CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE — THE VAULT OPENSThe elevator descended far deeper than Amara expected.Past the executive floors. Past the security levels. Past the underground garage.Past everything meant for normal people.The hum of the elevator cables felt like a countdown.Dante stood beside her, silent, composed, lethal. He had changed—no suit, no polished billionaire mask. He wore black tactical clothing, a weapon holstered at his side.This was the real Dante Valerio.“You can still walk away,” he said quietly, eyes forward.Amara shook her head.“My mother died running,” she replied. “I’m done running.”The elevator stopped.The doors slid open to reveal steel, stone, and a hallway carved directly into the earth.At the end stood a massive vault door—ancient, reinforced, marked with a faded symbol.A serpent coiled around a crown.Amara’s breath ca
Last Updated : 2025-12-13 Read more