A single line of text waited for me, followed by a blurry photo of what looked like a document laid out on someone’s desk.
Got something on your Charleston ghosts, the message read.Thought you’d like to know: those ex-military billionaires? All same family. Last name Dane.
My pulse stuttered.
I zoomed in on the photo with damp fingers. The words swam for a second, then sharpened—corporate registrations, a list of board members.
Dane.
Dane.
Dane.
Adrenaline doused whatever leftover warmth the shower hadn’t chased away.
Levi Dane.
Of course.
I stepped back into the bedroom, towel knotted tight, phone still in my hand.
He was propped up against the headboard now, sheet slung low across his hips, watching me with that unreadable expression that drove me insane.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
I studied him—broad chest, scars, the body I’d just let inside mine—and then the screen of my phone.
“Tell me something, Levi,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Where are you interviewing?”
His eyes narrowed just slightly. “Why?”
“Because,” I said, climbing onto the edge of the bed but staying out of reach. “I just got a message about the men at Dominion Hall.”
His posture changed. Subtle. Tension coiling low.
“And?” he asked carefully.
“And it turns out you share a last name,” I said. “Dane.”
8
LEVI
The word hung in the air between us like smoke from a firefight, thick and disorienting.
My mind scrambled, processing, recalibrating. On the outside, I kept my expression neutral—years of training kicking in—but inside, I was in full shock.
Dane.
It had to be a coincidence. Like running into Amelia in this hotel, in this city, on this particular morning. The universe throwing curveballs just to watch me swing and miss.
But even as I thought it, doubt crept in.
I replayed the text messages.We know what you're doing. Don't worry. We agree.The private plane. Le Bourget Airport. The Bentley. Charlie in the parlor with his easy grin and his doctor's bag, telling me Dominion Hall had resources that would make me salivate.
Had there been clues?
What did they really want?
