"It will be. You're stronger than he ever was."
"Thanks, Maya."
I hung up and sank onto the couch, exhaustion finally catching up with me. Yesterday, I'd been in Santorini, making love to my husband in paradise. Enjoying this next chapter in my life. Tonight I was in Seattle, waiting to hear if my business was rigged with explosives. But I'd won. Vincent was out. The company was mine. And Dez was making sure he'd never be a threat again.
I just had to trust that my husband wouldn’t get carried away. And pray that when he came home, I'd still recognize the man I'd married.
Angelina
Imust have dozed off on the couch because I woke to the sound of the penthouse door opening. I was on my feet instantly, heart pounding, before I registered Dez's voice.
"It's just me, sweetheart."
He looked tired. Still in the suit he'd worn this morning, but with his tie loosened and his sleeves rolled up. There was a hardness in his eyes that hadn't been there when we left Santorini. I crossed to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my face against his chest.
"Hey," he murmured, holding me tight. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, better now that you’re home." I pulled back to look at him. "What happened? Did your team find anything at the building?"
"Two devices. One in your office, hidden in the ventilation system. One in the parking garage near your assigned spot." His jaw tightened. "Both would have detonated remotely.Professional grade, not something Vincent could have acquired or placed himself. He’s too much of an idiot."
"He hired someone."
"Yeah. And we're going to find out who." He guided me back to the couch, keeping his arm around me. "The bomb squad disabled both devices. The building is secure. Your office is secure. Matvey's coordinating with Seattle PD to increase patrols around the area. And there’s a lockdown preventing anybody without special access to reach the CEO floor."
"And Vincent?"
"Currently in custody on the embezzlement charges. But this—" he gestured vaguely, "—this is attempted murder. Once we trace the bombs back to him, he's looking at life in prison."
"If we can prove it was him."
"We will." Dez's voice was certain. "I have people looking into his finances, his contacts, anyone he might have hired. We'll find the connection."
I leaned against him, letting his solid presence calm my racing heart. "He really tried to kill me."
"I know." He pressed a kiss to my hair. "I'm sorry. I should have moved faster, should have handled security at your place before the wedding. At your workplace, too."
"Stop." I pulled back to meet his eyes. "You did everything right. You got the evidence, you protected my friends, you made sure we were safe. You can't control a desperate man doing desperate things."
"I can make sure he never threatens you again."
The way he said it—flat, final—made something cold settle in my stomach.
"Dez. What are you planning?"
He was quiet for a long moment, his gray eyes searching my face.
"Nothing you need to worry about," he said finally.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I can give you right now." He cupped my face in his hands. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do."
"Then trust that I'll handle this and keep you safe. When it's over, Vincent will never be able to hurt you or anyone else again."
I wanted to push. Wanted to demand details, to know exactly what he was planning. But looking into his eyes, seeing the determination there mixed with something darker—I realized I didn't want to know. He’d warned me that we’d get here, and I told him that I would understand when he couldn’t give me details. I’d told myself that I wouldn’t marry him if when this moment came, I couldn’t handle letting go. This was his realm, not mine and I had to respect that.
