Lucas stepped into the house, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the day. His eyes instantly sought out Bella and Rachel. The scent of warm food filled the air, and soft laughter echoed from the dining room.
.
"Dada!" Rachel grinned as she saw him. She climbed onto her chair, kicking her legs excitedly. "You're late!"
"I'm right on time sweetheart," Lucas corrected, walking over and ruffling her hair before glancing at Bella. She stood by the table, setting down the last dish. Their eyes met, and for a brief second, he saw the slight tension in her gaze.
"Wash your hands first," Bella said, her voice softer than usual. He nodded, making his way to the sink. When he returned, Bella and Rachel were already sitting, waiting for him.
The dinner started light. Rachel excitedly recounted her day at school, babbling about her new drawing and how her teacher praised her. Bella listened attentively, occasionally sneaking glances at Lucas.
Lucas, for his part, let Rachel do most of the talking. But in the back of his mind, he was processing everything that had happened today. Who was he or were they? He don't even know if it was one person or a whole damn gang. He needs to find everything soon or else the matters will go out of his control and that's the last thing he want right now.
After dinner, Bella took Rachel to her room. The little girl yawned but stubbornly held onto her mother's hand. "Will you tuck me in mumma?" Bella chuckled. "Of course, dear. Let's go."
As soon as they disappeared inside the bedroom, Lucas took out his phone and dialed Mark. The line picked up immediately.
"Boss?"
Lucas exhaled, walking toward the living room. "We have a problem." Mark instantly caught on. "The stalker? Leo had already told me about it." Leo was the head of security of his empire and also the personal bodyguard assigned by Lucas to protect Bella.
"He's persistent," Lucas muttered. "And skilled enough to track me without getting caught. Which means this isn't just some low-level threat." Mark was silent for a second. "Any idea how they found out about Bella?"
Lucas's grip tightened around his phone. That's the damn question, isn't it? Very few people knew he was married. Even fewer knew about Bella and Rachel. He had been careful, yet someone had put the pieces together.
"I need to know who he is," Lucas said, his tone sharp. "And what he wants."
"I'll dig into it. I will also ask the local gang boss, whether a new gang was spotted," Mark assured. "In the meantime, should I increase Bella's security?"
Lucas's jaw clenched. "Do it quietly. I don't want her alarmed." Footsteps approached, and Lucas turned his head just in time to see Bella standing near the doorway. She wasn't saying anything, but her eyes held worry. She didn't listen anything, did she? He ended the call immediately.
Lucas pocketed his phone and leaned against the back of the couch. "What's wrong Bella?"
She hesitated before stepping closer. "I… I think someone was watching me today." He was taken aback but still stayed silent, letting her continue.
"When I was home alone, I felt it. I checked the windows too but no one was there," Bella admitted, rubbing her arms as if shaking off the memory. "And then later, when I went to pick Rachel up from school… the feeling was still there." She don't know what pushed her into telling him this, but she want him to know this.
Lucas felt his chest tighten. She had noticed. For a brief second, he considered telling her the truth—about his world, his enemies, and the dangers that came with being his wife.
But then he looked at her face—worried, vulnerable, but still trusting. She trusted him enough to share her concerns with him. He couldn't shatter that. Not yet.
Lucas exhaled and reached out, gently brushing his fingers against her arm. "It's probably nothing, Bella," he said smoothly. "Just a false sensation. You're overthinking it." Bella frowned. "But—"
"I'll look into it, if there is something like you say," Lucas added, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You don't have to worry."
Bella studied him for a long moment. She wasn't convinced, but she trusted him. A voice inside her told her that he will keep her safe. She placed her hand on her rounded belly, which was becoming more prominent with each passing day. It was the baby who is telling her, not her heart. Right?
"…Okay."
Later that night, they lay on either side of Rachel. The little girl had fallen asleep between them, curled up with a small stuffed animal.
Bella shifted slightly, eyes drifting to Lucas in the dim glow of the night lamp. "Goodnight, Lucas." He watched her for a moment before murmuring, "Goodnight, Bella. You can wake me up anytime you feel uncomfortable, okay? "
He stayed awake longer than her, eyes trained on the ceiling, thoughts swirling. He had reassured her. Now, he just had to make sure his words weren't a lie. He will protect his family, Rachel, Bella and the life growing inside her. Marriage and kids does make one feel responsible and he won't deny, he is liking it. Taking one more glance at his family he finally drifted into his dreamland.