Page 110 of Silence and Surrender

“Resolved, thank you.” I matched his professional tone, noting how his eyes tracked my movements. Assessing. Hunting. “Though I appreciate the board’s continued patience with my schedule adjustments.”

“Of course.” He fell into step beside me as I walked to my office. “Family must come first. Particularly in times of...stress.”

The subtle emphasis made something cold slide down my spine. I kept my face impassive, thinking of Isabella waiting at the penthouse, monitoring the bank’s security feeds that Stryker’s team had accessed.

“Indeed.” I unlocked my office, my peripheral vision registering the new cameras in the corridor. They’d upgraded security during my absence. “I trust there’s nothing urgent that requires immediate attention?”

“Actually...” Rodger followed me in, uninvited. “The board would appreciate your input on some recent acquisitions. The documentation seems incomplete.”

I set my briefcase down, every movement calculated to project normalcy. Inside, rage burned at his casual reference to their operation.

“Of course.” I began unpacking files with measured motions. “Send over whatever needs review. Though, I’ll need time to catch up on my email first.”

“Naturally.” He lingered by my desk, watching my movements carefully. “We were sorry to hear about Miss Delacroix, by the way. I knew you were…close. Such a tragedy.”

My hands wanted to shake. I wanted to reach across the desk and tear out his fucking throat for daring to speak her name. But I kept unpacking, my posture smooth and controlled.

“The art division has suffered in her absence,” he continued when I didn’t respond. “Though I suppose some losses are inevitable in our line of work.”

“Everything has a cost,” I said carefully, remembering Isabella’s warmth in my arms just hours ago. Our child growing beneath my hands.

“Yes.” His eyes remained cold as winter. “Though some costs are higher than others. Speaking of which…how is your brother? Still enjoying his retirement in Tuscany?”

The threat hung in the air, unmistakable. They knew where I’d been. Had probably been watching Cooper’s villa the entire time. I felt my gut clench. Did they know about Isabella? Cooper had said that no surveillance could get past their gates, but Rodger’s threat was all too real.

“Quite well.” I met his gaze steadily, letting him see nothing but detached courtesy. “The vineyard keeps him busy.”

“Yes, everything about your family is on the up and up now, isn’t it? Though I seem to recall your brother having rather improper tendencies in the past.”

“People change.” I settled into my chair, trying to subtly dismiss him. “Sometimes for the better.”

“Do they?” He moved towards the door, but paused with his hand on the knob. “The board meets at two. They’ll want to hear about your...time away.”

After he left, I allowed myself a moment to breathe. The cameras in my office—new ones I’d already spotted in the top corners, behind the ventilation panels—would be reporting my every move. I would need to be cautious with everything I did here.

I began sorting through files, keeping up appearances. My computer powered on with familiar efficiency. Email loaded, hundreds of messages requiring my attention. Meeting requests. Contract reviews. All normal business.

The morning passed in a blur of corporate monotony. I responded to emails with practiced calm. Reviewed contracts with thorough attention. Gave every appearance of sliding seamlessly back into my role.

But beneath every action, every word, I was observing. Noting the new security measures. Recording what I saw in memory to share with Interpol later. My role was simple but vital—maintain cover, be their trusted counsel, and ensure Interpol could access what they needed when the time came.

Sari brought coffee at exactly ten—another piece of normality slotting back into place. Her smile was warm, but her eyes darted briefly to the new cameras, a warning.

“The art division has been chaos,” she said quietly, setting down my usual cup. “Since Miss Delacroix...”

She trailed off, fingers tightening almost imperceptibly on her own cup. I caught the slight tension in her shoulders, the posture of someone playing a careful role. I knew exactly what role that was now.

“Change is inevitable in any organization,” I said smoothly. “Though some changes are more difficult than others.”

Her eyes flickered to the new cameras before she nodded. Message received.

“The board packet for this afternoon’s meeting is on your desk,” she said at normal volume. “They’ve added several items regarding recent acquisitions.”

“Thank you, Sari.” I looked directly at her, allowing a hint of understanding to show in my expression. One professional to another. “Your attention to detail continues to be invaluable.”

Something shifted in her gaze—a moment of wariness, then careful neutrality.

“It’s good to have you back, Mr. Moreau,” she said as she moved to the door. “Things haven’t been quite right without you.”

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