Chapter 6 - Echoes of the Past
The next morning, the city of Chicago woke under a veil of autumn mist. Vincent had stayed in the suite all night, refusing to leave, though he had respectfully remained on the sofa in the living room while Lily and I slept. When the morning sun began to pierce through the high clouds, I walked out of the bedroom to find him fully dressed, sitting quietly with a cup of black coffee, watching the door like a sentinel guarding a treasure vault.
Lily emerged shortly after, her morning energy bouncing off the walls. To my astonishment, Vincent transformed. The cold, ruthless boss who struck terror into politicians was down on the floor, patiently helping a four-year-old assemble a wooden block castle, letting her balance toy soldiers on his broad shoulders.
""You're very tall,"" Lily informed him, critically evaluating a wooden tower. ""Taller than Mr. Henderson at the apple farm.""
""Am I?"" Vincent asked, a rare, genuine smile illuminating his rugged features. ""Well, that just means I can reach the highest apples for you whenever you want.""
I stood by the kitchen counter, watching them. The sight was intoxicating, dangerous, and achingly beautiful. It was everything I had secretly dreamed of during those long, lonely nights in Vermont, wondering what kind of father Vincent would have been if blood and crime hadn't poisoned our lives.
Emma walked into the suite, holding a tablet and a stack of legal folders. She stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Vincent on the floor, then looked at me with an eyebrow raised high.
""The probate court hearing is in two hours, Claire,"" Emma said, maintaining a strictly professional tone despite the surreal domestic scene before her. ""The historical society representatives are already gathering at the Cook County courthouse. If we sign today, the title transfer is complete, and our chartered jet leaves at two.""
Vincent’s hands paused on a wooden block. Slowly, he stood up, dusting off his slacks. The warmth in his eyes retreated behind a layer of sharp, tactical steel.
""You aren't leaving at two,"" Vincent said, his voice quiet but commanding.
""Vincent, we talked about this,"" I replied, crossing my arms. ""You explained your past, and I hear you. But Lily and I have a peaceful, clean life in Vermont. You can't just snap your fingers and erase five years of separation.""
""I’m not talking about forcing you to stay with me, Claire,"" Vincent stepped closer, his jaw tight. ""I’m talking about keeping you alive. Marco intercepted a communication thirty minutes ago on the secure syndicate channel.""
My stomach dropped. ""What kind of communication?""
""Julian Vance is dead, but his younger brother, Marcus, took over the remnants of the Detroit cartel last winter,"" Vincent revealed, his tone grave. ""Marcus has been hunting for any leverage against me for months. Yesterday at O’Hare, someone took a picture of me catching Lily and sent it to a Detroit bounty board. Marcus knows you’re in Chicago. And he knows the girl with you is my blood.""
Emma gasped, dropping the legal folder onto the marble table. ""How could they know that fast?""
""Because Chicago has ears, and I was careless at the airport,"" Vincent cursed softly, his fist clenching at his side. ""The probate hearing at the Cook County courthouse is a public municipal building. It’s an ambush trap, Claire. Marcus Vance is already moving his men into the downtown loop. If you step out of this hotel without my escort, you are walking straight into a firing squad.""
I looked at Lily, who was happily humming as she knocked down the wooden blocks. The cold terror that had haunted my early years with Vincent came rushing back like a tidal wave.
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""I won't let them touch her, Vincent,"" I whispered, panic rising in my throat. ""I swear to God, I will die before anyone puts a hand on my baby.""
""Nobody is dying,"" Vincent vowed, stepping forward and cupping the back of my neck with a fierce, protective warmth. ""I failed you five years ago because I tried to fight from the shadows. I won't make that mistake again. You belong to me, Claire. Both of you. And I will burn down anyone who dares to look in your direction.""
