2024-04-26 06:41:35Aiden opened the door, the room was clean but it was very obvious that no one had lived there for a long time but it was very warm and cozy. Aiden helped Zia out of her wet clothes and wrapped her up in a clean blanket. “Sweetie, I’m going to run you a hot bath, do not move an inch from here.”
“Yes Daddy.” Zia had already stopped crying, she was shivering from the cold and Aiden had wrapped her up like a burrito to warm her up. Her eyes were red and swollen and she was in a daze, completely traumatized by what had happened earlier. Nothing went wrong and soon Aiden tucked Zia in bed for the second time. “Daddy, are you okay?” She finally asked. Throughout the time Aiden bathed and dressed her up, she was still in a daze, like a puppet. Aiden didn’t know what to say or how to reassure her. “Yes honey, I’m fine,” She lied to her once again and she seemed to buy it. “We would stay here for a while and wait-” “Mummy isn’t coming.” Zia announced all of a sudden, catching her father unaware.“Why- why do you say that? Of course she is coming.” He tried to cover up his lie.“Mummy doesn’t love me, you were lying to me.” She burst into tears once again. He had already been found out so there was no use lying to her. “She definitely loves you, she just have issues expressing it.” For the first time, Aiden realized that having a daughter who was smart might not be a good thing.“Everyone hates me, no one loves me.”“Who told you that?” A frown appeared on his face.“Everyone in the house tells me that,” Zia answered truthfully. “They hit me too.”Reyes familyThe pressure in the room dropped but Zia didn’t notice, Aiden clenched his fist. ‘I would destroy all of you one by one. I would make you all ever regret ever laying a finger on my child.’ He thought inwardly, Zia was his reverse scale and he didn’t appreciate anyone hurting her and he wouldn’t let it go either. He pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back. “That’s not true, I love you more than all the days and the months, deeper than the skies and the season. Never forget that.” He held her till she fell asleep in his arms.Once she was deeply asleep, Aiden carefully tucked her in once again, leaving a kiss on her forehead. There was only one room in the apartment but luckily, the bed was big enough for both father and child.Aiden left to take a bath, since there was no means to get to an hospital, he just cleaned his wounds and bandaged them up, ignoring whether his ribs were broken or not. As soon as his head hit his pillow, he fell asleep, he had a pretty rough day but it wasn’t over just yet. Aiden woke up the next morning with a headache, he got out of bed to get pain medications but noticed his daughter curled up on her side of the bed, she looked deathly pale. With a short cry, he rushed to her side, as he held her, he recoiled immediately. Zia had a fever.Her temperature had shot up.“It’s all my fault.” Recalling how she had been drenched in the rain for over an hour and still cried herself to sleep, Aiden blamed himself. “I should have been more careful.” Despite the actions he took to get her warm enough, Zia had caught a cold sometime in the night and since it wasn’t taken care of, she had a fever and fell unconscious. He carried her in his arms and rushed out of the house, he immediately flagged down a taxi and instructed to be taken to the nearest hospital. “Sweetie, wake up.” He tapped the unconscious girl a few times but got no response. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.“Sir you have to calm down. She would be fine.” The driver said in a bid to reassure, noticing his action from the rearview mirror. The driver stopped in front of an hospital, when Aiden tried to pay for the fare, he shook his head. “You need it more than I do. I hope your daughter gets well.” “Thank you.” Aiden nodded, keeping the man deed in mind. He rushed through the entrance of the hospital. “I need a nurse!” he yelled out.A nurse appeared, and collected Zia from him. “Sir I need you to fill this form.” She gave him a form before leaving with the child. Aiden was panicking inwardly, his hands shaky as he filled the form given to him.“Are my eyes deceiving me?” Someone strolled before him with a smirk on his face. “Aiden Reye- oh pardon me, it’s just Aiden now I guess.”“Who are you?” Aiden frowned at him, he didn’t find the person familiar.“Where are my manners? I’m Caspian Beau, we didn’t get a chance to be acquainted at the birthday party three days ago. What a pity.”Knowing that the man was there to mock him, Aiden didn’t bother being polite anymore. “What do you want?”“I’m curious to know why you’re here.”“It’s none of your business.”“Oh really, let me see whether you’ll have the cheeks to say that a few moments from now. See you soon.” Caspian walked away with a cheeky grin on his face.Aiden could tell that Caspian was up to no good but he was more worried about his sick daughter. Soon, the nurse who had taken Zia earlier, carried her back with a conflicted expression on her face. “Is anything wrong with her? Will she be fine?” Aiden inquired.“I’m sorry sir but your daughter has been refused treatment here.” She placed Zia into Aiden’s arms. “Why?” Aiden was at the verge of tears.
