Chapter 5 - Shadows over the Estate
Revenge, however, does not die easily in Grayhaven.
By eight o'clock that evening, the storm outside Blackwood Estate had returned with a vengeance. High winds whipped through the ancient oak trees, tearing branches from the trunks and knocking out power lines across the northern valley.
Inside the estate, the emergency generators hummed softly, casting warm amber shadows across the grand library.
Ivy sat on the plush velvet sofa, wrapped in a soft cashmere sweater, a glass of red wine sitting untouched on the coffee table. She was staring at a laptop, still working, when Ronan entered carrying two plates of warm dinner prepared by Malcolm.
“You’re supposed to be resting,” Ronan said, sitting down beside her on the sofa. The proximity of his broad body made her heart jump.
“Old habits die hard,” Ivy smiled weakly. “For three years, eight o'clock meant I was scrubbing the ballroom floor.”
Ronan set the plates down, reached out, and gently closed her laptop.
“No more scrubbing floors,” Ronan said softly. He reached over, his large, warm hand lightly cupping her cheek. His thumb brushed across her cheekbone with unbelievable gentleness. “You saved my company today, Ivy. You saved me.”
Ivy leaned into his touch instinctively, her eyes fluttering shut for a brief second. “I just did what I knew was right.”
“Why did you really stay here all those years?” Ronan whispered, his eyes searching hers in the dim firelight. “A woman with your intellect could have worked anywhere in the world. Why stay in my house, cleaning up after people who didn't appreciate you?”
Ivy looked up into his dark, fierce eyes. The truth hung between them, heavy and sweet.
“Because,” Ivy breathed, “the first day I came here, broken and terrified of my father’s creditors, you looked at me and told Malcolm to give me a hot meal and a warm bed. You didn't see a burden. You saw a human being. I stayed... because I couldn't bear the thought of leaving you alone in the dark.”
Ronan’s breath hitched. He moved closer, his hand sliding down to the nape of her neck, pulling her toward him.
“Ivy—”
CRASH!
The heavy leaded glass of the library window shattered into a million pieces.
A blinding flash of red light cut through the darkness, followed by the deafening thunder of automatic gunfire echoing through the hallway.
Ronan didn't hesitate.
In a single fluid motion, he threw his body over Ivy’s, tackling her off the sofa and shielding her with his broad frame as wood splinters and glass rained down around them.
“Down!” Ronan roared.
Outside, the heavy thud of tactical boots hit the hardwood floor of the foyer. Shouts rang out in the darkness—men with thick, crude accents shouting orders.
“Find the maid!” a voice barked through a radio comm. “Vane wants her dead! Break her fingers so she can't touch another ledger, then burn the house down!”
Vivien Hale and her father had joined forces with Dominic Vane. Knowing they were financially ruined, they had launched a desperate, brutal hit on Blackwood Estate to slaughter everyone inside.
Ivy felt panic seize her throat, but Ronan’s hands were on her shoulders, holding her steady.
His eyes had changed. The corporate titan was gone. In his place stood the ruthless mafia predator who had ruled Grayhaven’s underworld for a decade.
“Stay behind me,” Ronan commanded, his voice ice-cold.
He reached beneath the mahogany side table, pulling out a concealed heavy black pistol from a hidden magnetic holster. He checked the magazine with a sharp, practiced click.
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“Ronan, there are too many of them!” Ivy whispered, her eyes wide.
“They crossed my fence,” Ronan said, his jaw locked. “And they came for you. That is the last mistake any of them will ever make.”
