Golden striations appeared on the linens as the gentle light of morning crept through the bedroom window. With her body curled up against Ethan’s warmth, Lily woke up. For a minute, there were no dangers, no Syndicate, and no Adrien Voss in the outer world. Under her face, she could only hear the steady beat of Ethan’s heart.
However, reality has a way of resurfacing.
Ethan was already conscious, slowly moving his fingertips across her back. He said, "You were talking in your sleep."
Lily leaned on her elbow and wiped the sleep from her eyes. "Had I?"
His eyes were kind yet inquisitive as he nodded. "You ntioned my na."
She gulped, not knowing if she should confess that she dreaded losing him even in her fantasies. She faked a little grin instead. "I guess I just like to say that."
Even though Ethan laughed, the darkness remained in his eyes. "Lily, you don’t have to act fake around ." He ran his fingertips across her cheek. "I am aware of your fear."
Leaning into his touch, she let out a sigh. "Yes, I am. But I will continue to fight despite my dread.
After examining her for a considerable amount of ti, he planted a persistent kiss on her forehead. "After that, we battle together."
However, Lily sensed the implicit weight of his words even as he uttered them. Despite her insistence, Ethan was still attempting to protect her from the worst of it because he was accustod to bearing responsibilities by himself.
She refused to allow him.
A Risky Idea
Later that morning, Ethan collected intelligence in his study by looking over his informants’ reports and surveillance footage. Sitting next to him, Lily perused Adrien Voss’s papers.
She said, looking through a pile of papers, "He’s ticulous." Every business decision he takes is well thought out. He never leaves anything unfinished.
Ethan let out a loud sigh. "This implies that he has a plan in place if he is pursuing us."
Lily scanned another file while biting her lip. "There’s another thing."
Ethan raised his head. "What?"
She paused. "Voss has a vulnerability."
Ethan’s eyebrows went up. "Everyone does. What is it?
Lily swung the file in his direction. Celeste Voss, his older sister. She resides outside of his business in Paris. He protects her by keeping her out of his business affairs.
Ethan’s mouth clenched. "You’re saying we should use her."
Lily clarified, "I’m proposing that we use the one thing he genuinely cares about." "We go for what he’s protecting if he’s untouchable."
Ethan, clearly frustrated, ran a hand through his hair. "Lily, that’s a risky ga. involving relatives—
She interrupted, "Wouldn’t be necessary if he wasn’t already trying to destroy us." "Ethan, we don’t have many options. This could be our sole benefit.
He rubbed his temples and moaned. "There is a risk."
Lily’s eyes remained fixed. "So is doing nothing."
Both were silent for a long ti. Ethan then gently nodded while leaning back in his chair. "We must be intelligent if we do this. No needless deaths.
Lily extended her hand to take his. "We’ll go our own way."
Ethan’s gaze was a mix of adoration and concern as he gripped her fingers. "I hope you understand the situation you’re putting us in."
Lily smiled slightly, resolutely. "Yes, I do."
A Surprise Interruptions
They were getting ready to make the required calls that night when the penthouse rang with a forceful tap.
Ethan grabbed his revolver right away and walked to the door, gesturing to Lily to follow him. He looked at the security stream; there was just one visitor. A man in a sharp blue suit, in his late forties.
"Who the hell is this?" Before opening the door, Ethan mumbled.
With keen blue eyes, the guy entered the room as though he were a native. With ease, he said, "Ethan Calloway." "I think we need to talk about so business."
Ethan’s gaze narrowed. It depends. Who do you think you are?
The man grinned. "Graham Whitmore." Assu that I am employed in the field of dispute resolution.
Lily crossed her arms and took a step forward. "And what specific dispute are you trying to settle?"
Graham’s features flickered with curiosity as he turned to face her. "Sending his regards, Adrian Voss."
Ethan gripped his rifle more tightly. "You’re employed by him?"
Graham laughed. Not quite. Suppose I am in charge of negotiating between individuals like you and those like him.
After exchanging glances with Ethan, Lily moved in closer. "Don’t waste your ti if you’re here to threaten."
Graham let out a loud sigh. "Not dangerous. A proposal. He placed an envelope on the table after taking it out of his coat. "Voss is prepared to end his hunt—but only if he ets one requirent."
Ethan kept his gaze fixed on him. "And what is that?"
Graham grinned icily. "Lily walks away."
Like a wave, silence swept across the room.
Ethan tightened his jaw. "Not taking place."
Lily’s heart was racing. "He didn’t choose to do that."
Graham’s eyebrows went up. "Isn’t it? Lily, Voss thinks you’re the weak link. The one thing that makes Ethan susceptible. This fight doesn’t need to occur if you take yourself out of the situation.
Ethan stepped forward slowly and nacingly. "You believe I would sacrifice her for my own survival?"
Graham raised his hands. "Not at all. I believe she may decide to.
Lily gasped for air.
Graham lowered his voice as he faced her. "You adore him. That’s clear. However, love is about understanding when to let go, not only about clinging. Ethan will survive if you go. No more dangers. No more conflict.
Lily felt a knot in her gut. "What if I don’t?"
Graham stopped grinning. "Then you both pass away."
Between them, the weight of his words fell hard.
Ethan growled in his voice. "Leave imdiately."
Graham shook his head and let out a breath. "I assud so. But consider it, Lily. Before he went to the door, his gaze remained fixed on her. "Because you might not have the option the next ti."
Behind him, the door snapped shut.
A Decision to Make
The room was suffocatingly quiet.
Lily’s thoughts were racing as she turned to Ethan. "You are aware that he is attempting to control us."
Ethan balled his hands into fists. "What he says doesn’t matter to . You’re not going anywhere.
She took a deep breath. "But what if—"
"No." He moved closer and took hold of her shoulders. "I refuse to allow Voss to turn you against . Rember how we fought together?
Her eyes blazed with tears. "Ethan—"
"Lily, you are loved." His tone was frantic and unvarnished. "And without you in it, I have no future."
She nodded after letting out a trembling breath. "Then we fight."
As if she were his lifeline, Ethan drew her into his embrace.
Because whatever happened next—
They refused to let go.
Reviews
All reviews (0)