Chương 7 - The Night He Chose Love
Damian began dismantling the empire immediately.
It was the most dangerous thing he had ever done.
Rivals saw weakness.
Old allies saw betrayal.
Some refused to accept it.
Others followed.
Elias stayed.
“I thought I'd lose you,” Damian told him.
Elias shrugged.
“You tried to kill me once.”
“You deserved it.”
“I probably did.”
They both laughed.
It was the beginning of something new.
Then Marcus struck.
He kidnapped Helena.
He sent Damian a message.
Come to Magnolia Hollow.
Alone.
No men.
No police.
Bring Delara.
Damian read the message.
“No.”
Delara looked at him.
“Why?”
“He wants us there.”
“Then we go somewhere else.”
“How?”
She smiled.
“My grandfather hid a map.”
The map showed underground drainage tunnels beneath Magnolia Hollow.
They could approach without being seen.
Damian studied it.
“You are impossible.”
“So I've been told.”
They prepared.
The storm arrived just before midnight.
Rain hammered the roofs.
Lightning flashed over the garden.
Damian and Delara entered the tunnels.
They emerged beneath the old greenhouse.
Marcus was waiting.
Helena sat tied to a chair.
Two men stood beside her.
Marcus smiled.
“You came.”
Damian stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
“You used to command hundreds.”
“I don't anymore.”
Marcus laughed.
“Because of her.”
Damian looked at Delara.
“Yes.”
Marcus shook his head.
“What a waste.”
“No.”
Damian's voice was calm.
“It is the first good decision I've made.”
Marcus raised his weapon.
“You think walking away makes you innocent?”
“No.”
Damian dropped his own weapon.
“It makes me responsible.”
Marcus hesitated.
“What?”
“For what happens next.”
Police sirens sounded outside.
Marcus looked toward the windows.
“You called them.”
“Yes.”
“You lied.”
“No.”
Damian looked at him.
“I told you I was coming alone.”
Marcus smiled.
“You think they'll protect you?”
“They aren't here for me.”
He nodded toward the evidence files.
“They're here because I gave them the truth.”
Marcus stared.
Delara stepped forward.
“The Ledger is already copied.”
Marcus's face changed.
“You stupid—”
He lunged.
Damian moved.
The fight was fast.
Brutal.
But Damian did not kill him.
He restrained him.
When the police entered, Marcus was still alive.
Alive to face everything.
Alive without the power he had spent years building.
Damian watched as the handcuffs closed.
Marcus looked at him.
“You'll regret this.”
Damian shook his head.
“No.”
Then he looked at Delara.
“For once, I won't.”
Outside, the rain began to weaken.
Helena was free.
The empire was collapsing.
And Damian Vale walked out of Magnolia Hollow with no organization behind him.
No army.
No throne.
No fear.
May you like
Only his wife.
For the first time, that was enough.
