Chapter Ten

Alessandro looked over to see Evangeline admiring him in awe. "What is it?" He asked curiously.

She shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just trying to figure out how I got so lucky." She whispered.

He smiled in joy and adoration. "I think I'm the lucky one little angel."

She blushed and went to respond when there was a knock at the door. Alessandro cleared his throat before calling out. "Come in."

Braydon and Richard walked in and then sat down across from Alessandro and Evangeline. "Whose this boss?" Braydon questioned as he studied her.

Alessandro smiled in joy as he grabbed her hand in his. "This is my saving angel, Evangeline." He said with a heart full of love. He gestured to Richard and Braydon. "This is my second in command Richard, and my third in command, Braydon."

Braydon and Richard smiled in congratulations. "That's amazing to hear, boss. Congratulations." Braydon said as he leaned back in his chair.

Alessandro cleared his throat. "Angel, do you want to tell them?" He asked her quietly.

She blew out a rough breath. "Alright, gentlemen." She said as she folded her hands on the desk in front of her. "What I am about to tell you will not leave this room. I'm sorry but not even to your wife." She said as she looked at Braydon.

Braydon held his hands up. "I promise I won't say anything." He said as he folded his arms over his chest.

She cleared her throat. "Okay then." She ran a hand through her hair as she glanced at Alessandro. He gave her a single nod, encouraging her to continue. She blew out a slow breath. "Alright, up until four years ago I was the world's deadliest assassin. I was trained in a camp that had been built by Nikolai Petrov." She rubbed a hand over her face. "Half of the jobs that we got while I was there came from him." She looked at Braydon with a frown. "I know that he had one of his men approach you not too long ago. I know that he wants you to turn against Alessandro but you refused." She folded her hands in front of her again. "Trust me. Sticking to who you are and your morals is very difficult, especially when you're being threatened."

Braydon frowned. "I'm not being threatened though." He said in confusion.

Evangeline sighed heavily. "Look, I've worked for him for years. Trust me it was not voluntary." She waved her hand dismissively. "That's not the point though. The point is that I know how he works. He will not threaten you." She said calmly. "He will simply have you taken out."

Braydon's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What are you trying to say, Evangeline?" He questioned.

She clicked her tongue. "There is no easy way to say this but he sent an assassin here to take out you, your wife, and your kids." She stated.

He rushed to his feet as he ran his hands through his hair furiously. "Oh no. What am I going to do?" he muttered as he started pacing.

Evangeline leaned back in her chair as she placed her arms over the rest of her chair. "Calm down Braydon." She rested her chin on her knuckles as she continued speaking. "The assassin that Nikolai sent is an old friend of mine. He came to me earlier today. He and I both have a strict moral code and refuse to murder innocent people. He can't help you go into hiding without looking suspicious so he came to me for help." She gestured to the chair that he had been sitting in. "Please sit back down and let me explain."

"What about my family?" he demanded in anger. "Something could happen to them."

She groaned as she stood up and walked over to him. "I need you to calm down Braydon. Your family is safe for now. My friend has gone off the grid where only I can find him." She put her hand on his shoulder and used just enough force to push him back into his chair. "Unfortunately we don't have that much time." She said as she went back to her seat and sat down. "At most, we have three days. So this is my plan." She gestured to Braydon. "You are going to talk to your wife and pick three locations that you'd be okay with until we take care of this. Do not tell anyone that you're leaving. If Nikolai is truly trying to get an alliance here in Milan then he has to have spies already in place. They might not be in this community but they are definitely in the city so we have to be careful. Please do not take too long on picking three places. Once you have chosen I will pick one that I know Nikolai will never send any one of his men or assassins. Then I will forge your new identities. All of you. I will have a house set up for you already with the best biometric security and whatnot. You and your family will be safe."

Braydon and Richard stared at her in shock. Braydon cleared his throat. "Is there anything else that I'm going to need to know?" he asked.

Evangeline bit her lip and clicked her tongue before saying. "Yeah, there's one other thing that has to be done." She said hesitantly.

"What is it?" Braydon questioned as he leaned forward in his seat, placing his elbows on his knees.

She pursed her lips and said. "We're going to have to fake all of your deaths." She mumbled.

Braydon frowned in confusion. "What? Why?" he questioned.

"Nikolai always requires pictures of the deed once it's done. It will also help you go into hiding. If Nikolai thinks you and your family are dead then you'll be safe." She explained as she ran a hand through her hair.

Braydon exhaled roughly. "What happens if we stay here?" He asked in a whisper.

Evangeline looked at Alessandro with sad eyes. "If you and your family stay then Nikolai will send Jaxon on a different assignment and he'll send another assassin. One that will be more than happy to do the job without any hesitation." She shook her head as she looked at Braydon. "I can only keep you safe for so long. Any assassin will watch and learn and wait. They'll wait until they know I'm not around and go after you." She ran a hand through her hair. "No one besides another assassin can stop an assassin. Not with the training we've been through."

