Chapter 10
The profound, ringing silence of the grand dining room settled heavily over the remaining three figures. The cascading crystal chandeliers continued to cast their warm golden light over the abandoned porcelain plates and half-empty crystal wine glasses. The opulent space, designed for celebration, now felt entirely different—it was a war room.
Tristan stood silently for a moment, his broad shoulders rising and falling with a slow, controlled breath. The betrayal was absolute, the upcoming syndicate war with Veronica’s father inevitable, but the immediate, toxic sickness within his home had been surgically removed. Now, he had to secure his daughter and the woman who had protected her.
He turned his body, pivoting seamlessly on the polished marble floors, and walked toward Audrey.
The housemaid was still standing near the open wooden chest, her hands clasped tightly in front of her white apron. Her delicate features were pale, but she held her head high, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.
"Are you unharmed, Audrey?" Tristan asked, his deep voice softening as he approached her.
"I am fine, Mr. Vale," Audrey breathed, her expressive eyes looking up at him. "Is Maisie okay?"
Tristan looked down at the little girl resting against his chest. Maisie had fallen asleep, exhausted by the terror of the evening, her small hands clutching the lapel of his tailored dark suit.
"She will be," Tristan murmured. He looked back at Audrey, his dark eyes filled with a profound, quiet gratitude. "You saved her life tonight. If she had been in that box for another hour..."
He didn't finish the sentence. The thought was too dark even for him.
"I couldn't just ignore the knocking, sir," Audrey said softly, her rosy cheeks flushing under his intense gaze. "I had to open it."
"You defied a direct threat from my fiancée to do so," Tristan noted, stepping closer. "You showed more courage than half the men who just ran out of this room."
"I was only doing my job, Mr. Vale," Audrey whispered.
"I am changing your job," Tristan stated, his voice a low, gravelly command. "From this moment forward, you are Maisie's personal governess. You answer to no one in this house but me. And you will move into the secure wing tonight."
Audrey’s breath hitched. The magnitude of the offer, and the safety it provided, was overwhelming. "Thank you, Tristan."
Before Tristan could respond to the sound of his first name on her lips, the heavy oak doors of the dining room burst open again. A bloodied security operative stumbled into the room, gasping for breath.
"Is the perimeter breached?" Tristan asked, spinning around, his hand already reaching for the concealed weapon beneath his vest.
"Yes, Boss!" the operative choked out. "The Shaw syndicate didn't wait! They are at the gates right now!"
Tristan looked back at Audrey, his cold, perceptive eyes burning with an unyielding, protective fire.
"Shall we show them exactly what it costs to threaten my family?" Tristan asked the quiet room.
May you like
He racked the slide of his handgun with a sharp, metallic clatter as the estate's high-pitched security sirens began to wail. The war had officially arrived at their doorstep.
"Stay behind me," Tristan ordered, stepping into the line of fire, ready to burn the city to ash to protect his daughter and the woman standing beside him.
