Chapter 23

Sloane gently stroked Jeremy’s hair as the boy’s eyes fluttered, heavy with sleep. She looked up at Dominic. “Take him back to his room. I should go.” Dominic’s gaze held hers, steady and commanding. “Tell him yourself.” Her lips parted, then pressed together. She shook her head. “I can’t. Not now.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping into that calm, immovable tone she was beginning to recognize. “We agreed on one thing, Sloane.” She sighed, weary. “Do you have a guest room, then?” The faintest smirk tugged at his mouth. Without a word, he gestured for her to follow. The room he showed her was spacious and elegant, the kind of place that whispered of wealth and quiet power. Sloane barely had time to take it in. The moment her head touched the pillow, exhaustion dragged her under. Yet even in sleep, thoughts circled her mind, the memory of Dominic barging into the chaos, his aura tearing Damon’s men apart, his shadow falling over her like a shield. That moment replayed again and again,