Under His Protection

Chapter 43: Building a Fortress

The villa buzzed with life as the group prepared for their next move. The shadows of danger loomed large, but within these walls, there was also laughter, hope, and determination to persevere.

Travis stood in the kitchen, staring at his phone as he reviewed updates from his security team. The previous night had been restless, his mind running over every possible scenario. He knew Santino's mistake of thinking he had Taylor wouldn't last forever. Once the truth surfaced, Santino would escalate his efforts.

Taylor entered the room quietly, carrying Bronze, who had firmly claimed her as his favorite person for the week. The toddler had one arm wrapped around her neck while the other clutched a small stuffed bear.

"Still working, Bear?" she asked softly, her tone laced with concern.

Travis glanced up, his expression softening when he saw her. "Just making sure everything's in place for tomorrow. You doing okay?"

Taylor smiled, her free hand resting on her growing belly. "We're fine. Just ready to get this over with."

Bronze looked up at Travis, his small voice chiming in. "Uncle Twavis, you come play?"

Travis chuckled, setting his phone down. "Soon, buddy. I promise."

The moment of levity didn't last long as Patrick and Ross entered the room. Patrick carried a tablet loaded with maps and schedules, while Ross held a coffee mug, his expression grim.

"We've got everything set," Patrick said, sliding the tablet onto the counter. "Plane's secured, and the crew is already prepping the island."

Ross sipped his coffee. "Santino's still in the dark, but we can't rely on that. He's got too many people sniffing around."

Travis nodded, his jaw tightening. "Then we move fast. I don't want to give him time to adjust."

Brittany appeared in the doorway with Sterling in tow. The little girl skipped into the room, tugging on Patrick's hand. "Daddy, can we play now?"

Patrick scooped her up, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Soon, sweetheart. Daddy's got to finish some work first."

Brittany leaned against the doorframe, a knowing smile on her face. "Bronze still glued to Taylor?"

Taylor grinned, adjusting the boy in her arms. "Looks like it. I think I'm stuck with him for a while."

Brittany laughed. "Better you than me. He's been a little clingy this week."

Bronze buried his face in Taylor's shoulder, mumbling, "I like Tay-Tay."

The room erupted into laughter, the tension breaking momentarily. Even Ross cracked a smile, shaking his head.

"Guess you're his favorite now," Patrick teased.

Taylor kissed the top of Bronze's head. "I don't mind. He's good company."

That evening, as the group gathered in the living room, Travis took charge. He spread out the map on the coffee table, pointing to the remote island that would be their next destination.

"This is where we're going," he explained. "It's off the grid, fully secure, and outfitted with everything we'll need."

Diane, sitting beside Brittany, looked uneasy. "And you're sure no one knows about this place?"

Travis nodded. "Positive. It's one of the properties I've kept off any official records. Santino would have no reason to suspect it."

Taylor listened intently, her hand resting on her belly as she absorbed every detail. She trusted Travis completely, but the weight of the situation wasn't lost on her. This wasn't just about their safety—it was about their family's future.

Patrick leaned forward, his expression serious. "How long do we stay there?"

"As long as it takes," Travis replied. "I want everyone out of harm's way before we make our next move."

The group spent hours discussing the logistics—how to travel, what to bring, and how to ensure their departure went unnoticed. By the time they wrapped up, it was late, and everyone was exhausted.

The following morning, the villa was a whirlwind of activity. Bags were packed, security measures double-checked, and plans finalized. Amid the chaos, Bronze clung to Taylor like a shadow, refusing to leave her side.

Brittany tried to coax him away, holding out a toy in an attempt to distract him. "Come on, Bronze. Let Mommy take you for a bit."

But Bronze shook his head, tightening his grip on Taylor's hand. "No. Tay-Tay."

Brittany sighed, but her smile showed she wasn't upset. "Guess he's made up his mind."

Taylor knelt down, brushing Bronze's hair back. "What do you think, buddy? Should we go on an adventure?"

Bronze's face lit up. "With you?"

"Of course," she said, her heart melting at the trust in his eyes. "Always with me."

As the final preparations came together, Travis pulled Taylor aside, his expression unreadable.

"You ready for this?" he asked, his voice low.

Taylor nodded, her hand slipping into his. "As long as we're together, I'm ready for anything."

His gaze softened, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "We're going to get through this, Angel. I promise."

With those words, they joined the others, ready to leave the villa behind and face whatever lay ahead. Together, they were stronger than anything Santino could throw at them. And together, they would build a future worth fighting for.