Chapter 4 - The Terms of Surrender
I stared at him, the truth of his sacrifice washing over me. The cold, unfeeling mafia king hadn't discarded me because I was a problem; he had cut his own heart out to ensure my survival.
But the years of silence, of raising Leo alone in a cramped apartment while working twelve-hour days, couldn't be erased by an apology.
"It doesn't change anything, Storm," I said softly, pulling my wrists from his grasp. "We aren't those people anymore. I have a life here. Leo has a school, friends, a routine. We aren't going back to New York to live in a gilded cage."
"You don't understand, Juliet," Storm said, his expression turning grim as he looked toward the balcony where Leo was pointing at a helicopter in the distance. "The Luccheses are gone, but my own board... my uncle's faction... they have been looking for a weakness. The moment we walked into this lobby together, the word was out. By tonight, every captain in New York will know Storm Moretti has a son."
The glass doors of the balcony slid open.
Viktor stepped in, his face pale, his hand resting on his earpiece. "Boss. We have a situation. Three black SUVs just breached the perimeter of the hotel parking deck. It’s your uncle's men."
Storm didn't hesitate. In a split second, the vulnerable man vanished, and the ruthless kingpin returned.
"Lock down the floor," Storm ordered, pulling a compact, matte-black firearm from his waistband. "Viktor, get the helicopter on the roof ready. We are leaving."
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"Storm, no!" I cried, rushing to grab Leo, who was looking at the gun in his father's hand with wide, curious eyes.
"Juliet, look at me," Storm said, grabbing my face with both hands, his thumbs wiping away my tears. "For six years, I kept you safe by staying away. Now, the only way to keep you safe is to keep you next to me. Trust me. Just this once."
