Page 47 of Silent Oaths
“Doorwasn’t locked,” he interrupts with a small smile. “Heardyou from down the hall.”
Inarrow my eyes at him, finally finding a shred of annoyance to cling to.
Hesmirks, the softness in his expression fading back into his usual cocky demeanor. “WhatcanIsay?I’ma light sleeper.”
Iroll my eyes and push his hands away, sitting up straighter. “Well,I’mfine now.Youcan go.”
Hedoesn’t move, his gaze searching mine like he’s trying to see past my words.Then, he nods, standing up and stretching lazily.
“Sweetdreams,Starling,” he says with a wink before heading for the door.
Iglare at his back, but the warmth in my chest doesn’t quite match the irritation in my expression.
Asthe door clicks shut behind him,Ilay back down, staring at the ceiling.Thememory ofValeria’svoice still echoes in my mind, but now, it’s joined byMax’s.
You’renot alone.I’mhere.
Ihate the way it makes me feel.
18
THEODORE
Ipress the cool glass of scotch to my lips and take a slow sip.Sleephas become a distant memory.EversinceIinheritedVanguardand stepped into the role of patriarch, my nights have been consumed by the mountain of tasks that come with running this empire.
Butthat isn’t enough.It’smy family’s burden, a legacy built on blood and secrets, and no matter how much controlIthinkIhave, it will never fully belong to me.That’swhyImade my own move withIronVeilDistillery, a brand that will be synonymous with power and refinement.Itwill be my own empire, separate fromVanguard.
MaxwellhasMadhouse,Julianhas the archives.IronVeilis mine.
Iswirl the amber liquid in my glass, thinking of everything that has gone into this deal.Itstarted as an indulgence, a way to take my love for scotch and turn it into something tangible.Now, it has evolved into something much bigger, a necessary balance to everything else.
Thephone buzzes on my desk,Nathan’sname flashing across the screen.
Nathanhas been with me for years, one of my most trusted employees at the cyber security firm.He’ssharp, methodical, the kind of man who never leaves loose ends.WhenIstarted working on theIronVeildeal, it felt right to have him oversee the logistics.
Ialready know what he’s going to say.
Iset the glass down and answer, my voice steady. “Tellme.”
“It’sdone.”
Iexhale slowly, satisfaction settling deep in my chest. “Good.Iwant everything prepped for the announcement.”
Nathanhesitates for half a second. “Andhow are you planning on handling that?”
Aslow smirk tugs at my lips. “Ialready have someone in mind.”
Thedeal is sealed.Thedistillery is mine.Now, it’s time forIsabelto prove herself useful.
Aknock pulls me from my thoughts, andIknow it’sJulianbeforeIeven look up.
“Ihave to go,”ItellNathan, setting the phone aside as the door creaks open.
Juliansteps in, a stack of papers and a thick leather-bound book tucked under his arm.
“Gotsomething for you,” he starts, shuffling through the documents. “Firstoff, you were right about the connection betweenVanguardand the town.Itgoes back way further than we thought.”
“Goon,”Iprod, leaning forward.Myheart is already picking up its pace.
