Chapter 21
By the time Julian’s private jet touched down on the private airstrip in Florence, the war was entirely over. He had utterly dismantled Lorenzo Costa’s financial empire, leaving the corrupt billionaire bankrupt and fleeing from Interpol warrants. Camila was locked away in a subterranean supermax cell, permanently silenced.
But as Julian rode in the back of the armored SUV racing toward his estate, he felt an unprecedented level of anxiety.
Marcus had briefed him on the situation regarding Maria, the mole. Julian’s heart had nearly stopped when he realized how close the enemy had gotten to his wife and child. He had been completely ready to tear the Italian countryside apart with his bare hands.
But Marcus had also told him exactly how the mole was caught. Elena hadn't hidden. She hadn't panicked. She had strategically outmaneuvered a professional corporate spy, tracked her, and coordinated a flawless tactical takedown with his security team.
When the heavy iron gates of the estate finally swung open, Julian didn't wait for the vehicle to fully stop. He threw open the door and sprinted up the grand marble stairs of the villa.
He burst through the front doors, his chest heaving, his dark eyes frantically searching the grand foyer.
Elena was standing at the top of the sweeping staircase, holding Isabella safely in her arms. She looked incredibly calm, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips.
"Julian," she said softly, descending the stairs with total grace.
Julian practically leaped up the remaining steps, wrapping his massive arms around both of them, burying his face in Elena’s dark, fragrant hair. He held them so tightly he was almost shaking.
"I am so sorry," Julian whispered fiercely, his voice cracking with raw emotion. "I promised I would keep the darkness away from you. I promised you would be safe."
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Elena pulled back slightly, reaching up to gently cup his face with her free hand.
"We are safe, Julian," she said, her eyes shining with absolute, unwavering confidence. "And you need to stop apologizing for the darkness. We can face it. Together."
