Chapter 66 Leon’s Confusion
The estate felt suffocating.
Veyra had been back for an hour. She had changed out of her rumpled clothes. She had splashed water on her face. She had sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the wall.
But her mind kept drifting back to the coffee shop. To Mia. To the way the young woman had looked overwhelmed during the rush.
She had already thanked Mia. She had already given her something. But that was not enough. She wanted to do more.
She stood up. She grabbed her bag.
Li Wei was in the hallway. He raised an eyebrow.
"Going somewhere, Mrs. Thorne?"
"Back to the coffee shop."
"You were just there."
"I know. But I want to help. She was busy. I can work the counter. Make drinks." Veyra paused. "I used to be good at it."
Li Wei studied her face. Then he nodded. "I’ll drive you."
The car ride was short. The coffee shop was still open. The afternoon light had shifted to gold.
Veyra pushed open the door. The bell chimed.
Mia was behind the counter, alone, rushing between the register and the espresso machine. Her ponytail was coming loose. There was a smudge of chocolate on her apron.
"Mia," Veyra said.
Mia looked up. Her eyes widened. "You came back."
"I came back to help. If you still need it."
Mia’s shoulders sagged with relief. "Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. I worked at a coffee shop before. In college. Before I had to drop out." Veyra shrugged. "I remember how to make a latte. How to work the register. How to wipe down tables."
Mia reached under the counter and pulled out an apron. Veyra tied it around her waist. She stepped behind the counter.
The espresso machine was familiar.
Veyra’s hands found their places. The portafilter. The tamper. The steam wand. It had been years, but her body remembered.
"What do you need?" she asked.
"Latte. Extra shot. Oat milk. Table three."
Veyra moved. She ground the beans. Tamped them smooth. Locked the portafilter into place. The espresso shot poured dark and thick.
She steamed the oat milk. The wand hissed. The milk swirled into a silky microfoam.
She poured. The latte art was not perfect. A lopsided heart. But it was something.
"Latte," she called out. "Extra shot. Oat milk."
A customer stepped forward. Veyra took their payment. Made change and then smiled.
"Americano. Black. No sugar."
Another customer. Another drink.
The line moved. The drinks flowed. Mia handled the register. Veyra handled the machine. They worked in silence, efficient and synchronized.
Li Wei stood by the door.
His arms were crossed. His face was calm. But inside, his mind was spinning.
An hour ago, he had watched this woman disarm a gangster with an empty gun. Tie up four thugs. Threaten a loan shark. Walk out of a pizza shop like she owned it.
Now she was making lattes.
He shook his head. It felt like a dream. Like two different people inhabiting the same body.
His hand moved to his lapel. The brooch there was small. Discreet. It contained a hidden camera.
He had already sent Dorian the video from the pizza shop. The one of Veyra pressing the gun to Xie Heng’s head. The one of her smiling as she revealed the empty chamber.
Now he tapped the brooch again. He recorded a new video. Veyra behind the counter. Steaming milk. Pouring espresso. Smiling at customers.
He sent it and the message delivered. He waited for a response, then Li Wei’s phone buzzed and he looked at the screen.
From now on, you don’t need to report her affairs to me anymore.
He read the message twice.
His brow furrowed. He did not understand. Dorian had always wanted updates. Every detail. Every movement. Every word Veyra spoke.
Now, suddenly, he did not want to know?
Something had changed. Li Wei did not know what. He did not know why.
He looked at Veyra. She was laughing at something a customer said. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes were bright.
He thought about asking her. Do you know what’s going on with Mr. Thorne?
But he decided against it.
His job was to protect her. Not to get involved in whatever was happening between her and his employer.
He tucked his phone back into his pocket. He crossed his arms. He watched.
The rush ended.
The line disappeared. The customers settled at their tables. The coffee shop grew quiet again.
Veyra wiped down the counter. She rinsed the milk pitcher. She refilled the beans in the grinder.
Mia came to stand beside her. "You’re good at this."
"I had good teachers."
"You said you worked at a coffee shop in college. What happened?"
Veyra paused. "Life happened," she said.
Mia nodded. She did not push and they stood together in comfortable silence.
"I’m starting college in September," mai said. "I just got my admission letter."
