The penthouse was a scene of calculated chaos. Victoria was backed into a corner of the living room, clutching a heavy crystal vase, while two uniformed officers moved in with practiced caution. Dr. Aris stood by, holding a syringe, his face the picture of clinical detachment.
“Ms. Vance, please,” Dr. Aris said soothingly. “Put the weapon down. This agitation only confirms the necessity of the hold.”
“I am not agitated! I am terrified!” Victoria screamed. “Get out!”
The elevator doors pinged open. Dominic Valerius stormed out, his tie undone, sweat sheening his forehead. He had sprinted from the lobby the moment his security team alerted him to the breach.
“Back off!” Dominic roared, throwing himself between the officers and Victoria. He shoved one officer hard enough to send him stumbling. “Get the hell out of my house!”
“Mr. Valerius,” the lead officer said, hand resting on his holster. “We have a court order signed by Judge Halloway. Emergency psychiatric detainment for Ms. Victoria Vance. Lady Beatrice Croft has been granted temporary conservatorship due to the subject’s incapacity.”
“She is not incapacitated,” Dominic snarled, shielding Victoria with his body. “She is sane, and she is under my protection.”
“You have no legal standing here, sir,” the officer replied coldly. “You are not a relative. You are not a spouse. Step aside, or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice.”
“I don’t care about the law,” Dominic hissed, bracing himself for a fight. “You are not taking her.”
“Dominic, don’t,” Victoria sobbed, seeing the officers draw their tasers. “They’ll hurt you.”
Dominic didn’t move. He was ready to bleed for her. But they both knew that in the eyes of the state, he was nothing more than a bystander.