Chapter 15 - The New Dawn
The storm had passed by the time morning broke over the estate. Golden sunlight filtered through the cracked branches of the courtyard oaks, reflecting off the damp marble and shattered glass being swept away by cleanup crews.
Val sat on the edge of the kitchen island, a fresh bandage wrapped around his shoulder beneath a clean black shirt. Mia sat beside him, happily eating a bowl of cut fruit, completely oblivious to the war that had raged through the city just hours before. Her little hand reached out and touched her father’s forearm, tracing the lines of his dark tattoos.
Sarah stood by the doorway, dressed in civilian clothes—a dark trench coat and a small leather travel bag slung over her shoulder. She held an envelope in her hands.
“All the files on the St. Jude project,” Sarah said, placing the envelope on the counter. “Every name, every protocol. It’s over now, Val. Declan is dead, and the syndicate is yours.”
Val looked up from his daughter. “You’re leaving?”
“My contract was with your father,” Sarah said, offering a faint, tired smile. “I was sent to keep Mia safe until the rot was cut out. The rot is gone.”
Val set down his cup, his dark eyes studying her carefully. “You pulled the bullet from my daughter’s leg. You bled for this family. Contracts don't mean anything in this house, Sarah. Loyalty does.”
Sarah paused at the entrance, her hand lingering on the doorframe. She looked back at Mia, who waved a tiny, cheerful hand at her.
“Stay,” Val added, his voice carrying the quiet weight of absolute authority, softened by something rare and genuine. “Mia needs someone who can protect her from the shadows. And I need someone I can trust with my back.”
Sarah looked at the envelope on the counter, then down at her travel bag. A slow, knowing breath escaped her lips as she dropped the bag onto the floor.
Suddenly, the phone on the island screen buzzed with an urgent priority tone. An encrypted video feed popped up, showing the crest of the European High Council.
May you like
A distorted voice came through the speaker: “Mr. Moretti. You killed our primary contractor last night. We are calling to discuss the terms of your survival.”
Val reached out, pressed the mute button, and locked eyes with Sarah."
