The convoy of black vehicles moved through the streets slowly as the city lights reflected against the dark tinted windows. Lilith sat quietly beside Nikolai while staring outside with wide curious green eyes. The neighborhood they entered was beautiful alive and warm unlike the cold isolated places she usually stayed in. Families filled the streets children laughed while music echoed through the air. Men and women danced together under glowing lights outside restaurants and homes.
"Ayyyyy… Epa! ¡Ajúaaaaa!"
The women shouted loudly while dancing to the music.
Lilith blinked in surprise and pressed her tiny hands softly against the glass while watching them.
"You want to dance with them love?" Nikolai asked in his deep calm voice.
She nodded happily immediately.
"Grandpa has a large place. They will come there and dance and you will dance with them too baby," Nikolai said.
"D…D…D…Dance w…w…w…with Lily?" the tiny girl whispered excitedly.
"Of course my love."
He pulled her closer against his chest and kissed her face gently.
The cars suddenly took a U turn and Lilith giggled loudly at the movement.
The roads slowly became quieter and less crowded as the convoy drove farther inward. Large walls appeared ahead while armed guards opened massive black gates.
The vehicles entered an enormous compound.
The cars parked one after another.
Everyone stepped outside.
"Abuelo ellos están aquí."
(Grandfather they are here.)
One of the women announced excitedly.
The Montenegro family slowly emerged from the mansion to welcome them.
Meanwhile Nikolai remained inside the car for a moment tying Lilith's rope sandals carefully around her tiny ankles.
Outside everyone greeted each other warmly.
"Bienvenidos todos."
(Welcome everyone.)
An old bald man with a white beard spoke loudly with open arms.
"Daddy!" Mrs Francesca shouted emotionally.
Arina immediately choked on her drink while laughing and rushed toward him hugging him tightly.
"Mi niña."
(My baby girl.)
The old man laughed while embracing her.
"I missed you so much love," he said in his mixed accent.
Then his eyes landed on the younger generation.
"Well look who is here. Welcome my grandchildren."
(Bueno miren quién está aquí Bienvenidos mis nietos.)
His name was Don Álvaro Montenegro.
Arina Zhanna Yulian Daria and Meghan all hugged him one after another.
The older women standing nearby smiled proudly while admiring them.
"Ahh Massimo my boy it good to see you again," Álvaro said warmly.
Massimo also known as Taran hugged him.
"Good to see you too Abuelo."
(Grandfather.)
"And who is this pretty lady?" Álvaro asked while noticing Elena.
"My wife to be Elena," Massimo answered proudly.
"Ha that great she is so beautiful welcome dear," Álvaro said warmly.
"Thank you sir," Elena replied respectfully.
Álvaro suddenly looked around.
"Where is the king himself huh?"
"Nick!?" Mr William called out.
"Here."
Nikolai's dark deep voice echoed behind them.
Everyone slowly turned.
The Montenegro family froze slightly at the sight of him.
"Ay Dios mío Él es extremadamente guapo."
(Oh my goodness he is extremely handsome.)
One of the women gasped loudly.
Álvaro burst into laughter and immediately hugged Nikolai tightly. Nikolai had to bend slightly because of his height.
"Wow boy you are extremely handsome and very very tall too," Álvaro laughed.
"I heard you have a wife. Where is she?"
The women leaned forward curiously.
Nikolai looked behind him before gently taking Lilith's tiny hand and guiding her out from behind his back.
The moment they saw her the entire atmosphere changed.
Beautiful green eyes.
Long dark lashes.
Soft delicate features.
The tiny girl wore a black floral dress that made her look almost unreal.
"Jesucristo."
(Jesus Christ.)
Four men muttered at once.
"Wow Ella es absolutamente hermosa."
(She is absolutely gorgeous.)
Álvaro looked stunned.
"Grandpa meet my wife Mrs Lilith Nikolai William Devereaux. We call her Lily," Nikolai introduced softly.
"She is so gorgeous," Álvaro said honestly.
Nikolai looked down at her.
"Baby say hi to Grandpa."
Lilith looked up shyly.
"Hi Granny am Lily!"
The entire Montenegro family became confused instantly.
Lilith then quickly hid behind Nikolai's arm.
"Lily baby come here love," Arina called gently.
"Mhm no. Lily s…stay with Nikki. I sowry," the tiny girl whispered while clutching his arm tightly and hiding her face.
Álvaro frowned in confusion.
"Why is she acting like this?"
"Papa let's go inside we will explain," Francesca said quietly.
"Come love let go inside," Nikolai whispered.
He held Lilith carefully while walking into the estate.
"Woahhhh…"
The younger ones stared in amazement.
The House of Montenegro was a massive dark Hacienda estate built like an untouchable dynasty fortress standing near the sea with ninety rooms hidden behind towering sandstone walls and black iron gates.
The house carried old Mexican Colonial details with carved arches handmade tiles dark wooden ceilings and endless hallways lit by golden lanterns.
