Chapter 7 - The Harbor Under Siege
Viktor had taken over an abandoned shipyard near the old naval basin.
The place was surrounded by shipping containers and rusted cranes.
Morreti security surrounded it within minutes.
But Saraphina knew an armed assault could get Lucian killed.
"We negotiate."
Dorian stared at her.
"With a man who threatened you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because that's what he wants."
They entered the shipyard.
Viktor stood on a metal platform.
Lucian was tied below him.
Helena stood beside him.
"You're late."
Saraphina looked up.
"Release my brother."
"Give me the crown."
"I don't have it."
Viktor laughed.
"You always were a terrible liar."
Saraphina stepped forward.
"You don't need the crown."
"I need legitimacy."
"No."
"You have no idea what happens when the Syndicate recognizes ownership."
"It recognized me."
"They can change their minds."
Dorian spoke.
"Not anymore."
Viktor looked at him.
"You."
"Me."
"You think signing a document makes you important?"
"No."
Dorian looked at Saraphina.
"Choosing her does."
Viktor laughed.
"You're pathetic."
"Maybe."
Dorian stood firm.
"But I'm not the man who brought another woman to my wife's side while asking her for a divorce."
Saraphina's eyes softened.
Viktor looked confused.
"What's this?"
"Consequences," Dorian said.
Viktor raised a gun.
"You think love changes anything?"
"No."
Dorian's voice was calm.
"Evidence does."
He lifted his phone.
"We recorded everything."
Viktor's expression changed.
Helena turned.
"What did you do?"
"Exactly what you would've done."
Dorian smiled.
"I documented the meeting."
Viktor's men looked toward him.
"You can't."
"Already transmitted."
Saraphina looked at Viktor.
"The city knows."
"What city?"
"Every harbor."
Viktor's eyes narrowed.
"You're bluffing."
Nikolai's voice came through the hidden earpiece.
"They're ready."
Saraphina said,
"No one fires unless I order it."
Dorian heard.
He whispered,
"You planned this."
"Yes."
"How?"
"I knew Viktor would want a public confession."
Dorian stared.
"Then why did you come?"
"Because I wanted him to say what he wanted."
Viktor stepped toward Lucian.
"He'll die."
"No."
Saraphina looked at him.
"You won't kill him."
"And why not?"
"Because you don't want him dead."
Viktor frowned.
"You want the crown."
"I want the family."
Silence.
Saraphina continued.
"You've spent twenty years telling everyone you were betrayed."
"Yes."
"But you were offered a place."
"I was denied."
"You were denied because you tried to sell your own family."
Viktor's face hardened.
"You sound like Anton."
"He is our father."
"He was weak."
"No."
Saraphina took another step.
"He was tired."
Viktor's hand trembled.
"You don't understand."
"I do."
She looked at Lucian.
"You lost someone you loved."
Viktor's expression shifted.
She continued.
"And instead of grieving, you decided everyone else needed to lose too."
For one moment, Viktor looked human.
Then the moment vanished.
"Enough."
He raised the gun.
A shot rang out.
Not from Viktor.
Helena fired.
She shot the gun from his hand.
Everything exploded into motion.
Nikolai's team stormed the shipyard.
Viktor's guards surrendered.
Lucian was freed.
But Viktor disappeared into the maze of containers.
Saraphina chased him.
Dorian followed.
"Don't!"
He grabbed her arm.
She pulled free.
"He'll kill you."
"He won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because he wants me to inherit his anger."
They found Viktor on the edge of the dock.
He stood alone.
No weapons.
No guards.
Just the ocean behind him.
"You win."
Saraphina stopped.
"No."
He laughed.
"You have everything."
"I have responsibility."
"Same thing."
"No."
She stepped closer.
"I have family."
Viktor looked at her.
"You still think you can save me."
"I don't know."
He stared.
"Then why aren't you shooting?"
"I didn't come here to become you."
Viktor's eyes filled.
"You should."
"No."
She offered her hand.
"Come home."
For several seconds, Viktor said nothing.
Then he looked at Lucian.
"Would you forgive me?"
Lucian answered,
"No."
Viktor nodded.
"Fair."
Saraphina said,
"But you can still stop running."
He closed his eyes.
Then slowly placed his hands behind his back.
Nikolai stepped forward.
He was arrested without a shot.
The harbor remained intact.
The council held.
The crown remained with the family.
And Dorian stood beside Saraphina as the sun rose over the water.
"Are we finished?"
She looked at the skyline.
"No."
"What now?"
"We rebuild."
He smiled.
"Together?"
She looked at him.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"Whether you can learn how to be my husband again."
Dorian nodded.
"I can."
"How?"
"By asking."
"Then ask."
He took her hand.
"Will you let me try?"
She didn't answer immediately.
May you like
Then she squeezed his fingers.
"Yes."
