Chapter 7 - The Shadows Lengthen
Three months later.
The Kensington Foundation for Animal Rehabilitation stood on a quiet, tree-lined acre of land in Upstate New York, just forty-five minutes outside the city. It was a state-of-the-art facility featuring spacious open runs, medical suites, and heated indoor kennels.
Willa was in her element. Dressed in comfortable work pants and a green sweater, her dark hair tied back in a loose braid, she moved through the facility with an radiant energy that made her look like an entirely different person from the pale, terrified girl who had mopped floors in Brooklyn.
Titan was the official king of the sanctuary. Fully restored to his 150-pound glory, he trotted beside Willa wherever she went, acting as a gentle big brother to the dozen traumatized dogs currently living at the facility.
Jared visited every single evening.
His black sedan would pull up the gravel driveway at precisely six o'clock. He would step out, shed his heavy suit jacket, roll up his sleeves, and spend two hours helping Willa feed the animals, cleaning kennels, or simply walking Titan through the surrounding woods.
To the world, Jared Kensington was still the formidable shadow ruler of Manhattan. But here, within the wooden fences of the sanctuary, he was simply the man who watched Willa with an devotion that bordered on worship.
However, peace in Jared’s world was always a fleeting luxury.
It was a rainy Tuesday evening when Miles arrived alone, his expression darker than usual.
Willa was in the main office, organizing medical files, while Titan rested by the fireplace. When Miles walked in, Titan let out a brief, friendly woof, but Miles didn't smile.
"Where is Jared?" Willa asked immediately, setting her pen down.
"He was delayed in the city," Miles said, his voice clipped. "Miss Thornton... we have a situation."
Willa’s stomach tightened. "What kind of situation?"
Miles took a deep breath, stepping closer to her desk. "Victor didn't flee to Sicily as we thought. He went into hiding in New Jersey. And three hours ago, Brendan escaped from the county transport vehicle during his transfer to the state penitentiary."
Willa’s pen snapped in her hand.
"He escaped?" she whispered, the ghost of her past slamming back into her lungs.
"It was an inside job," Miles said grimly. "Victor’s remaining men ambushed the transport van. They took Brendan. Jared is currently hunting them down, but he sent me here to move you to a safe house in Connecticut immediately."
Willa stood up, her jaw tightening. "No."
Miles blinked. "Miss Thornton, this isn't a negotiation. Victor and Brendan have nothing left to lose. They know you are Jared’s only weakness."
"I am not his weakness," Willa snapped, her eyes burning with a fierce determination that made Miles step back. "I spent two years running from Brendan, and I spent three days running from Jared’s world. I am done running, Miles."
"Willa, they have armed men—"
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"And we have a state-of-the-art security system, four armed guards on this property, and a 150-pound Mastiff who wants to tear Brendan’s throat out," Willa said coldly. "If they are coming for me, let them come. But I am not leaving my home, and I am not leaving Jared."
Before Miles could argue, the high-pitched blare of the sanctuary's outer perimeter alarm shattered the quiet evening air.
