Chapter 7
"You are a very brave boy," Sebastian murmured, his thumb brushing away a tear from Jamie's cheek. "You protected Lydia by telling the truth."
He gently took the ribbon-tied braid from Jamie’s small hands, handing it carefully to Lydia. The maid accepted it with trembling fingers, clutching the severed hair to her chest as if it were a physical wound.
Sebastian stood back up and shifted his gaze to Lydia. The beautiful housemaid was watching him, her exhausted eyes drawn together in quiet empathy. She had endured hours of physical and psychological torture simply for returning the affection of a motherless child. The fierce, gentle loyalty she had displayed was a rare, precious commodity in Sebastian's dark, violent world.
"Are you in physical pain, Lydia?" Sebastian asked softly, stepping closer to her, his imposing frame casting a protective shadow over her trembling figure.
"No, Mr. Hale," Lydia answered gently, her graceful posture returning despite her disheveled state. "It is just my hair. I am perfectly fine."
"You are not fine, and you are no longer a maid in this house," Sebastian stated, his voice a low, gravelly command laced with profound affection. "From this moment forward, you answer to no one but me. You will move into the secure wing tonight with Jamie."
Lydia’s breath hitched. The magnitude of the offer, and the safety it provided, was overwhelming. "Thank you, Sebastian."
Before Sebastian 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?" Sebastian asked, spinning around, his hand already reaching for the concealed weapon beneath his vest.
"Yes, Boss!" the operative choked out. "The Vane syndicate didn't wait! They hit the outer gates! We have multiple hostiles on the grounds!"
Sebastian looked back at Lydia, his cold, perceptive eyes burning with an unyielding, protective fire.
"Shall we show them exactly what it costs to threaten my family?" Sebastian asked the quiet room, racking the slide of his handgun with a sharp, metallic clatter as the estate's high-pitched security sirens began to wail.
"Stay close to me," Sebastian ordered, his deep voice slicing through the blaring noise.
He didn't wait for an answer. He reached out, his warm, tattooed fingers wrapping securely around Lydia's wrist, and pulled her out of the dining room, ensuring Jamie was tucked safely between them. They stepped out into the chaotic, flashing hallway.
The bright, luminous colors of the mansion were gone, replaced by the chaotic strobe of red emergency lights and the deafening, rhythmic staccato of heavy gunfire echoing from the eastern wing. The smell of cordite and burning pine filled the air.
Sebastian moved with absolute, predatory grace. He kept Lydia and Jamie tucked safely behind his broad shoulders, his weapon raised, his observant eyes sweeping every corner and gilded wall panel for threats. They navigated the marble corridors, the sound of combat growing louder with every step.
As they reached the heavy oak doors separating the main house from the family wing, a massive explosion rocked the foundation of the estate.
The shockwave threw them against the carved walnut furniture lining the hall. Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling. The heavy oak doors were blown entirely off their hinges in a blinding flash of orange fire.
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"Are you injured?" Sebastian shouted over the ringing in their ears, pulling Lydia back to her feet and shielding Jamie with his body.
"We're okay!" Lydia gasped, coughing through the thick smoke, her hands gripping Jamie tightly.
