Chapter 8 - THE MAN WHO CAME FOR HER
Dominic found Claire six hours later.
Not through violence.
Through a financial trail connected to the warehouse.
The same kind of careless accounting Claire had taught him to recognize.
When police entered the building, Anthony attempted to flee.
He was arrested.
Claire was found in a locked office.
Shaken.
Exhausted.
But alive.
Dominic arrived moments after the officers secured the scene.
He stopped in the doorway.
For one heartbeat, neither moved.
Then Claire whispered, “Dominic.”
He crossed the room.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
He knelt beside her.
His hands trembled.
Claire noticed.
“You're shaking.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
“I thought I'd lost you.”
She swallowed.
“I'm here.”
He looked at her.
For the first time, the man everyone feared looked completely vulnerable.
“I should never have let this happen.”
Claire touched his hand.
“You didn't do this.”
He shook his head.
“My world did.”
She studied him.
“Then change your world.”
Dominic looked at her.
And something inside him broke.
May you like
Not from fear.
From the realization that he no longer wanted to live the life he'd built.
