Dominic Vale studies the young woman standing before him. His sharp eyes scanned her posture—the rigid line of her shoulders, the quiet defiance in her hazel eyes.

An hour later,a convoy of three black bulletproof SUVs rolled down the narrow,Congested streets of Queens,completely disrupting the quiet residential block where Hannah lived.Neighbors peered nervously through lace curtains as men in dark suits stepped out,securing the perimeter of a rundown brick apartment building.

Hannah practically ran up the three flights of stairs to apartment 3B,bursting through the door.

"Mom!""

A seven-year-old girl with bright hazel eyes and dark curls identical to Hannah's launched herself into her arms.Hannah squeezed her tight.burying her face in Sophie's hair,fighting back a wave of overwhelming relief.

"I told you I'd be back,bug,Hannah whispered,kissing the top of her head.

Mrs.Patterson emerged from the tiny kitchen wiping her hands on a dish towel,her eyes widening as she looked past Hannah into the hallway,where two armed guards stood outside the open door.

"Hannah,dear...What is happening on Earth?There are men with earpieces in the stairwell!"

"It's a long story,Mrs.Patterson,Hannah said quickly,grabbing Sophie's pink backpack and stuffing a few changes of clothes inside."We're moving."Temporarily."

When Hannah and Sophie stepped out of the building,Dominic Vale was standing beside the open door of the middle SUV.He looked completely out of place against the backdrop of peeling paint and graffiti-covered brick walls,yet his presence commanded absolute attention.

Sophie stopped dead in her tracks,clutching her stuffed rabbit.Is that a superhero?" she whispered loudly,staring at Dominic's tailored suit and towering height.

Dominic looked down at the little girl.The harsh,lethal expression that he usually reserved for his enemies melted away,replaced by something startlingly gentle.

He crouched down to eye level."Not a superhero,young lady.Just a guy who needed a very brave nanny."

Sophie tilted her head.Inspecting him seriously."You look like Batman,but without the mask."

Dominic let out a low,genuine chuckle—a sound that made his driver do a double-take in the front mirror.

Fair enough.I'm Dominic."

"Sophie."And this is Barnaby," she said,holding up her stuffed rabbit.

As Sophie climbed into the luxurious leather interior of the SUV,she was greeted by three pairs of wide,curious gray eyes.Lucas,Mason,and Theo stared at the new arrival in utter silence.They hadn't interacted with another child their own age in months.

Hi,Sophie said cheerfully,strapping herself into the seat.Are you guys twins?"

"Triplets,Lucas corrected stiffly,Although he couldn't help staring at Sophie's bright pink sneakers.

That's cooler,Sophie decided instantly.