Page 86 of The Innovator

Life asked no questions as it shifted. It was up to me to adjust, to find my landmark, or to be swept away.

I found my freedom because of Natalie, and that scared the shit out of me—even more than what I’d dealt with regarding Derek. I’d been lingering between acknowledging and dodging the truth for as long as I could. But everything had a catalyst—that one thing with the power to resurrect everything.

Natalie was my catalyst—the change that transformed me. I couldn’t hide it anymore.

“I love her.” The words flowed around my office.

My heart quickened, and my body jerked as an electrical current raced through me, charging my bodily cells awake. Then the thrill descended to a fulfilling calm, like having a cold beer on a humid day on the balcony of my tree house looking out at the peaceful forest.

That was love, and that was all I needed.

Natalie entered my soul and rebuilt me like she understood the blueprint of my heart. Every time she smiled, every time she kissed me, and every time she looked at me with those yearning eyes, I wanted to be a better man. For her.

But what if I failed?

Before Natalie, I approached life like a business—nothing could fail if I put in the effort and time. But the heart wasn’t a business with guaranteed success. It was too precious and priceless.

Derek’s warning flashed through my mind.

The danger that lurked around me could put Natalie at risk. The sun gave life to everything on Earth. She taught me the power of sunlight—that everything it touched came to life. She was the sunlight that resuscitated me to life again.

I’d do anything to protect her, but that protection came at a painful price.

CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR

GRAYSON

From the data I received, Rafael was staying in the New England area instead of being back in Europe. Tonight, he’d be at a sports bar in Boston.

Sliding onto the barstool by the pool tables, I studied Rafael. Short dark hair, tan skin, around six feet tall. He chatted with two men, dressed in black, probably bodyguards who had replaced Adonis.

I remembered Rafael saying he didn’t kill Adonis. He admitted to framing me, so why would he lie about his bodyguard’s death? If he hadn’t killed Adonis, who had?

Working with the enemy hadn’t been my preference, but I had things to discuss with Rafael. He had information I needed. We could benefit each other; this was the nature of business.

Life was a battlefield. In business, the field was filled with greedy people who fought to survive. I survived because I knew how to defend and offend. Tonight, Rafael would understand the meaning of “threat” and “collaboration.” He could choose which one suited him most.

A few minutes later, Rafael turned, and our gazes connected. Shock, intrigue, and fear splashed on his face. He should be afraid of me. I knew his secrets.

With disdain on his face, he approached me, with his bodyguards following behind. “What do you want?”

“A chat.” My eyes slid over to his men. “Alone.”

He knew the owner of the sports bar and led me into a back room.

“You’ve done enough damage to my image. Caputo Holdings lost a lot of money recently, and my parents are fucking pissed. What’s there to talk about?”

“Well,I’mpissed. You threatened my woman. Youhurther.” I made sure he heard the emphasis.

His lips twitched, but he didn’t reply.

“You have information I need.” I sat down in the chair, gesturing for him to take a seat. “Sit and have a mature conversation with me. I have a business proposal for you. It could make you money.”

Rafael’s eyes lit up as he folded himself into the chair. “Go on.”

“You’re obviously tied up with dangerous people. What’s up with young kids?”

Shame flashed over his face. “That was a one-time thing, and I was blackout drunk. They took pictures without me knowing and blackmailed me.”

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