Chapter 16 - The Rival Syndicate's Offer
The following morning,
a sleek black courier envelope was hurled over the iron gates by an unknown rider.
Leo brought it directly to Dominic's study while I was checking his shoulder bandages.
Inside was a pristine white sheet of thick cardstock bearing Vince's personal seal.
Dominic read the typed letter aloud,
his voice dropping into a dangerous,
icy register.
"'To the traitorous nurse,
Nora Hayes,
'" Dominic quoted coldly.
"'Vince offers you two hundred thousand dollars in cash and safe passage out of the country if you inject Rossi with a terminal paralytic tonight.
'"
I stared at the paper in absolute shock.
Two hundred thousand dollars was more than enough to erase every financial worry I had ever faced.
Dominic watched me closely,
his dark eyes searching my face for even a flicker of hesitation.
"Well,
nurse?" he asked quietly,
his jaw tight.
"That's a life-changing amount of money for someone with your background.
"
I didn't answer with words.
Instead,
I grabbed the expensive cardstock,
tore it neatly into four pieces,
and dropped it into the wastepaper basket.
"My integrity isn't for sale to a coward who uses poison and snipping rifles,
Mr.
Rossi,
" I replied coldly.
A slow,
breathtaking smile spread across Dominic's face—a smile that reached all the way to his dark eyes.
"That is why you're worth more than all their gold combined,
Nora,
" he murmured,
stepping closer.
"Vince thinks everyone has a price.
"
"He doesn't understand that some loyalties are earned through blood and mutual survival.
"
"Well said,
" Marco announced,
bursting into the study without knocking.
"Vince's convoy has just crossed the mountain pass.
"
May you like
"They're approaching the front gates right now.
"
