Chapter 6 - The Predator and the Protector
Lily backed away from the stroller instinctively, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
“Go away,” she choked out, her voice barely audible over the sound of the courtyard fountain. “Derek... how did you find me?”
“A husband always finds his wife,” Derek said, his smile widening into something cruel and predatory. He rattled the iron gate, testing the heavy electronic lock. “Open the gate, Lily. We have things to discuss. You’ve been living quite comfortably on someone else’s dime, haven't you? Playing mommy to a mobster’s kid.”
“You’re trespassing,” Lily said, backing further toward the glass French doors leading into the mansion. “The police—security—they’ll be here in seconds. Leave before you get yourself killed!”
“Let them come,” Derek sneered, his eyes flashing with manic anger. “I’m taking my wife back. And if that mob boss has a problem with it, I’ll tell the whole world what kind of criminals he’s harboring in his precious mansion.”
Before Lily could answer, heavy footsteps crunched on the gravel behind her.
Two of Victor’s elite security guards materialized from the side archway, their hands resting instantly on the holstered weapons at their sides. At the same time, the side door opened, and Victor stepped out into the courtyard.
He didn't run. He walked with the slow, terrifying deliberation of an apex predator whose territory had just been violated.
“Step away from the gate,” Victor commanded, his voice cutting through the crisp afternoon air like a razor.
Derek turned his head, eyeing Victor with arrogant defiance. He didn't know who he was talking to; he only saw a man in an expensive suit protecting his property.
“I’m Derek Vance,” Derek announced loudly, puffing out his chest. “Lily’s legal husband. I’m here to take my wife home. If you interfere, you’ll be dealing with interstate legal action.”
Victor stopped two feet away from the gate, looking down at Derek with absolute, freezing contempt.
“You’re trespassing on private property,” Victor said quietly. “You’ve threatened my employee. And more importantly... you’ve terrified a woman under my direct protection.”
“She belongs to me!” Derek shouted, losing his composure.
“She belongs to no one,” Victor replied, his voice dropping into a register so dark it made Lily shiver. He turned slightly toward his head of security. “Marcus. Take Mr. Vance to the lower annex. Make sure he understands the concept of property boundaries.”
“Gladly, Boss,” Marcus smiled grimly, stepping forward alongside two other guards.
Derek’s arrogance instantly evaporated as the massive security officers grabbed him by the arms, lifting him off his feet as if he weighed nothing at all.
“Let me go! You can't do this! I’ll call the police! I’ll—!”
His screams faded as they dragged him down the stone path toward the underground service sector, leaving the courtyard silent once more save for the gentle splashing of the fountain.
Victor turned around, his hard expression softening the instant his eyes met Lily’s. He walked over to her, seeing her trembling hands and pale, tear-streaked face.
Without a word, Victor reached out and pulled her into his arms, pressing her head against his chest.
“He’s gone,” Victor murmured against her hair. “He will never touch you again. I give you my word.”
“He found me,” Lily sobbed softly, clutching the lapels of Victor’s jacket. “I thought I was safe here.”
“You are safe,” Victor said firmly, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. “Nobody takes anyone from my house. Not Serena, not Adrian, and certainly not a pathetic ghost from your past. Do you understand me?”
May you like
Lily looked up into his gray eyes, seeing an unconditional, fierce devotion that washed away the last remnants of her fear.
She nodded slowly. “I understand.”