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The nurse gave him an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry but there’s nothing I can do about it.”“Is this your hospital policy? That anyone who comes here should be refused treatment?” Aiden’s face was expressionless but on the inside he was breaking. He glanced at his daughter who was still unconscious and pale in his arms, clearly she was in a lot of pain. “Please do something, I can foot the bills.” “Are you sure about that?” A familiar person said in a sarcastic tone of voice, Caspian returned with a smirk on his face. “Do you think you’ll be able to pay for your daughter’s treatment now that you have no money?”Aiden was itching to throw a punch at him to wipe the sarcastic smile off his face but he restrained himself. “What did you do?”“Nothing much, just spoke to some people here, that’s all,” Then he burst into laughter. “Do you think I was simply going to let you off after what you did, it’s unfortunate that it’s a little girl’s life that’s on the line now. Tsk.”“I would take
The formidable Aiden Romanov Chapter eight
The sole purpose of the veil was to avoid drawing attention to herself and keep her identity a secret. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the front door.Aiden was surprised when he heard the knock, he wasn’t expecting anyone and he doubted if anyone knew him. Leaving Zia in the living room, he was in the bathroom to check his injuries. His sides were black and bruised as a result of the broken ribs. “Zia, check who’s at the door!”Zia stood up obediently upon hearing her father’s words. When she approached the door, she realized something. “Daddy, I can’t reach it.”Outside the door, the woman chuckled upon hearing Zia’s soft voice that sounded aggrieved. Aiden, left with no other option, wore a shirt and stepped out to meet his daughter. “Come here sweetie. Up.” He lifted Zia in his arms, softly hissing in pain.“Are you okay, Daddy?” Zia placed a finger in her mouth and pouted, a rare look of maturity on her face. “Yes, Daddy is fine.” Aiden reassured her before opening the doo
The formidable Aiden Romanov Chapter nine
Hours passed and Zia no longer had a fever by the time it was afternoon. She was sleeping peacefully so Aiden was finally relieved, he began to wonder about the woman’s identity and how she was aware of Zia’s illness. After making a lot of guesses, none of them seemed correct so he pushed the matter to the back of his mind. Opening his phone and checking his bank balance, there was just a measly three figure sum left which was only enough to get him and his daughter through one more day. “What do I do?” He placed his hands over his face in contemplation.There was a lot of things he hadn’t put into consideration. He couldn’t get a job without having someone look after Zia and even if he got one, Aiden wasn’t comfortable leaving Zia in the care of others. He had learnt the hard easy from the past and wasn’t willing to repeat the same mistake. He had to find a means to work from home.Like a light bulb brightened in his mind, Aiden grabbed his phone to check the stock market and starte
The formidable Aiden Romanov Chapter ten
The detective would cough blood in anger if he heard how the old man referred to him. “Aiden Romanov. That’s my name” Aiden smiled, for years he had been searching for his true identity, even though he had limited means. “I’m Lorenzo Romanov, the CEO and chairman of Romanov conglomerate.” Aiden was stunned, he blinked his eyes a few times. Even though he didn’t watch the news, Aiden had heard a few things about the prestigious families in New York, with Romanov as the number one. “Cool right?” The old man laughed in happiness, seeing the stunned expression on his grandson’s face. “I guess that’s why he needs a lot of bodyguards.” Aiden thought out loud, seeing the darkened expression on Lorenzo’s face, he gasped. “Oops. I didn’t mean-”“You brat!” Lorenzo was fuming as he got to his feet. “Since I’ve found you, I can now retire to my private island and leave all the responsibilities to you.” The way Lorenzo’s expression could change in seconds amused Aiden. One minute he could be
The formidable Aiden Romanov Chapter Eleven
