Chapter 10 - The Safe House
The sun was setting over Lake Michigan, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange, pink, and gold.
I sat on the wide wooden deck of our home, a glass of bourbon in my hand. The quiet hum of the evening was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaotic, dangerous life I had lived for so long.
Lily and Owen ran up the stairs of the deck, their faces flushed from playing, Barnaby the bear tucked under Owen's arm.
"Ryker! Ryker! Look what we made!" Lily cried, holding up a large, colorful drawing.
It was a picture of the three of us, standing in front of our house. Above us was a giant, protective dragon with a warm, gentle smile, its wings spread wide to shield us from the sky.
"It's beautiful, Lily," I said, pulling them both into a warm hug. "We'll hang it in the kitchen, right next to your dad's old blueprint of the Chicago skyline."
"We miss Dad," Owen said softly, his blue eyes looking up at the stars beginning to appear in the twilight sky. "But we know he's happy because we're with you."
"I miss him too, buddy," I whispered, kissing the top of his curly blond head. "But he's always with us. Right here." I tapped his chest, then my own.
We sat together on the deck, watching the stars come out one by one over the deep, quiet water.
My name is Ryker Steel. Once, I was a man who lived in a fortress of cold stone and empty gold. I believed that strength was built on solitude, and that the only way to survive was to never let anyone close enough to hurt me.
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But Daniel Carter showed me a different kind of strength. He showed me that the greatest structures aren't built of steel and concrete, but of love, trust, and the promises we keep to those who need us most.
The Dragon had finally found his home. And this time, nothing would ever tear it down.
