“I think the Kingston brothers should know before you start pulling threads inside their company,” Sophia says, her voice hesitant, eyes flicking away for a moment. “I don’t know whatyou were going to ask Ethan, but… you know how they get about this kind of thing.”
Elijah looks at her, waiting.
She takes a breath, then continues softly, “You know very well that if you ask, they’ll give it to you. Especially for Ava. Everyone knows how much you care about her. But… don’t put Ethan at risk—especially if he turns out to be innocent. The Kingstons don’t play games with betrayals, andyouknow that better than anyone.”
Elijah’s shoulders tighten, but he nods slowly.
“Alright. I’ll talk to the Kingston brothers.”
Sophia lets out a relieved breath. “Good. Because anything involving their company and business… that’s their call.”
He turns back to Ethan, voice calm but serious.
“You said you want to help. Be ready when the time comes.”
Ethan nods, grateful but tense.
Elijah adds, “If the Kingston brothers sign off on this, we’ll move forward carefully. Until then, no digging, no risks.”
“Understood,” Ethan says.
The room stays quiet, charged with unspoken fears.
Because if Ethan isn’t the one watching… Then someone else still is. And they’re waiting.
Chapter twenty-six
Unknown
Shethinksshe’ssafe.
Thinks that tattooed idiot can protect her. Thinks she can hide behind glass doors, security systems, and that pack of trembling friends.
It’s almost funny—watching them scramble like ants under a magnifying glass, thinking they can outmaneuver the inevitable. Thinking he can stop what’s already in motion.
But she won’t be safe. Not until she’s where she belongs.
With me.
I’ve seen the way she looks over her shoulder now. That flicker of doubt in her eyes. She feels me, even if she doesn’t know what to call it yet. Like instinct. Like gravity.
That boy—Ethan—he’s perfect. A beautiful little detour.
Their attention is on him now, just as I planned. I didn’t even have to lift a finger. People like him create their own chaos.
And while they point fingers, raise voices, make threats—I’m still here. Closer than ever. They can’t imagine how close.
She’ll understand soon. That the notes, the photos… they weren’t warnings. They were promises.
Soon, she’ll stop running. Soon, she’ll come home.
Chapter twenty-seven
Ava
Therainwon’tstop.
It’s the kind of storm that feels personal, low skies, cold wind that seeps into your bones, and customers who come in damp and irritated, just like me.
