Chapter Seven
Sierra
The silence hanging over our house has never felt this heavy. Ever since I walked out of Marco Madera’s estate the night before with tears blurring my vision and Royal’s devastated expression burned into my memory, every room seems colder somehow.
Every familiar corner carries a reminder of just how spectacularly my life has unraveled. I barely slept, replaying our argument over and over until sunrise. I wondered whether I should have trusted him sooner.
Or if there had ever been a version of that conversation that didn’t end with him believing I’d manipulated him. The answer keeps eluding me. And now I sit in the living room pretending to read the same page of a book for the tenth time while waiting for my mother to come downstairs.
I know the conversation we’re about to have is long overdue. She doesn’t disappoint.
“You embarrassed me.”
I lower the book slowly as Yvonne enters the room, already dressed for lunch, even though neither of us has any intention of leaving the house.
“Good morning to you, too.”
“I’m serious, Sierra.”
“So am I.”
She folds her arms tightly across her chest, disappointment etched across her face. “You left our engagement party without saying goodbye.”
“I wasn’t exactly in the mood to celebrate.”
“You made people talk.”
I let out a tired laugh. “Mother, people were already talking.”
She shakes her head. “You’ve done everything possible to make this engagement difficult.”
“I’ve tried to make you see reason.”
“I have seen reason.”
“No.” I stand, unable to remain seated any longer. “You’ve chosen not to.”
She sighs heavily, looking every bit as exhausted as I feel. “Can we please have one conversation without arguing?”
“I’d love that.”
“Then stop attacking Marco every chance you get.”
Something inside me finally snaps. “I can’t, mom. Why don’t you get it!”
“Why?”
“Because I think he murdered Dad!” The words echo through the room.
My mother’s face goes completely still. “What?”
“I’ve been investigating him for months. I found documents in Dad’s company after he died. Emails. Notes. He ended a business deal with Marco because he discovered something terrible.”
She stares at me in disbelief.
“You’ve been investigating my fiancé?”
“I’ve been investigating the man I believe ordered Father’s murder.”
“No.” Her answer comes immediately. “You’re wrong.”
“I don’t think I am.”
“Sierra, listen to yourself. You’ve let your grief convince you of something impossible,” she says.
“I have evidence. Enough to know Dad was afraid of him.”
She shakes her head over and over, refusing to accept what she’s hearing. “Marco isn’t capable of that.”
“You barely know him. And I don’t want you marrying him.”
“And I don’t want you destroying your life chasing ghosts.”
“They aren’t ghosts.”
She sighs wearily. “Sierra, I loved your father. And I mourned him.”
“I know.”
“So don’t stand there acting as though I’d knowingly marry the man responsible for his death.”
“I don’t think you’d do it knowingly.”
She looks away for a brief moment, wiping at the corner of one eye before composing herself again. “I think you’re hurting. And I think you’re looking for someone to blame.”
“I’m looking for the truth.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
I don’t answer. Because I can’t imagine being wrong anymore. “I’m taking everything I have to the police.”
Her head jerks upward. “What?”
“I’m done waiting. If Marco is innocent, they’ll tell me.”
“And if he isn’t?”
“Then you’re about to marry a murderer.”
The room falls silent. Neither of us notices the front door opening. Neither of us hears footsteps approaching. The first indication that we’re no longer alone is a slow clap echoing through the hallway.
“Well.” A familiar voice sends ice through my veins. “I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d put the pieces together quite this quickly.”
My mother and I turn simultaneously. Marco stands in the doorway. A handgun rests comfortably in his right hand. Every ounce of color drains from my mother’s face.
“Marco...”
He smiles pleasantly. “Hello, Yvonne.”
“What... what is this?”
His eyes settle on me. “Our little detective has become rather inconvenient.”
My heartbeat pounds so violently, I’m surprised I can still hear him speaking. “You’ve been spying on me.”
He walks farther into the room, completely relaxed despite the weapon pointed casually in our direction. “I was actually looking forward to marrying your mother.”
Yvonne stares at him. “I don’t understand.”
“I genuinely enjoyed your company.” He shrugs. “It simply would’ve been... profitable.”
I frown. “What?”
“I assumed marrying you would eventually give me access to Thorne Enterprises.” He laughs softly. “Imagine my disappointment when I discovered everything belongs to your daughter instead.”
Mother slowly turns toward me. “What is he talking about?”
“Dad left me controlling ownership.”
