Chapter 652
Chapter 652:
He checked his pockets. No phone. No wallet. Just a single soggy business card he had taken from a dead rival years ago.
He laughed—a broken, wheezing sound.
“Skye,” he whispered to the rats. “I’ll see you in hell p>
The aftermath was a blur of debriefings and legal maneuvers. Skye and Liam returned to Kensington Manor. It was quiet, a stark contrast to the violence of the last twenty-four hours. Skye stood on the balcony, watching the moon. She held a glass of wine, but she hadn’t taken a sip.
Liam came out, fresh from the shower. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
“You’re thinking about him,” Liam said.
“I’m thinking about the list,” Skye corrected. “The Syndicate. They won’t be happy that Lucian failed. And they won’t be happy that we have their names p>
“Let them come,” Liam said. “I’ve already mobilized the Hayes security division. We’re doubling the guard. And I’ve sent the list to a secure server only we can access p>
“We need to strike first,” Skye said, turning in his arms. “We can’t wait for them to come to us p>
“We will,” Liam promised. “But tonight… tonight we rest p>
He kissed her. It was slow, deep, a reaffirmation of life.
“By the way,” Liam murmured against her lips, “I fired the entire board of the warehouse division today p>
Skye raised an eyebrow. “Why p>
“Incompetence,” Liam said. “They allowed the logistics network to be compromised. And Parker… he’s still rotting in federal custody. I made sure his lawyers hit a wall today. He won’t be seeing sunlight for a very long time p>
Skye chuckled. “Poor Parker. From heir to inmate p>
“He deserves worse,” Liam said darkly. “But prison will have to do p>
𝗥𝖾𝘀рeсt 𝗍𝘩е о𝗿𝗂𝗀in𝖺l co𝗇t𝗲n𝘵 𝗳𝗿𝗈𝗆 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗇𝗼𝘷e𝗅ѕ.с𝘰𝗆
Alistair arrived an hour later. He joined them in the library.
“The police found the boat,” Alistair said, pouring himself a drink. “Abandoned a few miles downriver. Blood trails, but no body p>
“He’s alive,” Skye said. She knew it in her bones.
“Likely,” Alistair agreed. “But he’s toothless. Without money, he’s just a common criminal p>
He looked at Skye. “You know, five years ago. That rainy night outside the opera house p>
Skye looked at him, confused. “What p>
“I was there,” Alistair said quietly. “I saw you give your umbrella to that stray dog. You were soaking wet, shivering, but you were smiling p>
Skye frowned, trying to remember. “I don’t p>
“I fell in love with you then,” Alistair said. It was simple—a fact stated without expectation. “I’ve been chasing that smile ever since p>
Skye’s breath hitched. “Alistair p>
“Don’t.” He held up a hand. He looked at Liam, who was watching them with a guarded expression. “I see how you look at him. Even when you hate him, you look at him like he’s the only gravity in the room p>