Chapter 8 - The Final War Wasn't About Money—It Was About the Woman Silas Would Never Abandon
Victor wanted one last thing.
Revenge.
He kidnapped Gideon.
Then he sent Silas an address.
An abandoned dock.
Sadie wanted to go.
Silas refused.
“No.”
She stared.
“You promised not to decide for me.”
“I know.”
“Then don't.”
He looked at her.
“I can't lose you.”
“You don't own me.”
“I know.”
She stepped closer.
“Then let me stand beside you.”
He closed his eyes.
Finally, he nodded.
They went together.
The dock was surrounded.
Victor stood beside Gideon.
“You gave away everything.”
Silas walked forward.
“Yes.”
“For her.”
“Yes.”
“You destroyed an empire.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Silas looked at Sadie.
“Because an empire isn't a home.”
Victor laughed.
“You think love makes you stronger?”
“No.”
Silas took Sadie's hand.
“It makes me worth saving.”
The police were already surrounding the dock.
Victor realized too late that Silas had brought the evidence.
Every transaction.
Every murder.
Every name.
The entire operation was about to collapse.
Victor pulled a gun.
Sadie froze.
Silas stepped in front of her.
Victor fired.
The bullet struck Silas.
He fell.
Sadie screamed.
Police stormed the dock.
Victor was arrested.
Gideon tackled the last remaining guard.
Sadie dropped beside Silas.
“Stay with me.”
He looked at her.
“Lemon candy.”
She cried.
“You're thinking about candy?”
“I'm trying not to think about the bullet.”
She laughed through tears.
“You idiot.”
He smiled.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The ambulance arrived.
Silas survived.
Barely.
After surgery, Sadie refused to leave.
For three days, she slept in a chair beside his bed.
When he woke, she was there.
He whispered:
“You look terrible.”
She hit his shoulder.
He winced.
“Apparently you forgot you're injured.”
“I remember.”
“Good.”
He smiled.
Then his expression became serious.
“I have something for you.”
From the nightstand, he pulled a small box.
Sadie's eyes widened.
“Silas.”
“Open it.”
Inside was a lemon-shaped gold pendant.
Simple.
Beautiful.
She started crying.
“I don't deserve you.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“You deserve someone who doesn't keep putting you in danger.”
“I deserve to choose who I love.”
She put the pendant around her neck.
Then kissed him.
Outside the hospital room, Gideon watched.
May you like
He smiled.
For the first time in twenty years, Silas Mercer looked like a man who had won something that could not be stolen.
