Chapter 6 - The Shadows Recede
Three days later, the penthouse at Crown Meridian Tower was quiet once more, though the scars of the attack remained visible. Crews of specialized contractors had replaced the shattered double doors, repaired the glass windows, and polished away the bloodstains from the marble floors.
Valerie sat on the private balcony overlooking the Hudson River, wrapped in a plush cashmere throw. The afternoon sun was warm, casting a golden hue across the Manhattan skyline that made the city look peaceful, almost innocent.
Footsteps echoed softly behind her on the hardwood floor.
Sebastian stepped out onto the balcony, holding two glasses of aged scotch. He handed one to Valerie before sitting down in the chair beside her. He had a faint purple bruise along his left jawline, but his posture was once again that of a man in absolute control.
“Mara finished the audit of Dominic’s offshore accounts,” Sebastian said quietly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Turns out he wasn't working for Moreau or the Bratva. He had been skimming from the shipping operations for two years and panicked when he realized our financial restructuring was going to expose him. He used the chaos of the night we spent together to make his move.”
Valerie took a slow sip of the scotch, feeling its warmth burn pleasantly down her throat. “And what happens to him now?”
“He’s gone, Valerie,” Sebastian said, his voice entirely devoid of emotion. “In our world, traitors don't get trials. They simply cease to exist.”
Valerie looked at him, studying the sharp angles of his face, the dark intensity in his eyes that had once terrified her, but now felt strangely like home.
“You regret bringing me into this world, don't you?” she asked softly.
Sebastian turned his head, locking his dark gaze onto hers. He reached out, his warm fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“I regret the danger,” Sebastian admitted honestly. “I regret that my enemies ever found out your name. But I don't regret last night. And I sure as hell don't regret you being here right now.”
Valerie let out a small, genuine smile, leaning her head against his shoulder. The fear that had paralyzed her days ago had evaporated, replaced by an unshakable bond forged in fire and blood.
May you like
“Good,” she murmured. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Sebastian tightened his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer as the sun began to dip below the New Jersey Palisades, painting the sky in brilliant shades of violet and gold.
