Damien

I called my house keeper and asked her to prepare the guest bedroom and have two play pens placed in the room. I have a feeling, Hallie would feel more comfortable having her kids with her. Plus, I don't want the little ones to wake up dazed and confused by their new surroundings.

Good thing I have my nieces and nephew often enough that I actually play pens lying around. The play pens would have to do while I find a better solution. I have a feeling I'm going to battle Hallie for everything I'm about to offer her. 

"Do you mind getting Ty and Michy," I asked Jerry once we got back to my place. "I don't want to have to wake her. She's dead on her feet," I said, nodding towards Hallie, who's softly snoring behind me.

"I got them, sir," he assured me.

I wrapped my arms around her and carried her bridal style, causing me to jostle her gently.

She frowned and blinked a few time.

"It's okay," I whispered softly. "I've got you, sweetheart."

She blinked a few more times and settled her gaze on me.

"Oh. It's you," she said softly with a smile, before falling back asleep.

I swallowed hard. God, she's stunning. This is the first time I'm seeing her up close. I can actually see the freckles on her dainty nose and soft cheeks. I love it. I think it gives her character. Her lashes were long and thick, and her lips were lush and full, just begging to be kissed.

Jerry cleared his throat from behind me, interrupting my thoughts.

"Thank you," I said, as he closed the car door.

He led me to my private elevator whilst, carrying the two little ones in their car seat. Both of them still sound asleep.

A few moments later the doors opened and Martha, my housekeeper was there to greet me.

"Oh my goodness," she breathed.

I smiled. "They're all okay. Just exhausted," I assured her.

"The guest room and the playpen are all set," she said. "Here, let me help you," she said and took Michy who had her thumb stuck inside her mouth.

I smiled.

"She's beautiful. They both are," she gushed.

I nodded in agreement as we walked to the guest room.

Once inside the room, Martha pulled the covers aside so I can lay Hallie on the bed, before taking Michy out of the car seat and laying her on one of the playpens. Jerry followed suit and placed Ty on the other one.

"Could you turn the baby monitor on," I asked Martha, who nodded.

I have a monitor in my room. I use it whenever I have any of my nieces and nephews over. Specially the little ones.

I want to let Hallie rest as much as she can. I just hope Michu and Ty don't mind if I look over them while their mom gets some much needed rest. Worse comes to worst, I'll just wake her.

I frowned. I might not even need to wake her. She'll probably wake your in her own if they need her. They're her kids after all.

"Sir?"

"Sorry. What is it?"

"Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?" Martha asked.

I shook my head. "No, thank you. We'll figure things out in the morning."

She nodded. "Goodnight, Mr. Anastasi."

"Goodnight."

I took Hallie's shoes off her, then her coat, before pulling the covers over her. I looked over her one last time before heading to see the little ones.

I ran my hand over both of them, before leaning down, to give them a goodnight's kiss.

"Dream of the sweetest dreams," I whispered to Tyler, before walking over to Michy and doing the same.

"Sir?" Jerry said as I walked out of the room.

"Let's talk in my office," I said.

Jerry isn't just my driver. He's also the head of my security so I understand his worries and his need to know the situation. 

I turned on the monitor in my office just in case the little ones wake up.

"Sir, I'd really like a background check on Ms. Hallie," he started to say and I held up my hand.

"I don't want a full background check on her. Just the basic," I said.

He didn't look very happy, but he nodded.

"Will she be staying here with you indefinitely?" She asked.

I sighed. "I don't know yet. As you saw tonight, she's a tough one. It's going to be a battle convincing her of staying here with me, but I also know that I'm not letting her go back there."

"What do you plan to do, sir?

"I don't know yet. As far as I know she also needs a job. I can offer her that, but I have a feeling she's going to fight me on that to," I chuckled. "But she doesn't have much choice, so she'll do it my way eventually."

He nodded with amusement.

"Anything else, Sir?"

I shook my head. "No. Thanks, Jerry. You can brief everyone in the morning," I said, which I doubt he will. I'm sure that he'll be briefing them tonight. As soon as he leaves this room.

He nodded. "Goodnight, Sir," he said.

