures, Knox holding Luca high in the air, and Jax leaning over to Asher, sharing a quiet joke. The family was at peace, and I’d do anything to keep it that way.

But then, something shifted. I noticed Isabella, standing a little apart from the rest, her body suddenly tense, her eyes locked on something—or someone—in the distance. My instincts kicked in before I even processed what was wrong. I made my way over to her, subtly, not wanting to alarm anyone else. Her shoulders were tight, her jaw clenched. Something had rattled her, and I needed to know what.

“Isabella,” I said, gently placing a hand on her arm. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t look at me right away, her gaze still fixed on the far end of the garden. “I… I thought I saw someone,” she said softly, her voice laced with uncertainty. “My mother.”

The name hit me like a punch to the gut. I shook my head, my protective instincts flaring. “No way,” I said firmly. “There’s no chance she could get this close to the house. We’ve got the entire area secured.”

But even as I said it, a sliver of doubt crept in. Emilia had proven to be more dangerous than we’d imagined, and if she had somehow slipped past the perimeter, it would mean I’d failed. Failed to protect them, failed to keep this day safe for Luca and Isabella. That thought turned my stomach. I couldn’t let that happen.

“I’ll walk the perimeter,” I said, keeping my voice low so no one else would catch on. “You didn’t see anything. It was probably your mind playing tricks on you with all that’s been going on. Just stay here, keep enjoying the party, okay?”

She nodded, but I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. Still, she trusted me. I turned and quietly slipped away from the crowd, heading toward the edge of the property where Isabella had been looking. I kept my movements slow, methodical, making sure not to raise any suspicion. The last thing I wanted was to alarm the others, especially Asher and Knox. They’d turn this place upside down, and I didn’t want to ruin Luca’s day unless it was absolutely necessary.

As I walked the perimeter, my senses were on high alert. I scanned the trees, the shadows, the edges of the garden where the light didn’t quite reach. I told myself there was nothing there, that Isabella had simply imagined it—after everything that had happened with her mother, who could blame her? But the further I went, the more the nagging feeling in my gut told me to be careful.

And then I saw them.

Footprints. Small, faint, but unmistakable. Leading away from the garden and toward the edge of the woods. They weren’t fresh, but they hadn’t been there long either. The size looked about right for a woman’s shoe. My heart sank. If these were Emilia’s, she had been closer than we thought—closer than I’d ever have allowed.

A cold wave of anger and frustration washed over me. How could I have missed this? How could anyone have gotten this close to the house without setting off alarms or alerting the guards? The thought that Emilia could have been watching the party from the shadows, that she could’ve had her eyes on Luca or Isabella—it made my blood boil. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe.

I couldn’t let my emotions take over. Not yet. I needed to figure out if she’d come alone or if this was part of something bigger.

I doubled back to the house, my eyes scanning the treeline one last time before stepping back into the garden. The party was still going, and no one had noticed my absence. That was good. I needed more time to figure this out, to alert Asher and Knox without raising any alarms.

But as I walked back toward the group, my mind raced with worst-case scenarios. The family had been through so much already. I had to protect them, had to keep Emilia from slipping through the cracks again. This was my responsibility. If anything happened to them, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.

I re-entered the party, making sure my expression stayed neutral. Isabella’s eyes found mine almost immediately. I gave her a slight nod, letting her know I hadn’t found anything—nothing definite, anyway. But the truth was, I’d never felt more uneasy.

The hunt wasn’t over yet, and I wasn’t going to rest until I knew they were all safe.