Page 78 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

Dominic’s voice crackles through the earpiece hidden beneath my hair. “Stay calm, Eva. We’ve got eyes on you.”

I take a deep breath, steadying my hands before typing back.

Me: “Care to join me? I’d love to chat in person.”

The response is almost immediate.

Unknown Number: “Not yet. But I have a proposition for you.”

Dominic’s voice is sharp in my ear. “Keep him talking.”

Me: “I’m listening.”

As the exchange continues, my pulse races. The man in the dark suit near the window glances at his phone, his movements subtle but deliberate. I know, without a doubt, he’s part of this.

The room feels smaller, tighter, as I hold the phone in my hand. Reyes’s confidence, even through text, is unnerving—a reminder that he’s been orchestrating this chaos from the shadows.

Dominic’s voice steadies me, though tension simmers beneath his calm. “Eva, you’re doing great. Keep him engaged. We’re closing in on the trace.”

The man near the window shifts, his phone screen glowing in the dim light. I keep my expression neutral, pretending to sip from my mug while typing another response.

Me: “I’ll meet, but only if you guarantee I walk away unscathed. No tricks.”

The reply comes faster than I expect.

Unknown Number: “That’s up to you. Show me loyalty, and you’ll have nothing to fear.”

Dominic’s voice cuts in, sharp and precise. “He’s setting the stage. The signal is bouncing between multiple locations, but we’ve got a lead. Stay focused.”

I glance out the window, catching a reflection in the glass—a man in a baseball cap, his face shadowed. My instincts scream he’s part of this too. I force myself to remain still, my hands steady as I reply.

Me: “Where and when?”

The reply is immediate.

Unknown Number: “Tomorrow, noon. Hotel Cirrus, rooftop bar. Come alone.”

My blood runs cold, but I type back, my fingers trembling slightly.

Me: “If this is a setup, you won’t live to regret it.”

Dominic’s tone is low but urgent in my ear. “Don’t provoke him, Eva. We’re watching every move, but we can’t afford to tip him off.”

I let the phone rest on the table, exhaling slowly as I glance around the café. The man in the dark suit has disappeared, and the one in the baseball cap is heading for the exit.

“Someone’s leaving,” I murmur. “South side, cap and jacket.”

“Got him,” Dominic responds. “Stay seated. We’ll tail him.”

Relief washes over me, but it’s short-lived. A new text pings on my phone, the message making my heart stutter.

Unknown Number: “You’re braver than I thought. Let’s see if you’re smart enough to survive.”

The Debrief

Back at the penthouse, the air feels heavy with unspoken tension. Dominic sits at the dining table, his laptop open as Adrian’s voice filters through the speakerphone.

“The number was a burner,” Adrian says. “It pinged off three towers before leading us to a dead end in Queens. Whoever Reyes has working for him, they’re good.”

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