Page 81 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“Eva Hayes,” Conrad sneers, his voice dripping with disdain. “The journalist who thinks she can outsmart everyone.”

I hold his gaze. “And the man who betrayed the company he claimed to care about. Must be exhausting carrying all that hypocrisy.”

His jaw tightens, but Reyes steps in, raising a hand in mock pacification. “Now, now,” Reyes says lightly. “Let’s not get too heated. This is a conversation, not a confrontation.”

I glance toward the exit, calculating my options. Dominic’s team is out there, watching, waiting for the signal. But with Conrad here, the stakes have never been higher. He knows Kane Enterprises inside and out, and he won’t hesitate to use that knowledge against us.

“You should listen to Reyes,” Conrad warns, his tone sharp. “Walk away while you still can. Kane isn’t worth what’s coming.”

I narrow my eyes. “What’s coming, Conrad? Another betrayal? Or are you running out of knives to stab people in the back?”

His expression darkens, but Reyes intervenes again. “Ms. Hayes, I must say, your resilience is remarkable. But resilience only gets you so far. Eventually, even the strongest foundations crack.”

“And what about yours?” I counter. “You think you’re untouchable, but you’re not. Men like you always overreach.”

His smile fades, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. “Careful, Ms. Hayes. You wouldn’t want to make an enemy of me.”

“You’ve already made yourself my enemy,” I shoot back. “The only question is how long you can keep pretending you’re in control.”

The tension is suffocating. My phone buzzes, and I know Dominic is still there, tracking every second. It’s the only thing keeping me grounded.

Reyes steps closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “Think carefully about your next move, Ms. Hayes. This is your last chance to walk away.”

I meet his gaze, every ounce of fear pushed aside. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The world feels suspended as Reyes straightens, brushing dust from his lapel with the lightest touch.

“Very well,” he says, his tone deceptively light. “If that’s the path you choose, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He nods to Conrad, and they turn, walking toward the exit. My chest tightens as I watch them go, every step echoing with unspoken threats. But I hold my ground, refusing to let them see the tremor in my hands.

As soon as they disappear, Dominic’s voice floods my earpiece. “Eva, get out of there. Now.”

I don’t hesitate, turning and heading for the elevator. My heart pounds as I descend. Dominic is waiting when the doors open, his expression a mix of relief and fury.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he demands, his voice low but fierce.

“I did what we agreed,” I say, frustration bubbling up. “I kept them talking.”

“You put yourself in their sights,” he snaps. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”

“I knew you were watching,” I counter, meeting his gaze. “I trusted you to have my back.”

His expression softens slightly, but the tension doesn’t leave his shoulders. “You’re reckless, Eva. But you’re also brave as hell.”

“Thanks, I think,” I mutter.

Dominic steps closer, his hand brushing against mine in a fleeting gesture. “Let’s get out of here. We need to regroup.”

As we leave the hotel, the weight of what just happened settles over me. Reyes and Conrad are playing a dangerous game, and I’m in the middle of it. But I refuse to let them win.

Not now. Not ever.

Cliffhanger

The moment I thought I was safe, my phone buzzes again,the screen lighting up with a new message from an unknown number:

“You’re too late, Eva. The game has already changed.”

---