Marco nods approvingly. “Quite the surprise.” His smile disappears. “Unfortunately, by the time I learned that little detail, your daughter had already begun digging through my affairs.”
“You killed him.” The accusation leaves my mouth almost as a whisper.
Marco doesn’t even hesitate. “Yes. He refused to cooperate.”
My knees nearly give out.
My mother’s hand flies to her mouth. “No...”
“He discovered business practices he found morally objectionable.” Marco rolls his eyes. “Then, he threatened to report me. To be honest, he forced my hand.”
My mother’s horrified gaze searches his face. “Tell me you’re lying.”
“I’m afraid not.” She stumbles backward. “I intended to give you a comfortable life, Yvonne.” He sounds genuinely disappointed. “Instead, your daughter has complicated everything.”
“You bastard.”
He sighs. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.” The gun rises. “I’m going to make it look like a tragic murder-suicide.” He says with frightening calmness. “The grieving fiancé who loses the love of his life and her troubled daughter.” He smiles. “The public will adore me.”
I instinctively step in front of my mother.
“Sierra...” She grabs my arm desperately. “I’m sorry. I should’ve listened.”
Before I can answer, the glass explodes. The living room windows shatter inward as four dark figures burst through almost simultaneously. Everything happens too fast to process. One figure slams into Marco before he can fire. Another kicks the gun across the hardwood floor.
Someone pulls my mother and me backward. Voices overlap.
“Clear!”
“Weapon secured!”
“Move!”
Within seconds, Marco is pinned face-first against the floor, struggling violently beneath River and Roman while Raiden secures his wrists with heavy restraints. Only one man remains standing before me.
Royal.
His breathing is uneven, and his eyes search me frantically from head to toe. “Are you hurt?”
I can’t answer. He cups my face gently. “Sierra.”
“I’m okay.”
The relief that floods his expression is so overwhelming it almost brings me to tears.
Behind him, Marco laughs bitterly. “I should’ve known.”
Royal slowly turns toward his father. “You murdered Mr. Thorne. And now, you were going to kill them.”
“They knew too much.”
Royal’s jaw tightens. “And Mom?” The room grows impossibly still. Royal’s voice shakes when he says, “Tell me the truth.”
Marco studies his son and smiles. “Your mother was becoming a liability. She discovered financial records she wasn’t supposed to see. I warned her, but she insisted on going to the police.” Royal’s hands clench into fists. “So I arranged a brake failure.”
My heart shatters watching the realization destroy him in real time. Royal stares at him for several long seconds. When he finally speaks, his voice is barely audible.
“Get him out of my sight.”
Raiden nods once. Roman and River haul Marco to his feet despite his continued protests.
Marco glares at Royal. “Everything I built was supposed to be yours.”
Royal doesn’t even look at him. “Take him away.”
River and Roman escort Marco from the room. The front door closes.
Raiden gently approaches my mother. “Come with me.”
She doesn’t resist. She looks completely numb. As they disappear into the kitchen, Royal and I are finally left alone. Neither of us speaks.
Eventually, I break the silence. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you. I never meant to use you.”
“I believe you.”
Fresh tears fill my eyes. “I love you, Royal.”
“I love you.” His answer surprises me. “I knew before everything fell apart.” He finally looks at me. “I was just too hurt to admit it.”
I step closer cautiously.
“I owe you an apology, too.”
I frown. “What?”
“I haven’t exactly been honest.”
Confusion replaces my sadness. “What do you mean?”
He lets out a long breath.
“The tattoo shop… It’s more than a tattoo shop. The men you met.” He pauses. “We’re not just friends. We’re the people responsible for taking down men the justice system can’t.”
My stomach tightens. “What are you saying?”
“We investigate criminals. We gather evidence. And when the law fails, we take over.” He can’t quite meet my eyes.
The room spins. “You’re a vigilante.”
“Yes.”
Every emotion I’ve been holding back collides at once. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
“I thought I knew you.”
He gives me a sad smile. “I suppose we’ve both been living double lives.”
Silence settles between us once more. Finally, I whisper the only truth I can manage.
“I love you.”
His eyes soften. “I love you too.”
“Then why does this feel like goodbye?”
“Because...” He exhales slowly. “...I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to accept this part of me.”
I wish I could tell him I already did. Instead, I remain silent. And somehow that silence says everything. He gives my hand one final squeeze before letting go. Neither of us walks away because we stopped loving each other.
We part because, for the first time since we met, love alone doesn’t feel like enough.