Silent Scars

CHAPTER 93

The gates of the Hastings estate shut behind them with a metallic groan. Neither Leonardo nor Marcus spoke as they stepped out of the car

Leonardo’s movements were stiff, deliberate. His face was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw betrayed something deeper worry, the kind he wasn’t used to showing.

Marcus followed behind, quieter, but his gaze kept flicking toward his older brother. He could see it, Leonardo was rattled. Not because of strategy. Not because of the operation.

Because Domain had been attacked.

Marco stood at the front entrance, straight backed and alert.

"Sir."

He began, voice quiet.

But Leonardo brushed right past him, no glance, no acknowledgment.

Marco frowned, his posture tightening. But he didn’t push it.

Inside the house, the stillness was deeper. A heavy sort of quiet that pressed against the walls. The soft glow from the chandelier barely touched the corners of the hallway. Upstairs, Ariana, Luca, and Kendric were asleep. Safe.

Downstairs, the living room light was still on.

Domain was there, sitting back on the edge of the couch. His hands were clean now, no blood, no dirt, but the knuckles still looked raw. The cut on his lower lip had stopped bleeding, leaving behind a faint pink line, slightly swollen but already drying. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes said otherwise.

He looked up the second he heard the front door close. He stood as soon as Leonardo entered.

"Aria’s asleep."

Domain said quickly, voice steady.

"Luca and Kendric are with her...."

He didn’t finish.

Leonardo crossed the room and pulled him into a hug.

It wasn’t forceful. It wasn’t dramatic. It was the kind of hug that came out of instinct, not thought. A brother who’d spent the last two hours picturing the worst and was only now starting to breathe again.

Domain didn’t react right away. He just stood there, confused for a beat, arms hovering at his sides.

Then he let out a quiet breath and let the moment pass over him. He didn’t return the gesture, but he didn’t pull away either.

When Leonardo stepped back, his hand stayed on Domain’s shoulder.

"You should’ve called me sooner."

He said, his voice lower than usual.

Marcus came closer, his gaze sweeping across Domain’s face, lingering on the bruising near his mouth.

"You alright?"

He asked gently, reaching up to brush the fading edge of the cut.

Domain gave a short breath of a laugh.

"Yeah. I’m alright."

He pointed at his lip.

"Didn’t see that one coming. It was sudden. But I made sure the guy who threw it won’t be lifting that arm again anytime soon."

Marcus let out a quiet scoff and shook his head.

"Still reckless."

Domain shrugged lightly, a flicker of a grin appearing tired, but real.

Leonardo folded his arms now, not in distance, but focus.

"They were trained, weren’t they?"

He asked.