Chapter 9
He approached the heavy wooden door of the master suite. Two enforcers stood guard, their hands resting on their holstered weapons. They nodded respectfully as the boss approached.
"Is the perimeter secure?" Gideon asked, his deep voice carrying a quiet urgency.
"Yes, Boss. No one has entered or exited the wing," the lead guard confirmed, stepping aside to open the heavy door for him.
Gideon stepped into his private quarters. The room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of a roaring fireplace. Toby was sitting on the edge of the massive four-poster bed, looking small and fragile in his cream reindeer sweater. Eleanor sat beside him, sipping a glass of water, her color slowly returning. Sitting on the floor right beside them, speaking in a low, soothing voice, was Sophie Ellis.
The maid had adjusted her white apron, folding her hands neatly over her lap. Her black dress was still fitted perfectly, and her delicate features radiated a fierce, protective warmth. As Gideon entered, Sophie immediately stood up, smoothing her skirt, her expressive eyes darting to his face to read the outcome of the confrontation downstairs.
"Daddy!" Toby cried, jumping out of the bed and running across the room.
Gideon dropped to one knee, catching his son perfectly as the boy threw his small arms around his broad shoulders. He buried his face in Toby's soft curls, closing his eyes tightly, inhaling the innocent scent of his child amidst a world of violence.
"I'm here, sweetheart. I'm right here," Gideon murmured, his deep voice thick with emotion.
"Is Auntie Bianca coming back, Daddy?" Toby whispered, his voice trembling with the residual fear of the evening's chaos.
"Never," Gideon said fiercely, pulling back to look directly into his son's eyes. "You are my entire world, Toby. 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."
Toby sniffled, nodding slowly as he accepted his father's absolute certainty. "Sophie said you wouldn't let the bad lady hurt Nana."
Gideon looked up. Sophie was standing quietly by the armchair, her graceful posture a testament to her quiet strength. She had risked her life to expose the boss's fiancée, knowing the lethal consequences if he had chosen not to believe her.
"Sophie is very smart," Gideon said softly, keeping his dark eyes locked on the beautiful maid. "And incredibly brave."
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Gideon stood up, gently lifting Toby and placing him back onto the center of the massive bed beside Eleanor. He pressed a lingering, fiercely protective kiss to his mother's forehead, silently thanking her for her resilience.
"Try to rest, Mother. Try to sleep, Toby," Gideon said, his deep voice a soothing rumble. "I will be right outside the door, and my guards are watching the hallway. Nothing can get to you."
