Chapter 13 - No More Secrets
The penthouse was completely silent, save for the heavy rain lashing against the reinforced glass.
Dorian was in his walk-in closet, loading a sleek, matte-black sidearm with practiced precision.
He wore a dark tactical suit that made him look like a shadow detached from the wall.
He slapped the magazine into the grip and racked the slide, the metallic click echoing sharply in the quiet room.
He turned around to find Marin standing in the doorway.
She was not crying.
She was not shaking.
She simply stood there, watching him prepare for a war he had promised he would never fight again.
"You are going to his shipping yards tonight," Marin stated, crossing her arms.
It wasn't a question.
"Marcus found a leak in Thorne’s payroll," Dorian replied, securing the weapon in his shoulder holster.
"Thorne is overseeing a shipment of contraband at Pier 44 at midnight."
"If I take him out now, the threat dies with him."
"And if it's a trap?" Marin countered, stepping fully into the closet.
"Thorne sent that box directly to me, Dorian."
"He knew it would provoke you."
"He knows exactly how fiercely you protect what is yours."
Dorian stopped moving.
He looked at her, his expression softening just a fraction, but the lethal intent in his eyes remained.
"I have survived a hundred traps, Marin."
"I will not let a rat like Elias Thorne breathe the same air as you."
Marin walked closer, closing the distance between them until she was inches away from his chest.
"Do you remember the night you found Daniel's micro-SD card?" she asked quietly.
Dorian nodded once.
"I remember everything about that night."
"You told me that Victor controlled half the men in your syndicate," Marin reminded him.
"You told me that if you killed him without proof, it would start a civil war."
She reached out and placed her hand over the cold leather of his holster.
"If you kill Elias Thorne tonight, his cartel will retaliate against Vance Holdings."
"They will attack the foundation."
"They will go after our legitimate employees."
"You cannot just be the king of the underworld anymore, Dorian."
"You are a CEO."
"You have to play by a different set of rules now."
Dorian stared at her, genuinely stunned by her strategic brilliance.
The terrified cleaning lady was completely gone.
Standing before him was a queen, sharp, calculating, and entirely unafraid.
"What do you suggest I do?" Dorian asked, genuinely wanting to hear her answer.
Marin took a deep breath.
"Daniel taught me how to read financial trails before he died."
"Give me access to Thorne’s frozen accounts."
"Let me find where he is hiding his clean money."
"If we bankrupt his legitimate fronts, his own men will turn on him before you ever have to fire a bullet."
Dorian looked at the woman he was going to marry, his chest swelling with an overwhelming sense of pride.
He slowly unbuckled his shoulder holster and let it drop to the floor.
May you like
"Okay," Dorian whispered, pulling her into a fierce kiss.
"Show me what you can do."
