Page 79 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“Not good enough,” Dominic mutters, his jaw tight. “We’re getting closer.”

I sit across from him, my hands wrapped around a mug of tea long gone cold. The adrenaline has faded, leaving behind a gnawing anxiety I can’t shake.

“He wants me alone,” I say, breaking the silence. “That has to mean something. If he just wanted me out of the way, there are easier ways to do it.”

“He’s testing you,” Dominic replies, his tone clipped. “Trying to see how far you’ll go. And he knows I’ll never let you walk into that hotel without backup.”

“Which means he’ll be watching for you,” I counter. “If he thinks for a second I’m not alone, he’ll vanish.”

Dominic’s hands tighten into fists, the muscles in his forearms flexing as he fights to control his frustration. “We’ll outmaneuver him. Adrian, I want every angle covered—cameras, undercover operatives, the works.”

“Already on it,” Adrian replies. “But we need more time to map out the hotel. Reyes wouldn’t pick a public location without a fallback plan.”

Dominic ends the call, his gaze locking on mine. “This is the last time I let you talk me into something like this.”

I smile faintly despite the knot of nerves twisting in my stomach. “You didn’t exactly have a choice.”

His expression softens. “Eva, you’re brave. Too brave for your own good.”

“I’m just trying to keep up with you,” I reply quietly.

For a moment, his walls falter, and I see the man beneath the armor. Vulnerable. Determined.

“We’ll get through this,” he says, his voice steady. “Together.”

The day drags on in a blur of preparation, strategy, and anticipation. Dominic and I go over the plan one last time. He’s every bit the businessman—sharp, decisive, and focused on every detail. I, on the other hand, feel the weight of it all settling heavily on my chest. This isn’t just a game of power anymore; it’s survival.

The hotel is just around the corner now, and every second spent in the car makes the tension stretch tighter. Dominic’s grip on his phone never falters, his eyes constantly scanning the road and his surroundings, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring. I sit beside him, my fingers nervously drumming against the armrest, my mind spinning.

“You’ll be fine,” he murmurs, his voice low but steady. His words are meant to reassure me, but I can hear the unease beneath the surface. He’s worried. And I’m not sure if it’s for me, or for himself.

“I know,” I say, even though my own uncertainty lingers in the pit of my stomach. We both know how dangerous this is, how much is at stake. “Just make sure you’re there when I need you.”

“I’ll be watching you,” he promises. “The moment anything feels off, we pull you out.”

I nod, but there’s a part of me that can’t shake the feeling that we’re playing into their hands, that no matter how much weprepare, Reyes and Conrad are always one step ahead. It’s what they do best.

The sleek black SUV pulls up to the hotel entrance, the modern glass façade towering over us. The building hums with activity, a place where secrets are made and deals are broken, and I know deep down that once I step foot inside, there’s no going back.

“Are you ready?” Dominic asks, his eyes scanning the entrance as if looking for any signs of trouble.

I exhale slowly, trying to quell the anxiety building in my chest. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Dominic’s fingers brush mine, his touch brief but grounding. He doesn’t say anything, just watches as I step out of the car and head toward the hotel’s entrance. The weight of his gaze is on me, his presence a constant reminder that he’s here, even if I can’t see him.

Inside the Hotel

The lobby is a quiet symphony of luxury—polished marble floors, golden accents, and a subtle, intoxicating fragrance that fills the air. It’s as beautiful as it is intimidating. I walk toward the elevator, my steps steady despite the storm raging in my head.

As the elevator ascends, I find myself staring at my reflection in the polished steel walls. My heart is pounding in my chest, but I force myself to breathe deeply. This is it. The moment I’ve been preparing for, the moment that could change everything.

When the elevator dings and the doors slide open, I step out onto the rooftop level of Hotel Cirrus. The view is breathtaking, the city skyline stretching out before me. But I don’t have time to admire the view. I’ve come here for a reason, and it’s not to enjoy the scenery.

The rooftop bar is quiet, empty except for a few scattered chairs and tables. My eyes scan the space, looking for any sign of Reyes or his men, but there’s nothing. Not yet, anyway.

I take a seat at one of the tables by the edge, my eyes scanning the area as I casually pull out my phone and check the messages. Nothing new from Dominic. I know he’s watching, but the uncertainty gnaws at me. I glance at the time on my phone. It’s almost noon. Reyes is late.

And then, I hear it—a soft click of shoes against the tiles.

---