The pounding bass from the nightclub’s speakers reverberated through the walls, masking the tension brewing outside. Police cars were parked discreetly down the block, their lights off, while Zaiden, Elena, and a team of officers prepared to breach the club. The tip they’d received about Alessia’s whereabouts had led them here, and the stakes were too high to second-guess it.
“Are we sure about this?” Tobias asked as they huddled near the entrance. “Nightclubs aren’t exactly known for housing children.”
Elena shot him a sharp look. “The informant’s intel matched the trail we’ve been following. Xanos’s associate, Fidel Ashton, owns this club. If Alessia’s here, she’s not in plain sight. There has to be more to this place.”
Zaiden, standing at the edge of the group, adjusted his bulletproof vest and gritted his teeth. “Enough talking. Let’s move.”
The officers nodded, signaling to the bouncers at the entrance that the police had jurisdiction. Within seconds, the team moved in, cutting through the strobe lights, pulsing music, and a haze of smoke. The packed dance floor erupted into confusion as patrons realized what was happening.
“Police! Everyone out! Now!” an officer shouted over the music.
The crowd parted, stumbling toward the exits as the officers spread out, searching for any hidden areas or suspicious activity. Zaiden stayed close to Elena as they made their way toward the back of the club, weaving through staff who froze in panic.
“Back here,” Elena muttered, pointing toward a steel door marked “Staff Only.” She tried the handle—it was locked.
Without hesitation, one of the officers stepped forward and slammed the butt of his rifle against the lock. It gave way with a metallic clang, and they pushed through into a dimly lit corridor. The air here was stale and cold, a stark contrast to the heat and chaos of the main club.
“This has to lead somewhere,” Zaiden said, his voice tight with anticipation.
At the end of the corridor, they found another door, this one more secure. Elena inspected the keypad beside it and smirked. “They didn’t even bother with advanced encryption.” She pulled out her hacking device, her fingers flying over its keys. Within moments, the door beeped and slid open.
The room they entered next was jarring. It was brightly lit and pristine, a stark contrast to the grungy nightclub they’d just left behind. Rows of shelves lined the walls, filled with neatly organized baby supplies—diapers, formula, clothing, and toys. A state-of-the-art crib sat in the center of the room, surrounded by equipment that wouldn’t have been out of place in a neonatal care unit.
Zaiden froze, his breath catching in his throat. “What is this?” he whispered, his voice breaking. His eyes darted around the room, desperate to find Alessia.
Then he saw her.
Alessia lay peacefully in the crib, her tiny chest rising and falling with soft breaths. She was clean, dressed in a cozy onesie, and wrapped in a plush blanket. Beside her was a monitor displaying her vital signs, and a nearby bottle warmer hummed softly.
“Alessia,” Zaiden breathed, rushing forward. He scooped her up, holding her close as tears streamed down his face. “Oh my God, baby girl. I’ve got you. Daddy’s here.”
Alessia stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She let out a soft whimper before recognizing her father and curling into his chest.
Elena stood nearby, her hand pressed to her mouth, visibly emotional. “She’s okay,” she said softly. “They didn’t hurt her. They… they actually took care of her.”
“Why?” Zaiden demanded, his voice filled with anger as he clung to his daughter. “Why take her just to treat her like this? What kind of sick game are they playing?”
Before anyone could answer, heavy footsteps echoed behind them. The officers had apprehended a man in his mid-40s, dressed sharply in a dark suit. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back, and his expression was eerily calm as they shoved him into the room.
“Fidel Ashton,” one of the officers announced. “We found him trying to leave through a side exit.”
Zaiden’s rage boiled over at the sight of the man. He stepped forward, handing Alessia to Elena before storming up to Fidel. “You!” he shouted, grabbing the front of Fidel’s suit. “You took my daughter! Why? What the hell do you want with her?”
Fidel didn’t flinch. Instead, he smiled faintly, his calm demeanor unnerving everyone in the room. “I didn’t want to harm her,” he said, his voice smooth. “Quite the opposite, actually. I wanted to protect her.”
“Protect her?” Zaiden growled, shoving him back. “You call kidnapping her protection?”
Fidel adjusted his collar, unbothered by Zaiden’s aggression. “Damian was a fool. He couldn’t keep his promises, and that put Alessia in danger. I ensured she was safe. Look around you—she’s been cared for better here than she ever was with him.”
“That’s not your decision to make!” Zaiden yelled. “She’s my daughter!”
Fidel’s smile faded, his eyes narrowing. “You think you can protect her? Do you have any idea what Damian was involved in? What’s coming for her because of him? I took her to shield her from the fallout.”
Zaiden shook his head, his fury unrelenting. “You don’t get to decide what’s best for my family.”
Elena stepped between them, her tone firm. “Enough. Fidel Ashton, you’re under arrest for kidnapping and endangering a minor.”
The officers cuffed Fidel, and as they led him away, he cast one last look at Zaiden. “You can’t protect her from what’s coming. Remember that.”
Zaiden ignored him, turning his attention back to Alessia. He held her tightly, his resolve stronger than ever. “I’ll protect you, baby girl,” he whispered, his voice soft but unwavering. “No one will ever take you away again.”