Chapter 6 - Behind the Gilded Cage
The penthouse was on high alert. The elevator was locked to private biometric access, and snipers were stationed on adjacent rooftops.
Inside, however, Lily was forcing Vincent’s most lethal bodyguard, a scarred ex-special forces operator named Jax, to wear a plastic tiara while having an imaginary tea party.
""More tea, Mr. Jax?"" Lily asked politely, holding up a tiny plastic cup.
""Yes, your highness,"" Jax grunted, not daring to adjust his crooked crown.
I stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, watching them with a mixture of amusement and lingering dread. A gentle click signaled Vincent stepping into the room. He had changed into a dark cashmere sweater, looking less like a warlord and more like the man I had fallen in love with in college, before the family business consumed him.
He handed me a glass of red wine. ""The Vance problem is being handled. Permanently.""
""Is that supposed to comfort me, Vincent?"" I asked softly, taking the glass. ""That's why I left. I couldn't bear the thought of raising children in a fortress where someone is always waiting with a rifle.""
Vincent stood beside me, his reflection mirroring mine in the dark glass overlooking the glittering Chicago skyline.
""When you vanished, Emily, I thought my life was over,"" he admitted, his voice barely louder than a whisper. ""I told myself that keeping you away was the only way to keep you alive. But these past three days... seeing Ethan stand up to me, watching Lily sleep... I realized I haven't been protecting you. I've been hiding behind my war.""
""You broke my heart, Vincent.""
""I know,"" he said, turning toward me. His dark eyes were luminous with unshed tears. ""And I have spent every single day of the last five years paying for it. I don't care about the territory, Emily. I don't care about the empire. If you want me to sell the docks, I'll sell them. If you want us to move to a farm in Vermont where nobody knows my name, I'll pack the bags tonight.""
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I looked at him, startled. Vincent Moretti, willing to surrender his kingdom?
Before I could answer, a sudden explosion rattled the foundation of the skyscraper. The lights flickered and died, plunging the penthouse into pitch blackness.
