Savage Gentleman: 16. Ashes and Embers

Lucas followed close behind, his presence enveloping her, steady and magnetic. His coat, torn and dusted with ashes from their final confrontation, hinted at the trials they had survived. His gaze swept the room briefly before settling on her, a flicker of amusement and desire dancing in dark eyes. “You look like you’ve finally let yourself breathe,” he observed, voice low, carrying both humor and intimacy.

The first light of dawn filtered through the shattered windows of Charlotte’s estate, soft and golden, washing over the ruins of what had been a fortress of manipulation and control. Smoke lingered in the air, curling like ghosts through the broken halls. The aftermath was quiet — almost serene — though beneath the surface, tension and relief battled in equal measure.

Evelyn and Lucas moved through the room together, surveying the destruction. The mirrors that had reflected so many secrets now lay fractured on the floor. Sparks from the final projections had long sinc