Chapter 11 - The Unwelcome Guest
The peace we had built over the last six months was beautiful, but in Chicago, peace was always a fragile illusion.
I was quietly reviewing the final floral arrangements for our upcoming wedding when Vincent’s head of security, Marco, burst into the penthouse.
His face was completely drained of color, a stark contrast to his usual stoic and intimidating demeanor.
"Vincent, we have a massive problem at the downtown commercial docks," Marco announced, his voice tight with unmistakable tension.
Vincent looked up from his heavy mahogany desk, his dark eyes instantly sharpening into lethal, calculating daggers.
"I specifically ordered a complete lockdown of our southern shipping routes this week," Vincent replied coldly, closing his laptop with a sharp snap.
"It isn't our men causing the issue, Boss," Marco explained, swallowing hard as he stepped further into the room.
"Marcus Romano just docked three massive cargo ships on our territory without any prior authorization."
The name sent a visible, terrifying ripple of tension straight through Vincent’s broad, muscular shoulders.
I put down my expensive wedding planner, my heart immediately picking up a frantic, highly anxious rhythm.
"Who exactly is Marcus Romano?" I asked, stepping closer to Vincent's desk to gauge his dark reaction.
Vincent stood up, aggressively adjusting the cuffs of his tailored shirt as a terrifying shadow fell entirely over his handsome face.
"He is a ruthless ghost from my father's violent past who supposedly died in a warehouse fire ten years ago," Vincent stated grimly.
"If he is suddenly back in Chicago, he absolutely isn't here to casually reminisce about old times."
He walked around the heavy oak desk and gently pulled me into a fierce, intensely protective embrace.
"I need you to stay completely inside the secure penthouse today, Emily," he commanded softly but with absolute, unquestionable authority.
"Absolutely not," I countered, looking directly into his fierce, uncompromising eyes without a single ounce of fear.
"We promised that we would face every single threat in this dangerous city completely together."
Vincent sighed heavily, deeply knowing he could never easily win a stubborn argument against the woman he loved.
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"Fine, but you will stay surrounded by ten of my absolute best men at all times," he compromised reluctantly, kissing my forehead.
We quickly headed down to the armored SUV, silently preparing to meet a dead man who had just violently returned to claim his dark throne.
