Chapter 8 - THE SAFE HOUSE IN GREENWICH
An hour later, the black SUV pulled into the gated driveway of a secluded stone estate hidden deep in the woods of Greenwich, Connecticut. The massive wrought-iron gates closed securely behind them, locking out the relentless rain and the chaos of Manhattan.
Inside the warm, firelit living room, Nataly tucked Liam and Noah into a large velvet sofa, wrapping them in soft cashmere blankets. The stress of the night had finally caught up to the five-year-olds, and they drifted into a deep sleep side by side.
Lucas walked into the room carrying two mugs of hot tea, his soaked navy jacket replaced by a warm grey sweater. He set the mugs on the coffee table, sitting down beside Nataly and gently taking her hands into his own.
"They are beautiful, Nataly," Lucas said softly, gazing at his sleeping sons with profound awe. "You raised them so well all by yourself."
"I was so terrified every single day, Lucas," Nataly wept, resting her forehead against his chest. "I thought your father's men were going to find us in Chicago every time a car pulled up outside our apartment."
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Lucas wrapped his arms around her, kissing her dark wavy hair as he held her close. "The fear ends tonight, Nataly. I am going to protect you, no matter what it takes."
The quiet moment was shattered by the sharp chiming of Lucas's phone on the table. The screen illuminated with an incoming video call from an unlisted number.
