LOVING MY ENEMY'S SON

Loving My Enemy's Son By Ann E Chapter 1: A Family Marked for Death Golden rays of the setting sun bathed the Romano estate in warm amber light. Marble fountains shimmered beneath the evening sky while rows of blooming roses swayed gently in the breeze. To the world, it was the home of one of the country's wealthiest families. To eleven-year-old Tiara Romano... It was simply home. Laughter rang through the garden as she chased a snow-white puppy between the flowerbeds. "Snow!" she called. "Come back! Daddy hasn't seen your new ribbon yet!" The puppy barked and darted behind a rose bush. "Oh, no, you don't!" She scooped him into her arms just as a familiar voice drifted from the veranda. "You'll never catch him if you keep talking to him." "Mom!" Mrs. Romano smiled warmly. "Come inside before it gets cold." "But Daddy promised he'd be home before dinner." As if on cue, the rumble of a car echoed through the gates. Tiara's eyes sparkled. "Daddy!" She raced toward the driveway as a sleek black sedan came to a stop. The rear door opened, and a tall man stepped out. The exhaustion on his face vanished the instant he saw his daughter. "My princess." "Daddy!" He swept her into his arms, lifting her high as her laughter filled the evening air. "I missed you!" "I was only gone three days." "It felt like three years." He laughed. "Then I suppose I owe you something." Tiara grinned. "Ice cream... and maybe a shopping trip." Mrs. Romano shook her head with a smile. "You spoil her too much." "I simply reward good behavior," Mr. Romano replied. Tiara giggled. The three of them walked into the mansion together, looking like the perfect family. None of them knew it would be their last ordinary evening. --- Dinner was sacred in the Romano household. No business. No phones. Only family. As they ate, Tiara looked up from her plate. "Daddy?" "Yes, Princess?" "I know what I want to be when I grow up." "Oh? Last month it was an astronaut." She wrinkled her nose. "Space is too far." Her parents laughed. "I want to be a doctor." Her father paused. "A doctor?" She nodded. "So I can help people when they're hurting." Silence settled over the table. Mr. Romano reached across and squeezed her hand. "You'll make a wonderful doctor." "You really think so?" "I know so." Mrs. Romano smiled, though sadness briefly clouded her eyes. Her father spoke again. "Promise me something." "What is it?" "No matter what happens... never lose that kind heart." Tiara smiled. "I promise." Outside, hidden beyond the estate gates, a black SUV sat silently in the darkness. A masked man lowered his binoculars. "They're all inside." The leader checked his watch before pulling a black mask over his face. "Good." He chambered a bullet into his rifle. "Tonight..." His cold voice disappeared into the night. "...the Romano family dies. --- After dinner, Tiara skipped upstairs with Snow happily trotting behind her. Daddy had promised to take her horse riding that weekend. Then ice cream. The biggest chocolate ice cream in the city. She smiled to herself. "Daddy is definitely paying." Halfway up the stairs, she stopped. Voices. Her parents were inside the study. The door was closed. Curious, Tiara tiptoed closer. "...it's getting worse," her mother whispered. "We still have time," her father replied. "No." Her voice trembled. "I don't think we do." Tiara frowned. Time for what? "I won't let anything happen to either of you," her father said firmly. A heavy silence followed. Then— "What if we're already too late?" Before Tiara could hear more, the door swung open. Her parents froze. For a brief second... Fear flashed across their faces before both forced reassuring smiles. "Were you spying on us?" Mrs. Romano asked gently. Tiara scratched the back of her neck. "Maybe... just a little." Her father chuckled, though it sounded strained. "I think we have a future detective." "I only wanted to know why you both sounded sad." Mrs. Romano knelt in front of her and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sometimes grown-ups worry about things children don't need to." "So everything's okay?" "Everything is fine," her father answered quickly. Tiara nodded, though something didn't feel right. --- Later that night, Mrs. Romano led her into the bedroom and unlocked a drawer. Inside was a small black phone. "I want you to keep this." Tiara blinked. "But I already have a phone." "This one is different." She turned it over. "There aren't any contacts." "There is only one." "If you ever need help..." Her mother's fingers tightened around hers. "...call him." Tiara looked up. "Mom... you're scaring me." Mrs. Romano smiled through glistening eyes and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I love you more than anything in this world." "I love you too." She kissed Tiara's forehead before whispering, "Never forget that." --- A soft knock came moments later. Her father stepped inside carrying a small velvet box. "I almost forgot." He opened it to reveal a delicate silver necklace with a tiny butterfly pendant. Tiara gasped. "My favorite!" "I know." She hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Daddy." He held her a little longer than usual. "If one day..." he began before stopping himself. Instead, he smiled. "Promise me you'll always be brave." Tiara laughed. "Why is everyone making me promise things tonight?" "Humor your old father." "You're not old." He smiled and hooked his little finger around hers. "It's a promise." "It's a promise." He kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, Princess." "I love you." "I love you more." He quietly closed the door behind him. --- Downstairs, his smile vanished. "They're here," he said. Mrs. Romano's face turned pale. "Our guards counted more than thirty." Before another word could be spoken... The lights flickered. Once. Twice. Darkness swallowed the mansion. The backup generators never came on. Mr. Romano pulled a hidden pistol from his desk. "They're inside." Suddenly— INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT! The mansion erupted into chaos. Servants screamed. Guards rushed through the corridors with weapons drawn. Upstairs, Tiara threw open her bedroom door. "What's happening?" Then she saw her mother running toward her. Not walking. Running. "Tiara!" She gripped her daughter's shoulders, tears streaming down her face. "Listen to me. No matter what happens, you must do exactly as I say." Another explosion shook the mansion. Glass shattered. Smoke filled the hallway. "Mom..." Mrs. Romano grabbed her hand, her voice barely above a whisper. "Run." A gunshot echoed from downstairs. Then came her father's desperate roar. "Protect Tiara!" Another shot rang out. Then... Silence. A silence so terrifying it stole the air from her lungs. Somewhere beyond the smoke, someone screamed. And deep inside, eleven-year-old Tiara knew... Her world had just ended To be continued...