Walking through the exquisite halls of the mall, Aiden trailed behind the attendant, who led him to the private room where he would be selecting a jade bracelet for Zia. His heart pounded with a mix of pride and defiance. Amelia and her aunt had humiliated him just moments ago, their eyes gleaming with the cruel certainty that he couldn’t afford anything from these high-end stores. They weren't wrong, of course. Aiden couldn't actually afford anything there; in fact, he was still in awe of everything himself. He replayed the scene in his mind. Amelia's condescending smirk and her aunt’s derisive laughter vanished the moment he held out the platinum gold card. For once, he felt a surge of pride. It wasn't just about the money; it was about proving them wrong, about showing them that he wasn't as worthless as they had believed. He could almost hear the echo of Amelia's gasp, see the disbelief etched into her face. She hadn’t expected this. She never did. But now, at least this once,
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The lady who had admired Aiden earlier spoke again, her voice filled with admiration. “I think I’m already in love with him.” Aiden said nothing, letting their whispers wash over him as he followed Lorenzo. For the first time, he felt special, seen in a way he never had before. It was a stark contrast to the closest thing to feeling special he had known—serving drinks at the bar, where customers looked up to him to be served. But this, this was different. It was powerful, being defended and valued by someone like Lorenzo. They turned the corner and headed back towards the private room where Amelia and her aunt were waiting. Lorenzo’s presence was like a force of nature, commanding attention and respect. Aiden could feel the weight of every eye on them as they walked, a mixture of curiosity and fear for what he was capable of doing next. As they approached the room, Lorenzo’s pace quickened. He pushed the door open with a force that made it swing back on its hinges and stormed ins
The formidable Aiden Romanov Chapter thirteen
"No, son, just gather whatever you have and join us in the car. We're going home, where you belong," Lorenzo said firmly. Aiden wanted to insist on staying in the apartment with Zia, not wanting to subject them to a life they had just escaped. But with all the guards around and Zia in Lorenzo's care, any attempt to resist would be futile. He didn’t want to do anything stupid. He turned towards the apartment and grabbed the luggage he had brought in a few days ago, gathered Zia’s medications, and some snacks from the grocery bag they had received. On his way out, he dropped the fresh perishable supplies at the doorstep of one of his old neighbors who doubled as their gardener. The guards took the luggage from him to the car, and one hurried to open the car door for him to step in. It all looked like a dream too good to be true. As it was getting late, Aiden asked that they stop somewhere for dinner so Zia could eat and take her medication, anticipating that she would already be as
The formidable Aiden Romanov Chapter fourteen
"It's fine, I had only just arrived," Aiden replied. "We have been assigned to take care of Zia from now on relax and give orders we are always at your service. Her room has already been prepared, and I hope it meets your approval," the chief maid continued, her face bowed to the ground. "Oh no, there would be no need for that. I would rather stay close to my daughter here," Aiden responded. Before he realized what was happening, she went on her knees, and the others followed suit. "The Grand Patriarch will not let us off if he realizes that his efforts to make his granddaughter comfortable were in vain. Please, at least come and see the room. Anything you need changed or repositioned will be done right away so that she can comfortably rest for the night," she pleaded. Aiden helped her to her feet. "Lead the way," he said. He could see the excitement in her as she hurried to another door some distance away from his, demarcated by a corridor lined with beautiful indoor plants an
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chapter 119
Aiden leaned over the table in the safehouse, his fingers tracing the map spread out before him. The docks, the industrial warehouses, and the surrounding areas were marked with pins and annotations. The intel about the upcoming shipment was either a trap or an opportunity. Either way, Aiden couldn’t ignore it. "Here’s the play," he began, his voice low but commanding. His team—James, Katarina, and the rest of the crew—listened intently. "We’ll let Orlov think we’re taking the bait. If it’s a real shipment, we hit it hard and cripple his supply chain. If it’s a trap, we spring it on our terms." Katarina crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "And how do we ensure it doesn’t blow up in our faces? Orlov’s not stupid—he knows you’ll come for this." Aiden met her gaze, his voice steady. "That’s why we don’t go for the shipment directly. We use decoys. James, you and a small team will run a fake assault on the main route. Make it loud enough to draw their attention." James nod
