Chapter 2 - The Wrath of the HarborDust and flakes of rust rained down into the freezing air as the steel door hit the floor.
Evelyn Sterling spun around, her pristine white cashmere coat catching the light of the single swinging lightbulb. Her breath caught in her throat as the dark silhouette of Roman Calder stepped through the doorway, flanked by six armed men in tactical gear.
“R-Roman?!” Evelyn stumbled back, her diamond earrings shaking as her face drained of all color. “What... what are you doing here?! How did you find this place?!”
Roman didn't look at her. His eyes moved straight past her, scanning the filthy concrete floor until they landed on the thin, shivering form bound tightly near the rusty support pillar.
Nora lay on her side, her hair matted with grime, her lips blue, her wrists swollen red beneath heavy industrial rope. Her eyes were unfocused, struggling to stay open against the light.
When she saw Roman—tall, dark, and terrifying against the doorway—a soft, broken sound escaped her throat.
“Mr... Mr. Calder?” she rasped, believing her mind was playing tricks on her in the dark.
Roman moved.
He didn't speak to Evelyn. He walked straight past her as if she were made of air.
Evelyn reached out, her manicured hand grabbing his arm. “Roman, wait! Listen to me! This girl is a thief! I caught her trying to sell information about your shipping routes to—”
Roman stopped. He didn't draw a gun. He simply turned his head and looked down at her hand on his arm.
The look in his eyes was so terrifyingly cold that Evelyn immediately yanked her hand back as if she had touched red-hot iron.
“Silas,” Roman said, his voice flat and devoid of any human warmth.
“Sir,” Silas stepped forward.
“Take Miss Sterling and her guards to the lower cellar at the docks,” Roman commanded softly. “No food. No water. Let her experience six days of dark reflection.”
“You can’t do this to me!” Evelyn shrieked as two heavy-set tactical operatives grabbed her by her arms, dragging her toward the door. “My father is Senator Sterling! You’ll tear down your own empire, Roman! She’s just a maid! She’s nothing!”
Her screams faded as they dragged her into the freezing night outside.
Roman dropped to his knees on the concrete floor beside Nora.
The man who had never touched anyone without a reason, the man who kept a six-foot perimeter of fear around himself at all times, gently slid his large, warm hands beneath the rough ropes cutting into Nora’s skin.
He pulled a titanium pocket blade from his vest and sliced through the thick cords with a single stroke.
Nora collapsed forward, her strength completely gone, but before her face could touch the cold floor, Roman caught her. He pulled her frail, shivering body directly against his chest, wrapping his heavy leather coat around her shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” Roman whispered into her hair, his voice rough with a emotion he hadn't felt in twenty years. “I’m sorry I took six days.”
Nora rested her forehead against his lapel, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart through the thick fabric. Her hands, stiff from the cold, weakly clutched at his coat.
“Caleb...” she sobbed quietly, her tears warming the leather. “Please... Caleb is waiting...”
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“He’s safe,” Roman said, lifting her effortlessly into his arms as he stood up. “I had my men secure Mrs. Adler’s house two hours ago. Your brother is safe, Nora. I give you my word.”
As Roman carried her out of the ruined warehouse into the waiting black SUV, Nora closed her eyes, finally letting the exhaustion take her.
