“How could there be more?” Devon looked up.
“Not more, but a question. How does Winston know any of this? And what exactly does he know, because some things aren't public record.” Gabe's hands curled into fists, then released, then curled again—a rhythm that matched his quickening breath. "This information isn't just confidential—an active federal investigation seals it—that's not information you can just Google or hear through valley gossip."
"So, either Winston has connections to federal prosecutors," Bryson said slowly.
"Or someone with inside knowledge is feeding him information," Devon finished, ice flooding his veins.
“He could’ve hired a private investigator.” Gabe met Devon's gaze. “But I have to ask myself why. Because if I’m the heir named in this will —which honestly I struggle with, given the timing of that—let’s say it’s true. Why come to Emery to get me out of the picture? Why not just ruin me?” Gabe held up his hand when Devon opened his mouth. “Harold has never had an issue with a forged vintage. Never. And while I don’t know Emery well, I’ve spent a full week working with her. Watching her. She’s even more detail-oriented than I am, and that’s hard to do.”
“We thought maybe the break-in had something to do with her dad,” Devon said. “But everything you're saying changes my perspective on that. However, she’s still being targeted.”
“I wonder if Gabe does exactly what Winston wants, if the attacks on Emery stop?”
The implications were staggering. This wasn't just Winston being vindictive or competitive. This wasn't small-town gossip or business rivalry. This had turned into something entirely different.
“We’re forgetting one thing,” Devon said. “This all started when Harold fired her. What does that have to do with Gabe possibly being a long-lost son to David? And how could Winston know we’d hire her? I literally came up with that idea sitting in the bar while she got hammered.”
“Could be Winston taking advantage of a situation that landed in his lap,” Bryson said.
“Maybe, but that would mean there’s still someone else out there who wants to destroy Emery. And that means we’re dealing with two separate problems.” Gabe ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m not buying that.”
“Yeah, me neither,” Bryson said.
Devon turned and faced the direction of the main house. All he could see was a portion of the rooftop in the distance. “I can’t lie to the first woman I’ve actually got real feelings for. It will ruin this before it ever had a chance.”
“What truth are you suggesting we tell her?” Gabe's voice rose like a high-pitched teenage boy. "That her father’s working with the feds? That I could be an heir to something I want nothing to do with and she’s being used as a pawn to keep me away?”
"She deserves to know someone's using her father's case against her," Devon said, his voice firm despite the chaos in his mind. “And that she’s being used to manipulate you.”
“You’re putting me in an impossible situation.” Gabe's breath came faster, and he took a step back, one hand rising to grip the back of his neck. His gaze darted between Devon and Bryson like he was looking for an escape route. "I'm already betraying my parents' trust by telling you this much. If it gets back to them, if federal prosecutors find out information leaked about their witnesses..."
"We won't tell her how we know," Devon promised. "But we have to warn her. She needs to be prepared. This affects her too, and I seriously can’t lie to her.”
"There's no good outcome in telling Emery anything. Either we stay silent and do the best we can to deal with whatever is tossed at us, and her, or we speak up and potentially destroy the federal case that might eventually clear her father's name and protect my mother."
The impossible choice hung between them like a guillotine blade.
Devon looked down at his phone, at Emery's increasingly worried messages, and felt something break in his chest. He was falling in love with this woman. And now he was holding information that could either save her or destroy everything, and he had no idea which path would do which.
"I need to know something," Devon said, looking up at Gabe. “Your dad, he knows Michael is innocent, right?"
“One hundred percent,” Gabe said.
Devon's phone buzzed one more time.
Emery:I'm coming to find you. Something's wrong, I can feel it.
"She's coming here," Devon said, looking up sharply. "We need to decide right now what we're telling her."
"Nothing," Gabe said immediately, his voice firm. "Not until I speak with my dad and maybe not even then. I think weneed to understand how Winston got access to sealed federal investigation details."
"She deserves?—"
"She deserves to have her father's innocence proven in court, not compromised by premature disclosure," Gabe interrupted, his expression fierce. “This isn’t just about me and my family. This case is massive. I could care less about my reputation, but I do care about my mom, about this winery, and about Emery. We need to play this smart.”
“We need to at least need tell my dad,” Devon said, succumbing to the fact he was going to lie to his girlfriend.
“I can live with that, but let’s do it after I’ve spoken to my father.” Gabe's voice cracked slightly on the last word, and he looked between them with wide eyes. His hand moved toward his phone pocket, then stopped halfway, fingers trembling. “I’ll call him on my way back to my office.”
