Chapter 1: The Echo of the Order
Victor lowered the sleek black phone from his ear. The soft click of the call disconnecting echoed through the cold stone wine cellar, unnaturally loud in the silence.
On the floor, Julian scrambled backward until his spine collided with a towering mahogany wine rack. Glass bottles rattled violently. One expensive bottle slipped free, shattered against the stone floor, and dark red wine spread around his polished shoes like fresh blood.
He struggled to breathe, one hand covering his bleeding nose while his terrified eyes darted toward the heavy wrought-iron door.
"Please... wait," Julian gasped, raising both shaking hands. "Mr. Vance, I swear—I didn't know who she was. I was only following orders."
Victor didn't even acknowledge him.
His attention remained fixed on Elena.
Keeping one arm securely around her shoulders, he pulled her silk robe tighter against her trembling body. The metallic scent of blood lingered in the damp air. From his breast pocket, he removed a neatly folded monogrammed linen handkerchief and gently wiped the small streak of blood from the corner of her mouth.
"Don't look at him," Victor said quietly.
His voice carried none of the fury burning beneath the surface. It was calm—steady—reserved only for her.
Across the cellar, Camilla finally moved.
The ice cubes inside her crystal wine glass clinked softly as she placed it on top of an aging oak barrel. She smoothed the wrinkles from her crimson silk dress, willing the color back into her pale face.
"Victor," she said evenly, forcing authority into her voice, "let's not make this bigger than it already is. The boy deserves a chance to explain."
Victor never answered.
Before another word could be spoken, the iron door swung open.
Three men in tailored black suits entered without hesitation.
Not one of them spoke.
They crossed the cellar with practiced precision, seized Julian beneath both arms, and hauled him effortlessly off the floor. He screamed, thrashing wildly, but one of the men clamped a gloved hand over his mouth before another sound escaped.
Within seconds, he was being dragged toward the hallway.
Victor slowly rose to his feet.
As though Elena weighed nothing, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms before turning toward Camilla.
His gray eyes were colder than the stone walls surrounding them.
"The boy will explain everything," Victor said.
May you like
His voice was almost gentle.
"But he won't be explaining it to you."
