Page 33 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

Adrian nods, already typing on his tablet. “Understood.”

“And you?” Dominic turns to me, his blue eyes colder now. “If you’re serious about helping, it’s time to stop playing reporter and start following orders.”

The condescension in his tone ignites a spark of defiance in me. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he says, his voice like steel. “This isn’t a story anymore, Eva. It’s a fight. And if you’re not ready for that, you’re going to get yourself killed.”

His words sting, but they also fuel the fire burning in my chest. I take a step closer, refusing to back down. “Don’t talk to me like I’m some liability. I’ve been neck-deep in this since the first threat landed in my inbox. I know the risks.”

“Do you?” he counters, his voice low and dangerous. “Because this isn’t just about you anymore. It’s about everyone connected to this mess. Every step you take, every choice you make—they all have consequences.”

The tension crackles between us, electric and volatile. For a moment, I think he’s going to say more, but Adrian interrupts.

“There’s one more thing,” he says, his tone cautious. “The chatter on the dark web—it’s escalating. Whoever’s behind this, they’re not just targeting Kane Enterprises. They’re targeting you.”

“Me?” My voice comes out sharper than I intended, but the thought sends a chill racing down my spine.

Adrian nods, his expression grim. “Your name has come up in several threads. They’re watching you, waiting for you to slip.”

Dominic’s jaw tightens, his fists clenching at his sides. “We won’t give them the chance.”

His words are firm, resolute, but they do little to calm the storm raging inside me. The walls feel like they’re closing in again, the weight of the situation pressing down with relentless force.

“What’s the plan?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

Dominic turns to me, his gaze softening just enough to be noticeable. “We keep moving. We stay ahead of them.”

“And if we don’t?” The question slips out before I can stop it.

His eyes darken, a flicker of something dangerous passing over his face. “We don’t have that option.”

The drive to Dominic’s penthouse is silent, the tension between us simmering just below the surface. I stare out the window, mymind racing with everything we’ve learned—and everything we still don’t know. The shadowy figure. The internal sabotage. The growing threats.

By the time we reach his penthouse, exhaustion has started to creep in, but the adrenaline keeps me upright. Dominic unlocks the door, gesturing for me to step inside. The space is as sleek and cold as I remember, all sharp lines and muted tones.

“Make yourself comfortable,” he says, his voice neutral. “I’ll set up a secure line to Adrian.”

I nod, dropping my bag on the couch as he disappears into another room. The silence that follows is oppressive, and I find myself pacing the room, my nerves refusing to settle.

My phone buzzes, and I grab it without thinking. The message waiting for me sends a jolt of fear straight to my core:

“You’re safe for now. But not for long.”

I stare at the words, my breath catching in my throat. My hands tremble as I reread the message, the cold realization sinking in. They know where I am. They’re watching.

Dominic returns, his expression immediately sharpening when he sees my face. “What is it?”

Wordlessly, I hand him the phone. He reads the message, his jaw tightening, his eyes darkening with a fury I’ve never seen before.

“They’re taunting us,” he says, his voice low and lethal. “But they’ve underestimated me.”

The cold, unrelenting determination in his tone sends a shiver down my spine. For the first time, I realize just how far Dominic Kane is willing to go to protect what’s his.

And for better or worse, that now includes me.

10

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