Unspoken anxiety permeated the penthouse’s atmosphere. There was a sense of urgency in every exchange, and there were quiet warnings in every look between Ethan and his soldiers. They all knew the storm was coming.
With her fingers tucked around a hot cup of tea, Lily sat on the couch. The cold that was beginning to seep into her bones was not much lessened by the warmth on her flesh.
She wasn’t naïve. She was aware that this fleeting tranquility would not last forever.
There was no way Alec Moreau would wait forever.
And there would be no going back once he took action.
Ethan’s keen blue eyes scanned the city below as he stood close to the floor-to-ceiling windows. He was holding his phone, although he hadn’t spoken for five minutes. He was preparing, he was thinking, he was figuring out every scenario.
Putting down her cup, Lily walked across the room and paused just behind him. "Ethan?"
He took a while to turn. But when he did, it was clear that he was tired.
"You ought to rest," he said.
Lily scowled. "You should, too."
Though it didn’t make it to his eyes, a ghost of a grin pulled at his lips. "Yes, I will once this is finished.
She detested the ease with which he spoke it as if war were just another aspect of his life.
As if it were inevitable.
Perhaps it was for him.
Lily put a hand on his arm and took a step closer. "What if there’s another way, Ethan?"
His mouth tightened. "You mean to leave?"
She paused, anticipating his response. "Perhaps."
With a groan, Ethan combed through his hair. "You know that’s not an option, Lily."
"Why not?" she interrogated. "We’re wealthy. We may vanish and start afresh in another location.
His eyes grew gloomy. "And you believe Moreau would simply allow that to occur?"
Lily took a deep breath. She was aware of the solution.
Alec Moreau was not the type of man to forgive. He was patient, calculating, and merciless.
They wouldn’t be saved by running.
Ethan gently but firmly gripped her face. "Please trust me on this, okay?"
Despite the anxiety still coiling in her chest, she nodded slowly.
Because survival was not guaranteed by trust.
She also wasn’t prepared to lose him.
A Quiet Evening
The outer world seemed oddly calm that night.
Ethan and Lily sat side by side on the terrace without exchanging words. Lily could only see the uncertainty of what was ahead as the city spread before them, glistening with lights.
She looked at Ethan’s profile, examining the tenseness in his shoulders and the sharp lines of his jaw.
The burden of everything was constantly on him.
Always ready for battle.
Lily put her fingers through his and reached out. She said, "Tell me something."
Ethan gave her a quick look. "What?"
"Something positive," she whispered. "Something... that has nothing to do with Moreau, retaliation, or danger."
He was silent for a while.
Finally, he let out a breath. We used to spend summers at the lake when I was a child before my father destroyed everything. My sister and I would swim until dusk while my mother made lemonade.
Startled by how faint his voice was, Lily blinked. "You had a sister?"
He tightened his hold on her hand as he nodded. "Ava."
Lily paused. "Whatever became of her?"
Ethan tightened his jaw. At the age of thirteen, she was murdered. The adversaries of my father wished to convey a message.
Lily’s heart hurt. "I’m so sorry, Ethan."
His face was inscrutable. I discovered that love weakens you on that day. that people you care about may turn against you.
Despite the knot in her throat, Lily swallowed.
But she wanted to say, You adore me.
"And yet, here we are," she said in a whisper instead.
Ethan turned to face her, his eyes meeting hers. "Yes," he whispered. "We’re here."
And despite everything, despite the danger and mayhem that awaits them—
As though they could temporarily ignore what was about to happen, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers.
The Darkness Starts to Move
The illusion of serenity was destroyed the following morning.
They were both startled awake by the sudden buzzing of Ethan’s phone.
He responded right away. "Speak."
Lily sat up and saw how tight his whole body was.
"When?" he insisted.
A pause.
Then, "Understood."
He turned to her and hung up.
"It is beginning."
Lily felt sick to her stomach. "What took place?"
Ethan got up, grabbed a revolver and holster, and started to head for his closet. Near the docks, one of Moreau’s men was observed. They are preparing for something.
Her stomach twisted with fear. "Ethan—"
His face was inscrutable as he turned to face her. "You must remain here for me."
Lily’s hands tightened. "No."
Ethan let out a loud sigh. "Lily—"
She said, "I’m not sitting here in this penthouse waiting to see if you survive." "This time, no."
He clenched his jaw. "It’s not secure."
"It is never safe," she retorted. "That will remain unchanged."
Ethan looked at her for a while. He then reached for another revolver and pressed it into her palm while he sighed.
She tightened her fingers around the chilly metal.
It weighed a lot.
Risky.
She wasn’t scared, though.
With his thumb grazing her cheek, Ethan raised her chin. "Remain near me."
Lily gave a nod. "Always."
After examining her for a bit more, he gave her a quick, intense kiss on the forehead. Then he walked to the door and signaled his soldiers to leave.
Lily trailed after, her heart racing in her ears. She was reminded that there was no going back now by the weight of the rifle in her hand.
Ethan said quietly but firmly as they entered the elevator.
"Remain at my side no matter what."
Lily looked up at him. "This time, no."
Pride, annoyance, or another emotion she couldn’t quite put her finger on flared in his gaze. He didn’t argue, though.
Since they were both aware of—
The storm has already arrived.