Chapter 20 - The Calm Before the Storm
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The storm rolled into Chicago just after midnight.
Lightning fractured the sky over Lake Michigan, casting harsh, jagged shadows across the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse. The city below was a sprawling grid of golden lights, completely unaware of the invisible, violent chessboard being set up above them.
Nevaeh stood by the glass, wearing a dark silk robe, watching the rain lash against the reinforced panes. The heavy silver bullet from the Moretti family sat on the marble kitchen island behind her—a silent, chilling promise of the violence to come.
Leandro walked up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. His presence was a solid, impenetrable fortress against the howling wind outside.
“They won’t strike tonight,” Leandro murmured, his voice a low, comforting rumble against her skin. “The Morettis are theatrical. They like to play with their food before they bite. They’ll send scouts first. They’ll try to find our weak points.”
“They’ll try to find me,” Nevaeh said quietly, speaking the terrifying truth into the dark room.
“They will fail,” Leandro promised, his grip tightening protectively around her waist. “I have doubled the perimeter guards. Marco is personally vetting every single piece of food, mail, and personnel that enters this building. You are safer here than you would be in a federal bunker.”
Nevaeh turned in his arms, resting her hands flat against his broad chest. She could feel the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his dark shirt.
“I’m not afraid of them, Leandro,” she said, her dark eyes locking onto his. “I’m afraid of what we will have to become to stop them.”
Leandro reached up, his rough thumb gently brushing the curve of her cheekbone.
May you like
“We become whatever it takes to survive,” he whispered, his eyes entirely black, filled with a beautiful, terrifying devotion. “I told you, Nevaeh. I will burn the world down to keep you warm.”
He leaned down and kissed her, deep and consuming, a silent oath sworn in the shadows of an impending war. The storm raged outside, but inside, the King and Queen of Chicago stood together, ready for whatever the darkness would bring.
