Chapter 8
Kiera returned to the penthouse just as dusk settled over the city, painting the skyline in soft golds and purples. The elevator ride up felt longer than usual, her thoughts still tangled from her meeting with Elara. Old wounds had been reopened, stitched clumsily with honesty and regret. She exhaled slowly as the doors slid open, bracing herself for the familiar quiet.
But the penthouse wasn't quiet.
Voices drifted from the living room. Low. Tense.
Kade's.
Her heart skipped before she could stop it.
She set her bag down and followed the sound. Kade stood near the window, phone pressed to his ear, his posture rigid, jaw clenched in concentration. He ended the call the moment he noticed her.
"You're back," he said.
"Yes," she replied softly. "Everything okay?"
He studied her for a brief moment, as if checking for invisible damage. "We need to talk."
The words made her stomach tighten.
Leo sat on the couch, coloring, his small brow furrowed in concentration. When he saw Kiera, his face lit up.
"You're home," he said, scrambling to his feet and running to her.
She crouched automatically, opening her arms. "I am."
He wrapped himself around her waist, clinging like he was afraid she'd disappear again. She hugged him back, her chest aching.
Kade watched the exchange, something unreadable flickering across his face.
"Leo," he said gently, "why don't you finish your drawing in your room for a bit?"
Leo hesitated, then nodded. "Kiera's staying, right?"
Kade met his eyes. "Yes."
Only then did Leo leave.
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
"I'm traveling," Kade said finally.
Kiera straightened. "Traveling?"
"London. Paris. Possibly Zurich." He ran a hand through his hair. "Business."
"Oh," she said, unsure why her heart dipped. "How long?"
"A week."
The word settled between them, thick and final.
"I don't want to go," he added quietly. "But I don't have a choice."
She nodded. "Of course."
"I need you to take care of Leo," he continued. "Fully. School runs. Meals. Nights."
"I already do," she said gently.
"This time," he clarified, "I won't be here at all."
Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten.
"I can handle it," she said. "You don't have to worry."
"I do worry," he replied.
They held each other's gaze a second too long.
"Vivienne?" Kiera asked cautiously.
His expression hardened. "She won't be coming here. I made that clear."
Kiera hesitated. "She didn't like me."
"That's her problem."
Kade walked closer, lowering his voice. "Listen to me. While I'm gone, I want you to call me if anything happens. No matter how small."
She nodded.
"And Kiera," he added, his voice softer now. "You're not alone here."
The words warmed her—and frightened her.
Later that night, Kade sat on the edge of Leo's bed, tucking the blankets around him.
"You'll be good for Kiera while I'm gone," he said.
Leo frowned. "I don't want you to go."
"I know." Kade brushed his hair back gently. "But I'll call every day."
Leo nodded, then looked at Kiera. "You'll stay, right?"
She smiled. "I'm not going anywhere."
After Leo fell asleep, Kade lingered in the hallway, watching Kiera quietly close the door. The house felt different already. Emptier.
"I leave early tomorrow," he said.
"I'll make sure Leo's up on time," she replied.
He hesitated. "Thank you. For… everything."
She met his gaze. "Safe travels."
The night stretched long.
Kiera lay awake, listening to distant city sounds, wondering why the thought of him being gone made her chest ache like a bruise being pressed.
The morning of his departure arrived too quickly.
Kade stood near the door, suitcase at his feet, phone already buzzing with messages. He looked every bit the powerful businessman the world knew—but there was tension in his shoulders, reluctance in his eyes.
Leo clung to his leg. "Don't forget to call."
"I won't," Kade promised, crouching to hug him tightly. "Be brave."
Then his gaze lifted to Kiera.
"Come here," he said quietly.
She stepped closer.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The unspoken pressed heavily between them—feelings without names, boundaries already strained.
"I trust you," Kade said finally.
The words felt intimate. Weighty.
"I won't let you down," she replied.
His hand hovered for a second, as if he wanted to touch her—then he pulled back.
"I'll be back before you know it."
And then he was gone.
The door closed with a soft click that echoed through the penthouse.
The first night without Kade was the hardest.
Leo woke screaming from a nightmare, sobbing into Kiera's shoulder as thunder rattled the windows. She held him for hours, whispering reassurances, humming softly until his breathing evened out.
"You're safe," she told him again and again. "I've got you."
When he finally fell asleep, Kiera sat alone on the couch, exhaustion weighing her down. She glanced at her phone.
A message from Kade.
Did he sleep okay?
She smiled faintly and typed back.
He had a bad dream, but he's sleeping now.
Three dots appeared almost instantly.
Thank you. I wish I was there.
Her chest tightened.
He misses you, she replied. So do I.
The words were out before she could stop them.
Seconds passed.
Then—
I miss you too.
Kiera set the phone down, her heart pounding wildly.
She stared at the darkened room, suddenly aware of how deeply Kade's absence had carved into her.
A week.
Seven days.
She wasn't sure if the danger was that something might happen while he was gone—
Or that she would realize just how much she needed him there.
And when he returned, nothing would be the same again.