Chapter 12 - Safe in His Arms
Julian’s hands were shaking as he pulled a combat knife and sliced through the thick zip-ties binding Sophia to the metal chair.
The moment she was free, she collapsed forward. Julian caught her, wrapping his arms fiercely around her, burying his face in her hair.
"I've got you," he breathed, his voice cracking for the first time in his adult life. "You're safe. I'm here."
Sophia clung to his tactical vest, sobbing into his chest, the adrenaline finally leaving her body. "She said... she said you were giving up your empire for me."
Julian pulled back, cupping her bruised face in his large, warm hands. He wiped the blood from her lip with his thumb. "I would burn a thousand empires to the ground before I let them take you."
Dante stormed into the room with five other men, securing the perimeter. He looked at Victoria’s unconscious body, then at Julian holding Sophia.
"Boss, the police scanners are lighting up. Someone heard the explosion," Dante warned.
"Get her to the car," Julian ordered, lifting Sophia into his arms like she weighed nothing.
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As they walked out of the slaughterhouse, leaving Victoria broken on the floor, Julian knew the war wasn't over. Richard Sterling was still out there, and he would use the full force of the law to retaliate.
But as Julian looked down at Sophia resting against his chest, he realized he had finally found something worth fighting for.