Braydon looked down at his hands as he clenched his jaw. "So we don't have a choice." He mumbled out. "We have to go into hiding." He said as he looked up at her.

She blew out a rough breath as she ran a hand through her hair again. "I'm sorry Braydon. If you want to keep your family safe without constantly living in fear for your lives." She shook her head. "Nikolai is relentless. As are a majority of his assassins. They will continue to go after you and your family until you're all dead." She cleared her throat when she saw the horrified expression on Braydon's face. "I don't mean to sound harsh or heartless but it's the truth. If Nikolai has even the slightest hunch that you guys are alive he'll continue to send assassins. You guys will never be safe."

"But we'll be safe if we go according to your plan?" He demanded angrily as he got to his feet.

She glared at him as she rose to her feet and placed her hands flat on the desk. "Listen to me Braydon. I understand that this is a lot to take in. I know that relocating and faking your deaths is not something that you want to think about, let alone do. What you need to understand is that I know from experience this is the only way to keep your family safe." She said firmly.

Braydon matched her glare as he folded his arms over his chest. "What would a little girl like you know about that type of experience?" He demanded.

Evangeline was over the desk and had him pinned to the floor with her foot to his throat before any of them could blink. "You have no idea what I know or what I've been through. To remind you though, I was the deadliest assassin. I have done things that you couldn't even possibly imagine. I did everything that I had to so I could survive, no matter what it was."

"So you killed whoever they told you to just to save your own life." Braydon choked out as he grabbed her ankle and squeezed.

Her lip curled in disgust as she snarled and pushed her foot down harder. "I did what I had to do to survive. I did it my way." She clenched her hands into fists, grateful that she didn't have her blades. "You have no idea how many people I have helped go into hiding. You have no idea what happened to me when Nikolai found out that I did help certain people go into hiding. You should be grateful that I am even trying to help you." She bent over to stare right in his face. "The only reason that I am helping you is that a very good friend of mine came to me and asked me to help you because he wouldn't be able to. Also because Alessandro asked me as well." She pressed down on his throat a bit more, making his face turn bright red, before letting him go and moving to the door. "Talk to your wife Braydon. If you two decide that you would rather your children live in safety rather than dying let Alessandro know. He knows where to find me."

Before anyone could say anything else she stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her as she did.

She stormed out of the house and rushed out of the gate. She could feel herself getting angry and knew that she needed a gym or to run to blow off steam. So she took a deep breath and started running.

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Alessandro and Richard sat in shock as the door slammed shut. Braydon laid on the ground, coughing and trying to catch his breath as he rubbed his throat. "What the hell just happened?" Richard asked as he looked at Alessandro.

Alessandro cleared his throat as he came out of his trance. He turned a dark glare on Braydon as Richard helped him off the floor. "You insulted my saving angel." He growled out. "You insulted her when she was only trying to help you and your family." He said angrily as he shoved his chair back and stood up.

Braydon coughed and cleared his throat a couple of times before saying. "I'm sorry Alessandro. I didn't mean to insult her. I just don't know how to deal with this type of thing. We have never had to deal with assassins like Evangeline. We have never had to deal with any of this. No matter what, I have always been able to keep my family safe."

Alessandro kept his glare on Braydon as he said. "I've never been in your shoes. I wasn't even here when my family was taken from me. I do know that hopeless feeling that you're feeling right now. I know it all too well, but when someone offers to help you and your family you don't insult them and turn them down. You let them help you. You know why?" He asked as he tilted his head slightly.

Braydon shook his head. "Why?" he croaked out.

Alessandro swept his arm over his desk, knocking everything on it to the floor. "Because they wouldn't offer their help if they didn't know about what was happening!" He shouted in anger. "Evangeline said that she has done this several times before. She's been under his thumb before and had to do things to save her own life. Yet you just threw it in her face when she offered her help." He said calmly as he placed his hands on his desk and leaned forward slightly.

Braydon gulped down the lump that had formed in his throat. Yes, Alessandro was fair and treated everyone in the family kindly but this was about his saving angel. He has seen Alessandro at his worst and he was worried about what would happen now that he had accidentally insulted his saving angel. "Look, Alessandro. I'm sorry. I'm just freaking out."

"Evie gave you two options," Alessandro said calmly. "Stay here and most likely get all of you killed somewhere down the line. Or fake your deaths and go into hiding until we take care of Nikolai." He stood up and straightened his tie. "Talk to Marie and come find me when you two have decided what you're going to do." He stopped right next to him on his way to the door. "I know it's not that much time but I need an answer by the morning."

He left his office and went on a search for Evangeline. As he passed the sitting-room he saw their butler. "Samuel," he said calmly as he stood in the doorway.

