The war Behind The Curtain
1357 Words
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Chapter 20
Dominic Blackwood did not return quietly.
He returned like a storm rebuilding itself.
Three days after the hospital discharge, the Blackwood estate in the city became the center of attention. News of the attack had already leaked — not the full truth, but enough. Headlines speculated about corporate sabotage. Rival factions. A power struggle.
Marcus’s name had not been released publicly.
Yet.
Dominic stood in his private office overlooking the city skyline, his injured shoulder wrapped but hidden beneath a tailored black suit. He looked composed.
But Evelyn knew better.
The tension in him hadn’t disappeared.
It had sharpened.
“You don’t have to attend,” he told her without turning around.
She adjusted the sleeve of her deep emerald dress calmly. “Yes. I do.”
Tonight was the annual Blackwood Holdings Investors’ Gala.
Normally, Evelyn would have remained unseen.
Protected.
Hidden.
Not anymore.
Dominic finally turned.
For a moment, he forgot the world outside the glass walls.
She looked powerful. Confident. Not like someone dragged into chaos — but someone who chose to stand in it.
“You’ll be exposed,” he said quietly.
She met his gaze steadily. “So are you.”
His jaw tightened.
“I built my life making sure nothing could be used against me,” he murmured. “And now—”
“And now you love someone,” she finished gently.
Silence.
His hand flexed slightly at his side.
“That makes you human,” she continued. “Not weak.”
A faint knock interrupted them.
“Sir,” his head of security said through the door, “guests are arriving.”
Dominic exhaled slowly.
Then he extended his hand to her.
“Stay beside me,” he said.
“Always,” she replied.
---
The ballroom shimmered under golden chandeliers.
Politicians.
Investors.
Board members.
Predators in expensive suits.
The atmosphere shifted the moment Dominic entered.
Whispers followed.
Eyes tracked.
He was supposed to be recovering.
Instead, he looked lethal.
And beside him?
Mystery.
Power.
Speculation.
Evelyn felt it immediately — the shift in temperature when attention locked onto her.
Dominic’s hand rested lightly at the small of her back.
Possessive.
Protective.
Intentional.
A senator approached first, smile polished and false.
“Dominic. We heard about the unfortunate incident.”
Dominic’s expression was unreadable. “Security breach. Handled.”
“And this must be…?”
The pause lingered too long.
Evelyn didn’t flinch.
She extended her hand first.
“Evelyn Hart.”
The senator’s grip was assessing.
“And what role do you play in Blackwood Holdings, Miss Hart?”
Dominic was about to respond.
Evelyn beat him to it.
“I advise Dominic on strategic risk mitigation.”
The senator blinked.
Dominic’s eyes flickered toward her — impressed.
“Is that so?” the senator asked carefully.
“Yes,” she replied smoothly. “For example, identifying which political alliances are stable and which are opportunistic.”
The senator’s smile stiffened.
“Enjoy the evening,” she added sweetly.
He excused himself.
Dominic leaned slightly toward her. “Risk mitigation?”
She smiled faintly. “You said we operate as a unit.”
Something warm — and dangerously proud — moved through him.
“You’re extraordinary,” he murmured.
She glanced up at him. “You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
Before she could reply, the ballroom doors opened again.
The energy changed instantly.
Cold.
Controlled.
Intentional.
A tall man entered, silver hair slicked back, posture military straight.
Dominic went completely still.
Evelyn felt it.
“Who is that?” she asked quietly.
Dominic’s voice dropped.
“Victor Kane.”
The name meant nothing to her.
But the look in Dominic’s eyes did.
“Old ally?” she guessed.
“Old mentor,” Dominic corrected. “And the only man who could have funded Marcus.”
Ice slid down her spine.
Victor approached with measured steps.
“Dominic,” he greeted smoothly. “I was sorry to hear about your injury.”
Dominic’s expression did not shift.
“You taught me to survive worse.”
Victor’s eyes flicked toward Evelyn.
“And this is?”
Dominic’s arm tightened around her waist slightly.
“This,” he said calmly, “is the future.”
Victor’s gaze sharpened.
“Interesting choice.”
“She’s not a choice,” Dominic replied evenly.
“She’s leverage,” Victor said softly.
The word hung heavy.
Evelyn saw Dominic’s restraint snap — just slightly.
“She is untouchable,” Dominic said quietly.
Victor’s smile was thin.
“Everyone is touchable, Dominic. That’s the first lesson I taught you.”
The room suddenly felt suffocating.
Evelyn stepped forward — deliberately.
“Mr. Kane,” she said politely, “if you funded Marcus, you underestimated something.”
Victor arched a brow. “And what is that?”
“Loyalty doesn’t fracture when tested,” she replied. “It clarifies.”
A flicker of irritation passed through his eyes.
“You’re bold,” he said.
“I’m observant.”
Victor studied her longer than comfortable.
Then he turned back to Dominic.
“You’ve become sentimental.”
“No,” Dominic said calmly. “I’ve become selective.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
“This isn’t over.”
Dominic’s gaze was steady. “It never is.”
Victor walked away.
But the threat lingered.
---
Later that night, after the speeches and carefully controlled appearances, Dominic led Evelyn onto the private terrace overlooking the city.
The air was cool.
Quiet.
For a moment, the world felt distant.
“He won’t stop,” Dominic said softly.
“I know.”
“He’ll come after you.”
“I know.”
Silence stretched.
Then she turned to face him fully.
“Then stop treating me like something to hide.”
His brow furrowed.
“You stood in front of me,” she continued. “You took bullets for me.”
“I would again.”
“I know,” she said gently. “But I’m not just someone to protect. I’m someone to stand beside you.”
The city lights reflected in his eyes.
“You already do,” he admitted.
She stepped closer.
“Then make it official.”
He blinked.
“Official?”
“Public. Permanent.”
His heartbeat shifted.
“You’re asking—”
“I’m saying,” she interrupted softly, “that if they want leverage, let them see we’re unbreakable.”
Dominic stared at her.
“You understand what that means.”
“Yes.”
“Marriage ties you to my enemies.”
“I’m already tied to them.”
Silence.
Wind brushed past them.
Dominic reached into his inner jacket pocket slowly.
Evelyn’s breath caught.
He hadn’t planned this for tonight.
But perhaps he always had.
A small velvet box rested in his palm.
“I was waiting,” he admitted quietly. “For safety.”
She smiled softly.
“We don’t get safety.”
No.
They didn’t.
He opened the box.
A diamond — elegant, powerful, uncompromising.
Like her.
“Evelyn Hart,” he said steadily, “you walked into my chaos and refused to bend. You challenged me. You saved me. You stand with me when others run.”
Her eyes shimmered.
“I don’t promise you peace,” he continued. “I promise you war beside me.”
She laughed softly through tears. “That’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever said.”
A rare smile touched his lips.
“Marry me.”
No grand theatrics.
No kneeling.
Just certainty.
“Yes,” she whispered immediately. “Yes.”
He slid the ring onto her finger.
And for the first time in front of the world — even if the world wasn’t watching that exact second — he kissed her without restraint.
Not desperate.
Not hesitant.
Certain.
Below them, the city roared.
Above them, storms gathered.
Victor Kane was already planning his next move.
The war behind the curtain had only begun.
But now?
Dominic Blackwood was no longer fighting alone.
And anyone who tried to use Evelyn as leverage…
Would learn exactly why loving her had made him more dangerous — not less.
---
- Writer
