Rescued by Darkness

Luciana's POV

The world was still so big and confusing for Luciana. Strange faces, new rooms, and unfamiliar voices filled her days, yet one thing felt safe and warm: the one she had come to know as "Daddy."

Whenever her eyes landed on him—the tall, strong man with the gentle voice—something inside her quieted. His face, though firm, softened when he looked at her, and his voice, deep yet calm, made everything feel okay. She knew, somehow, he was different from everyone else. He made the bad feelings go away, and she didn't feel scared when he was near.

When he held her close, her tiny hands would reach up, grasping his shirt, and the sound of his heartbeat felt steady and soothing. The way he would cradle her, rocking her gently, she understood that this was home, that he was home. Even when she couldn't see him, her eyes searched for him, and if he was there, her fears faded, and she could sleep.

And so, when the world around her felt overwhelming when unfamiliar sounds and faces made her afraid, she knew she only had to find him. Daddy would be there, and everything would be okay again.

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Days turned into weeks in the D'Angelo mansion, where Lorenzo's fears remained unshakable. The looming threat of the Russian mafia hung like a storm cloud overhead, a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. Lorenzo worked tirelessly, bolstering their defenses and strategizing with his sons, but a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach told him something was coming.

One afternoon, after a tense meeting with their allies, Lorenzo returned home to an atmosphere thick with unspoken words. The air felt electric, and he could sense the tension among his family. As he walked through the grand entrance, Alessia approached him, her face pale and strained.

"What is it?" Lorenzo asked, his heart racing.

"Luciana... she's not feeling well," Alessia said, her voice trembling slightly.

His stomach dropped at the words. "What do you mean? Is she okay?"

"She has a fever," she replied, worry etched in her features. "I think it's just a cold, but I want you to see her."

Without hesitation, Lorenzo rushed to the nursery, fear gnawing at him. He pushed the door open and found Luciana lying in her crib, her little cheeks flushed and her body writhing restlessly.

"Daddy's here," he murmured, rushing to her side. He scooped her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. "What's wrong, my princess? You're going to be okay."

As he held her, he could feel her small body radiating heat, and his heart ached at the sight of her discomfort. "Alessia!" he called out, urgency lacing his voice.

She hurried in, her expression reflecting a mix of concern and determination. "What's wrong?"

"I think she's sick," he said, voice low and tight with worry. "What do we do?"

Alessia placed a gentle hand on Luciana's forehead. "I'll call the doctor. We need to make sure it's nothing serious."

Lorenzo nodded, his heart racing as he continued to hold Luciana close. She whimpered softly, and he pressed his lips to her forehead, trying to soothe her. "You're going to be okay, my little princess. Just hold on for me."

As he rocked her gently, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The Russians could attack at any moment, and now his daughter was sick. It felt like the world was closing in on them, but he had to stay strong. For Luciana, for Alessia, for his entire family.

Despite the worry gnawing at him, Lorenzo knew he couldn't let fear control them. After ensuring Luciana was comfortable and resting with Alessia by her side, he gathered his sons in the grand living room. The opulence of their surroundings stood in stark contrast to the gravity of the conversation they were about to have.