Chapter 4 - The Enemy Who Discovered His Weakness
Victor Gallow had survived betrayal before.
He had survived enemies.
He had survived men who wanted his empire.
But he had never experienced something more dangerous.
Someone he cared about becoming a target.
And everyone around him noticed.
Especially his enemies.
---
Daniel Cross sat across from a group of men inside an abandoned warehouse.
The lights were dim.
The atmosphere was tense.
"He has a weakness now."
One man looked at him.
"Victor Gallow?"
Daniel smiled.
"Not Victor."
He placed a photograph on the table.
Harper Davis.
"Her."
---
Victor increased Harper's security without telling her.
That lasted exactly three days.
On the fourth day, she confronted him.
"You hired someone to follow me."
Victor looked up from his desk.
"No."
"Victor."
"Security."
"That's literally following me."
He remained silent.
Harper crossed her arms.
"I am not a package."
"I know."
"Then stop treating me like one."
Victor stood.
"Someone is trying to hurt you."
"Because of you."
The words were quiet.
But they hurt.
Victor froze.
Harper immediately regretted saying it.
"I didn't mean—"
"You were right."
She looked surprised.
Victor continued.
"My world creates danger."
A pause.
"And you shouldn't be in it."
Harper looked at him.
"Then why did you bring me closer?"
Victor had no answer.
Because he didn't bring her closer.
She walked in herself.
Through a broken elevator.
With wet shoes.
And terrible coffee.
And somehow destroyed every wall he had built.
---
That night, Victor received a message.
One photo.
Harper leaving work.
One sentence.
Everyone has something they can't afford to lose.
Victor stared at the screen.
Arthur entered.
"Boss?"
Victor handed him the phone.
Arthur's expression changed.
"This is a threat."
Victor nodded.
"Yes."
"What are we doing?"
Victor looked toward the city.
For years, Victor Gallow protected his empire.
Tonight, for the first time...
He wanted to protect someone more than his empire.
"Find who sent it."
Arthur hesitated.
"And Harper?"
Victor's voice became cold.
"No one touches her."
---
The next morning, Harper arrived at the office.
Victor was waiting.
She immediately noticed something was wrong.
"Victor?"
"We need to talk."
She looked at him.
"That sounds terrifying."
"It might be."
He took a breath.
A rare moment of hesitation.
"I need you to leave Chicago."
Harper stared.
"What?"
"Take a vacation. Visit family. Anywhere."
She laughed.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"You're asking me to disappear?"
"I'm trying to keep you alive."
The humor disappeared from her face.
"Victor."
He looked at her.
"You don't get to decide everything for everyone."
"I do when it concerns danger."
"No."
She stepped closer.
"You decide because you're used to being alone."
Victor went quiet.
Harper softened.
"You think pushing people away keeps them safe."
A pause.
"But sometimes it just leaves you alone."
Victor looked at her.
And for the first time...
Harper saw the man beneath the reputation.
Not the mafia boss.
Not the billionaire.
Just Victor.
May you like
A man who had spent his whole life believing nobody would stay.
---
