Page 43 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

When we arrive, the safe house is exactly what I expected—discreet, unassuming, and fortified like a military bunker. Dominic parks the car and steps out, scanning the perimeter with the practiced ease of someone who’s done this before.

“Stay close,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I follow him inside, my nerves on edge. The interior is stark but functional—steel-reinforced walls, minimal furniture, and an array of monitors and equipment that make it clear this place is designed for more than just lying low.

Adrian is already there, hunched over a laptop as he types furiously. He glances up as we enter, his expression grim.

“What’s the status?” Dominic asks, his voice sharp.

“I’ve traced the metadata from the latest message,” Adrian replies. “It’s leading to a private server farm on the outskirts of the city. It’s heavily encrypted, but I’m working on cracking it.”

“How long will it take?”

“Hours, maybe less,” Adrian says. “But there’s something else.”

He turns the laptop toward us, displaying a live feed from a security camera. The footage shows a nondescript building—industrial, unremarkable—but the activity outside tells a different story. Armed guards patrol the perimeter, their movements deliberate and precise.

“Whoever’s running this server farm isn’t just a hacker,” Adrian says. “They’ve got serious resources.”

Dominic’s jaw tightens. “And a lot to hide.”

Eva steps closer, her green eyes narrowing as she studies the footage. “If we’re going to make a move, we need to be smart about it. This isn’t just a digital operation anymore—it’s physical.”

“She’s right,” Adrian says. “We need more intel before we do anything. Rushing in blind is a death sentence.”

Dominic doesn’t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the screen. I can see the gears turning in his head, the conflict between his desire for action and the need for caution.

Finally, he nods. “We wait for the trace to finish. Then we plan our next move.”

The room falls silent again, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I glance at Dominic, his profile sharp in the glow of the monitors. He’s a man used to being in control, but this situation is testing even his limits.

“We’ll get through this,” I say softly, surprising even myself.

He looks at me, his expression unreadable. “We don’t have a choice.”

His phone buzzes again, breaking the moment. He glances at the screen, his eyes narrowing as he reads the message:

Time’s up.

13

______

Eva

Dominic’s penthouse feels as suffocating as it does expansive—a paradox of glass and marble reflecting the city skyline and his relentless need for control. The tension between us has thickened since the latest breach. As I stand in the middle of his sleek living room, I feel like a bird in a gilded cage.

“You’re staying here,” Dominic says, his tone brooking no argument. He moves across the room with the precision of a chess player anticipating his opponent’s next move. “It’s the only way I can keep you safe.”

“I’m not some damsel in distress,” I snap, crossing my arms. “I can take care of myself.”

He stops in front of me, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. “This isn’t up for debate.”

The sheer arrogance of him sparks my temper, but beneath the frustration, there’s something else—a pull I can’t quite resist.I clench my fists, tamping down the swirl of emotions his presence always seems to ignite.

“It’s dangerous for both of us if I stay,” I argue. “If they’re targeting me to get to you, then—”

“Then it’s better for you to be here where I can control the situation,” he interrupts, his voice sharp. “Do you know how many threats I’ve had to neutralize already? How many people would love to see me fall and would use you as leverage to make it happen?”

---