Chapter 22 #2
“The night after her funeral, he called me into his study. Showed me photos—surveillance of everyone I cared about. My best friend’s family, my favorite teacher, even our old housekeeper.” I swallow hard. “He said accidents happen all the time. Just like poor, troubled Lina.”
The kitchen falls silent as my last words hang in the air.
My throat burns from unleashing years of buried truth, and I can’t bring myself to look at Remy.
His arms encircle me from behind, solid and unexpectedly gentle.
The gesture should make me bristle—I hate appearing weak, especially in front of him—but something in his touch speaks of understanding rather than pity.
“That’s why you became a journalist.” It’s not a question.
“I promised myself I’d expose men like him. Men who treat people like property.” I meet his gaze. “But I never imagined he’d actually put a price on my head.”
“Consoli,” he murmurs against my hair. “Your mother’s name.”
“Yes.” My voice comes out raw. “I couldn’t… I wouldn’t use his name. Not after what he did to her.”
His embrace tightens fractionally. “You’ve been fighting this war alone for a long time.”
“It’s not just about revenge.” I turn in his arms, needing him to understand. “Every time I expose corruption, every time I shine a light on the monsters hiding in plain sight… I see her. I see all the Linas out there, trapped by powerful men who think they own the world.”
Something fierce flashes in Remy’s eyes. Not the calculated look I’m used to, but something deeper, more primal. His hand cups my face, thumb brushing away tears I hadn’t realized were falling.
I pull back from Remy’s embrace, wiping away the last traces of tears. “So what now?”
“Now?” His eyes darken. “We destroy him. Methodically. Completely.”
“Just like that?” I study his face, searching for any hesitation. “You’ll help me take down one of your most powerful clients?”
“Ano Montoni hid stuff from me and crossed lines even I won’t tolerate.” Remy’s voice carries an edge of steel. “And he made the fatal mistake of targeting you.”
“This isn’t just about me anymore.” My fingers curl against his chest. “There are girls out there right now, being bought and sold like cattle. While their families search for them, while police dismiss them as runaways—"
“I know. Let’s make sure Ano never makes another daughter feel that way again.”
The weight of his words settles between us—a promise, a partnership, a shared mission forged in blood and darkness. His touch anchors me as we stand in his kitchen, plotting the destruction of an empire.
“Together?” I ask, needing to hear him say it.
“Together.” Remy’s voice carries absolute certainty. “We’ll tear his world apart, piece by piece until there’s nothing left but ashes.”
The heat of Remy’s body against mine makes focusing difficult. His fingers trace my jaw, tilting my face up toward his. The intensity in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine—not from fear, but from anticipation.
Just as Remy leans in, the door swings open.
Marcus stands in the doorway, his expression carefully neutral despite walking in on such an intimate moment. I try to step back, but Remy’s grip keeps me close, his irritation evident.
“This better be important.” The dangerous edge in Remy’s voice would make most men flinch. Marcus doesn’t even blink.
“Montoni just called. He wants a meeting with you, Remy.”
Ice floods my veins at the mention of my father’s name. “A meeting? For what?”
Marcus’s gaze flicks between us. “He wants to talk before transferring the rest of the payment. He’s calling it a celebration of sorts—a chance to toast your ‘success.’ At his estate.”
The temperature in the kitchen seems to drop several degrees. Remy sets his coffee down with deliberate care, leaning forward. His expression darkens into something dangerous. “Did he say anything else? Sound off in any way?”
Marcus shakes his head, maintaining that infuriating professional calm. “No. He was all business, even cordial. If there’s anything planned, it wasn’t obvious.” His gaze flicks to me before returning to Remy. “But this is Montoni—we can’t rule out the possibility of a trap.”
“And you trust that?” My voice comes out sharp enough to cut. Both men turn to look at me, but I can’t contain the acid in my tone. “Ano doesn’t do ‘cordial’ unless he’s planning something particularly nasty.”
“When?” Remy’s question slices through the tension.
“Tonight. Eight o’clock at his home.”
“Tonight?” The word explodes from me. My hands begin to shake, and I grip the counter to steady them.