Chapter 118
The command center hummed with quiet efficiency. Monitors displayed live feeds from across the city: surveillance cameras, drone footage, and intercepted communications. Orlov paced in front of the largest screen, his mind whirring with strategy. The explosion at the docks had sent a clear message, but it wasn’t enough. Aiden Romanov had survived worse, and Orlov knew his opponent well enough to anticipate retaliation. He turned to Viktor, who was reviewing the list of assets and potential targets. "We need to force Romanov into a position where he can’t think clearly. Fear, Viktor, is the greatest weapon. And Romanov’s greatest fear lies not in losing a fight but in losing the people he loves." Viktor hesitated. "You mean Silvana and the child?" Orlov’s smirk was cold. "Precisely. They are his Achilles’ heel. Romanov thrives on control, and nothing shatters control like the threat of harm to those he holds dear."He motioned for one of his tech operatives to step forward. The
Chapter 117
The docks loomed ahead, shrouded in fog and silence. Aiden led his team through the maze of shipping containers, his senses heightened by the tension in the air. Every creak of the metal structures, every distant clang of a crane, felt amplified as if the night itself were holding its breath. “Comms check,” Aiden whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the distant waves. “All clear,” James responded, perched on a container with his laptop, hacking into the dock’s security feeds. “Moving into position,” Katarina added, her tone calm yet charged with anticipation. She was leading the diversion team to draw Orlov’s men away from the cargo ship. Aiden’s team consisted of himself, James, and Nikolai—though Aiden still harbored doubts about Nikolai’s loyalty. His gut told him to keep a close eye on the man, but for now, he needed every hand he could get. They reached the edge of the dock, where the cargo ship loomed like a dark behemoth. Its lights were dim, the shad
Chapter 116
Aiden stood in the war room, a somber expression on his face as he traced his finger over a map of Orlov’s known operations. The team gathered around him, their wounds still fresh from the recent ambush. The air was thick with tension, but it was laced with determination. “We’ve been on the back foot for too long,” Aiden began, his voice steady but laced with anger. “Orlov thinks he’s outplayed us, but this time, we’re going to be the ones setting the trap.” James leaned forward, his laptop open. “We’ve mapped out his network,” he said, pulling up a web of interconnected nodes. “This command center he lured us to—it’s not his primary base. He has a second, more fortified location near the docks.” Katarina crossed her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the map. “So, we hit the docks? Or is that another trap?” Aiden shook his head. “If Orlov is there, we can’t wait for confirmation. We’ll need to move with precision, but not without a plan to cover every possibility. We’re done walki
chapter 115
Orlov paced the dimly lit chamber of his backup command center, the faint hum of machinery filling the air. His failure to trap Aiden at the warehouse had stung more than he was willing to admit. The man had always been resourceful, but this level of persistence, this sharpness, felt almost personal. His top lieutenant, Viktor, stood nearby, reviewing the aftermath reports. "They hit us hard, sir," Viktor said, his voice carefully measured. "We lost critical supplies and several high-ranking men. The team was swift and precise, like they knew our movements beforehand." Orlov's jaw tightened. "Of course, they knew," he muttered, his voice like venom. "Romanov has someone feeding him information. It's the only explanation." He slammed his fist onto the table, rattling the nearby monitors. "This ends now," he hissed. "Enough of these games. If Romanov wants to hunt me, I’ll make him regret it. We’ll hit him where it hurts most." Viktor hesitated. "What are you suggesting, sir?"
