Page 75 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“We don’t back down,” I say firmly. “No matter how far their reach goes.”

Her gaze snaps to mine, frustration flickering across her face. “You keep saying that, but this isn’t just about you anymore, Dominic. It’s about everyone they’ve hurt—everyone theywillhurt if we don’t stop them.”

“And we will,” I reply, my tone hard. “But we do it strategically. We can’t afford mistakes.”

Eva steps closer, her voice rising. “And what happens when they come after us again? Or worse—what happens when they target the people around you? Your employees, your friends?”

Her words hit harder than I want to admit. She’s right, of course, but admitting that feels like conceding defeat.

Before I can respond, Adrian’s voice cuts in again. “We might have a way to hit them where it hurts.”

“What do you have?” I ask, seizing the lifeline.

“The Berlin hub was connected to another location,” Adrian explains. “A server farm in Zurich. If we can breach it, we might be able to dismantle Falcon’s communications network entirely. It’s their nerve center.”

Eva looks at me, her expression a mix of resolve and apprehension. “Then that’s where we go next.”

A Fragile Alliance

The following hours are a blur of preparation. Adrian sends over schematics of the Zurich facility, detailing its security measures and vulnerabilities. It’s a fortress, guarded by both digital and physical barriers.

“We’ll need a coordinated approach,” Adrian says during a video call. “This isn’t a two-person job. You’ll need a team to breach the perimeter and access the servers.”

“I have people for that,” I reply, my mind already assembling the pieces.

Eva studies the schematics, her brows furrowed. “The facility is isolated, but there’s a weak point here,” she says, pointing to a loading dock. “If we can get past their exterior defenses, we could use this to access the lower levels undetected.”

“It’s a gamble,” Adrian warns. “If they catch you inside, you won’t have a way out.”

“Then we don’t get caught,” I say.

Eva’s gaze lingers on the plans, her fingers tracing the edges of the paper. “This is dangerous, Dominic. Even for you.”

“It’s the only way,” I reply, meeting her eyes. “If we want to take Falcon down, we have to be willing to take risks.”

“And what if those risks cost us everything?” she asks softly.

I step closer, my voice lowering. “Then we don’t lose.”

The Zurich Operation

The flight to Zurich is tense, the hum of the jet engines doing little to quell the weight pressing on my chest. Eva sits across from me, her laptop open as she reviews Adrian’s latest updates.

“You don’t have to come,” I say, breaking the silence.

Her eyes snap up to meet mine, a flash of anger in their depths. “We’re not having this conversation again, Dominic. I’m not staying behind.”

I nod, knowing better than to argue. There’s no stopping Eva when she’s made up her mind.

By the time we land, the plan is set. Adrian’s team will monitor the facility’s systems remotely, creating a window of opportunity for us to breach the perimeter. Once inside, we’ll extract the data from the servers and get out before Falcon’s network can react.

“Timing is everything,” Adrian reminds us during a final briefing. “You’ll have a ten-minute window before their backup systems kick in. After that, you’re on your own.”

The Infiltration

The Zurich facility is a monolith of glass and steel, its sleek exterior giving no indication of the secrets hidden within. Evaand I move under the cover of darkness, the cold night air biting at our skin.

Adrian’s voice crackles in our earpieces. “The loading dock is clear. You’re good to go.”

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