Chapter 3 - The Fortress on the Lake
The Ashford Estate was a sprawling stone fortress tucked away on the secluded shores of Lake Michigan. Surrounded by iron gates, high walls, and high-tech security grids, it looked more like a medieval stronghold than a modern residence.
Isla arrived in a black tinted SUV, accompanied by Carter, Dominic’s head of security—a tall, scarred man who looked at Isla with deep suspicion.
“He hasn’t brought a civilian into this house in ten years,” Carter warned as he opened the car door for her. “If you’re a mole for the Moretti family, girl, I’ll find out before sunset.”
“I’m a nurse, not a spy,” Isla snapped back, holding her small duffel bag tightly. “And if you want your boss to live past this month, you’d better let me do my job.”
Carter grunted, surprised by her fire, but said nothing more as he led her inside.
The interior of the mansion was vast, draped in cold marble, dark wood, and priceless art, yet it felt strangely hollow. There were no family photos, no personal touches—only guard stations disguised as reception desks.
Dominic met her in the grand foyer. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, though Isla’s trained eye immediately noticed the slight stiffness in his posture; his wounds were pulling.
“Welcome to the sanctuary,” Dominic said, dismissing Carter with a wave of his hand.
“It looks like a gilded cage,” Isla observed candidly, walking up to him and instinctively checking the color of his lips and the posture of his shoulders. “You’re pushing yourself too hard. You should be resting.”
“I have a empire to run, Isla. The Moretti family thinks they crippled me three days ago. I need to show the city I am very much alive.”
“And you’ll be very much dead if those incisions reopen,” she countered, reaching out to gently touch his arm.
May you like
Dominic froze at her touch. Around them, two lingering guards subtly placed their hands on their holsters, shocked by her boldness. But Dominic merely looked down at her small hand against his sleeve, his dark eyes darkening with an emotion he couldn't quite mask.
“Your room is connected to mine through the inner study,” Dominic said softly. “When night falls, the door stays open.”
