Fated reborn - Chapter 207: Chapter 207

Victor's POV.
Clara just looked smug, still sipping her coffee.
I shook my head, watching as they all started heading inside. My eyes drifted back towards the trees, towards the direction we had just come from.
Tonight had been a win, but something in my gut told me this wasn’t over. Henry’s death wasn’t going to go unnoticed. The shipment problem was still lingering, and I had a feeling there were more players involved than just him.
This was far from finished.
But for now, at least, Clara was safe.
And that was enough.
For now.
"I guess I'll head home," Clara said, looking at me.
I turned in the direction of Luciano and Lunawyn, seeing them walking into the pack house exit door. The guards greeted them, and they replied with nods before disappearing inside.
"Oh, I forgot. Since I'm not feeling sleepy, I'll drop you off," I said.
A small smile formed on her lips, but she quickly shrugged it off like it was nothing. I opened the car door. "Get in."
She got in, adjusting her glasses. I followed and started the engine, pulling out of the driveway.
As we neared her place, she started giving me directions.
I smirked. "I already know where it is."
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "Of course you do."
After a few more minutes, I pulled up in front of her building. I stepped out, glancing up at the apartment complex.
"Nice place," I said.
She smiled, rummaging through her purse for her keys. Once she found them, she unlocked the door, and we stepped inside.
The place was cozy, everything neatly arranged. A woman sat in an old-fashioned chair, weaving cotton threads together.
"This is my mother," Clara said.
The woman lifted her gaze, peering at me over small glasses that rested on the bridge of her nose. Her face was lined with deep wrinkles, her hands slow but steady as she worked.
"Hey, Mrs....?" I trailed off.
"Mrs. Moon," Clara supplied.
"Hey, Mrs. Moon," I said, extending my hand.
She smiled warmly. "Well done, dear."
I was about to say something when Clara’s voice distracted me. "Do you need anything to drink?"
I shook my head. "No, I’m good."
"Anything to eat?" she asked.
"No. I haven’t even brushed yet."
She smirked. "Okay." She kicked off her heels, sighing. "These things really make my toes ache."
I sat on the couch, my eyes scanning the room. I reached for some paperwork on the center table, flipping through a few pages before placing them back where I found them.
I leaned back, waiting for Clara to return so I could let her know I was heading out.
Tonight had been a victory, but something told me the fight wasn’t over yet. Henry’s death wouldn’t go unnoticed, and there were still loose ends to tie up.
But for now, at least, Clara was safe.
And that was enough.
For now.
I rubbed my face, the weight of the night settling in now that the adrenaline had worn off. Clara disappeared into the kitchen, her voice carrying over as she spoke to her mother in hushed tones. I didn't try to listen in.
Mrs. Moon just kept weaving, her fingers moving methodically, like she'd been doing this for years. She had this calm presence about her, the kind that made you feel like she’d seen everything and nothing really surprised her anymore.
Clara came back, a glass of water in hand. "Are you sure you don't want anything?" She said.
"I'm good," I said, but I took the water anyway, just to have something to do with my hands.
She sat down across from me, tucking her legs beneath her. "Long night." She finally broke the silence.
"Yeah," I said.
A beat of silence stretched between us. Not the awkward kind. The kind where you both knew there was more to say but neither wanted to be the first to say it.
Finally, she exhaled, rubbing at her temples. "Henry being gone changes things." She said
I nodded. "Yeah. But I don't think he's the last problem we’ll have to deal with."
She chewed on the inside of her cheek, like she wanted to say something but thought better of it.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
She sighed. "That this whole thing runs deeper than just him? Yeah." She said with a slight smile.
My jaw tightened. "We're not out of the woods yet." I said
She gave a small nod, her eyes distant. Then, just like that, she shook it off. "But for tonight, we are." She said
I watched as she stretched her arms over her head, the exhaustion finally catching up to her. She looked different here, in her own space. Less guarded. More... real.
"You should get some sleep," I said.
"You should, too," she shot back, a teasing glint in her eye.
I chuckled. "I’ll head out in a bit."
She didn't argue, just pulled a blanket over herself and curled into the couch. "Wake me if you need anything."
I nodded, but she was already drifting off.
I sat there for a while, listening to the quiet hum of the city outside, the soft click of Mrs. Moon’s weaving.
Yeah. Tonight had been a win. But something told me the real fight hadn’t even started yet.
And when it did?
I’d be ready.
She didn't totally feel scared or traumatized for what had just happened; she was cool, like she wasn't going to pop out of fear.
At least the fear of someone being shot in your front was enough to make her traumatized. If maybe this wasn't her first time experiencing it.
I cupped my chin as I rested my elbow on my knee, deep in thought.
She has some things up her sleeves that nobody knows yet; she is just scared of disappointing us.
She sees us as a rare opportunity, I think. But maybe she really does have something more.
She has experienced things like what happened last night before; maybe that's why she wasn't traumatized.
I took a quick glance at her mother.
"I just need to get close enough to Clara."