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Chapter one
BearThorntonstoodatthe entrance of the Toscano mansion, his eyes scanning the vast grounds before him. The lush gardens and elegant architecture were bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun, casting long shadows across the meticulously manicured lawns. He couldn't help but feel a pang of pride as he took in the scene; this was the family he had dedicated his life to protecting, and now they were thriving.
At the same time, however, a gnawing unease settled in his gut. With the upcoming Toscano wedding, security would be more crucial than ever. Bear knew all too well that the underworld was rife with enemies just waiting for an opportunity to strike.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" said Angelo, appearing by Bear's side and following his gaze. "It's hard to believe my little sister is getting married."
"Time flies," Bear replied, his gruff voice betraying a hint of sentimentality. "I remember when she was still learning to walk."
"Me too," Angelo sighed, then turned serious. "But we can't let our guard down, Bear. Not now. There'll be some high-profile guests at the wedding, and we both know there are those who'd love nothing more than to see the Toscano family brought down."
"Agreed," Bear nodded. "I've already started going over potential threats, and I'll make sure the team is on high alert."
"Good man," Angelo said, clapping Bear on the shoulder. "I trust you implicitly, which is why—"
"Angelo!" A familiar voice rang out from behind them, causing both men to turn towards the source. It took a lot to surprise Bear—but when he saw the interloper, his eyes widened.
Julian Toscano.
Bear's gruff exterior softened, surprise washing over him. It had been years since he last saw Angelo's younger brother. He'd just been a teenager when he'd left for schooling in London—like most teenagers, he'd been a surly, awkward mess.
The arguments with Angelo, the way that Julian had preferred to lock himself away in his room, shirking all his Toscano responsibilities… It had been a tough time in the Toscano family—the blood one, not the organization as a whole. He always had a snarky quip, a clever little thing to jab at his brothers.
And no matter what Bear had done, Julian had always stared at him, something in his posture looking uncomfortable and defensive. Like he didn't trust Bear.
Yeah, there'd been a reason that Angelo had sent Julian away for an old-fashioned education abroad.
It had worked. Now, Julian stood before him, transformed into a charming young man. His hair, soft and flowing, framed his face in an artful cascade of chestnut waves. Bear's eyes traced the subtle curves, the delicacy of his features. There was an aura of vulnerability that surrounded him, drawing Bear's protective instincts to the surface.
His time abroad had clearly treated him well.
As memories flooded Bear's mind, a tapestry of emotions unfolded within his heart. He had always harbored a soft spot for Julian. The kid was unlike his older brother, not as hard-headed and ruthless. No-one would ever catch Angelo beaming openly like that—well, maybe except Angelo's partner. Even then, it'd be securely behind closed doors.
Julian jogged up to them, his eyes bright. "And Bear, it's been ages since I last saw you! You haven't aged a day!"
The boy had clearly learned to lie. Bear had a little gray these days, peppering his temples. "Can't say the same for you, kid," Bear replied, trying to keep his tone light despite the intensity of his thoughts.
"Ah, well, university will do that to you," Julian quipped, unabashed by Bear's comment. "But enough about me. I hear we have a wedding to prepare for."
Angelo crossed his arms. "Ruby is very happy with her young man—and I've had a talk with him. He's going to treat her right."
Or else, he didn't have to say.
Julian's eyes sparkled with mischief, his lips curving into a flirtatious smile. He winked at Bear. "If only I could be so lucky, too."
It had been years since Bear had seen Julian, but clearly the young man hadn't changed much. Bear rolled his eyes. Julian loved to push buttons and get reactions—and if that was by insincere flirting and being an ass, that was apparently fine by him.
If he wanted attention, Bear was not going to give it to him. Bear turned away. Thankfully, someone else arrived on the scene—someone who deserved attention more than Julian.
The sound of laughter echoed through the Toscano mansion's grand foyer. Ruby, her face flushed with excitement and happiness, entered the room, her elegant dress billowing as she rushed toward her beloved brothers.
"Julian!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around them in a tight embrace. "I've missed you so much!"
"Good to see you too, Ruby," Julian smiled, returning the hug affectionately. Bear couldn't help but notice how their shared love for one another seemed to momentarily overshadow Julian's habit of indifference and banter.
As they pulled apart, Ruby's expression turned more serious. "I'm glad you're here, too, Bear. With everything going on, I can't help but worry about everyone's safety."
"Rest assured, Ruby," Angelo said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We're doing everything we can to ensure that our guests are safe at your wedding. In fact, I'm assigning Bear to be Julian's personal bodyguard for the entire week leading up to the ceremony."
