Chapter 7 - The Safehouse in Vermont
Two days later.
A private helicopter landed softly on the lush green lawn of the Vance estate in Stowe, Vermont.
The estate was a magnificent stone mansion surrounded by hundreds of acres of pine forests, rolling mountains, and clear blue lakes—a total sanctuary miles away from the noise and danger of New York City.
Damon and I stepped off the helicopter, the cool mountain air whipping through my hair.
Standing near the stone porch of the main house was my mother.
She looked entirely different from the broken, terrified woman who had sat cutting a dinner roll into pieces at Élan. She was wearing a soft cashmere sweater, her hair pulled back neatly, her eyes clear and filled with light.
"Maya!" my mother cried out, running across the grass toward me.
I ran forward and threw my arms around her, holding her tightly as we both cried in the warm afternoon sun.
"I'm so sorry, Maya..." my mother sobbed, kissing my hair repeatedly. "I'm so sorry I let him hurt you for so long... I was so scared..."
"It's okay, Mom," I wept, pulling back to look at her smiling face. "It's over now. Grant is in federal custody. He's never coming back."
Damon walked up slowly behind us, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his dark slacks.
My mother looked at Damon, her expression filled with deep, profound gratitude. She stepped forward and took both of his hands in hers.
"Mr. Vance... I don't know how to ever repay you," my mother whispered, her voice trembling. "You saved my daughter's life. You saved mine."
"You don't owe me anything, Mrs. Holloway," Damon said gently, bowing his head respectfully. "This estate is yours for as long as you wish to stay. My staff will handle all your security, living expenses, and legal matters regarding the divorce."
"Thank you..." she murmured, wiping her eyes as she walked toward the house to give us privacy.
I turned to face Damon, standing on the edge of the sprawling stone terrace overlooking the green valley below.
"You gave her back her life," I said softly, looking up into his dark, handsome face.
"I gave both of you back your lives," Damon replied quietly, stepping closer until his broad shadow covered me. "And what about your life, Maya? What do you want to do now that Grant is gone?"
I looked at the mountains, then back at his intense, dark eyes.
"I don't want to go back to the bookstore," I admitted, a small, genuine smile touching my lips. "I think I actually enjoy working as an executive assistant for a terrifying mafia boss."
Damon let out a deep, rumble of laughter that sent a delightful warmth straight down my spine.
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"A terrifying boss, am I?" he murmured, stepping half an inch closer, his fingers reaching out to gently touch the side of my face, his warm thumb tracing the soft curve of my cheekbone.
"The most terrifying man in Manhattan," I whispered, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs as I looked up at his lips. "Except when he's holding me."
