Chapter 2 - The Awakening of the King
The heavy narcotic haze in Adrian’s mind slowly began to recede, replaced by the sharp, instinctive alertness of a man who had survived a hundred betrayals. He did not move a muscle at first. He remained slumped against the white velvet cushions, his dark eyes narrowing beneath the shadow of his fedora as he processed the impossible scene unfolding inches from his face.
Titan—a dog trained to tear a grown man’s throat out without hesitation—was resting his massive jaw against the pink tulle skirt of a five-year-old child. The beast closed his eyes, let out a soft, contented sigh, and allowed the little girl to scratch behind his ears.
"Who are you?" Adrian’s voice rasped out, deep, gravelly, and laced with an aura of absolute authority that made the guards in the doorway flinch.
Sophia turned her head, her bright brown eyes locking onto Adrian’s formidable face. She didn't shrink away from his terrifying presence. Instead, she offered him a small, bright smile, clutching her brown teddy bear against her chest.
"I'm Sophia," she replied cheerfully. "And this is Mr. Snuggles."
Adrian slowly pushed himself up into a seated position, resting his elbows on his knees. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he fought off the remaining effects of the drug, but his gaze remained razor-sharp. He looked past the child, his eyes locking onto Elena, who stood frozen near the entryway, trembling from head to toe.
"Elena," Adrian said, his voice quiet yet cutting through the quiet room like a blade. "Explain to me why there is a child in my private wing. And explain why my dog hasn't ripped her to pieces."
Elena dropped to her knees on the hardwood floor, her hands clasped in frantic desperation. "Mr. Moretti, please! I am so sorry! My babysitter canceled at the last minute... I had nowhere else to leave her while I cleaned the upper suites! She wandered off while I was changing the linens! Please, spare her!"
Dante stepped forward cautiously, keeping his distance from Titan. "Boss... you were unconscious for twenty minutes. Someone laced your private bourbon supply in the study. When we heard the dog growling, we couldn't get into the room. Titan wouldn't let us near you."
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Adrian reached out his broad hand, his fingers lightly brushing against Titan’s leather collar. The dog didn't growl at his master, but he refused to leave Sophia’s side, nudging his wet nose against the little girl's shoulder.
Adrian looked down at Sophia once more. "She stepped into a room with a killer, Dante," Adrian murmured softly, a dangerous intrigue flickering in his dark eyes. "And the killer bowed to her."
