Chapter 10 - The Queen of Lex
Six months later.
The spring sun warmed the terrace of the grand estate in Old Westbury, Long Island.
The three-hundred-acre property, once an old Vanderbuilt estate, was surrounded by soaring stone walls, lush gardens, and state-of-the-art security systems that made Riverview Tower look like a minor outpost.
Sienna stood near the marble balustrade overlooking the formal rose gardens. She wore a stunning white linen dress, her hair flowing freely down her back in the warm breeze. On her left ring finger sparkled a massive, flawless five-carat emerald-cut diamond ring—the Russo crest engraved inside the gold band.
Down near the stables, Leo was walking two fine thoroughbred horses toward the primary barn.
He was clean, healthy, and wore a crisp uniform bearing the logo of Hayes Logistics & Transport—a legitimate subsidiary company Damian had established, placing Leo in charge of regional distribution after he completed his six months of hard labor at the docks. Leo had learned his lesson; he was focused, quiet, and deeply loyal to the sister who had saved his life.
A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped gently around Sienna's waist from behind.
Damian pulled her back against his chest, resting his chin on her shoulder, inhaling the scent of wild jasmine and lavender from her hair.
"You're thinking again," Damian murmured into her neck, his warm breath sending a familiar shiver down her spine.
"I was just thinking about the Obsidian Room," she admitted softly, resting her hands over his on her waist. "About how one terrifying night in a service corridor changed everything."
"It didn't just change your life, Sienna," Damian said, turning her around in his arms so he could look into her hazel eyes. "It saved mine."
"Saved yours?" she arched an eyebrow playfully. "You were the undisputed king of New York."
"I was a man living in a dark castle," Damian said softly, his dark eyes filled with a rare, profound warmth that only she ever saw. "I had money, power, and enemies. But I had no purpose. I was waiting for the next war to end me."
He reached up, his thumb gently tracing her cheekbone.
"Then a twenty-year-old waitress tapped two fingers against her collarbone," he whispered. "And she brought light into my world."
Sienna smiled, leaning up on her tiptoes to press her lips gently against his.
"The Corsican Drop," she murmured against his mouth. "Sanctuary."
May you like
Damian kissed her deeply, pulling her tight against his heart as the spring wind rustled through the emerald gardens of their home.
"Permanent sanctuary," Damian swore against her lips. "Forever."