Samuel turned to look at him. "Yes sir." He said as he gave the boss his full attention.

"Did you see a young woman come through here? She's short with black and silver hair. She has hypnotizing purple and silver amethyst eyes and was wearing a gorgeous pants suit with black stiletto heels."

Samuel smiled wide. "Oh yes. She was sweet for the minute that I spoke with her." He said with bright eyes. "She left sir."

Alessandro frowned. "I drove her here though." He said in confusion. "Did she get into a car?" He asked.

Samuel shook his head with a frown. "No sir. She took off on foot. I'm not sure if she ordered a car service after she left the gate but she was on foot when she left."

Alessandro swore under his breath as he ran a hand through his hair. "Alright thank you, Samuel." He rushed out to the garage and hopped into his car as he dialed Luca's number.

"Hey what's up Alessandro?" Luca answered with a yawn.

"Did you just wake up?" Alessandro asked in surprise.

"Yes. In case you forgot we were up taking care of Evangeline all night." He said sleepily.

Alessandro rolled his eyes. "I haven't even been to sleep yet Luca. Only that hour at your house while Evie slept. Stop being dramatic." He said as he slowed down and looked around the area that he was in.

Luca chuckled. "What do you need, Alessandro? I was going to help Aurora pick out a crib."

Alessandro smiled. "Um, I just had a quick question about Evie," he said softly.

"Alright. What is it, brother?" Luca asked a bit more awake than before.

"What happens if someone pisses Evie off?" Alessandro asked in concern as he continued his search for her.

Alessandro could hear the worry in Luca's voice when he asked. "What happened Alessandro?" He demanded.

"Her past is bleeding into her present," he said quietly. "Nikolai Petrov tried to get Braydon to flip but he refused. I called Dimitri to ask about what we should be expecting from Nikolai and he told me that he would most likely send an assassin. So I asked Evie for her help."

"Of course she said yes because that's who she is. If Braydon is a target then so is his family. She would never let anything happen to innocent people. Especially children. She has always had a soft spot for kids." Luca said with a scoff. "So what happened?"

"She told Braydon that the only way to keep his family safe was for them to fake the whole family's deaths and then have them go into hiding," Alessandro explained as he rolled his window down to see better since it was getting darker outside.

"That is his only option," Luca said in agreement. "Assassins trained in those camps are some of the deadliest assassins in the world. If they want you dead then you will be dead."

Alessandro blew out a rough breath. "That's what Evie said." He clicked his tongue. "I suppose that we got lucky. The assassin they sent is an old friend of Evie's and has the same moral code that she does."

Luca chuckled. "Of course they sent Jaxon. Besides Evangeline, he's the best assassin." Luca cleared his throat. "Be grateful that they sent Jaxon. If they would've sent anyone else Braydon and his entire family would be dead by now."

Alessandro sighed heavily. "I am grateful. Braydon has always been a very good friend of mine and he surprisingly made me the godfather of his kids." He swore under his breath as he stomped on the breaks when a man in dark clothes ran across the street right in front of him. "The fuck are you doing?!" He shouted out of the window. "Get out of the road!"

"Are you okay Alessandro?" Luca asked in concern.

"Yeah," Alessandro said in agitation. "Some dumbass in dark clothing ran across the street right in front of me." He blew out a breath. "Anyway, I am grateful that they sent Jaxon. I'm also grateful that Evie is willing to help, but I think Braydon pissed her off."

Luca groaned. "Oh no. What happened?"

"Braydon may have said some things about her past and she may have tackled him to the floor with her foot pressed to his throat. Some things were said and she stormed out." Alessandro explained. "Yet she is still willing to help him and his family."

"Of course she is. That's who she is. She also understands that he's most likely upset and freaking out." He explained calmly.

"Where would she go when she's angry?" Alessandro questioned as he started driving again.

Luca let out a heavy breath. "Did she take a car when she left your house?" He asked calmly.

"Samuel said that she was on foot when she left the gate," Alessandro said as he looked around.

"Yeah, she's running it off." He said simply. "She's going to her house. She'll be in her underground gym. You'll have to just ring the doorbell and have her let you in."

"She's not going to go into a blackout?" He questioned as he made a right turn and headed to Evangeline's house.

"No no. She wasn't attacked and there wasn't too much violence. She just needs to blow off steam. Hence the running."

"Okay thank you, Luca." Alessandro let out a small laugh. "How does she run in those heels?" He questioned with a wide smile.

Luca chuckled. "Your guess is as good as mine." Alessandro shook his head as he heard Aurora shout in the background for Luca to hurry up.

"I'll let you go, Luca. I'm pulling up to Evie's house anyway." Alessandro said as he pulled into her driveway. "Take it easy Luca. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye Alessandro."

They hung up and Alessandro got out of the car. He walked up to Evangeline's house and rang the doorbell, hoping that Evangeline would let her in.