Chapter 7
The heavy service doors slammed shut, instantly cutting off Odette’s frantic, echoing screams. The grand dining hall was plunged back into a profound, ringing silence. Grayson stood perfectly still for a long moment, the adrenaline of the confrontation slowly ebbing from his system, leaving behind a profound, aching exhaustion.
He had defended his son and rescued the woman who had quietly held his household together, but the political fallout with the Shaw family would inevitably ignite a massive war in the coming days. Odette's father, a powerful underboss with deep ties to the eastern ports, would not let the imprisonment of his daughter go unanswered. Blood would inevitably spill on the snow before the new year.
Grayson let out a slow, controlled breath. He unbuttoned his suit jacket, rolling his broad shoulders to release the coiled tension. He looked at the abandoned dessert bowl on the table, a stark reminder of the cruelty that had been hiding in plain sight. He needed to see his son. He needed to ensure the damage wasn't permanent.
He turned and strode purposefully out of the dining hall, navigating the bright, airy corridors of his mansion until he reached the grand staircase. He ascended two steps at a time, his polished shoes silent on the thick carpet, heading straight for his private quarters.
He approached the heavy wooden door of the master suite. Two enforcers stood guard, nodding respectfully as he approached. Grayson opened the door and stepped inside.
The room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of a bedside lamp and a roaring fireplace. Luca was sitting on the edge of the massive four-poster bed, having shed his navy suit jacket and burgundy bow tie, looking small and fragile in his crisp white shirt. Sitting on the floor right beside him, speaking in a low, soothing voice, was Nina Hart.
The maid had removed her white apron, folding it neatly over her lap. Her black dress was still creased, but her delicate features radiated a fierce, protective warmth. As Grayson entered, Nina immediately stood up, smoothing her skirt, her expressive eyes darting to his face to read the outcome of the confrontation downstairs.
"Daddy!" Luca cried, jumping out of the bed and running across the room.
Grayson dropped to one knee, catching his son perfectly as the boy threw his small arms around his broad shoulders. He buried his face in Luca's hair, closing his eyes tightly.
"I'm here, sweetheart. I'm right here," Grayson murmured, his deep voice thick with emotion.
"Are you going to let her come back, Daddy?" Luca whispered, his voice trembling with the residual fear Odette had planted.
"Never," Grayson said fiercely, pulling back to look directly into his son's eyes. "You are my entire world, Luca. No one will ever hurt you or the people you love again. The woman who did those things is gone. She will never, ever step foot in this house again."
Luca sniffled, nodding slowly as he accepted his father's absolute certainty. "Nina said you wouldn't let the bad lady hurt us."
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Grayson looked up. Nina was standing quietly by the armchair, her hands clasped together, her graceful posture a testament to her quiet strength. She had risked her life to comfort his son, and in doing so, had exposed a monster.
"Nina is very smart," Grayson said softly, keeping his dark eyes locked on the beautiful maid. "And incredibly brave."
