Chapter 5 - The Shadows of the PastPeace in the underworld, however, is never absolute. It is merely a pause between storms.
Three weeks after David Miller’s arrest, while Clarion was resting in the safety of the tower, a lingering threat reared its head.
Marcus Vance—a disgraced city councilman and one of David Miller’s primary co-conspirators in the South Loop land grab—had avoided immediate arrest by fleeing to a private compound near the Indiana border. Desperate and broke, Marcus hatched a reckless plan: if he couldn't save his empire, he would strike at Julian Moretti’s heart by targeting Clarion.
It was late evening when the secure alert system in Julian’s ground-floor command center flashed amber.
Dante Moretti rushed into the study where Julian was reviewing legal documents.
“Boss, we have movement on the perimeter,” Dante reported grimly, holding up a tactical tablet. “Marcus Vance’s loyalists—three armed men—breached the secondary service gate on the north side. They’re looking for the penthouse freight elevator.”
Julian didn't blink. He closed the laptop lid with a sharp, echoing snap.
“Lock down the residential floors,” Julian ordered, his voice dropping into that chilling, razor-sharp register. “Ensure Clarion is secure in the panic suite.”
Before Dante could turn away, the heavy study door pushed open.
Clarion stood in the doorway. She wasn't wearing her pajamas; she wore a simple dark sweater and trousers, her posture straight, her gray eyes clear and steady.
“I’m not hiding in a panic room, Julian,” Clarion said firmly.
“Clarion—,” Julian began, rising from his desk.
May you like
“No,” she interrupted, stepping into the room. “For three years, I hid behind closed doors while a coward tore my life apart. I am done hiding. If Marcus Vance thinks he can come here and threaten the life we’re building, he needs to understand who he’s dealing with.”
Julian stared at her for a long, silent moment. A slow, fierce pride ignited in his amber eyes. He nodded once, reached into his holster, and handed her a lightweight, polished Smith & Wesson revolver—explaining the safety with calm, precise instructions.
