Chapter 4 - Under the Mercer Wing
The next forty-eight hours were a blur of adrenaline and iron.
Cole had moved us to a safe house—a fortress hidden in the woods.
There were guards at every door, men who looked like they were made of stone.
My father was being treated by a private doctor in the guest suite.
Evelyn was in the library, making calls to the "Old Guard" of Boston.
And I was in the bedroom, staring at a new wardrobe of clothes.
Silk, cashmere, and wool.
No more polyester. No more stains.
But I felt more exposed than I ever had in my maid’s uniform.
Cole entered the room without knocking.
He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"We found the shooter," he said.
"He was a Whitmore mercenary. He talked before he died."
I sat on the edge of the bed, hugging my knees.
"What did he say?"
"Sloane’s father, Richard Whitmore, has called a meeting of the Families."
"He’s going to claim that I’ve lost my mind. That I’m protecting a 'thief'."
"He’s trying to turn the city against me so he can take over the docks."
I looked up at him. "He wants the ledger."
"He wants you, Lily," Cole said, his eyes darkening.
"You are the only person who can put him in a cage for the rest of his life."
"And he knows it."
He sat down beside me, and the air between us seemed to vibrate.
"I’m sorry for bringing this to your door," he said.
"I’m not," I replied.
"For eighteen years, I’ve felt like I was waiting for something."
"I thought I was just tired. But I was hiding."
"I want to help you, Cole. I want to see the man with the silver ring lose everything."
Cole reached out and brushed a stray hair from my face.
"You have your mother's courage," he whispered.
"And my mother's fire."
He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin.
For a moment, the danger outside didn't matter.
The Mafia boss and the maid were gone.
There were only two souls bound by a tragedy that refused to die.
"The meeting is tonight," Cole said, pulling back.
"I’m going to walk into that room with the ledger."
"And I’m going to walk in with you."
"Are you sure?" I asked. "It's a lion's den."
"They think you're a victim, Lily," he said, a cold smirk appearing on his face.
"They think you're a weak girl who can be intimidated."
"They have no idea that you are the most powerful woman in Boston."
He stood up and offered me his hand.
"Wear the green dress. The one that looks like emeralds."
"Because tonight, the maid becomes the Queen."
I took his hand.
I felt the strength in his fingers, the promise of a man who would burn the world to keep me safe.
"Let's go," I said.
May you like
"Let's finish the fire."
***
