Chapter 8 - THE KANE ESTATEThat evening, the Manhattan skyline glittered outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of Adrian’s sprawling penthouse estate in Tribeca.
It was a fortress disguised as a luxury home—reinforced glass, private elevators, and discrete security guards stationed at every perimeter. Yet, inside, it was surprisingly warm.
Noah was currently sitting on the massive velvet living room sofa, happily feeding Gerald the stuffed elephant pieces of broccoli while watching cartoons, completely oblivious to the fact that his father had just dismantled a rival syndicate syndicate.
I stood in the master guest suite, looking at the open walk-in closet filled with designer clothes that Adrian had apparently had delivered for me within an hour of our arrival.
The door clicked open, and Adrian leaned against the doorframe, watching me with a soft, relaxed expression I had never seen on him at the office.
“Are the clothes acceptable?” he asked, his voice low and teasing. “Or should I have my tailor fly in from Milan?”
“Adrian, this is insane,” I sighed, turning around to face him. “I have a studio apartment in Brooklyn with a squeaky bed and a goldfish named Bob. I can’t just move into a mob fortress because your son played matchmaker and a syndicate tried to assassinate us.”
Adrian pushed off the doorframe and closed the distance between us, stopping just inches away. The sheer heat radiating off him made it difficult to form complete sentences.
“You aren't moving in because of Noah, and you aren't moving in because of the assassins,” Adrian said softly, reaching out to gently tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re moving in because I am never letting you out of my sight again. The moment you walked toward Victor with a flash drive and a stiletto, I realized something terrifying.”
“What’s that?” I whispered.
“I realized I can’t live without you, Elena,” Adrian confessed, his gray-blue eyes staring into my soul with absolute sincerity. “You’re the only order in my chaotic world. You’re my peace. And...” He smirked slightly. “Noah really wants that mommy.”
I couldn't help the smile that broke across my face. I reached up, my hands resting gently on his chest, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm beneath.
“And what about my job description?” I teased softly. “Am I still your personal secretary, or do I get a promotion?”
Adrian wrapped his strong arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine.
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“Secretary by day,” Adrian murmured huskily, his breath brushing my lips. “Queen of the Kane family by night. Deal?”
“Deal,” I whispered, just before his lips crashed down onto mine in a breathless, soul-shattering kiss.
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