Page 89 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“It’s a gift,” I reply lightly. “Now go out there and remind them why they trusted you in the first place.”

His lips twitch in the faintest hint of a smile before he turns toward the podium. The room quiets as he steps up, the weight of his presence commanding attention. Cameras flash, and the hum of murmured conversations fades to silence.

Dominic takes a breath, his voice steady as he begins. “Good morning. I’ve called this press conference to address the challenges Kane Enterprises has faced in recent weeks. Transparency has always been at the core of this company, and today, I intend to honor that value.”

He outlines the sabotage, the betrayal from within, and the calculated attacks orchestrated by external forces. He doesn’t sugarcoat the severity of the situation, but he also doesn’t falter. His words are measured, precise, and unwavering.

When he finishes, the room erupts in questions. Dominic answers each one with the same poise, his confidence unshaken. By the time the conference ends, the air feels lighter, the storm clouds beginning to part.

As the reporters pack up and the room clears, Adrian approaches with a grim expression. “We’ve intercepted another message,” he says, handing Dominic his phone.

Dominic reads it, his face hardening. He hands the phone to me, and my stomach drops as I read the words:“You think you’re safe because the world is watching. But shadows move where the light can’t reach.”

Dominic’s jaw tightens. “They’re escalating.”

I glance at him, my pulse racing. “What do we do now?”

His gaze meets mine, steel and determination in his eyes. “We stay ahead of them. They want a war? We’ll give them one.”

But even as his resolve solidifies, the weight of the message lingers. Reyes and Conrad are still out there, and they’re not done yet. And deep down, I can’t shake the feeling that this battle is about to get even more personal.

24

_________

Dominic

The smell of burning wood and gunpowder still lingers in my mind as we approach the warehouse. My chest feels tight, not from fear, but from the anticipation of what’s about to unfold. Conrad and Reyes have been ahead of us at every turn, but tonight, it ends. One way or another.

Eva sits beside me in the SUV, her posture tense, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. She’s been quiet since we left Kane Enterprises, her thoughts no doubt racing as fast as mine. Adrian drives, his focus razor-sharp as he navigates the narrow streets leading to the docks. The suffocating tension doesn’t hinder me—it fuels me.

“Adrian,” I say, breaking the silence, my voice sharper than I intend. “What’s the intel on the warehouse?”

“It’s an old shipping facility,” he replies, his tone clipped. “Abandoned for years, but recent activity’s been flagged—unmarked trucks coming and going at odd hours. If Reyes andConrad are running operations out of there, this could be their hub.”

Eva turns toward me, her brows furrowed. “What happens if they slip through our fingers again?”

“They won’t.” I glance at her, my jaw tightening. “They’ve shown their hand. We end this now.”

The warehouse looms ahead, a hulking shadow against the dim city lights. Adrian pulls the SUV into a concealed spot behind a stack of shipping containers, killing the engine. The night air is cool but thick with tension.

Adrian’s team is already in position, moving with silent precision. He hands me a comm device, his expression grim. “We’ve identified three entry points: the main door, a side entrance, and a loading dock at the rear. Surveillance confirms Reyes and Conrad are inside, but we can’t confirm their manpower.”

“We assume the worst,” I say, sliding the earpiece into place. I turn to Eva, my tone leaving no room for negotiation. “You’re staying here.”

Her eyes narrow, defiance flickering to life. “We’ve already had this conversation, Dominic. I’m not sitting on the sidelines.”

“This isn’t a conversation,” I snap, the words harsher than I intend. “This is a war zone. I can’t keep you safe in there.”

“And I don’t need you to,” she fires back, stepping closer. “I’m not some damsel waiting for rescue. I’m your partner in this—whether you like it or not.”

Her conviction slams into me like a freight train. Before I can respond, Adrian cuts in, his tone calm but insistent. “She’s right. Eva knows how these people think. She’s an asset.”

I glance between the two of them, my instincts screaming to keep Eva far from danger. But logic wins out. I nod, relenting. “Fine. But you stick with me. No heroics.”

“Deal,” she says, her voice steady.

The team splits into groups, each heading for a designated entry point. Adrian and his operatives take the side entrance, while Eva and I follow two others toward the loading dock. The darkness cloaks us, muffling our movements as we creep toward the rusted metal door.

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