Chapter 20
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The news of Alexander Sterling's spectacular federal arrest and Victoria Vance's apprehension on the coastal highway dominated the evening news cycle. The threat against Vanguard-Vance had been completely, surgically neutralized.
Julian flew back to Southampton that evening, the heavy burden of the corporate war finally lifting from his shoulders. When his car pulled through the heavy wrought-iron gates of the estate, he felt a profound, overwhelming sense of absolute peace. The fortress was secure. The monsters were caged.
He walked into the main house, tossing his keys onto the silver tray in the foyer.
"Elena?" Julian called out softly.
"Out here," her voice drifted in from the back deck.
Julian walked through the French doors. The sun was just beginning to set over the Atlantic Ocean, casting brilliant streaks of purple and gold across the water. Elena was sitting on a plush outdoor sofa, softly singing a lullaby to Clara, who was fast asleep against her chest.
Julian stopped in the doorway, his heart swelling with an emotion so powerful it almost brought him to his knees. He had spent his entire life fighting—fighting his father, fighting his enemies, fighting the darkness inside himself. But looking at Elena and Clara, he knew that every brutal battle had been entirely worth it to secure this perfect, fragile moment of peace.
He walked over quietly and sat beside them. Elena leaned her head against his shoulder, letting out a long, exhausted sigh of relief.
"Did David secure Victoria?" Elena asked softly, not wanting to wake the baby.
"He did," Julian confirmed, wrapping his arm securely around his family. "She is currently sitting in a federal holding cell in Miami. She won't see the outside of a maximum-security prison for the rest of her life."
"And Sterling?"
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"Denied bail. His syndicate is dissolved," Julian smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Elena's hair. "It is over, Elena. Completely, undeniably over."
Clara stirred slightly in her sleep, her tiny hand reaching out to grasp the fabric of Julian’s shirt. He gently covered her small hand with his large one, swearing a silent, unbreakable oath to protect this peace for eternity.
