Chapter 4 - The Threat at the PenthouseBy 8:00 PM, the Maybach pulled into the private underground garage of The Vance Tower on Michigan Avenue—a breathtaking, seventy-story glass skyscraper overlooking Lake Michigan.
The private elevator carried us directly to the top-floor penthouse suite.
The doors opened into a sunlit, two-story luxury space filled with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, white marble floors, plush velvet sofas, warm fireplaces, and expansive views of the dark, sparkling waters of Lake Michigan.
Standing in the center of the living room, waiting alongside two pediatric nurses, was my five-year-old son, Leo.
He wore clean blue pajamas, his dark curls slightly messy, holding a brand-new plush golden retriever toy in his small arms. His pale cheeks had regained their rosy color, and his bright hazel eyes lit up with pure joy the second he saw me step out of the elevator.
"MOMMY!" Leo squealed happily, dropping his toy, running across the marble floor as fast as his little legs could carry him.
"Leo!" I cried out, dropping to my knees, throwing my arms wide, pulling my sweet boy tightly into my chest, burying my face in his soft hair, holding him as if I would never let him go again.
"The doctor gave me magic juice, Mommy!" Leo babbled happily into my shoulder. "My ear doesn't hurt anymore! And look at my new doggie!"
Roman walked over slowly, stopping three feet from where Leo and I sat on the rug. His tall six-foot-two frame softened completely, his severe features breaking into a warm, breathtaking smile that lit up his handsome face.
Leo pulled back from my hug, looking up at Roman with wide, curious hazel eyes.
"Are you the big man who bought the magic juice?" Leo asked innocently.
Roman dropped flat onto one knee right on the marble floor, completely ignoring the sharp pull on his stitched ribs, reaching out two fingers to gently touch Leo's plush toy.
"I am, buddy," Roman answered gently, his deep baritone soft as velvet. "My name is Roman."
"Are you Mommy's friend?" Leo asked.
Roman looked up from Leo, his winter-gray eyes locking onto mine with an absolute, unshakeable devotion that made my heart race.
"I am your mommy's protector, Leo," Roman promised softly. "And as long as I am alive... nobody will ever make her cry again."
Before Leo could answer, the private elevator chimed softly.
May you like
Victor stepped out, holding an encrypted digital tablet, his face tense and pale.
"Don Roman," Victor spoke sharply, stepping toward us. "We have a situation at the secondary docks. Marcus Vance has just executed an emergency proxy vote alongside the board of directors... claiming that you are mentally unfit to lead Vance Global following your 'disappearance' this afternoon."
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