Chapter 14
The sky over the city was painted a violent, bruised purple as the sun set. Plumes of thick, black smoke rose from the East Side docks, a clear, terrifying signal to the underworld that Daniel Carter had not gone soft. The rapid, brutal assault on the Moretti warehouses had been a masterclass in tactical violence, executing dozens of rival soldiers without a single casualty for the Carter family.
Inside the quiet sanctuary of the medical suite, Clara slowly opened her eyes. The heavy fog of painkillers was beginning to lift. She turned her head slightly, wincing at the dull ache in her abdomen.
Daniel was sitting in the plush chair beside her bed, exactly where he had been when she fell asleep. He was reading a file on his tablet, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the screen.
"Daniel," Clara whispered, her voice fragile and dry.
Daniel dropped the tablet instantly. He leaned forward, gently taking her hand, his dark eyes instantly softening from the ruthless Mafia boss to the devoted husband.
"I'm here, Clara," Daniel said, his voice thick with emotion. He brought a cup of water with a straw to her lips, helping her drink slowly. "How do you feel?"
"Tired," Clara admitted, leaning back against the pillows. She looked around the bright, pristine room, her memory slowly piecing together the fragmented horrors of the past few days. She looked at Noah, sleeping peacefully in the bassinet. "Is he okay? Did they hurt him?"
"He is perfect. They never touched him," Daniel promised, his jaw tightening at the memory of Evelyn reaching for the newborn. "You protected him, Clara. You were so strong."
Clara closed her eyes, tears slipping silently down her pale, rosy cheeks. "They told me you signed divorce papers. They said you didn't want us."
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"They lied," Daniel stated, his voice a low, vibrating hum of absolute devotion. He gently brushed the tears from her face. "I love you. I love our son. You are my entire world, Clara. And the people who lied to you will never see the light of day again."
Clara opened her eyes, seeing the dark, lethal promise in his gaze. She didn't ask for details. She had married a monster, but he was a monster who loved her fiercely. She squeezed his hand, finally feeling the deep, suffocating terror begin to recede.
