Chapter 5 - Shadows of the PastTwo months passed in a blur of quiet luxury and absolute security. The Callaway penthouse became a sanctuary where the outside world could not reach them. Dela’s belly grew round and proud, and the dark memories of her days as a struggling waitress began to fade under the relentless, protective care of the man who ruled the city.
Yet, shadows never truly die in Chicago.
It was late evening when a coded alert chimed on Royce’s private terminal in the study. Dela was asleep upstairs, resting comfortably. Royce sat alone in the dim amber light of the desk lamp, scrolling through a dossier transmitted from an encrypted source across the Atlantic.
The file detailed an old adversary—a remnant of the syndicate families who had tried to seize control of the North Side docks five years ago, the very conflict that had left Dela with the scar on her arm. They had heard rumors that Royce Callaway had taken a civilian wife and was expecting an heir. They were planning to use her past to strike at his foundation.
The office door opened silently.
Dela walked in, wearing a loose silk robe, her long hair falling over her shoulders. She looked tired, her eyes catching the reflection of the glowing monitor screens.
"You're still working," she noted softly, walking over to rest her hand on his shoulder.
Royce closed the file with a sharp click, spinning his chair around to pull her down into his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her swelling form. "Just tying up loose ends, my love."
"You don't have to protect me from everything, Royce," she whispered, tracing the edge of his jawline. "I’m stronger than you think."
"I know how strong you are," he replied, his voice dropping into a low, fierce murmur. "Stronger than anyone I've ever met. But the men who left that mark on your arm... they think they can reach across the water and touch what is mine. They are about to learn that my patience ran out the night your blood touched the floor of that hotel lobby."
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Dela looked into his dark eyes, seeing the ruthless protector she had tried to run from, but feeling only an overwhelming sense of profound, unshakable safety. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to finish the war they started five years ago," Royce said calmly. "And when it's over, nobody will ever dare to look at our family with anything other than fear and respect."
