Chapter 10 - The Dawn Of A New Empire
The morning sun finally broke through the heavy gray clouds over Lake Forest, painting the sky in brilliant shades of amber, gold, and rose. The storm had passed, leaving the oak trees dripping with glittering raindrops and the air outside crisp, clean, and entirely renewed. Inside the master suite on the top floor of the Volkov mansion, the heavy velvet curtains were drawn wide open, letting the morning light flood across the Persian rugs and the dark mahogany furniture. There was no blood on the floor today. There was no smell of iron or gunpowder lingering in the corners. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, wearing a simple silk robe, holding a warm cup of black coffee in my hands as I looked out over the sprawling iron gates and the endless green expanse of the estate. Behind me, strong arms wrapped gently around my waist, pulling me backward against a broad, solid chest. Damon rested his chin softly on my shoulder, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of my neck as he inhaled the scent of my hair. "Mrs. Petrova is downstairs looking for her favorite maid," Damon murmured, a low, rumbling chuckle vibrating against my back. I smiled, leaning back into his embrace and turning my head slightly to press a soft kiss against his jawline. "Mrs. Petrova can look all she wants," I replied softly, taking a sip from the porcelain cup. "That maid doesn't exist anymore." Damon tightened his arms around me, his gray eyes shining with absolute, unyielding devotion as he looked out at the horizon with me. The Bratva still answered to him. The shadows of Chicago still belonged to the Wolf. But the man who ruled them no longer sat alone in an empty cathedral of secrets. He had built his empire on blood and silence, but he had found his peace in the arms of the girl who opened his door at 3 A.M.—and refused to let him stay in the dark.
