Page 26 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

The ride downtown is tense, the silence between us thick with unspoken words. Dominic’s focus is razor-sharp, his grip on the steering wheel tight. I can feel the weight of his determination, the intensity of his focus.

When we arrive, Adrian is waiting near the entrance to an abandoned warehouse. He’s flanked by two other men, their presence both reassuring and unnerving.

“They’re inside,” Adrian says, nodding toward the building. “Heller and one other individual. We couldn’t get a clear visual, but they’ve been talking for about fifteen minutes.”

“Any sign of additional surveillance?” Dominic asks.

“None,” Adrian replies. “But that doesn’t mean they’re not watching.”

Dominic turns to me, his expression hard. “Stay close. And if I tell you to leave, you leave. Understood?”

I nod, my pulse pounding in my ears.

We move toward the building, the shadows swallowing us whole. Dominic’s movements are precise, his presence a steady anchor in the chaos of my racing thoughts. As we approach the door, he motions for Adrian to take the lead.

The air inside is cold, the faint scent of rust and mildew filling my lungs. We creep down a narrow corridor, the sound of muffled voices growing louder with each step.

When we reach the edge of the room, Dominic holds up a hand, signaling for us to stop. He peeks around the corner, his jaw tightening.

“What is it?” I whisper.

“Heller’s not alone,” he replies, his voice barely audible. “And his guest isn’t here for small talk.”

I lean forward just enough to catch a glimpse. Heller is seated at a table, his posture tense. Across from him sits a man I don’t recognize, his face obscured by shadows. But the air between them is thick with tension, their conversation low and urgent.

Dominic pulls back, his gaze locking onto mine. “We wait. Let them finish.”

I nod, though every instinct screams at me to move, to act. The seconds stretch into an eternity, the tension coiling tighter with each passing moment.

Finally, the stranger stands, his movements deliberate. He slides something across the table—a small device, no larger than a flash drive. Heller hesitates, then snatches it up, his expression grim.

Dominic’s hand tightens around my arm, pulling me back as the stranger heads for the door. “Stay quiet,” he mouths.

The man passes within inches of us, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. I hold my breath, my heart pounding as he disappears into the darkness.

When he’s gone, Dominic steps into the room, his presence commanding. Heller startles, his eyes widening as Dominic approaches.

“Kane,” Heller breathes, his voice trembling. “What are you—”

“Save it,” Dominic interrupts, his tone icy. “Who was that? And what did he give you?”

Heller’s gaze flickers to me, then back to Dominic. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Dominic slams his hands on the table, leaning in close. “Don’t lie to me, Heller. You’re in deep enough as it is. Start talking, or I walk out of here and leave you to clean up the mess you’ve made.”

Heller’s face pales, his resolve crumbling. “He’s a middleman,” he admits. “I don’t know his name. He said the drive has information—proof of who’s behind the leaks.”

Dominic straightens, his gaze sharp. “And you believed him?”

“I didn’t have a choice,” Heller says, his voice desperate. “They’re everywhere, Kane. They’re watching everyone. If I didn’t take the deal—”

“You’d be next,” Dominic finishes, his tone grim.

Heller nods, his fear palpable. “You don’t understand. They’re not just coming for you—they’re coming for everything.”

Dominic glances at me, his expression unreadable. “Then we’d better move fast.”

The cliffhanger builds on the rising tension, positioning Dominic and Eva against an unseen but powerful enemy. Let me know if you'd like to refine or expand any part further!

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