Chapter 6
The rope harness arrived.
So did the medical kit and water.
Dominic took the water first, opened it himself, and held it to Mia’s lips.
“Small.”
She drank one sip.
Then another.
Not enough.
But enough to keep her speaking.
Dominic did not ask about the papers yet.
He wanted to.
The east study held old ledgers, private correspondence, family documents, and things Nathan had no reason to fear unless he had placed something there himself.
But Mia’s body came first.
Harper came first.
The truth could wait five minutes.
Nathan could not.
That was the difference.
Dominic looked up at the guards.
“Secure him away from the hatch.”
Nathan’s eyes widened.
“Dom.”
Dominic’s voice cut through him.
“Move.”
The guards closed in behind Nathan.
They did not touch him yet.
They did not arrest him.
They did not harm him.
But their formation changed the room.
Nathan was no longer standing with Dominic’s men.
He was standing in front of them.
That distinction struck him harder than a hand ever could.
Harper watched from beside Vincent, cheeks wet, fingers twisted in her pink dress.
She looked at Nathan and stepped backward.
Dominic saw that too.
He stored it.
Mia saw it and began to shake.
“Did he touch her?”
Dominic’s voice softened instantly.
“Harper is safe.”
“Did he—”
“Mia.” He held her gaze. “She is safe right now.”
Right now.
He would not lie with more than he knew.
Mia understood.
Tears slipped down her face.
The harness was lowered into the cellar.
Dominic worked carefully, securing it around Mia without exposing more of her injuries than necessary. His movements were controlled, respectful, and precise.
When his hand brushed her wrist, she flinched.
He stopped.
“Tell me before I move.”
She swallowed.
“Okay.”
He waited.
She nodded.
Only then did he continue.
Above them, Nathan spoke in a low voice to the guards.
“You’re making a mistake. He is reacting emotionally.”
Vincent answered flatly, “Mr. Vale gave an order.”
“I advise Mr. Vale.”
“Not right now.”
Dominic almost smiled.
Almost.
Then Mia gripped his sleeve again.
“He has a key,” she whispered.
Dominic’s eyes sharpened.
“To what?”
Mia looked toward the dark corner of the cellar.
“The room behind the wine racks.”
Nathan’s face changed above them.
Dominic heard the silence.
May you like
That silence was confirmation enough for now.
Read Chapter 7 👉 Because the cellar held more than Mia, and Nathan’s fear of the hidden room exposed another secret beneath the mansion.
