Chapter 10 - THE FINAL ENTRYMidnight in Manhattan.
The penthouse at the Hale Tower was dark, save for the ambient neon glow of the city reflecting off the polished concrete floors.
Nora sat at the minimalist wooden desk in Dominic’s private study, her laptop open, reviewing the final international asset transfers. The federal case against Victor Raines was officially sealed. The stolen millions had been successfully repatriated back into Hale Enterprises' legitimate development funds.
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her back against a broad, solid chest. A familiar, clean scent of cedarwood and espresso washed over her senses.
"You're working late again, Bennett," Dominic murmured against her neck, his lips brushing the sensitive skin just below her ear.
Nora leaned back into his embrace, her hands resting over his where they were locked around her waist.
"I'm not working, Dominic," she whispered, turning her head slightly to look up into his piercing gray eyes. "I'm just double-checking the balance."
Dominic smiled, a rare, completely unreserved expression that only she was ever privileged to see. He lowered his head, capturing her lips in a deep, hungry kiss that made all the noise of the world outside fade completely away.
For fourteen months, Nora had believed that silence was the only thing that protected her.
She had been wrong.
Silence wasn't a shield. It was just the space between two people who finally had nothing left to hide.
Dominic pulled her closer, burying his face in her dark hair as the city lights twinkled far below them in the endless Manhattan night.
"The books are balanced," Dominic whispered against her lips. "And you’re staying right here."
May you like
Nora smiled in the dark, closing her laptop with a soft click.
"Permanently," she replied.
