Darling Villain (Forbidden Fruit #1)

Chapter 12

Adrien

T he next day, I wake up at the break of dawn, energized and determined. I skip breakfast and head straight to my office, preparing myself for a day filled with phone calls and creative solutions to deal with the never-ending pile of problems.

Being in charge has its advantages; there are always people he can delegate tasks to. Today’s issues range from operating system errors to hostile gangs threatening the safety of our shipments, and it seems like a million other things demand my attention until Diane, my executive assistant, and most capable woman I know, calls me a few hours into my workday.

Her voice is as sharp as ever through the phone. “Linsey’s report,” Diane says, not missing a beat. “She mentioned Monday gentleman’s club meet-ups one of her clients goes to with Dean but we have nothing on that in our files.”

I lean back, furrowing my brow. Linsey, one of our best informants, works in a few of the most exclusive nightclubs in the city, gathering valuable information for us. If she’s flagging this as a potential lead to Dean’s operational hub, then it’s worth looking into.

“Can you look into it this week?” I ask. “I won’t be in the office anyway, so I need you to gather as much intel on these Monday club meetings as possible. It might be a front for something bigger, and I want to know everything about it.”

“I’ll have the team do some surveillance and see what we can find out.” Diane is as efficient as she is ruthless, a dangerous combination in our line of work.

“I want daily updates. If there’s something fishy going on, I want to be on top of it.”

“Consider it done. Anything else?”

“How are Carters reacting to Tiffany’s disappearance?” I ask, knowing that my time with Tiffany is running out.

“Her sister is concerned and Dean is still unaware.”

The clock is ticking, and I can’t afford to wait any longer. Dean still doesn’t know that the heiress to Carter Corporation has disappeared; too busy chasing his next paycheck in South America. But Olivia, Tiffany’s older sister, is growing increasingly suspicious of her absence.

Olivia Jackson is an enigmatic figure in her own right. Olivia joined the Carter family as Tiffany’s half-sister when her mother married Henry Carter. It’s clear that Olivia doesn’t get along with Dean, as she reverted to her mother’s maiden name once she reached legal age. However, what adds to the intrigue is that for the past month, Olivia has been having clandestine meetings with her uncle behind Tiffany’s back.

Hidden agendas are at play, ones that Tiffany is unaware of.

“Matteo sent Olivia a message from Tiffany’s phone saying that she took some time off from work. But we need to keep an eye on Olivia,” I tell Diane. “Report me her every move and who she is communicating with. And if anyone mentions Tiffany’s disappearance, I need to be the first to know.”

“Understood,” Diane gives a short, clipped response before allowing the silence to linger.

I let out a weary sigh, already aware of what she’s getting at. “Ask.”

“Is there any other reason are you there playing home with Carter’s niece instead of being here?”

“No other reason.”

“This is risky,” Diane states bluntly. “You’re walking on thin ice and we all have important matters to attend to. You’re an open book to me, Adrien. This isn’t just about business. We both know the real reason you’re there.”

I stay silent, grappling with the weight of her words. The truth is, being around Tiffany is both a blessing and a curse. She ignites something within me I thought long buried beneath layers of revenge and ambition—something soft yet fierce, like a candle flickering in the dark.

Diane’s voice softens. “Just be careful, Adrien. We can’t afford any slip-ups, especially not with the Carters involved.”

I stare at my phone after Diane hangs up.

She’s right, of course. Tiffany Carter has blurred the lines between duty and desire, between what’s necessary and what’s forbidden. But there’s something about her, something that pulls me in even when logic tells me to stay away.

Bringing down Dean Carter, head of a wealthy crime family, has proven challenging. He has wealth and power throughout Empire Heights, making it difficult to dismantle his operations or tarnish his reputation. But over the years, I have gathered information, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

What I’m doing here with Tiffany is not only risky, it’s reckless. I’m not only wasting my time, I’m also putting everything I’ve worked for on the line.

My musings are interrupted by a knock on the door.

I straighten up in my chair and call out, “Come in.”

“Good morning.” Tiffany smiles and enters my office, her presence filling the space with a lightness that is rare in the darkness of my world.

“Good morning,” I reply, unable to tear my gaze away from her. I notice she holds two cups of steaming coffee in her hands, a gesture that surprises me.

“I’ve noticed that you missed breakfast this morning.” She places one cup in front of me before taking a seat across from my desk. Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, we both linger in that silent exchange.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice hoarser than I intended. “You didn’t have to do that.”

She shrugs. “I did not have to, but I wanted to talk about yesterday.”

Tiffany lowers her gaze, fidgeting with the fabric of her cocktail dress. It’s the same dress she wore the night we first met at L’Auberge. It’s a stunning dress, but an odd choice for just hanging around the house. Suddenly, it hits me—Tiffany must have nothing else to wear. I make a mental note to fix that as soon as possible.

“And here I thought you just missed my company,” I tell her with a teasing smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Her eyes betray a mix of amusement and uncertainty. She takes a slow sip of her coffee before saying, “I have been thinking about what you said about my uncle Dean and the things you’ve uncovered. I want to help.”

Tiffany’s offer to help so quickly is unexpected, and it raises a thousand red flags in my mind.

I’m sure she doesn’t fully grasp the danger she’s stepping into by helping me. There’s no way I can bring Carter’s operations and side businesses to light and not expect severe repercussions to both Tiffany and her sister.

For decades, the Carter was one of the richest and oldest families. Philanthropy and political connections coupled with their illicit dealings have shielded them from the public eye. But the time has come to dismantle their empire brick by brick—courtesy of Matteo and Diana’s information gathering which revealed the family’s long history of drug smuggling, human trafficking, and protection rackets—and Tiffany walking willingly into my trap could either be a blessing or a curse.

I never anticipated Tiffany would so willingly divulge information that could jeopardize her family’s reputation and future.

“With one condition,” Tiffany continues. “Promise me that once this is over, once my uncle’s operation is disassembled and justice is served, you will help me ensure that Olivia and I can start anew. Away from all of this darkness.”

“You have my word,” I say, fully aware that I cannot guarantee her safety. Once I inform the authorities of Dean’s illegal activities, they will swoop in like vultures and tear apart the very fabric of the Carter empire. I am just a few pieces away from completing this complicated plan, and then she will have to deal with the fallout. But for now, I offer her a reassuring smile. “I promise to do everything in my power to make sure you and Olivia have a fresh start.”

Tiffany reaches across the desk, her hand resting on mine briefly before she withdraws it, a small, bittersweet smile playing on her lips.

“You wanted to know where the operations are taking place. I believe it’s in Carter Manor, the basement under the guise of wine cellars. My uncle has always been secretive about that part of the estate, but I’ve seen strange movements at odd hours around that area. There’s something sinister going on there. I’m sure of it.”

I take a moment to process her words. If what she says about the Carter Manor is true, it would explain the tight security and unusual activities we’ve observed in other locations controlled by Dean.

“Are you willing to risk everything for this?”

She meets my eyes with unwavering resolve. “If it means bringing justice and ending the cycle of darkness that has plagued my family for generations, then yes, I am.”