Chapter 8 - A Promise of SafetyJulian stood up slowly, crossing the room until he was standing directly in front of me.
“Take it off,” he commanded softly.
My hands trembled as I unclasped the silver chain from my neck.
I handed him the locket, the only piece of my father I had left.
Julian took it, his large thumb tracing the intricate floral pattern on the silver.
He flipped it over, applying pressure to a tiny, hidden mechanism near the hinge.
The locket popped open, revealing not a picture, but a micro-SD card.
I stopped breathing entirely.
“Four million dollars and the fate of the underworld, hiding around the neck of my maid,” he murmured.
“I didn't know,” I choked out, tears of betrayal stinging my eyes.
“My father painted a target on my back and didn't even warn me.”
Julian pocketed the locket and reached out, pulling me up from the chair.
He wrapped his massive arms around me, pulling my face against his bare chest.
“You are safe with me,” he promised, his voice vibrating through my bones.
I broke down, sobbing into his embrace as the adrenaline of the last twenty-four hours finally crashed.
May you like
He just held me tighter, one hand gently stroking my messy auburn hair.
For the first time in two years, I didn't feel invisible.
