Taking a single spoonful, Desmond froze

The sprawling mansion was a hive of quiet, lethal activity as Desmond carried his frail wife up the sweeping marble staircase. The bright, luminous glow of the first floor gave way to the softer, more muted lighting of the private master wing. The warm golden hues of the wall sconces guided them past gilded mirrors and heavy silk curtains, leading them to the massive oak doors of Desmond’s personal suite.

He gently laid Victoria down on the plush, king-sized bed, pulling the thick, expensive duvet up to her chin. The roaring marble fireplace in the corner of the room immediately began to cast a healing, elegant warmth over her pale skin.

Elsie hurried into the adjoining master bathroom, retrieving warm, damp towels and a glass of fresh water. She worked with quiet, sophisticated efficiency, wiping the soot and grime from Victoria's face and hands, helping her drink small, measured sips.

"Thank you, Elsie," Victoria whispered, her voice raspy but filled with immense gratitude. "You saved my life."

"I just did what was right, ma'am," Elsie replied, her softly squared face flushing a delicate pink.

Desmond stood near the fireplace, watching the interaction in silence. He had removed his suit jacket and unbuttoned his waistcoat, looking slightly less formal but infinitely more dangerous. The loose strands of dark hair fell over his forehead, and his powerful shoulders leaned casually against the carved marble.

"Will you fetch the doctor immediately, Marcus?" Desmond asked his lieutenant, who stood at attention in the doorway.

"He is already on his way up the stairs, Boss," Marcus reported, stepping aside to allow an older man with a black medical bag into the room.

The doctor moved quickly to the bed, beginning a thorough examination of Victoria. Desmond watched for a moment before turning his cold, perceptive eyes back to Marcus.

"Are our borders secured?" Desmond asked, stepping out into the hallway to speak privately with his underboss.

"Yes, Mr. Ashcroft," Marcus nodded, his American accent crisp. "The entire estate is locked down. The guests have been cleared. But the Blake family will notice Sienna is missing by morning. Marcus Blake isn't going to wait for an explanation. This means full-scale war."

"Do the Blakes believe they can survive my wrath after harboring the woman who imprisoned my wife?" Desmond asked, his deeply observant eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.

"They have numbers, Boss. They control the northern territories," Marcus warned.

"Are the weapons primed in the armory?" Desmond asked, adjusting his wristwatch with a calm, terrifying precision.

"Fully loaded and distributed to the men, sir."

"Will you ensure the perimeter is fortified with heavy artillery before dawn?" Desmond asked.

"Consider it done," Marcus bowed his head respectfully and hurried down the hall.

Desmond stepped back into the master suite. The doctor was finishing his examination, administering intravenous fluids to Victoria.

"Will she recover, Doctor?" Desmond asked.

"She is severely malnourished and dehydrated, but her vitals are stabilizing," the doctor answered. "With proper rest and nutrition, she will make a full recovery, sir."

Desmond nodded, a profound relief washing over his angular face. The doctor packed his bag and quietly exited the room.