Page 142 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“Eva,” I call, breaking the silence.

She looks up, her green eyes locking onto mine, their fire dulled by exhaustion. “What’s wrong?”

I set the mug down, leaning back in the chair. “We need to think carefully about our next move. Reyes isn’t just playing defense anymore. He’s targeting us—and that message proves he’s not afraid to escalate.”

She sets the papers down, her expression hardening. “So what are you suggesting? That we stop? That we let him win?”

“I’m suggesting we be smart,” I say, my voice calm but firm. “Reyes thrives on chaos, and the more reckless we are, the easier it is for him to manipulate us.”

Eva stands, crossing the room until she’s in front of me. Her arms are crossed, her jaw set. “Reckless? Is that what you think I’m being?”

“That’s not what I meant,” I reply, softening my tone. “But this isn’t just about us anymore. Lena’s involved now, and Reyes has made it clear he’s willing to target anyone close to us. We can’t afford to make mistakes.”

She stares at me for a long moment, the tension between us thick enough to cut. Finally, she exhales, her shoulders dropping slightly. “You’re right,” she says, her voice quieter. “We need to be smart. But we also need to act. The longer we wait, the more damage Reyes will do.”

I nod, relieved that we’re on the same page. “Then we move forward—together. No more taking risks alone.”

Her lips twitch into a faint smile. “Deal.”

A Lead Emerges

By mid-morning, Adrian calls with an update. I put him on speaker as Eva and I sit side by side at the dining table, the remnants of coffee cups and scattered papers surrounding us like battle plans.

“I’ve got something,” Adrian says, his voice tense but steady. “The coordinates you found in Lena’s files—they’re tied to a facility just outside Harbor Springs. Officially, it’s listed as a research site for marine ecology, but there’s something off about it.”

Eva leans forward, her brows furrowing. “What do you mean?”

“The company listed as the operator doesn’t exist. It’s a front, and the funding ties back to Halcyon Resources—and by extension, Reyes.”

I glance at Eva, whose expression shifts into one of grim determination. “What kind of activity is happening there?”

“Shipments,” Adrian replies. “Unmarked cargo coming in and out at odd hours. Whatever they’re doing, they’re keeping it off the books.”

My jaw tightens. “Do we have eyes on the facility?”

“Not yet,” Adrian says. “But I can get a team out there. Discreetly.”

“No,” I say, my mind already racing. “Eva and I will handle this ourselves. If Reyes gets even a whiff of surveillance, he’ll bury whatever he’s hiding.”

Eva shoots me a look but doesn’t argue.

Adrian hesitates. “That’s a risky move, Dominic.”

“So is waiting,” I reply. “Send me everything you’ve got on the facility. We’ll take it from here.”

Harbor Springs

The drive to Harbor Springs is quiet, the tension between us palpable. Eva scrolls through her phone, cross-referencing Lena’s notes with Adrian’s intel, while I focus on the road ahead. The coastline comes into view, its serene beauty a stark contrast to the storm brewing beneath the surface.

As we pull into the small town, Eva glances up from her phone. “This place is beautiful,” she murmurs.

“It’s also vulnerable,” I say, scanning the streets. “Small towns like this don’t have the resources to fight back against someone like Reyes. That’s why he targets them.”

We park a short distance from the facility, choosing an inconspicuous spot near the treeline. The building itself is unremarkable—a low, nondescript structure surrounded by chain-link fencing. But the security presence is anything but ordinary.

“Cameras, motion detectors, armed guards,” Eva notes, her voice low. “They’re protecting something big.”

I nod, my eyes narrowing. “Let’s find out what.”

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