eed extravagance right now; he needed security. The nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of the c

in a black leather jacket and jeans, he looked more like a biker than the sharp strategist he was.

ithout preamble, his sharp eyes sca

, shrugging off his jacket and tossing i

is everything we've got on Declan and Emilia. Financial records, emails, even some ph

ce was a reminder of how deeply the betrayal ran. Declan's manipulation was woven into

solid on her?" Alex a

onnection to Declan is murky. She's played her part well-staying clean whi

ere was some part of Emilia that wasn't taint

a conspirator," Alex said. "Either

someone tailing her. We'l

at the screen and froze. Another text, from the same u

lex. Time's r

eaction and leaned c

ppening," Alex said, handing Victo

d be a bluff. Or it could mean someone insid

of another betrayal made his blood boil, b

ey have the upper hand, we'll use it against them. L

s the Alex I know. Alw

as walking a tightrope, and one wrong mov

ble replaced by a temporary wooden one. The cleanup crew had done their

ce, Emilia's pleading eyes, the blood on the floor. He couldn't shake the feeling that he

g, but relaxed slightly when he saw Emilia standing in the doorway. She looke

g here?" Alex aske

e said, stepping insid

ink. "Talk? About what, Emilia? How you lied

th unshed tears. "It's not that si

tand," he snapped, h

ind the right words. "Declan... he's not just my brother. He's... dange

his voice laced with bitterness. "You

fused to let them affect him. He couldn't

d, her voice breaking. "I

h. "If this is your version of lo

word hanging in the air like a dagger. Finall

Let me prove myself. Let me

and the cold reality of her betrayal. Could he trust her

e, his phone buzzed a

s lyi

oked up at Emilia, his mind racing. Was this a wa

lex demanded, hold

, her face pale. "I don't know," she said. "A

re he could believ

hance, Alex's resolve hardened. He would get t

shadows across his face, he couldn't shake the feeling t

the darkness, som