In the very center of the enormous house stood a breathtaking indoor courtyard with a gigantic marble fountain surrounded by huge tall palm trees stretching toward the glass ceiling while the sound of flowing water echoed through the estate.
Behind the house was a private beach hidden from the world where the waves crashed against the shore beneath the night sky.
Deep inside the estate hidden behind secret doors and underground corridors were forbidden rooms used for the Montenegro family's dark business dealings protected by armed guards and silence.
The kitchen alone was enormous almost the size of a restaurant with endless marble counters giant stoves private bakeries storage rooms and chefs working day and night.
The entire house felt ancient powerful luxurious and dangerous like a place where kings criminals and monsters were all born under the same roof.
Álvaro Montenegro had nine children.
Five sons.
Orlando.
Emiliano.
Juan.
Mateo.
Dionisio.
And four daughters.
Mrs Francesca.
Hilda.
Ximena.
Paloma.
Emiliano and Ximena were twins.
The family gathered in the living room afterward.
Nikolai sat silently while holding Lilith's hand tightly.
"Care to explain why she is acting like a child Nikolai?" Paloma asked coldly.
She was the same aunt who once arranged girls for him.
Nikolai stayed silent for a few seconds.
"W…what happened Nikki?" Lilith whispered softly.
"Nothing love. Look it a fountain like a mini waterfall. Let Lian show you hm?" Nikolai said gently.
Álvaro carefully studied both of them.
"Come on Lily let go," Yulian said softly.
"Mkay."
Nikolai kissed her nose before Yulian guided her toward the courtyard fountain.
The moment she left the room Álvaro spoke again.
"What happened to her?"
Nikolai looked at Lilith from afar while answering.
"She got into an accident when she was six. Ever since then she been like this."
The room became quiet.
He explained everything.
Every single detail.
Nothing hidden.
The kidnapping.
The trauma.
The memory damage.
The emotional breakdowns.
The fear.
The violence.
Everything.
"I almost lost her and I am not losing her again," Nikolai finished coldly.
Ximena looked emotional.
"I am proud of you Nikolai very proud."
"Yeah she mentally unstable and saved your life," Mateo added.
Paloma folded her arms.
"I don't think getting married to her would help you. I mean what about having kids and—"
"I suggest you mind your words aunt."
Everyone looked at Nikolai instantly.
His expression darkened dangerously.
"If anything happens to her apart from her father wiping me out of this world I will fucking lose my mind. Do you know what I passed through just to ask for her back from him?"
The room remained silent.
"Her father is the most extremely dangerous man so please don't do anything stupid," Francesca warned quietly.
"Lily lunch time!" Massimo shouted from the dining area.
Yulian slowly guided Lilith back.
"Come on let's eat."
Everyone moved toward the dining room.
"Oh I missed this so much," Francesca sighed happily.
The massive dining table was filled with endless Mexican dishes.
Gelatina de Mosaico.
Camotes.
Suadero tacos.
Burritos.
Cochinita Pibil.
Albondigas soup.
Mexican rice.
Frijoles Charros.
Pescado Zarandeado.
The smell filled the entire room.
Daria handed Nikolai a plate filled with food for Lilith.
Nikolai quietly fed her while she occasionally fed him back making tiny giggles escape her lips.
By nightfall the estate finally became calmer.
"Here is your room Nick and the blanket," Hilda said softly.
"Thank you auntie."
Nikolai carried a sleeping Lilith in his arms while opening the bedroom door.
He smiled faintly.
The room reflected him completely.
Large.
Dark.
Controlled.
Private.
The walls were black wood while the large bed carried deep charcoal bedding beneath dim warm lights that never fully brightened the room.
A single window faced the distant sea allowing muted moonlight and the sound of crashing waves to enter quietly.
A small desk held organized documents while hidden compartments built into the walls discreetly stored weapons.
The room felt quiet precise and dangerous.
Exactly like Nikolai himself.
He gently bathed Lilith before laying her carefully onto the bed.
"Good night Bambi," he whispered softly.
Then he laid beside her and slowly fell asleep.
Morning arrived elsewhere.
"I don't want to go Rav," Nishi cried softly with tears.
"Shhhh my love. You have come this far right now let go love," Aarav whispered while holding her hands.
"Ready?" Sohan asked.
"Yes baba," Aarav answered.
"Bhai please help me buy some chocolates Ishaan hid them from me please here my money go go go go go," Tamanna complained dramatically.
Sohan chuckled.
Everyone entered the cars and left.
"Is my makeup dangerous enough darling?" Riyana asked playfully.
Sohan stared at her intensely.
"Enough to kill and send someone to their graves," he answered.
She giggled before kissing him.
He smiled against the kiss.
Five minutes later they arrived at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Nishi nervously entered the principal's office.
Mr Walter immediately saw her.
"Look at the bitch is here," Mrs Agatha sneered.
She was the same woman who slapped Nishi before.
"Where is your guardian?" Mr Walter asked.
"M…My husband is coming," Nishi whispered.
"Oh the so called husband you keep saying you have. I bet he is cheap like you!" Eliana mocked.
