Chapter 14
When Dorian walked back into the Westbrook mansion, the bright, airy light of the atrium felt momentarily foreign after the grim reality of the docks. He had washed the blood and soot from his face and hands in the subterranean armory, changing into a fresh, tailored dark suit. He projected the immaculate, terrifying image of a billionaire CEO preparing for a hostile takeover.
He walked purposefully toward his study. He needed to verify the security protocols surrounding his key personnel before he flew into the heart of the enemy’s territory.
He pressed his thumb to the biometric scanner, and the heavy steel door of his inner sanctum hissed open.
He paused, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his features. Lottie was sitting on a plush velvet sofa in his private office, holding a file folder. She was supposed to be miles away, organizing her mother’s funeral.
When the door opened, Lottie looked up, her beautiful, softly tapered face reflecting a sudden, intense relief at seeing him unharmed.
“Lottie,” Dorian breathed, stepping into the room. “Why are you here? You were ordered to leave the blast radius.”
“I did leave, Mr. Westbrook,” Lottie replied softly, standing up. The black maid’s dress was gone, replaced by a simple, elegant dark skirt and blouse. “But I made my driver turn around when I heard the explosion at the logistics hub on the police scanner. I couldn’t leave knowing you were under attack.”
Dorian crossed the room in three massive strides, his cold eyes softening instantly. “Do you understand the danger you put yourself in by returning?”
“I understand loyalty, sir,” Lottie whispered, looking up into his face. “You protected me last night. I needed to know you survived the morning.”
He looked at the beautiful woman standing before him. In the bright, cinematic light of the study, amidst the deafening chaos of a national mafia war, he realized the absolute, unshakeable courage she possessed.
“Are you safe now, Lottie?” Dorian murmured, his deep, raspy voice burying itself in the quiet room.
“I am,” she nodded.
“Then I must travel out of state tonight. To ensure the finality of our peace,” Dorian stated smoothly, stepping back slightly to regain his tactical focus.
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