Chapter 3 - The Sanctuary of Tribeca
Ten minutes later, a sleek black armored SUV pulled up to the curb outside Stonebridge Coffee Roasters.
Marcus opened the door for Daniel, who carried Kara in his arms, wrapped tightly in his coat so no flashbulbs or onlookers could catch a glimpse of her face. As they drove away, Kara looked out the tinted back window and saw two unmarked black vans pull up to the café. Four men in heavy tactical gear stepped out, going inside to clean up what was left of Liam Mercer.
She didn't ask what would happen to Liam. She didn't want to know. For three years, Liam had been a phantom haunting her nightmares, a constant reminder that her safety was fragile. Today, Daniel had erased that phantom.
When they arrived at the Tribeca penthouse, Daniel carried her all the way up in the private elevator, directly into their master suite. He laid her down on the plush velvet sofa, immediately calling his private physician, Dr. Harrison, to perform a full examination.
“I’m okay, Daniel,” Kara whispered, reaching out to grab his hand as he paced beside the bed. “The baby is okay. I feel it.”
Daniel stopped pacing. He dropped to his knees beside the sofa, taking her small hand in both of his. His hands were still trembling—not from fear, but from the immense adrenaline of a predator who had barely restrained himself from tearing a man apart with his bare hands.
“He touched you,” Daniel said, his eyes dark with guilt. “My men were supposed to be watching you. I failed you today, Kara.”
“I dodged them,” Kara admitted softly, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. “It wasn't your fault, Daniel. I wanted one hour alone. Just one hour to process the news before I told you. I slipped out the side entrance. I told Marcus I was staying in the building. I lied to them.”
Daniel gently wiped her tears with his thumb. “You wanted an hour of peace. You deserved that. You should be able to walk in this city without fear. This city belongs to me, Kara. If you cannot walk freely in it, then I have failed in everything I’ve built.”
A knock sounded at the bedroom door. Dr. Harrison, a gentle, gray-haired woman who had been the Rourke family doctor for decades, entered with a portable ultrasound machine and a medical kit.
“Mr. Rourke, Mrs. Rourke,” Dr. Harrison said calmly, setting up her equipment. “Let’s take a look at our little miracle, shall we?”
For the next twenty minutes, the room was filled with the rhythmic, soothing sound of a tiny, rapid heartbeat. Thump-thump-thump-thump.
Hearing that sound, Daniel broke.
The ruthless titan of Wall Street, the feared leader of the waterfront, bowed his head against the edge of the bed and let out a shaky, shuddering breath. He grasped Kara’s hand tightly as they both stared at the small screen displaying the tiny flicker of life.
“The fetus is completely unharmed, Mr. Rourke,” Dr. Harrison assured them, applying a soothing cream to the bruises on Kara’s neck. “Kara has suffered minor soft-tissue trauma to her larynx, but her airway is clear. Rest, warm liquids, and absolute quiet for the next few days, and she will be good as new.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Daniel rasped.
Once the doctor left, the penthouse fell into a deep, serene quiet. The sun began to dip below the Manhattan skyline, painting the room in deep shades of crimson and violet.
Daniel sat beside Kara, resting his hand gently over her stomach.
May you like
“He will never see the light of day again, Kara,” Daniel whispered into the dim light. “I promise you that on my life. Liam Mercer is gone.”
Kara looked at her husband, seeing the dark, iron resolve in his eyes. For the first time in her life, the shadow of her past was completely, irrevocably erased.
