Devoted Restoration Novels & Stories

Three days after my reunion with Elise, we stood in front of the McLaren Enterprise building in downtown Edinburgh. When I asked her how Brandon was able to get me a job without an interview, she just told me Brandon connected with Colin McLaren after he performed surgery on him and saved his life. I wasn’t surprised. Brandon was a brilliant heart surgeon. I glanced up at the large glass building and back at Elise. No matter how much I objected to her coming, she insisted that she walk me to my new boss on my first day. So here we were, Monday morning, like a mother walking her daughter to school on the first day.

The contrast was jarring—softness for me, lethal precision for anyone who dared cross him. He spoke on encrypted phones, giving orders in clipped tones, his usual cold command returning. And yet, every so often, he glanced toward me, eyes softening, just enough for me to feel his devotion, his need to keep me alive. “You’re going to have to rest,” he said finally, sitting beside me, fingers brushing over mine. “You can’t fight this. Not yet.” I shook my head slightly. “I’ll rest. But not until you know… he pays for this. Damien. He won’t walk free.”

Not flawless, but devoted. The house, once filled with quiet shadows, laughter that had faded too soon, and the lingering ache of past mistakes, was now filled with small joys: the soft gurgle of a newborn, the faint squeak of a crib, the warmth of shared smiles between two people learning together. Devon carried the weight of responsibility with humility, sometimes with awe, but always with unwavering commitment. Each day, each night, each gentle touch, each whispered reassurance was a promise renewed.

Tomaso says, standing to shake Salvatore’s hand. They’re on a nickname basis. Cute. Tomaso’s eyes cut to me. “This him?” “This is Leon,” Salvatore says, clapping my shoulder. “He’s one of my best. Quiet and focused. He’s good at taking orders and never gets distracted.” I outstretch my hand for a shake. When he stretches his hand to return the handshake, his silver ring glints in the light. His firm hand slips into mine as he looks directly into my eyes, studying me. I try not to think about how easy it would be to kill him here. I could easily twist his arm and drive a dagger into his neck in seconds.