Chapter 88

NOLAN’S POV

The car rumbled softly as Dimitri drove through winding roads and quiet intersections. The city lights faded behind us, replaced by wide stretches of empty land and tall trees that looked like shadows in the night.

Camila’s tail lights blinked in the distance as we followed her car down an almost invisible road. The farther we drove, the quieter it became.

“Where the hell is this place?” Dimitri muttered beside me, eyes narrowing.

“I don't know, but it’s discreet. That’s what we need right now,” I replied, looking around.

Finally, Camila's car slowed and turned onto a gravel path hidden behind a row of overgrown bushes. A few feet later, a small bungalow nestled between thick trees and shielded by a long fence and sliding gate. It was simple, but private. No neighbors in sight. Just silence and space.

“Well, this could work,” Dimitri said, parking behind Camila.

I stepped out of the car and looked around. The air was cooler here. And for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe.

Anna stepped out from the backseat, holding Hailey’s carrier while Camila handed her the diaper bag. She looked tired, with her shoulders slumped and her hair slightly undone. She didn’t look like the strong woman I fell in love with. I wanted to give her a hug and tell her everything would be fine, but I couldn’t. 

“This is it,” she said, her voice low. “Not glamorous, but no one knows about it.”

“It’s perfect,” I said.

We moved quickly, unloading the bags from the trunks and carrying them inside. The living room was already furnished with a few essentials – two couches, a small TV stand, and some blankets folded neatly on the armrest. 

“I’ll show you the bedrooms,” Anna said. “There are two. Hailey and I can share one, and you’ll take the other one.”

I stiffened at that. She noticed, but didn’t say anything.

Camila came into the room, arms crossed. “Okay, this place is cute. Good call, Anna.”

“Yeah, thanks,” she said quietly. 

“I’ll get her crib set up,” I said, setting the box down near the wall.

“I can help—” Anna started.

“I got it,” my voice was sharper than I meant to.

She paused, then gave a slight nod and walked out with Hailey in her arms.

“Hey, you think you want to cut her some slack?” Camila asked as she settled on the floor.

I let out a sigh. “I want to, but I just can’t find it in me.”

“Hm, understandable. She just looks so beat up.”

“I know,” I muttered, and went back to setting up the crib. 

Dimitri walked into the room. “So what’s the plan now? We just stay holed up and hope Ivan doesn’t sniff this place out?”

“No,” I said firmly. “We’re not hiding. We’re just regrouping.”

Dimitri raised a brow. “You got something in mind?”

Before I could respond, Anna came back into the room with Hailey sleeping in her arms and laid her in her crib. I looked at her as she slept peacefully, unaware of the chaos going on right now, her small chest rising and falling gently, and felt the answer settle like steel in my chest.

“I want him gone,” I said. “Out of our lives. No more threats. No more watching the house. No more showing up like he owns her.”

Camila leaned against the wall. “You’re talking full-on strategy now. Got anything specific?”

I nodded. “He must have weak points. He’s reckless and arrogant, but also strategic, so we have to move fast. 

“I’ll get the team together,” Dimitri said as he pulled out his phone.

Anna stood frozen near the crib. “And what if he catches a sniff of what we’re doing?”

“He won’t,” I said. “We’re out of sight and off the radar, so we'll plan everything from here. Camila, I need you to talk to your contacts. See if there’s anything on him that we can use."

Dimitri nodded. “I’m on it.”

Camila gave a low whistle. “This is going to be fun.”

“We do this right,” I said, looking back at Anna, “he’ll never come near Hailey again.”

A silence fell over the room, heavy but not uncomfortable.

Camila clapped her hands once. “Alright, I’ll make some coffee. We’ve got some long nights ahead.”

She disappeared into the kitchen with Anna, while Dimitri stayed back. 

He walked over and leaned against the doorframe. “You’re serious about staying with her?”

“I’m serious about Hailey,” I corrected.

Dimitri raised a brow. “And Anna?”

I didn’t respond and focused on Hailey’s sleeping form.

“Look, I’m not judging. It’s just… you’ve gone from radio silence to moving in together again. That’s whiplash, Nolan.”

I sighed. “She lied. I’m still pissed. But I’m not going to let Ivan get near my daughter. That trumps everything else.”

“Fair enough,” Dimitri said before he headed outside to make a few calls.

I stayed back, staring at Hailey.

“Uh, Nolan, Dimitri says he’s got something,” Anna whispered from the doorway.

She walked over to where I was standing, and for a second we were silent.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“I know,” I replied.

But I wasn’t ready to let it go. Not yet.

“She looks like you,” I murmured.

“Maybe,” Anna said with a soft smile. “But she frowns like you when she’s hungry.”

I chuckled under my breath. “That explains a lot.” Hailey stirred and made a soft cooing sound, her tiny hand curling in the air.

“She knows you,” Anna said, “It’s like she never forgot.”

I swallowed hard. “I almost let anger take everything away.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she reached out and lightly brushed Hailey’s hair back, causing her to stir, and her eyes fluttered open.

“Uh oh, looks like she’s up,” I said as I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” I whispered. “For your first cries. Your first breath. I should have been there.”

Her eyelids fluttered as she looked around.

“I don’t know what kind of mess you’ve been born into,” I said, my voice low, “but I swear on everything I have—I’ll keep you safe.”

We sat like that for a while, the only sounds being her soft coo and our breathing.

Eventually, I handed Hailey to Anna, causing her to fuss a little. “I have to go check what Dimitri has got,” I said as I made my way out of the room.

“Just in time,” Camila said as she walked out of the kitchen with two mugs of coffee and handed one to me. “Alright, Papa Bear, we’re set for Phase One. I’ve got my guy checking what Ivan has been up to.”

“Good,” I said. “Let’s keep this circle small. No one else knows we’re here. We don’t make any noise until we’re ready.”

Dimitri came back in, shutting the door behind him. “I’ve got a meeting lined up with someone who used to run numbers for Ivan. If he’s still mad about being cut off, we might get him on our side.” 

I nodded. “Perfect,” I said. “You both get me everything you can on his current business movements. I want to know who he’s dealing with, who owes him, and who’s scared of him.”

Camila whistled low. “You’re going straight for the throat.”

“I’m not starting a war,” I said. “I’m just trying to know who I’m up against.”

The weight of everything still hung between Anna and me, but for tonight, we were on the same side.

And for now, that was enough.