Chapter 18 - The Nurse’s Blade
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Elias stepped into the room, holding a single piece of thick cream paper in his hands. He motioned for Teresa to step outside with Adelaide for a walk in the garden.
Once the room cleared, Elias walked over to Marin, setting the paper down on the table beside her old notebook.
It was an official contract—drawn up by the city's top legal firm.
"What is this?" Marin asked, looking down at the elegant print.
"A permanent contract," Elias said quietly. "Not with St. Jude Home Health Services. With me."
Marin scanned the text. It didn't mention nursing. It didn't mention hourly rates or medical duties.
It named Marin Hollis as the Chief Security Officer and equal partner of the Ferrante Enterprise—entitling her to fifty percent of all assets, full command of the private security forces, and a permanent suite at the estate.
"Elias..." Marin breathed, looking up at him in utter disbelief. "This is millions of dollars. This is half your empire."
"My empire was hollow until three nights ago," Elias said, taking a step closer, taking her hands into his own. "I spent eleven years building walls because I thought everyone had a price. I thought everyone would run when the shooting started."
He leaned down, his forehead resting gently against hers.
"You had no reason to stay, Marin. You owed me nothing. You were paid twenty-eight dollars an hour... and you fought three legionnaires with a lamp to save a woman who wasn't even your blood."
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"I did it because it was right," she whispered, her heart racing against her chest.
"And I'm giving you this because it's right," Elias replied, his voice thick with raw emotion. "I don't want a security guard, Marin. I don't want a servant. I want an equal. I want the only person in this world who isn't afraid of the dark."
