The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 252

Aveline

When we arrived home, I immediately noticed the subtle change in our security team's demeanor. The remaining bodyguards conducted their usual perimeter check, but their eyes held a softness that hadn't been there before. They moved with the same professional efficiency, yet something was different—a heaviness in their shoulders, a moment's hesitation before they met our gaze.

*They know,* I thought. *They've seen the news coverage of the museum attack. They know two of their own aren't coming back.*

The weight of having to tell them about Tony and Erving pressed down on my chest like a physical thing. But before I could find the words, Orion stepped forward.

"I know I mentioned the dangers of this assignment when you signed on," he began carefully, his voice steady but strained. "I was honest about the possibility of injury, even death. If any of you feel that—"

"Sir," interrupted Jake, our team leader. His expression had shifted to military formality, spine straight and eyes focused. "Our contracts are signed. We knew the risks before we accepted this position."

The other men nodded in silent agreement, their faces wearing the stoic mask I'd come to recognize in professional soldiers.

"We understand the nature of our work better than most," Jake continued. "What we need to know is..." He paused, and for the first time, emotion crept into his voice. "Did Tony and Erving die with honor? Did their sacrifice mean something?"

The question hit me like a physical blow. These weren't just employees—they were warriors asking if their fallen brothers had died in service of something worthy.

Orion's response was immediate and firm. "You're all military men. You understand what I'm about to tell you." His voice carried the weight of absolute conviction. "Erving identified the threat that saved everyone in that ballroom. He gave his life to protect not just us, but hundreds of innocent people."

He paused, making eye contact with each man. "Tony drew enemy fire away from civilians when he could have stayed in cover. His sacrifice allowed us to save those hostages."

Orion's voice grew stronger. "The enemy force—thirty trained operatives—paid the ultimate price. Every single one of them. Your brothers didn't die in vain."

The transformation was immediate. The tension left their shoulders, and as one, they snapped to attention and saluted. Watching these hardened men show respect for their fallen comrades nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Within moments, they'd returned to their posts with renewed purpose, leaving Orion and me alone with the weight of our grief.

Upstairs, Orion tried his best to lift my spirits. He'd prepared a beautiful dinner—grilled salmon with herb risotto and a bottle of wine from our anniversary collection. Despite his obvious effort, the food tasted like ash in my mouth. Every bite reminded me of the violence we'd witnessed, the lives lost protecting us.

Sensing my mood, Orion retrieved his phone and dialed Ryan's number before settling onto the couch.

"I thought you might want to see a familiar face," he said gently, handing me the device.

The moment Ryan's cherubic features filled the screen, my heart lifted for the first time all evening.

"Mommy!" he exclaimed, pressing his face close to the camera. "I miss you so much! When are you coming to get me?"

"Soon, sweetheart," I promised, fighting back tears. "Are you being good for Grandmother and Mitchell?"

"I am, but..." his expression grew serious with the gravity only a child could muster, "I don't like it here anymore. There's nothing to do, and I keep having bad dreams about monsters."

My chest tightened. "What kind of dreams, baby?"

"Scary men who want to hurt you and Daddy. Can't I come home? I promise I'll be really, really good."

"Just a little longer, Ryan. We're working on bringing you home safely."

Grandmother's voice came from off-camera, and Ryan reluctantly handed over the phone. Her familiar face appeared, lined with worry but attempting to maintain her usual composure.

"Darling, how are you holding up?" she asked.

"Better now that I can see you both," I replied honestly. "How are you finding the countryside?"

Her expression brightened with genuine enthusiasm. "Oh, it's absolutely lovely! The rolling hills remind me of my childhood in Connecticut. There are wildflowers everywhere—daffodils and tulips creating the most beautiful tapestry. And the sunset last night over the valley was something from a painting."

She continued describing the morning mist over the meadows and the sound of birdsong at dawn, her voice carrying the contentment of someone who'd found unexpected peace.

I was beginning to relax, drawing comfort from her obvious happiness, when I noticed her head turn sharply toward something off-screen.

"What was that noise?" she asked, her voice suddenly tense.

Through the phone, I could hear it too—distant but growing closer. A rhythmic sound that made my blood run cold.

*Pop-pop-pop-pop.*

Orion leaped from the couch, recognizing the sound immediately. It was unmistakable—automatic weapons fire.

"Grandmother!" I screamed into the phone. "Ryan! You need to hide right now!"

The camera shook violently as Grandmother tried to stand, panic replacing her earlier calm. "Mitchell!" she called out. "Mitchell, what's happening?"

The gunfire grew more intense, closer to the house. I could hear Ryan crying in the background, his small voice calling for his mommy.

"Get down!" I shouted. "Get away from the windows!"

The phone's video feed became a blur of motion—ceiling, walls, floor—as Grandmother tried to move with Ryan to safety. Through the chaos, I caught glimpses of their terrified faces.

Then the screen went black just as I heard splintering wood and Mitchell's voice shouting, "Everyone down! Armed intruders! We need to—"

The connection died.

"NO!" I screamed, frantically trying to redial. "Answer! Please answer!"

My hands shook so violently I could barely hold the phone. Orion grabbed his own device and immediately called Dmitri.

"They've attacked the safe house," he said the moment the call connected. "Full assault, automatic weapons. We lost contact—"

I heard Vivian's voice in the background, sharp with panic, then Dmitri's calm response: "We're mobilizing now. Twenty minutes out."

"I'm coming too," Orion said.

"Absolutely not. This is exactly what they want—to draw you out of your fortified position. Stay put and let us handle the rescue."

But I was already moving, pulling clothes from our closet with manic energy.

"We're going," I declared, not looking at Orion. "I'm not sitting here while my family is under attack."

"Aveline, please—" he started.

"Don't!" I whirled on him, fury and terror making my voice shake. "Don't you dare ask me to abandon them! That's my grandmother! That's Ryan!"

"Then I'm going alone," Orion said firmly. "You stay here where it's safe."

"Like hell I am!"

"You're not trained for combat! You'll get yourself killed, and probably me too!"

"I don't care! They're my family!"

What followed was the worst fight of our relationship. I threw clothes at him, screamed that I'd never forgive him if something happened to them while I cowered at home. He shouted back that I was being emotional and irrational, that someone needed to survive to carry on if everything went wrong.

Finally, when I tried to push past him toward the door, Orion did something I never thought he'd do. He physically restrained me, his arms wrapping around me despite my struggling.

"Jake!" he called to our security team. "I need you to keep Mrs. Blackwell safe. Do not let her leave this house under any circumstances."

"You bastard!" I screamed, fighting against his grip. "Let me go! Let me go!"

But he was already moving toward the door, grabbing weapons and gear with practiced efficiency.

Jake stepped forward uncertainly. "Sir, you shouldn't go alone. If you're determined to do this, take the team—"

"No. They stay here to protect her. That's the priority."

"Sir, with respect, one man against an unknown force is suicide."

Orion paused at the door, his hand on the frame. For a moment, his composure cracked, and I saw the fear he'd been hiding.

"Maybe. But if I take everyone and leave her undefended, I'll have failed at the only job that really matters."

He looked back at me one final time, his eyes full of love and regret.

"I'll bring them home, Aveline. I promise."

Then he was gone, leaving me locked in our fortress with only my terror and the sound of his car disappearing into the night.