She was the girl who stole Nishi's presentation.
"I want her expelled from the school now!" Mrs Agatha snapped.
"Calm down okay," Mr Walter tried calming them.
"Nishu baby?"
Aarav's voice echoed through the office.
Everyone froze.
The entire Muard family walked inside behind him.
Mr Walter's eyes widened instantly.
Eliana turned pale.
Cole the boy who assaulted Nishi was also there.
"M…Mr Sohan welcome please have a seat," Mr Walter stammered.
Mrs Agatha quickly looked toward her daughter.
"Did you check her background properly before messing with her?" she whispered nervously.
"N…No mom," Eliana whispered back shakily.
Cole looked like his eyes were about to pop out from fear.
Aarav gently held Nishi's arms while kissing her forehead and wiping her tears.
"Mr Walter my daughter in law was assaulted by your students. Is this what your so called institution teaches your students? You don't discipline them and also your stupid board of directors cannot investigate before conclusions?" Sohan said coldly.
"S…Sir we are truly sorry we didn't know she was one of your family members. Ms Eliana here gave the presentation first that why they said it," Mr Walter explained fearfully.
Riyana suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Eliana harshly by her hair.
"Ouch!!"
The brat screamed.
"Did you take my Nishu work as yours?" Aarav asked quietly.
His voice became dangerously low.
"I…I…I didn't—"
"She worked day and night on that. She didn't sleep and worst of all you made MY WIFE CRY!"
Aarav suddenly grabbed Eliana by the neck suffocating her.
"I…I am s…sorry," Eliana choked out.
"And you."
Aarav looked toward Cole before brutally punching him.
"Rav!" Nishi cried while pulling him back.
Students outside the office stared in shock.
Nishi quickly spoke in Bengali.
"Doya kore ami tomake onurodh korchi shanto hao please."
(Please I beg you calm down please.)
Aarav's chest rose heavily with anger before he finally released Cole.
The poor boy collapsed coughing violently.
"Since you wanted my daughter out of this school now I want her out of this institution and city itself!" Riyana snapped.
"Maa…" Nishi whispered.
"Shhhh. Arey bhabhi ji unhe jo karna hai karne dijiye ab yahin ruk jaiye."
(Oh come on sister in law let them do the needful now stay here.)
Refsan shrugged casually.
"Ha."
(Yes.)
Ariz nodded.
"Our deepest apologies Mr Sohan please forgive us. This will never repeat itself again," Mr Walter trembled.
"It better not or else no one will contribute to this university again. If this shit repeats itself you burned her bike right? I like to return the favor too," Aarav said coldly.
Suddenly a massive explosion sounded outside.
BOOM!
Aarav immediately covered Nishi's ears calmly.
"Oops."
Sohan smirked proudly.
"Like father like son," Riyana sighed while rolling her eyes.
Outside Aarav hugged Nishi tightly.
"See my love nobody makes or hurts my Nishu or they will pay dearly," he whispered.
"I am sorry love for this. It not what you want but forgive me. Everything will be normal in school for you again I promise."
Nishi sniffed softly.
"Can we call Lily later?"
"Of course love. Looks like you love her more than me," Aarav teased.
"Not true. She is sweetheart and she loves you a lot," Nishi laughed softly.
He hugged her again.
Meanwhile back at the Montenegro estate everyone was having breakfast.
"So who is father?" Paloma asked suddenly.
"None of your business," Nikolai answered coldly while feeding Lilith.
Lilith yawned sleepily.
"Lily your iPad is ringing," Zhanna said.
Lilith immediately picked it up.
"Mihu baby!" Anika squealed excitedly.
"Lily Annie!" the tiny girl smiled brightly.
The Montenegro family quietly watched her.
"Did you get the bangles Mumma and I got you?"
"Uh huh. L…L…Lily loves i…it a lot. T…T…Thank y…y…you Annie."
"Welcome love. Uhmm Nishu gonna call later. Bye my sweetheart."
"Bue bye Annie."
Both girls blew kisses before giggling.
The call ended.
"Baba call?" Lilith asked Nikolai.
"After breakfast love. Baba is busy hm?" Nikolai replied gently.
"Mkay."
Paloma crossed her arms again.
"So Nick I asked who her father is what does he do and her family?"
"She has eight brothers and she the last born. Her mother is a businesswoman alongside her father," Zafraan answered while eating.
"Nobody messes with our father."
"What his name then?" Orlando asked.
"It a secret," Daria replied casually.
"Well I am sorry Nick has to choose another woman capable to be with him," Paloma said firmly.
"Not happening," Yulian replied instantly.
At that exact moment several black cars pulled up outside the estate gates.
"Oh they are here," Paloma smirked.
Nikolai slowly looked at her coldly.
"Aunt let me tell you something for your own good."
His voice became dangerously calm.
"Don't mess with my wife. Stay away from her."
Paloma's face twisted angrily.
The mansion doors opened.
Six glamorous women stepped inside the estate.
And the chaos was only beginning.