Chapter 8 - The Contract
The cinematic tension in the grand penthouse was absolutely suffocating.
Elena slowly walked toward the dark marble desk. Her black dress swished against the floor. She looked at the heavy black handgun, and then she looked at the stack of cash.
She didn't reach for the money.
Elena looked up, meeting Jude’s intense, dark gaze. The terrified, captive mother completely vanished. A fierce, determined, and unbreakable woman fully awakened.
"If I stay," Elena said clearly, her voice steady and completely devoid of fear, "I don't just want a job. I want absolute assurance that my daughter will never see the violent side of your business."
Jude didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second.
"You have my word," Jude swore, his voice a lethal, absolute vow. "She will only ever see the businessman."
Elena let out a long, shuddering breath. The heavy, agonizing weight of years of domestic abuse and fear was finally, completely lifted from her shoulders. She had found a monster, but he was a monster who was willing to burn the world down to protect them.
"Then I accept," Elena replied smoothly.
Jude smiled—a rare, genuine, and incredibly handsome smile that completely changed the shape of his scarred face. He picked up the heavy handgun from the desk and locked it away in a biometric safe.
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He didn't need the weapon today.
👉 How will the dangerous syndicate adapt to the presence of a three-year-old?
