Page 120 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

The tension snaps like a breaking wire. Dominic lunges forward, his movements a blur of precision and fury. The guard holding me stumbles as Dominic strikes, disarming him with ruthless efficiency.

Chaos erupts, but I barely register it. All I know is that Dominic is here, and for the first time, I feel the weight of Reyes’s threats start to lift.

This isn’t over. But we’re one step closer.

As Reyes retreats, a hidden countdown timer blinks to life on one of the monitors—a silent promise of the destruction yet to come. Dominic and I lock eyes, the realization hitting us simultaneously.

Reyes hasn’t lost. He’s just begun.

32

__________

Dominic

The soft hum of the car engine fills the silence as we weave through the dim streets of New York. Eva sits beside me, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her face pale but composed. The weight of the night presses down on us—another trap, another near-miss. Reyes is still out there, orchestrating his next move. Conrad has vanished into the void he always seems to inhabit, leaving us with more questions than answers.

“Adrian confirmed the transport was rigged,” I mutter, my grip on the steering wheel tightening. “Reyes didn’t want Conrad talking. He made sure of that.”

Eva glances at me, her green eyes sharp despite the fatigue etched into her features. “Then why stage the transport at all? Why not kill him before the transfer?”

Her question lingers in the air, heavy and unanswered. Reyes doesn’t leave loose ends, but his recent moves have been brazen—reckless, even. It’s as if he’s daring me to react.

“He wanted us there,” I say finally, my voice cold. “To see it happen. To remind us that he’s still in control.”

Eva exhales sharply, her hands curling into fists on her lap. “Control,” she echoes bitterly. “That’s all this has ever been about for him.”

Her words hit home. Reyes thrives on manipulation, wielding information like a weapon to dismantle his enemies piece by piece. But this time, he’s underestimated me.

I pull into the underground garage of Kane Enterprises, the security gates clanging shut behind us. The sound reverberates through the quiet, a harsh reminder of the fortress I’ve built to protect everything Reyes is trying to destroy.

Inside, Adrian waits in the conference room, his expression tight with exhaustion. The glow of the projector illuminates a map on the wall, red markers scattered across continents like spilled blood.

“We’ve confirmed the scope,” Adrian says, gesturing toward the screen. “Reyes’s network spans across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Each marker represents a shell company, an offshore account, or a staging point for his operations.”

I step closer, studying the blinking red dots. Geneva. Berlin. Hong Kong. Cities of influence, each tied to corporate and governmental breaches.

“He’s not just stealing data,” Adrian continues. “He’s weaponizing it—blackmailing executives, selling secrets to the highest bidder, manipulating global markets. This isn’t about Kane Enterprises anymore. It’s bigger than that.”

My stomach churns at the scale of it. For years, I’ve fought to protect my company, anticipating every threat. But Reyes has elevated the game.

“And Conrad?” I ask, my voice flat.

Adrian shakes his head. “We lost the signal after the explosion. Whatever Reyes planned, he executed it perfectly. Conrad’s off the grid.”

Eva moves closer, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. “So we’re back to square one?”

Adrian pulls up another screen, his movements brisk. “Not quite. We flagged a server farm outside Geneva—a central hub for Reyes’s data transfers. If we can breach it, we’ll have access to his entire operation. Names, accounts, transactions. Everything.”

“It’s a risk,” Adrian warns, glancing at me. “The facility is fortified, and Reyes will know we’re closing in. If we move, we need precision. No room for error.”

“Then we move now,” I say without hesitation. “Before he has a chance to cover his tracks.”

Two Hours Later – Geneva

The server farm looms against the Swiss countryside, a fortress of concrete and steel lit by floodlights. Layers of security fencing surround the compound, its stark contrast to the serene hills a testament to its purpose.

Adrian’s team has already breached the perimeter, disabling cameras and motion sensors. Eva and I wait in the shadows near the transport van, the tension between us palpable. She’s dressed in dark tactical gear, her hair pulled back, her expression unyielding.

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