Veyra’s heart jumped. "That’s wonderful. Which school?"
"Etland University of Medicine."
Veyra’s breath caught.
Etland. The same school she had wanted to attend. The same school Dr. Harrison was helping her get into.
"That’s amazing," Veyra said. "You must be so excited."
"I’m terrified." Mia laughed. "But excited too. My parents are proud. They’ve never said it, but I can tell."
Veyra smiled. She thought about her own mother. How proud she would have been.
If all went well, Veyra would be at Etland in September too. Studying medicine. Finally pursuing the dream she had abandoned.
She did not tell Mia. Not yet. It was not certain. She did not want to jinx it.
But inside, she was buzzing with excitement.
Veyra untied her apron. She folded it neatly and set it on the counter.
"Thank you," she said to Mia. "For letting me help. For calling me yesterday. For everything."
Mia took her hand. "Thank you for the bracelet and money. And for caring about that little girl. The world needs more people like you."
Veyra’s throat tightened. She squeezed Mia’s hand.
"Good luck at Etland," Veyra said. "You’re going to be an amazing doctor."
"You too," Mia said. "I have a feeling."
Veyra blinked. "What?"
"I don’t know. Just a feeling." Mia smiled. "Take care of yourself."
Veyra nodded. She turned and walked toward the door.
Li Wei fell into step beside her.
"Back to the estate?" he asked.
"Back to the estate."
The car ride was quiet.
Veyra stared out the window. The city passed by. Buildings. Streets. People.
The car pulled through the gates of the estate. The driveway stretched ahead. The mansion loomed.
Veyra stepped out and then she stopped.
"Oh no," she said.
Li Wei looked at her. "What’s wrong?"
"Lily. I promised her bacon pizza."
Li Wei’s mouth twitched. "You’ve had a busy day."
"I forgot. She’s going to be so disappointed."
The butler appeared at the front door. He was holding a telephone receiver.
"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "The Second Madam took the young miss out this afternoon. They haven’t returned yet."
Veyra’s shoulders relaxed. "So I don’t have to explain? Or make her a pizza?"
"No, madam. The young miss is not expecting you."
Veyra let out a breath. She had been given a reprieve.
"Thank you," she said.
She walked into the house. She went straight to the cellar.
*
The armory was cold.
Veyra stood at the long metal table. The Nightblade was disassembled in front of her. The parts were arranged in neat rows. The slide. The barrel. The spring. The frame.
She picked up the frame. She inserted the trigger assembly. She placed the recoil spring.
Her fingers moved faster now. More confidently. She did not have to think about each step. Her muscles remembered.
Click. The slide went on. Click. The takedown lever rotated.
The gun was whole.
She disassembled it again. Assembled it again.
The hours passed. The fluorescent lights hummed. The concrete walls absorbed the sound.
She lost track of time.
"Mrs. Thorne."
Li Wei’s voice pulled her back.
She looked up. He was standing by the door. His face was calm. But his eyes were firm.
"It’s ten o’clock," he said. "The baby needs rest. You need rest."
Veyra looked at the gun in her hands. She had assembled it again. She did not remember doing it.
"Ten o’clock," she repeated.
"You’ve been down here for three hours."
Three hours. It had felt like thirty minutes.
She set the gun down. She stretched her fingers. They were sore. But strong.
"You’re right," she said. "I should go to bed."
She left the armory. The metal door closed behind her. The lock clicked.
She walked up the stone stairs. Through the dark corridor. Into the main hallway.
The house was quiet. Most of the lights were off. The servants had retired.
She climbed the stairs to her bedroom.
She pushed open the door.
The light was on.
Dorian was standing by the window.
He had changed out of his suit. He was wearing dark pants and a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His back was to her. His shoulders were tense.
Veyra’s heart skipped.
"You’re home early," she said.
Dorian turned. His gray eyes moved over her face. Her apron was gone. But her clothes were still rumpled from the day. Her hair was loose. Her cheeks were flushed from the cellar.
"I had dinner with Wesley Wen," he said. His voice was curt and flat.
"Oh."
"He asked about you."
Veyra blinked. "About me? Why?"
Dorian did not answer. He walked past her. Toward the dressing room.