Chapter 11 - The King's Claim
Midnight arrived over the penthouse suite of the Thorne Tower. Below them, the glittering lights of Manhattan stretched out like a carpet of diamonds under a clear, starry sky.
Nadine stood by the balcony railing, holding a glass of vintage champagne. The cool night breeze played with the silk of her midnight-blue gown. Behind her, the heavy glass doors slid open, and Roman stepped onto the terrace. He had discarded his tie, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, displaying the corded muscle and dark ink beneath.
He walked up behind her, not touching her, but his warmth enveloping her against the autumn chill.
"The board approved the merger thirty minutes ago," Roman said quietly. "Ward Maritime now owns fifty-one percent of the combined shipping network. Your father called. He was crying tears of joy."
Nadine turned to face him, leaning back against the marble balustrade. "You did all of that in one week."
"You did that," Roman corrected, stepping closer until his chest brushed hers. "You gave them the evidence. You held your ground. I merely provided the leverage."
He looked down into her eyes, his intense gaze stripping away all her remaining defenses. For the first time, Roman looked vulnerable, a crack appearing in the armor of the feared underworld king.
"When I sat in that cathedral," Roman whispered, his deep voice thick with emotion, "I wasn't there to destroy Grant. I was there because I’ve watched you for two years. I watched you carry your family on your back. I watched you walk with grace while small-minded cowards whispered behind your back. I went there to steal you, Nadine. But you saved me the trouble by walking out on your own."
Roman reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He flipped it open to reveal an extraordinary ring—a flawless, emerald-cut black diamond surrounded by a halo of rare blue sapphires.
"I don't want a contract," Roman said, his voice raw with devotion. "I don't want debts between us. I want you, Nadine. As my equal. As my partner. As the only woman who will ever rule beside me."
Tears shimmered in Nadine’s eyes. This wasn't the trap Grant had set; this was an offering of devotion from an emperor. She reached out, her fingers tangling in the lapels of his shirt, pulling him down to her.
"Yes, Roman," she breathed. "Yes."
Roman let out a low groan of triumph, sliding the ring onto her finger before his lips crashed onto hers. The kiss was electric, fierce, and all-consuming—a promise of passion and absolute protection.
*BANG.*
The heavy reinforced mahogany doors of the penthouse burst open with a deafening crash.
Roman instantly spun around, shielding Nadine entirely behind his massive frame, his hand instinctively drawing a suppressed automatic pistol from beneath his waistband.
Marco, Roman's head of private security, stumbled onto the terrace, his shirt torn, blood dripping down his temple. His face was ghostly pale.
"Boss..." Marco gasped, clutching his side where red soaked through his fingers. "They breached the docks... It wasn't the police. It's the Rostov Syndicate from Moscow."
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Marco looked past Roman, his eyes wide with absolute horror as he pointed a trembling finger at Nadine.
"They didn't come for your territory, Mr. Thorne..." Marco choked out. "They came for her. They say Miss Ward isn't an heiress at all... she's the missing daughter of the Vor."
