Chapter 10 - The Bloodline Reclaimed
Victoria’s hysterical, echoing screams were completely cut off as the heavy mahogany doors slammed shut behind the security guards dragging her out of the estate. The toxic, treacherous parasite was permanently erased from their lives.
The grand foyer was quiet once again.
Adrian stood in the center of the room for a long, heavy moment, allowing the burning, agonizing vengeance in his soul to finally, truly settle. The ghost he had been hunting for three and a half years was dead.
He slowly turned around, his piercing blue eyes locking onto the beautiful, trembling maid standing near the staircase.
Claire was still shaking, completely overwhelmed by the explosive, violent reality of the mafia world she had tried so desperately to hide from. She stepped protectively in front of little Nora, unsure of what the terrifying boss would do to them now.
Adrian didn't walk toward Claire with anger or intimidation. He walked toward her with profound, overwhelming respect. He stopped in front of her and, to the absolute shock of the senior housekeeper watching from the background, the powerful Mafia Boss slowly bowed his head.
"You hid in the lion's den to protect my brother's child," Adrian whispered, his deep voice thick with genuine, unshakeable emotion. "You are the bravest woman I have ever known. You are no longer a maid in this house, Claire. You are family. And no one will ever disrespect you again."
He knelt down on the marble floor once more, coming face-to-face with the brave three-year-old girl in the cream floral dress.
Nora was still wearing his oversized black silk tie. She looked at him with wide, innocent blue eyes, completely unfazed by the chaos.
"Are you the boss now, Uncle Adrian?" Nora asked in her soft, sweet voice.
Adrian smiled, a true, warm expression that completely transformed his rugged face, wiping away years of isolated grief. He gently adjusted the large silk tie around her tiny neck.
May you like
"No, little one," Adrian replied softly, pulling his beautiful niece into a fierce, desperately protective embrace, finally feeling a piece of his beloved brother's soul return to the estate. "I think you are."
What would you do if you discovered the person you hated most was secretly protecting your greatest treasure?
