The sea was never truly silent.
Even in the deepest hours of the night, when the world appeared suspended between yesterday's tragedies and tomorrow's battles, the ocean whispered against the hull of the massive yacht. Gentle waves lapped against polished steel while the vessel rocked with slow, almost imperceptible movements, carrying everyone farther away from the nightmare they had narrowly escaped.
Most of the crew had retired.
The security teams rotated shifts with military precision.
Doctors checked on the injured.
Somewhere below deck, Nora had finally been convinced to sleep after nearly arguing with every physician who insisted Allison was merely exhausted.
The ship was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Lucian De Luca stood alone on the observation deck, one hand resting against the cool metal railing.
He should have been asleep.
Instead…
His thoughts refused to quiet.