“No. That’s too soon. We can’t—I haven’t even…
” My thoughts spiral into chaos. “Heath has crucial information. I need to talk to him and get his statement on record. The investigation isn’t ready to publish—”
“Eve.” Remy’s voice carries a warning, but I barrel on.
“You can’t go to that meeting.” The words rush out, desperation making them rough.
“Ano never does anything without multiple angles. If he’s inviting you to his estate, acting friendly…
” I swallow hard, memories of other 'friendly' gatherings at that house flooding back.
“He knows something. Or suspects enough to want you close.”
“Which is exactly why I need to go.” Remy’s tone brooks no argument. “If he’s planning something or suspects anything, it’s better to face it head-on than wait for him to strike.”
“You don’t understand.” My fingers dig into the marble countertop. “That house… it’s not just a house. It’s his fortress. Every room, every corridor is designed to his advantage. The security system alone—”
“I’ve been there before,” Remy cuts in, his eyes hard. “Many times.”
“Not like this.” I meet his gaze, willing him to understand. “Not as a potential threat.” My voice drops to barely above a whisper. “Not as someone he might need to eliminate.”
The silence that follows feels heavy enough to crush us all.
I watch Remy pace, his movements controlled yet betraying an underlying tension. Each step is calculated, like a predator sizing up its territory. My fingers trace the rim of my coffee mug, now gone cold.
“This is insane,” I snap, unable to contain my frustration. “You’re walking straight into his web.”
Remy stops, fixing me with that penetrating stare.
“We can’t ignore the meeting, not without raising real suspicion.
But if he’s testing me, he won’t get the satisfaction of seeing us falter.
” His voice carries an edge of steel. “Keeping him in the dark is the safest option. If he thinks I’m still on his side, he won’t question anything.
It gives me more time to finish what you started. I’ll be gaining some time.”
“Time?” I bark out a bitter laugh. “Ano doesn’t give people time. He gives them rope to hang themselves with.”
Marcus interjects, his practical tone grating against my nerves. “He’s right. As long as he believes the deal is intact and there is no foul play, he has no reason to rush anything. And our security team is on standby, ready with anything.”
“Your security team won’t mean shit if—”
“Enough,” Remy’s command cuts through my protest. He’s shifted into strategist mode, his expression hardening.
“I’ll go to the meeting, but only on our terms. Marcus, double-check the security measures and gather intel on the venue.
” His gaze shifts to me. “Eve, focus on finishing what you need to do with Heath and your investigation.”
The weight of unspoken words hangs between us. I watch him turn to Marcus, issuing precise instructions in that clipped tone that brooks no argument. My chest feels tight, emotions warring between wanting to trust him and knowing exactly what Ano is capable of.
Marcus nods and heads for the door, leaving us in charged silence. Remy glances back at me, his expression softening fractionally though his voice remains firm. “If Montoni senses anything is off, we’re all dead. Keep that in mind.”
I stare at Remy, bile rising in my throat. “You’re really going through with this.”
“It’s the only way.” He moves closer, invading my space. “Think about it, Eve. If I don’t show up, he’ll know something’s wrong.”
“And if you do show up, you might not walk out.” My hands shake as I push against his chest.
Remy catches my wrists, his grip firm but not painful. “You’re letting fear cloud your judgment.”
“Fear?” I wrench away from him. “I watched that man destroy everyone who ever crossed him. My mother, my friends, anyone who dared question his authority—”
“I’m not them.” His voice cuts through my rising panic. “I know how to play this game.”
“It’s not a game!” The words explode from me. “Ano doesn’t play games. He orchestrates executions. And you’re walking right into his trap like some arrogant—”
Remy’s hand slides to the back of my neck, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I haven’t survived this long by being careless. You have work to do. I’ll make sure Heath sends everything you need within hours.”
“And if something goes wrong tonight?” The question comes out raw.
“Then you’ll have everything you need to finish what you started.” His eyes darken. “One way or another, Ano’s empire falls.”
“You better be right about this,” I snarl, grabbing his shirt. “Because if anything happens to you at that meeting, I swear to God, Remy—”
He silences my threat with a kiss, hard and demanding, tasting of coffee and promises I’m afraid to trust.