Chapter 17 - WHISPERS OF THE PAST FADING
Though Nathaniel had stepped back from the violent underworld,
enemies from his past occasionally tried to test his resolve.
One rainy evening in Boston,
a sleek black car pulled up outside Emma’s bookstore long after closing time.
A heavy knock echoed against the glass front door.
Emma looked up from her register,
feeling a sudden shiver of apprehension.
Nathaniel walked out from the back office,
his expression calm and unbothered.
He opened the door to find a terrified former syndicate captain standing in the pouring rain.
“Boss,
” the man panted,
bowing his head submissively,
“the syndicates in New York are making moves on our shipping lanes.
”
Nathaniel looked down at the man with cold,
unyielding authority.
“Tell them that Nathaniel Caldwell is retired from that life,
” Nathaniel said smoothly,
his voice carrying lethal weight.
“And if any of them step foot in Boston,
they will answer directly to me.
”
The captain swallowed hard,
nodding frantically before turning and running back into the rain.
Emma walked over,
resting her hand on Nathaniel’s arm.
“Are we truly safe from that world?” Emma asked quietly.
Nathaniel wrapped his arm around her shoulders,
pulling her close against his chest.
“We are as safe as love and strength can make us,
” Nathaniel answered,
kissing the top of her head.
May you like
“And I will never let anyone touch what is mine.
”
