Rescued by Darkness

The Addition

Nico

Nico stood at the doorway of the nursery, his large frame casting a long shadow across the room as he gazed at Luciana, who was peacefully napping in her crib. It was still strange to think of himself as an older brother to such a tiny, fragile thing. He had grown up as the eldest of five, the one who had always been expected to lead, protect, and set the example for his younger brothers. Now, at 24, with his own life and responsibilities in the family business, he had never imagined he'd have a baby sister.

Luciana was a miracle, really. She had come into their lives in a way none of them could have predicted, but it hadn't taken long for Nico to fall into the role of protector. That's what he had always been, after all. The eldest. The one who looked out for his family, no matter what.

But with Luciana, it was different. Nico wasn't just protecting her because it was expected of him—he wanted to. The moment he had first laid eyes on her, so small and scared in their father's arms, something had shifted inside him. He had felt a fierce, almost primal need to keep her safe, to ensure that no one would ever hurt her again.

His hands clenched into fists at the thought of the couple who had kidnapped and abused her. When Lorenzo had told them the full story, Nico had been livid. He wanted nothing more than to track those monsters down and make them pay, but Rocco had already handled it. Still, the anger lingered. Nico hated the thought of anyone laying a finger on Luciana, let alone someone who had treated her so cruelly.

As he watched her sleep now, he felt a pang of something deeper—an emotion he wasn't used to feeling. Nico had never been one to show much vulnerability. He had learned to hide his emotions behind a wall of stoicism, especially in their line of work. But with Luciana, all of that seemed to crumble. She made him feel... softer. Like he had a part of himself he didn't need to guard so fiercely.

"She's gonna grow up spoiled with all of us around," he muttered to himself, though the thought made him smile.

Luciana had brought something new into their home, a lightness that Nico hadn't realized they needed. The house had always been filled with energy—his brothers were rambunctious and loud, and their father's presence commanded respect. But now, with Luciana here, there was something else. A softness, a gentleness that only a baby girl could bring.

Nico wasn't sure how he would handle it when she got older—when she started to become more independent. The idea of any guy trying to get close to her made his blood boil, and she wasn't even old enough to sit up yet. He would have to figure out how to balance being her protector without smothering her. For now, though, he was content just to watch over her, knowing she was safe.

Because as long as he was around, no one would ever hurt Luciana again.---Xander

Xander leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched Luciana sleep. His hazel eyes softened as they rested on her small form, the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest bringing a sense of calm to his normally turbulent mind. At 21, Xander was the quiet one of the family. While his brothers tended to be more vocal and boisterous, Xander preferred to observe from the sidelines, taking everything in before making a move.

Luciana's arrival had been unexpected, but not unwelcome. From the moment his father had brought her home, Xander had felt something shift within him. It wasn't that he didn't care about his family—he loved his brothers and respected his parents deeply—but with Luciana, it was different. There was something about her vulnerability, her innocence, that tugged at a part of him he hadn't known existed.