Chapter 7 - The Safehouse Sanctuary
Upstairs in the east wing, far away from the tactical displays and weapons lockers, the atmosphere was entirely different.
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall arched windows, casting warm gold bars across the Persian rug. Lily sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a mountain of colored pencils and sketch pads that Holden’s private shoppers had hastily acquired that morning.
Phantom lay beside her, serving as both a footrest and an immovable mountain of warmth.
"Do you think he'll be safe?" Lily asked quietly, looking down at the massive dog.
Phantom’s ears twitched. He let out a low rumble that sounded like a reassuring purr.
The door clicked open, and Elena—one of the senior estate managers—stepped in carrying a tray of sliced fruit and tea. "Your uncle is a very capable man, Lily. Nobody touches the Cross family inside their own territory."
Lily took a piece of apple, nibbling on it slowly. "My momma said uncle Holden had a stone heart. She said the fire in Palermo melted all the soft parts away."
May you like
Elena smiled gently, setting the tray down on the low table. "Sometimes, child, people have to build walls of stone so nobody can hurt the people they love ever again. But beneath the stone... the heart is still there."
Lily nodded thoughtfully, then went back to her drawing. On the paper, she was sketching a large, terrifying black dog with wings like an angel, standing guard over a little girl holding a silver key.
