Four little boys in matching navy uniforms walked into a restaurant bathroom hours before my million-dollar engagement. Five minutes later, I stared into four identical versions of my own face.

I snapped the velvet box shut and shoved it deep into the pocket of my tuxedo jacket. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird, but I forced my expression into a mask of calm. I had spent a decade perfecting the art of deception in the criminal underworld before I met Mara; it was a skill I had desperately hoped I would never need again.

"Julian?"

Mara’s gentle voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. She had left the dance floor and was standing beside me, her cheeks flushed with happiness. She reached out, tracing the line of my jaw with her soft fingers.

"Where did you go just now?" she asked, her green eyes searching mine. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"Just caught up in the moment," I lied smoothly, pulling her into a tight embrace. I buried my face in her hair, breathing in the scent of jasmine and sea salt. Over her shoulder, my eyes scanned the perimeter of the glowing tent. My security team was moving quickly, their earpieces glowing faintly in the dark as they secured the estate walls.

"The boys are crashing," Mara laughed, pointing toward the corner of the tent. Milo and Max were asleep on a plush lounge chair, tangled together like puppies, while Mason and Micah were yawning heavily while eating wedding cake.

"Let's get them upstairs to the suite," I said, my voice tighter than I intended.

Mara frowned slightly, sensing the subtle shift in my demeanor. She didn't press the issue, though. We gathered our sleeping sons, thanking our guests as we made our exit. Her father, Richard, clapped me on the shoulder.

"Take care of them, Julian," Richard repeated his vow from the altar.

"Always, Richard," I replied, but the words felt heavy on my tongue.

Once we reached the penthouse suite of the resort, Mara took the boys into the adjoining room to tuck them into bed. I walked out onto the private balcony, overlooking the dark expanse of the ocean. I pulled the black velvet box from my pocket and stared at the four silver pawns. Victor wasn't just threatening me; he was targeting the most precious things in my universe. I pulled out my encrypted phone and dialed a number I hadn't used in three years. It rang twice before a raspy voice answered.