Chapter 114
Orlov was silent as he stared at the monitors in his command center. The live footage of the chaos caused by Aiden and his team flickered on the screens before him. His guards lay incapacitated, his carefully constructed defenses breached, and his lower-level systems compromised. The calm exterior he maintained belied the storm brewing beneath the surface.His lieutenant, Viktor, stood beside him, rigid and uneasy. “They’ve crippled our lockdown protocols,” Viktor said cautiously. “Our communications are exposed, and our tactical advantage has been diminished.”Orlov turned slowly, his cold eyes locking onto Viktor. “Diminished, but not lost,” he said, his voice icy yet calm. “Aiden Romanov and his merry band of fools have underestimated what happens when you provoke a wounded animal.”He leaned against the edge of the table, his fingers steepled in thought. The tension in the room was palpable as he calculated his next move. Then, with chilling resolve, he issued his commands.“Activ
Chapter 113
The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the glowing screens of laptops and tablets spread across the table. Aiden leaned forward, studying the holographic blueprint of Orlov’s command center. The building was a fortress, surrounded by high walls, multiple guard posts, and an advanced surveillance system. “This is insane,” Silvana said, her voice heavy with concern. “There’s no way we can get in without setting off every alarm in the city.” “We’re not going in through the front door,” Aiden replied, his tone resolute. “Orlov’s security is focused on keeping threats out, but every system has a weak point. We just have to find it.” Katarina, seated to his left, pointed to the blueprint. “What about the ventilation shafts? They’re narrow, but they could provide a way in.” “Too risky,” James said, his voice crackling through the comms. “Orlov’s likely installed motion sensors and heat detectors in the vents. You’d be caught before you made it ten feet.” Aiden
Chapter 112
The warehouse exploded in a fiery cascade, sending shockwaves through the surrounding industrial district. Aiden and his team were already several blocks away, hidden in the shadows of an abandoned alley. The force of the blast lit up the night sky, and the sound of sirens in the distance signaled the authorities were on their way. Aiden crouched behind a rusted dumpster, catching his breath. His heart pounded against his chest as he glanced at Silvana, who was busy wiping soot from her face. Katarina leaned against the wall, her expression grim, while Nikolai kept a wary eye on the road. “That was... louder than expected,” Silvana muttered, adjusting her comms. “It had to be,” Aiden replied, his voice steady but low. “We needed to send Orlov a message—and buy ourselves time.” Katarina let out a sharp breath, tossing her empty pistol magazine to the ground. “We sent a message, alright. But now Orlov knows we’re targeting his supply lines. He’ll retaliate, and it won’t be subtl
Chapter 111
Aiden paced back and forth in the dimly lit warehouse where Nikolai had parked the decoy truck. The air smelled of rust and oil, and the flickering fluorescent lights above cast long, restless shadows across the room. Silvana and Katarina stood nearby, sifting through the contents of the crates with grim determination. “This doesn’t add up,” Aiden muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Why would Orlov risk exposing these weapons just to throw us off? There has to be something we’re missing.” “He’s stalling us,” Katarina said, her voice sharp. She tapped the lid of one crate with the butt of her gun. “This whole thing is too clean. There’s no tracking, no additional intel—nothing that ties these weapons back to his bigger operations.” Silvana nodded, holding up what looked like a blueprint for the weapon designs. “These are prototypes. High-tech, yes, but not functional. Orlov’s pulling a bait-and-switch.” Nikolai, leaning against the truck, crossed his arms defensively. “
