Chapter 12 - An Unseen Enemy
Julian arrived at the foundation in less than ten minutes.
The heavy glass doors of the administrative wing swung open, and the temperature in the room instantly plummeted.
He strode into Clara’s office, bypassing Elias entirely to pull Clara out of her chair and into his arms.
He held her desperately tight, pressing his face into her hair.
“Are you hurt? Did anyone touch you?” Julian demanded, his voice a low, terrifying rumble.
“I’m fine, Julian. I’m completely fine,” Clara promised, wrapping her arms around his waist to ground him.
Julian pulled back, his eyes frantically searching her face before he turned his attention to the desk.
When he saw the shattered pocket watch, the color drained from his face, replaced rapidly by a murderous rage.
He picked up the small white card, reading the message over and over.
“I thought all of Volkov’s people were gone,” Clara whispered, stepping closer to him.
“They were,” Julian said, his voice dangerously soft. “Victor Volkov had a son. Alexei.”
Elias stepped forward from the corner of the room. “Alexei was sent to Russia when he was a boy. He wasn't involved in his father’s operations.”
“Evidently, he is now,” Julian sneered, crushing the card in his fist.
Julian turned to Clara, his hands gently framing her face.
“I promised you a life in the light, Clara. I am so deeply sorry that my darkness has found you again.”
“We are a team, Julian. Your past is a part of who you are, and we will face this together,” she said, her voice steady and resolute.
Julian’s eyes softened, a profound wave of love washing over his sharp features.
“Elias,” Julian commanded, not looking away from Clara. “Double the security detail on the foundation. I want men on the roof, the exits, and the perimeter.”
“Done, sir.”
“And trace the courier. I want to know exactly what rock Alexei crawled out from under.”
As Elias left the room, Julian pulled Clara against his chest again.
He knew Alexei wasn't just sending a threat; he was sending a promise.
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Alexei wanted to dismantle Julian’s life exactly the way Julian had dismantled the Volkov syndicate.
And Julian knew that the easiest way to destroy a man was to take the only thing he loved.
