Chapter 9 - The King's Justice
The aftermath of the assault was swift and completely merciless.
Damian’s security forces had neutralized the threat with terrifying efficiency.
The mercenaries who survived the firefight were handed over to federal authorities, along with irrefutable proof that Richard Vale had hired them.
By dawn the next morning, the FBI had raided the Vale family estate.
Richard Vale was arrested in his pajamas, led away in handcuffs while national news cameras recorded his ultimate humiliation.
Selene was not spared from the wreckage.
Her trust funds were frozen, her assets seized, and her socialite friends abandoned her instantly to avoid the toxic scandal.
The woman who had tried to destroy me was left with absolutely nothing.
The estate was quiet again, the shattered glass replaced and the blood washed away.
I was standing on the balcony of our suite, watching the sunrise paint the sky in brilliant shades of gold and pink.
The heavy wooden door clicked open, and Damian walked out onto the balcony to join me.
He looked exhausted, but the dangerous tension that had coiled in his shoulders for weeks was finally gone.
He stood beside me, leaning against the stone railing, looking out over his vast, secure domain.
"It is finished," Damian said quietly.
"The Vales will never be a threat to us again."
I looked at him, noticing the way the morning light caught the silver at his temples.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"For everything you did to protect my daughter."
Damian turned to face me, his dark eyes intensely focused on my face.
"I didn't just do it for Lily, Elena," he said softly.
He reached out, his warm, rough hand gently cupping my cheek.
"I realized something the night Selene tried to frame you."
"I realized that the thought of you leaving this house terrified me more than losing my entire company."
My breath hitched in my throat as his thumb softly traced the line of my jaw.
"I am just a maid, Damian," I reminded him, my insecurities bubbling to the surface.
"I don't belong in your world."
Damian stepped closer, completely eliminating the space between us.
"You are the strongest, most graceful woman I have ever met," he stated firmly.
"You belong wherever you want to be."
"And I want you to be with me."
He leaned down, giving me a moment to pull away if I wanted to.
I didn't move.
I closed my eyes and leaned up to meet his lips.
The kiss was soft, hesitant at first, and then deepened into something profound and desperately passionate.
All the fear and tension of the past month melted away in the warmth of his embrace.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless.
"Stay with me," Damian murmured against my forehead.
"Not as an employee."
"As my partner."
May you like
I looked up at the terrifying mafia boss who had saved my life and captured my heart.
"I will stay," I promised.
