Chapter 11
The private recovery room was a sanctuary of crisp, medical precision, yet the air crackled with a distinct, heavy tension following Dominic's departure. Elena lay back against the pillows, her mind racing. The sheer magnitude of the world she had just been fully integrated into was staggering. She was no longer a ghost in a black uniform; she was a target.
By mid-afternoon, the anesthesia had completely worn off. The dull ache in her hand sharpened, but she refused to request stronger pain medication. She needed to be alert.
A soft, polite knock echoed against the heavy door. Silas, Dominic’s massive, fair-skinned lieutenant, stepped into the room. He wore his usual dark, tailored suit, his broad shoulders easily filling the doorframe.
"Miss Elena," Silas said, his American accent gruff but carrying a profound, newfound respect. "The doctor has cleared you for discharge. The Boss sent me to bring you home."
Elena nodded, carefully swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. "Thank you, Silas."
The drive back to the Vale estate was executed with flawless, militaristic efficiency. The black, heavily armored SUV moved smoothly through the city streets. Silas sat in the passenger seat, his eyes constantly scanning the perimeter. The heightened security protocol was a glaring confirmation of Dominic's warning: Arthur Sinclair was a looming threat.
When the heavy iron gates of the estate swung open, Elena felt a strange sense of relief. The sprawling mansion, bathed in bright, natural cinematic sunlight, looked less like a workplace and more like an impenetrable fortress.
Dominic was standing on the front steps as the SUV pulled up. He had shed his suit jacket, standing only in his tailored trousers and a crisp white dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar. The refined, artistic tattoos on his chest and neck were visible, projecting an aura of raw, terrifying masculinity.
He didn't wait for Silas to open the door. Dominic pulled the heavy door open himself, extending his tattooed hand to help Elena step down.
"Welcome home, Elena," Dominic murmured, his deep, raspy voice sending a shiver down her spine.
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"It's good to be back," she replied, her heart fluttering as she allowed him to support her weight.
"Come," Dominic said softly, leading her up the stairs. "Lily has been waiting by the window for three hours."
