Page 102 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

Adrian hesitates. “He’s staying one step ahead. But this proves he’s involved. If we can find a direct link between him and Conrad, we can take them both down.”

Dominic nods, his focus razor-sharp. “Then we force their hand.”

Just as the tension between Dominic and me begins to ease, his phone buzzes. He reads the message, his expression darkening with every word.

“What is it?” I ask, dread pooling in my stomach.

He hands me the phone. The message is short, chilling:

“Tick-tock, Kane. You’re already too late.”

Before I can process the words, the lights in the penthouse flicker and go out, plunging us into darkness.

“Dominic,” I whisper, my voice shaking.

He pulls me close, his body tense, protective. “Stay with me. Don’t move.”

A faint noise echoes from the hallway—footsteps.

They’re here.

The darkness presses down on us, every sound amplified by the absence of light. My breath catches in my throat as Dominic’s grip on my arm tightens. His warmth is a lifeline, anchoring me in the void.

“Stay quiet,” he whispers, his voice barely audible.

I nod, though he can’t see me, and follow his lead as he guides me toward the kitchen. The faint creak of floorboards sends a shiver down my spine. The footsteps are steady, deliberate—someone is searching, taking their time.

“Dominic,” I murmur, my voice trembling. “What do we do?”

“We adapt,” he says, his tone firm but quiet. “This is my home. I know it better than they do. Stay low, and don’t leave my side.”

We crouch behind the island counter, the cool marble pressing against my back. My pulse thunders in my ears, each second stretching into eternity. Dominic reaches for his phone, using the faint glow of the screen to check the security cameras.

“Three of them,” he mutters, his voice laced with tension. “Two in the hall, one in the living room. They’re armed.”

“Reyes’s men?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

“Who else?” he replies grimly.

The footsteps grow louder, and I instinctively press closer to Dominic. He tilts his head, listening intently, his body coiled like a spring.

“They’re testing us,” he says, his tone cold and calculating. “They want to see if we’ll panic.”

The faint sound of a voice drifts through the darkness, low and mocking. “Come out, Kane. We know you’re here. Let’s not make this harder than it has to be.”

My stomach churns at the smugness in his tone. Whoever this man is, he’s confident—too confident.

Dominic exhales slowly, his breath warm against my cheek. “They’re trying to rattle us,” he whispers. “But they don’t realize who they’re dealing with.”

I glance at him, the faint glow of his phone illuminating his sharp features. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes burn with quiet fury.

“What’s the plan?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

Dominic meets my gaze, his hand brushing against mine. “We wait for them to get closer. Then we move.”

Before I can respond, the voice calls out again. “You can’t hide forever. Reyes has a message for you—and for your little journalist friend.”

The mention of me sends a jolt of fear through my chest. Dominic’s jaw tightens, and I see the muscles in his neck flex as he fights to keep his composure.

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