Chapter 7 - The Safehouse Citadel
The gates of David Vance's sprawling estate in Lake Forest, Illinois, swung shut with a heavy iron clack.
A private medical team, complete with a mobile intensive care unit, was already set up inside the guest wing of the mansion.
Tommy was carefully transferred to a state-of-the-art medical bed, surrounded by top pediatric oncologists hired by David.
Maya stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, holding a stuffed teddy bear as she looked out over the foggy, pine-tree-lined grounds.
David walked into the room, setting a plate of fresh chocolate chip cookies onto the glass side table.
"Are we going back to the hospital, Mr. David?" Maya asked softly, her brown ponytail swaying as she turned to face him.
"No, Maya," David answered warmly, kneeling down so he was at eye level with her. "This is your home now for as long as you need it."
"Why are you being so nice to us?" Tommy asked from his bed, his eyes searching David's face with deep suspicion.
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"Because your father was my best friend, Tommy," David revealed gently, tears glinting in his eyes. "And I swore I would always protect his blood."
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