He took a slow sip from his glass, his eyes still fixed on the winter storm outside.

The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

“You think you are the problem here, Claire?” he finally asked.

“The Senator is using me to control you,” I said.

“If I leave, he has no leverage.”

Julian finally turned to face me.

His dark eyes were intense, reflecting the orange firelight.

“The Senator has wanted control of my docks for five years,” he said.

“You are just the excuse he was waiting for.”

He walked over to his desk and set the glass down.

“If you leave, he wins.”

“But your business—”

“My business is my concern,” he interrupted.

He stepped closer to me, his presence dominating the quiet room.

“You are not leaving this house.”

I stared at him, confused and frightened by the resolve in his voice.

“I cannot stay here knowing I am a target,” I said.

“Vanessa hates me, and her father can ruin you.”

“They will not touch you,” Julian said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, brass key.