Chapter 15 - THE RETURN OF THE KING
It was 11:15 PM when Willa’s black sedan pulled back through the iron gates of the Kane estate.
She had left her mother safely under the armed protection of Marcus Vance’s security detail at a secure safehouse downtown. Now, she walked back into the lion’s den alone, holding a single, sealed manila envelope containing the federal medical writ and U.S. Marshal service orders.
Mr. Crowley intercepted her at the second-floor landing, his face twisted in ugly triumph.
“Where have you been, Mrs. Kane?” Crowley sneered, blocking the double doors to the master suite. “Mr. Sterling has been asking for you. Furthermore, Dr. Whitfield is already inside administering Mr. Kane’s night medication. You are forbidden from entering.”
“Step aside, Crowley,” Willa said quietly.
“I advise you to turn around—”
Before Crowley could finish his sentence, the heavy double doors behind him clicked open.
Dr. Whitfield stepped out into the hallway, slipping a small, empty glass vial into his leather briefcase with a satisfied smile. He looked up, surprised to see Willa standing there.
“Ah, Mrs. Kane,” Whitfield purred, adjusting his silver-framed glasses. “Just in time to witness a peaceful night. Mr. Kane’s vitals are stable, though his neurological decline remains irreversible. I’ve just administered his final—”
“You’ve administered your last illegal dose, Whitfield,” a deep, resonant voice echoed from inside the dark bedroom.
Whitfield froze. His smile vanished instantly.
Crowley turned around, his jaw dropping in sheer horror.
From the doorway of the master suite, leaning heavily against the oak frame with one hand while holding a heavy brass cane in the other, stood Everett Kane.
His face was pale, his shoulders gaunt from eight months of forced paralysis, but his dark eyes burned with an absolute, terrifying fury. The chemical fog had lifted. The king had returned from the dead.
Everett looked past Whitfield, his gaze locking onto Crowley, before finally resting upon Willa standing at the end of the hall.
May you like
A slow, fierce smile touched the corner of Everett’s scarred lip.
“Welcome home, wife,” Everett said, his deep voice rolling like thunder through the silent mansion. “Let’s go downstairs. We have some family business to settle.”