I pulled my phone out and called my sister, Bella.

"Hey dork," she answered, making me chuckle.

"Are you still at the event?"

"Nah. We just left and we're on our way home," she said.

"I need a favour," I said.

"Anything," she answered.

"Could you send some women's clothes to my place. Your size you'll be perfect."

"Can I ask why?"

I snickered. Always the nosy twin. "I'll explain to you some other time."

She sighed. "Fine," she said grudgingly.

"Thanks, nosy."

"How about some intimates, do you need any?"

I gulped. "Uhhh."

She burst out laughing on the other line.

"Never mind," she said. "I'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Bella. Love you, sis."

"Love you too. Lunch soon?"

I chuckled. "You're relentless," I muttered. "Yes, and I'll explain things then."

"How does tomorrow sound?"

I laughed. "How about the day after tomorrow?"

"Deal."

"Alright. Will you be at your store? I can pick you up at noon."

"Sounds great," she replied.

"See you then," I said, before ending the call.

My sister Bella owns a clothing store. She designs and sells women's clothes. From lingerie to formal wear. She's incredibly talented and people just love her designs, making her one of the youngest most successful in the fashion industry, with stores all over America and Europe. She's soon branching out in Asian countries which we're all extremely proud and excited for her. She's married to Alan, who owns one of the largest security firm in the world, along with my other brother in-law, Nate and their best friends, Dave— who is secretly in love with my youngest sister and youngest in the family, Katie— Jake, and Joaquin.

Katie is the romantic out of all of us. We often tease her that she got it from our mom. She's been in love with Dave for as long as I can remember. She used to follow him around and wait for him whenever he would come over our childhood home. But something happened a few years ago that changed her. I know it has something to do with Dave, but she won't tell us. I just really hope they are able to fix things, whatever it is that's stopping them from being together, when it's so clear how much they love each other. One look at them and you'd see the love between them.

Here I am, desperately wanting love, and yet, there they are potentially throwing it away. Or at least, fighting it.

I pushed off my office chair and walked over to my window over looking the whole city, as my thought drifted back to the beautiful blonde sleeping in the guest room.

She intrigues me.

She fascinates me.

She bothers the hell out of me.

I shook my head.

As I moved towards my bedroom, my thought went back to the apartment she was living in. What the hell am I going to do about it? Am I really going to bully the woman over where she lives and force her to live with me? I need more information about her and her kids. It was so damn obvious that she was afraid of being found if her reaction about the her pictures being posted on papers. And if they were hiding, from who? And why? And if she is hiding is Hallie even her real name? If it is then, she's not doing a very good job of it. At some point whoever she's hiding from will catch up to them. But if it did, I just hope it's with me so I could protect them.

I shook my head. My reaction to this woman... hell I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. There's been something about her from the moment we met. Those eyes. Her soft, expressive blue eyes. It had been a sucker-punch in the gut. When I thought I would never see her again, I felt so goddamn helpless. Then I saw her again... I couldn't explain the relief and happiness that bubbled inside of me. I couldn't believe the desperation in her eyes as she looked for a twenty dollar bill she had accidentally thrown in the garbage. I knew I simply couldn't let her go. I was a take-charge kind of guy. I wasn't a passive observer. So yeah, I may have bullied her into coming with me, but I couldn't just let her go and leave her in that place. But after tonight, I know I have to play it cool. I have to force myself to back off a little and not come on too strong and overwhelm or worse, frighten the hell out of her. I could already tell she has problem trusting people. I can't give her a reason not to trust me.

As I laid in bed, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that one wrong move on my part will cause her to bolt and I'd never see her again.

Shit. Maybe I should have asked Jerry for a thorough background. The more I thought about it, the more I knew I'd have to gather as much information as I could about her and her kids. But damn, I'd have to be discreet about it.

I shook my head. No I can't. Any information I get, needs to come from her. I knew at least that much about her. I'll lose whatever trust she gave me tonight if I go behind her back. That much I know. And that frustrates the hell out of me. I solve problems. I take action. It's who I am, and I simply can't do that wit this woman.

Damn. This woman is going to be the biggest challenge of all.