Chapter 3 - Shadows in the Hallway
The small dining room was warmer than the rest of the house, thanks to a roaring brick fireplace, but Sarah Carter was trembling so hard her tea saucer rattled against the mahogany table.
Lily sat next to her, bundled in a clean woolen blanket the kitchen staff had provided. The little girl was holding her stuffed rabbit, her small feet dangling inches above the hardwood floor. Despite her paleness, her big brown eyes followed everything with quiet curiosity.
When the heavy double doors opened and Lucas stepped into the room, Sarah immediately stood up, pulling Lily behind her.
“Mr. Moretti, please,” Sarah begged, her voice cracking with pure terror. “I’m so sorry. I know I broke the rules by bringing Lily here. I didn’t have money for a sitter, and she was so sick this week… Please don’t hurt her. We’ll leave right now. We won’t say a word to anyone.”
Lucas paused at the head of the table. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and cold gray eyes that usually struck fear into anyone who met his gaze. But as he looked at the frightened mother and her sick child, something inside his hardened chest cracked.
He pulled out a chair and sat down slowly, bringing himself closer to eye level with Lily.
“Sarah,” Lucas said, his voice surprisingly raspy from the chemical damage to his throat. “Sit down.”
Sarah hesitated, then sank back into her chair, holding Lily’s hand tightly.
“Your daughter saved my life tonight,” Lucas continued, looking directly at Lily. “If she hadn’t used her medicine on me, I wouldn’t be talking to you right now.”
Lily looked out from behind her mother’s arm. “Are your lungs feeling better, Mister?”
A faint, rare smile touched the corner of Lucas’s lips. “They are, Lily. Thanks to you.” Then his smile faded as he noticed her shallow breathing. “Is that the only inhaler you had?”
Sarah wiped a tear from her cheek. “It was her last rescue pump for the month, sir. The insurance company denied her prescription refill last week—they said her specialized steroid inhaler was ‘non-essential.’ I was trying to save up enough money from this job to buy one out-of-pocket, but it costs eight hundred dollars…”
Lucas felt a surge of cold fury—not at Sarah, but at a world that allowed a child to suffer while men like him hoarded millions in dark bank accounts.
He gestured to Marcus, who was standing quietly by the door.
“Call Dr. Thorne,” Lucas commanded. “Tell him to have the best pediatric pulmonologist in the state here by eight o’clock tomorrow morning. I want a complete medical team assigned to Lily Carter, and I want every medication she will ever need delivered to this house in bulk.”
Sarah’s mouth fell open. “Mr. Moretti… I can’t afford—”
“You don’t pay for anything,” Lucas cut her off smoothly. “From this moment on, you are not a cleaner in this house. You are under my personal protection. You and Lily will stay in the east wing suites.”
Before Sarah could process the news, the door swung open, and Julian Vance stepped into the room.
Julian was dressed immaculately in a charcoal suit, his hair slicked back, his expression composed. But as his eyes swept over Sarah and Lily sitting comfortably at Lucas’s table, a faint tension appeared near his jaw.
“Lucas,” Julian said smoothly, stepping closer. “Are you sure this is wise? The house was breached tonight. We don’t know how you fell ill. Bringing staff into the family quarters creates security vulnerabilities.”
“The breach wasn’t outside, Julian,” Lucas replied evenly, watching his friend’s face carefully. “It was inside.”
Julian didn’t flinch. “All the more reason to clear out non-essential personnel until we do a full sweep. I’ve already arranged for a transport van to take Mrs. Carter and her child to a secure holding house in the city—”
“No,” Lucas interrupted calmly. “They stay here. Right next to my quarters.”
Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Lucas, you’re acting emotionally. That’s dangerous—especially now.”
“Is it?” Lucas stood up, his height dominating the room. “Someone tried to murder me in my own home tonight, Julian. The only reason I am standing here breathing is because this little girl shared her last breath with me. She stays. Anyone who has a problem with that can answer to me.”
Julian held Lucas’s gaze for a long, heavy moment. Then, his face softened into a practiced, smooth smile.
“Of course, Lucas. Whatever you think is best. I’ll double the perimeter guards.”
Julian turned and walked out of the room. But as he turned his back, Lucas caught a quick movement in his pocket. Julian’s hand was gripping his phone tight, his knuckles white.
May you like
Lucas turned to Marcus. “Marcus. Quietly assemble three men you trust with your life—men who were not recruited by Julian. I want a full tap placed on Julian’s personal comms by midnight.”
Marcus looked surprised, but didn't hesitate. “Understood, Boss.”
