Chapter 2 - The House Purge
I barricaded myself in Leo’s sprawling bedroom in the east wing. I had drawn the heavy velvet curtains and locked the mahogany door. Leo sat on the edge of the oversized bed, munching on a graham cracker, blissfully unaware that the house below us had just turned into a war zone.
Muffled shouts echoed from the west wing. Then, the sound of breaking glass. Finally, a single, terrifying scream that was abruptly cut short.
I pulled Leo closer to my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had known Marcus Vance was a dangerous man, but seeing the shadow of his world bleed into this quiet estate was horrifying.
Thirty minutes later, a heavy knock rattled the door. "Clara. Open it."
I cracked the door open. Marcus stood there. His tie was gone, his collar unbuttoned, and a faint smear of red—blood, I realized with a sick jolt—stained his left cuff.
"Mrs. Gable is no longer employed here," he said flatly, stepping into the room. He looked at Leo, his harsh features softening instantly. "She confessed. She was being paid by the Moretti family. They wanted the Vance heir weak. They wanted me distracted by grief."
"Oh my god," I breathed.
Marcus turned his intense, dark eyes on me. "You saved my son. You gave him his life back. Name your price, Clara. Tuition? A house? It's yours."
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"I don't want your money, Mr. Vance," I said, lifting my chin. "I just want Leo to be safe."
He stepped closer, invading my personal space. The scent of scotch, gunpowder, and expensive cologne wrapped around me. "His name is Marcus," he said softly. "And as of right now, you aren't the maid. You are his private nurse. And you are under my personal protection."
