Chapter 1

I had just given birth when the government sent me on a top-secret mission. I spent seven years deep undercover, my identity wiped from the world.

Seven years later, the mission finally ended. I was granted leave to return home and reunite with my family.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I imagined seeing my husband and children again. I had missed them every single second of every day.

But the moment my car pulled up to the driveway, my blood ran cold. My precious son and daughter were being cornered by three massive German Shepherds.

The beasts were snapping at them, their teeth inches from the children's skin. I saw red.

I lunged forward, my movements a blur of trained instinct. With a few sharp kicks, I sent the dogs flying, their aggressive snarls turning into pained whimpers.

My ten-year-old son, Caleb, instinctively pulled his little sister behind him. His face was ghostly pale, his small body trembling uncontrollably.

My eight-year-old daughter, Mila, snapped out of her daze and looked at me with wide, terrified eyes. She didn't recognize me, but she was frantic for my safety.

"Ma'am, you have to run! Please, just go!" she sobbed. "You hit her dogs. When Daddy finds out, he'll never let you go!"

I forced down the white-hot rage simmering in my chest. My heart ached as I reached out to them, my voice softening.

"She set those dogs on you," I said firmly. "Even if your father were here, he would have protected you just like I did."

The moment the words left my mouth, both children's eyes filled with tears. They looked devastated, not comforted.

Before I could ask what was wrong, a shrill, arrogant voice pierced the air from the porch.

"You bitch! I am the woman Marcus Sterling chose himself. I am the true mistress of this estate!"

A woman stepped forward, her eyes flashing with malice. She looked at my children like they were filth on her designer shoes.

"You and these two little bastards who keep dirtying up my house... none of you are getting away with this today!"

I froze, stunned by her audacity. I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone, and dialed my husband's number.

"Marcus Sterling," I said the moment the line picked up. "You better give me a damn good explanation for this 'sister' who just appeared out of nowhere."

"And while you're at it, tell me why the house I left for Caleb and Mila has a new owner."

1.

Seven years ago, an emergency mission forced me to fake my death and vanish. My identity was sealed as I headed into the most dangerous territories overseas.

To compensate for my sacrifice, my superiors had granted me this luxury estate in the heart of the city. It was worth hundreds of millions, intended to be a stronghold for my children while I was gone.

I never imagined that my own flesh and blood would be treated like intruders in their own home. I never thought they would be hunted like prey in their own yard.

Anger pulsed through my veins as I waited for Marcus to answer. But when the call finally connected, it wasn't his voice on the other end.

"Who is this crazy woman now?" a haughty female voice snapped. "Mr. Sterling only takes calls from Miss Sienna when he's at dinner."

"You little gold-diggers need to learn your place. Stop calling and get a life!"

The line went dead before I could even utter a word. I stood there, staring at the screen in disbelief.

I knew Marcus had a rule about not taking calls during dinner. But he had told me, personally, that I was the only exception.

That was why I had kept my old number for seven years, even while living under a ghost identity. I was terrified he would feel guilty if he ever missed a call from me.

But it seemed his 'only exception' had been replaced.

For seven years, the thought of Marcus had been the only thing keeping me alive through gunfire and shadows. To be discarded the moment I returned felt like a knife to the heart.

Sienna Thorne saw my stunned expression and let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

"And here I thought you had some real backing. Turns out you're just another pathetic groupie trying to climb into his bed!"

"Know your place, honey. You aren't even worth the dirt on my heels."

I closed my eyes, taking a long, slow breath to keep my lethal training from taking over.

Honestly, I could have accepted Marcus finding someone else. I knew the risks of my mission; I didn't expect him to play the grieving widower forever.

But he had promised me. He swore he would protect our children and ensure they had a happy life.

Yet here was Caleb, looking like a skeleton in oversized clothes, and Mila, her face sallow and thin. They were at the age where they should be growing, but they looked like they could blow away in the wind.

Seeing them huddled together, covered in bruises and scars, made my soul scream.

"Sweethearts, don't be scared," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm taking you away from here."

I took their small hands in mine. I didn't even care about the house or the woman anymore; I just wanted to get them to safety and care for them.

I had seven years of lost time to make up for. I wouldn't waste another second.

But apparently, some people just don't know when to quit while they're ahead.

"Leaving? You think you can just hit my dogs and walk away?" Sienna sneered.

"Security! Grab them! All of them!"

"You want to play the hero, you little slut? I'll show you who really runs this city!"

The guards began to close in. The three dogs I'd kicked were scrambled back to their feet, growling low in their throats, ready to pounce.

I immediately pushed the children behind my back. "Sienna Thorne, don't you dare!" I barked.

With my training, these twelve guards wouldn't last three minutes against me. But with two terrified children right behind me, I had to be careful.

My moves were designed to kill, not to subdue. I hesitated for a fraction of a second, and in that moment, Caleb broke free from my grip.

"Miss Sienna! Please! Just let Mila and this lady go!"

He threw himself at Sienna's feet, sobbing and pleading, his small forehead hitting the pavement as he bowed.

"Punish me! Do whatever you want to me, just don't hurt them! Don't hurt my sister!"

"Mila has been sick since she was little! She can't take another beating! Please, I'm begging you!"