Chapter 45
The penthouse erupted into chaos.
Alarms shrieked as
ed as thick smoke poured through vents, toxic fumes billowing from Victoria’s hidden devices.
The security system flashed red warnings across every screen: DANGER. EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.
“Everyone out now
Caspian’s commanding voice cut through the panic, his quarterback authority impossible to ignore. “Emergency stairs!”
1 grabbed Isoldes arm and shoved toward the exit, my lungs already burning from the acrid smoke.
When we reached the stairwell, a wall of dense gray fog greeted us–Victoria had planned meticulously, ensuring we had nowhere to run.
“Fuck! The stairs are blocked too!”
I choked out, terror clawing at my throat.
Through watering eyes, I saw Caspian scan our options, blood already seeping through his shirt where his gunshot wound had reopened.
Even injured, his mind worked with the strategic precision that made him a star on the field.
“Security elevator,” he directed, grimacing through obvious pain. “Independent emergency system.”
As Names engulfed the penthouse behind us, I watched six years of running culminate in this moment–Victoria Palmer had turned her rage into literal fire. determined to burn us alive for defeating her father in court.
The wound has reopened,” Helena Mitchell snapped, examining Caspian at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Her gloved fingers probed the injury with professional efficiency, but her eyes burned with unmistakable concern….
“What part of gunshot recovery requires est did you not understand? You could have died tonight.”
Caspian’s eyes sought mine across the treatment room, intense despite his pallor.
“Some things are more important than scars
The wright of his gaze made my heart stutter painfully.
Six years of wall threatened to crumble with just one look.
FBI Agent Martines interrupted the moment, his expression grim beneath the harsh hospital lighting
“Victoria Palmer will be charged with arson and attempted murder. The surveillance footage caught her installing the devices, and chemical analysis matches compounds.xclusive to Palmer Enterprises.”
“And what about Jeffrey Palmer?!
i demanded, anger flaring hot beneath my exhaustion. Hea behind all of this
“Jeffrey Palmer has publicly distanced himself, claiming this was Victoria’s personal vendetta.
Martinez i dagat was evident. “He’s throwing his own daughter under the bus,“
put, the bitterness sharp on my tongue. After our hard won vide
victory in court, this feels like another slap in the face.”
Chapin eared for my hand, his fingers warm and solid against mine.
stricity racing up my arm, grounding me when everything else felt like chaos.
met in playing.” he said, voce low and fierce, ‘be cant escape justice The FBI has everything they need for criminal charge
the hospital, ber
immaculate despite the late hour, het expression
Chapter 45
“I never expected a junior associate from Morgan & Wright to prevail against the Palmer family,” she said, each word dripping with forced politeness that barely concealed her contempt. “Impressive work, Sage.”
1 straightened my spine, meeting her gaze directi.
Six years ago, I might have shrunk beneath her withering stare.
Not anymore.
“Consider this a lesson, Diana.” 1 replied, my voice steady and cold. “Don’t underestimate those you try to sacrifice. Especially when you back them into a
Rage flashed across her face, quickly masked with practiced control.
The Palmer family doesn’t quietly accept defeat. You ve painted a target on your back–both of you
Her gaze flicked meaningfully between Caspian and me. “Was it worth it?”
“Every fucking second, I answered without hesitation, the profanity feeling like liberation. “I’ve faced Rachel Miller and Robert, Palmer doesn’t scare me Anymore.
Le Blanc’s VIP section offered sanctuary from the chaos, crystal chandeliers and velvet walls creating a world apart from the terror wed just escaped,
Michael Bennett–his face still bearing faint burns from helping evacuate during the fire–personally led us to the most secluded corner.
“Your security is my priority tonight,” he said firmly, genuine concern in his eyes. “No reporters, no cameras. Just celebrate your victory.
!
When Caspian rose for a toast, everyone fell silent. His eyes never left mine as he spoke, , the intensity of his gaze making it impossible to look away.
“Fighting alongside Sage has been the greatest honor of my life,” he said, voice raw with ensotion that couldnt be faked. “When Palmer used his influence to -destroy me, when we faced bullets and fire, she never wavered.”
He raised his glass higher, light catching in the crystal. To Sage Winters–the redemption and light in my life.”
Every person in the restaurant echoed: “To Sage Winters”
The weight of his words settled in my chest, cracking something open that I’d kept locked for six years
In the parking lot, Caspian drew me aside, his hand gentle on my wrist despite his strength.
The distance between us suddenly felt like mere inches after years of emotional miles
to an
What happens with us after all this?” he asked, voice dropping to an intimate tone thabsent shivers down my spine. “When the case is over and the cameras
admitted, my professional armor finally cracking. “We work well together, but our history…..”
sage; be interrupted, raw honesty replacing his usual composed demeanor. “For six years, I’ve thought about how I destroyed the one real thing for a stupid bet. Does the man standing before you now have any chance at redemption?”
The question bung between us, loaded with everything we never said.
Before I could
Marcus called from the car–crisis with bolde breaking the moment
I hesitated, then squeezed Caspian uninjured shoulder, allowing myself to brger in his warmth
I’ll call you about…ogg future
inge brightond has eyes, turning them the entrouer leaves
Chapter 45
Inside was a delicate necklace, the pendant a perfect miniature replica of the lamp I’d used against Robert.
The back was engraved:
Your strongest moments come from your most frightened ones. You’ve always been braver than you think.
My hands trembled as I dialed his number, six years of barriers finally crumbling.
“Caspian? After everything……. maybe we can rebuild something from the ashes.”
“This time, Sage, his voice camed a promise that made my heart race, I won’t let you down.”
My phone beeped with an incoming text. Unknown number.
Victoria was the distraction.
Rachel sends greetings from her cell.
Your little reunion with Caspian was quite touching to watch. Smile for the camera, Sage–we’ve been recording everything.
As I registered the message with horror, my security system pinged with a motion alert.
The camera feed showed a shadowy figure outside my hotel room door, placing something against the frame.
Chapter Comments
again, the FBI didn’t do sweeps for listening or other recording devices in any of the locations? Caspian and Sage didn’t check after
how do they keep finding them, you would think they would move, stop, move and check only to move again by now?
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