Chapter 8 - THE SHADOW OF THE SYNDICATE
The quiet tension inside the study broken only by the steady sound of the baby breathing against Mia’s back. Roman stood between the open secret door and the child, his mind recalculating every piece of security, loyalty, and leverage within his organization.
"If my captains find out you are alive behind this study," Roman said, his voice dropping into a flat, dangerous register, "it won't just be a threat to my command. It will tear the entire Eastern Seaboard coalition apart."
"I know," the woman replied quietly. "That's why I stayed behind the brick for twelve years. I never intended to speak. I only used the access chute to leave supplies for Grace when the house was quiet."
She looked down at Mia, her eyes filled with immense pride and sorrow.
"But tonight... the little one was crying from exhaustion," the woman continued, her voice trembling. "Grace was taken down to the lower gatehouse by your security detail two hours ago for an unexpected shift audit. Mia came up here alone to finish her work so Grace wouldn't be reprimanded."
Roman turned his head sharply toward the window overlooking the estate grounds. Down at the perimeter gatehouse, two dark sedans were parked with their running lights on—his head of security, Victor, was conducting a surprise clearance check on all estate personnel.
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Roman’s eyes darkened with sudden realization. Victor hadn't scheduled an audit. He was isolating the staff to search the main house uninterrupted.
"Victor knows," Roman muttered under his breath, his hand dropping to the grip of the sidearm hidden beneath his jacket. "He didn't bring those cars here for a routine check. He's looking for the ledger."
