Page 28 of His Dark Pull

His eyes soften, the familiar warmth returning to his gaze. He takes the basket from me, his fingers brushing against mine, sending a fleeting spark of connection through me.How can he look at me like that when I’m so full of lies?

“That sounds perfect,”he says and sighs. “Let’s go.”

We make our way to the nearby park, the sun shining down on us as we find a quiet spot under the shade of a large oak tree. He spreads out the blanket, and I join him, laying out the food and drinks I’d prepared.

“This is so thoughtful, Ava,”he says, his eyes meeting mine. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,”I reply, forcing a smile.

Because I need to tell you the truth, I add in my mind, the unspoken words heavy on my tongue.

As the sun stands high in the sky, the reality of my situation comes crashing down on me. I can’t keep living a lie, pretending to be someone I’m not. I have to be honest with Tyler, no matter how much it hurts. This picnic, his nature, only confirms what I already know: Tyler deserves a love that is pure and unwavering, a love untainted by secrets and shadows.

I need to let him go.

“Aw,”he says and rubs his neck.

“What?”

“Oh, it’s just my neck is so sore. There’s been a lot of sitting at the office lately.”He tilts his head to the side and rotates his shoulder blades in circular motions.

“So, what’s been keeping you so busy at work?”I ask, taking a sip of my coffee.

“I’ve been working on a big case,”Tyler replies, his eyes lighting up with the thrill of the chase. “It involves money laundering through a shipping company suspected of being a front for the Veles Network. They use these shell corporations to move money and goods all over the globe. Possibly art! It’s a complex one, and I’ve been working long hours to try and crack it.”

A flicker of admiration crosses my face. Tyler is a brilliant lawyer, and his sharp mind makes him a formidable force in the courtroom.

“Sounds interesting,”I say, genuinely intrigued.

“I can’t say too much about it,”he says with a confident smirk, his lips curving into a smile. “I’m also helping my father with the Veles Network case. He’s been on their trail for a while now. It might all be connected.”

A knot tightens in my stomach at the mention of the Veles Network. The knowledge of Alexander’s possible involvement casts a shadow over our conversation.

Tyler’s words are filled with passion and a thirst for justice. His world is one of laws and order, a world where right and wrong are clearly defined.

ButAlexander’s world—it is a labyrinth of shadows and secrets, a world where the rules are fluid, where loyalty and betrayal often wear the same mask.

“That must be stressful,”I say, my voice neutral. “Working long hours on such an important case. Not one, but two cases.”

“It is,”he admits. “But I can’t stop now. I need to see this through to the end. The stakes are too high.”

I nod, understanding the passion that drives him, the commitment to justice that has always been a core part of his being. It’s one of the things I admire most about him: his belief in doing what’s right, no matter the cost.

Even if it will land Alexander in prison.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it,”I say, offering a reassuring smile, though my words feel hollow and fake.

“You know,”he says hesitantly, “my dad thinks Alexander might be involved.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I freeze, my hand tightening around the coffee mug. “Alexander?”I repeat.

“Yeah,”he replies, his gaze sharpening. “I always thought he was a bit of a shady guy, but I never expected him to be involved in something like this.”

“Really?”I ask, feigning ignorance. “I haven’t heard anything about him being involved in any crime.”My mind races, trying to deflect suspicion to protect Alexander even as I question his innocence.

“Are the Veles Network still striking stores?”I add, hoping to steer the conversation away from Alexander.

He gives me a suspicious look, furrowing his brow. “Of course, it’s all over the media,”he says, his tone implying that I’m either oblivious or intentionally avoiding the topic.

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