Page 123 of Crossing Lines

Zeki’s jaw tightens. “Will—the Stonehaven CEO—and Harold have been best friends since high school. Nate dug into it, and Will has a private team of hackers. They’re officially on his payroll for security systems, but they’ve got dirtier jobs on the side. Like, say, altering contract files—or even something less subtle, like flooding a house.”

The room goes silent, the words hanging heavy in the air. A cold realization cuts through me like a blade. They were all in on it. Harold. Will. My lawyers.They played me, and I never saw it.

“Hey.” Nina reaches for me, her voice strong, steady. “We’re going to bury Harold, Stonehaven, and your lawyers. Make an example out of them and make their life a living hell. Then we’ll do it all over again and again just for fun. And then we’ll throw it back to the fourteenth century and draw and qu?—”

“Slow down there, killer.” The corner of my mouthtugs upward despite the chaos swirling inside my chest. It’s absurd to smile at a time like this, but Nina’s vehemence and her jumping to my defense is like a lifeline in a storm I didn’t see coming. “We’re not going to draw and quarter them.”

“Metaphorically speaking,” Nina says. “Of course, we’re not going to torture them…much.”

“Jesus,” Zeki says. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

Nina smiles and then takes a bite of her cereal as if she didn’t just say what she did.

“It may take a long time,” Zeki says full of conviction, “to go through court, but eventually, they’re all going to pay for what they’ve done.”

“But they should pay for it now in some way,” Nina says. “What if we leak the story to an investigative reporter? Get them to reveal all the dirty details so that everyone involved would be blacklisted while we wait for the courts?”

“Wait, that’s a great idea,” Zeki says. “I know someone who can help out.”

“Perfect,” Nina says. “And let’s reveal Mert’s plan with Quincy so that he can get fired too.”

A lump forms in my throat at their support. I can’t quite bring myself to respond immediately, so I nod, gripping Nina’s hand like it’s the only thing tethering me to reality. Finally, I manage, “Let’s do it.” I turn to Zeki and say, “You’re already an amazing co-owner. Thank you for your help.”

Zeki’s eyebrows lift in surprise, but there’s a glimmer of hope there too. “Does this mean you agree? That I can help you run the team? That you’re not going to sell?”

“Yes to it all,” I say, and the words settle something in me I hadn’t realized was still restless. “I want to stay in Skyrise. For you, for Nina, and for the team. It’s clear you’re the best person for the job.”

Zeki beams like I’ve handed him a Super Bowl win. “Well, in that case, I need to head into the office to get a start on the day. Send me the original contract, and I’ll take care of everything. See you later?”

“Yeah,” I say, my voice lighter than it’s been in months. “See you later.”

As the door shuts behind him, a quiet fills the space, warm and steady. For the first time in a long time, the future doesn’t feel like a weight. It feels like possibility.

“You were planning to leave?” Nina shifts beside me, her gaze steady but questioning. “To sell the team?”

“I was.” I swallow hard, my chest tightening under the weight of what I almost gave up. “But not anymore. Not since meeting you, if I’m honest.”

Her expression softens, a spark of something unspoken passing between us. “And you’re going to let Zeki help run it all? Give up control?”

“Yes.” The words anchor me, solidifying the foundation I didn’t even realize I was building.

“I’m so proud of you.” She places a hand on my chest, right over my heart.

The words are simple, almost casual, but no one’sever said that to me before—not like this. With the same softness and understanding that’s in her eyes, like she actuallyseesme, sees all of me. I swallow hard, trying to keep it together, but it’s impossible. She’s looking at me like I’m something more than I’ve ever been, like she’s proud of more than just what I’ve done. She’s proud ofme.

Before Nina, so much of my life was carving my way through the darkness. But with her, it’s like she’s shining a light on me, making everything easier because of her love, her fierceness, and her unwavering belief in me. She really does embody the wordpariltim. Because of her support, I’m ready to move on. To stop dwelling on the past. I’m ready to let go of all the bullshit with Harold and Mert.

I cover her hand with my own. “You have no idea what that means to me,pariltim,” I say, my voice low, steady. “You make me want to be the kind of man you’re proud of, every single day.”

Her smile is like a spark in the dark—undeniable and impossible to ignore. As our gazes collide, the world just…stops.

Nothing else matters but her, right here, with me.

Chapter 32

Nina

Istep back from the dress form holding Elodie’s post-elopement dress and suck in a breath. It’s fucking gorgeous.

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