Chapter 18 - A NEW ARCHITECT
Dominic stared down at the jagged piece of dark stone. It was rough, unfinished, and sharp around the edges—much like the city itself, and much like the girl who had pulled him out of a bleeding alley three years ago.
"What are you planning to do with that?" Dominic asked, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips.
"Keep it," Maren said, sliding the stone back into her pocket. "Because empires don't fall just because you tear them down. They have to be rebuilt by people who remember what it felt like in the dark."
She walked over to the large window, looking out over the bustling docks below where cargo ships were unloading goods legally, safely, without the shadow of cartels or corrupt bosses hanging over the workers.
"You're growing up fast, kid," Dominic murmured, resting a hand briefly on her shoulder.
May you like
"I had a good teacher," she replied without looking up. "And an even better dog."
Down in the lobby, General was currently fast asleep on a plush velvet rug, completely ignoring the security guards who stepped carefully around him, treating the scarred street mutt with the kind of absolute respect usually reserved for visiting dignitaries.
