“One bartender in Paris, and the other managed the housekeeping staff in Shanghai.”
“You believe Moira?”
“Thinking it’s odd they’re lower on the org chart?”he asks, filling two crystal goblets with a healthy measure.“You’re probably right.I’m going to need to visit those locations.I actually talked to your boss this afternoon.”
“Is that right?”
“He’s going to help me do an assessment of all five properties.He has additional resources to tap.”He passes me a glass and lightly clinks his against mine, then takes a long swig, like he’s finally exhaled.“Also called on Alicia.”
“We talked about her in our meeting today.”
“And?”
“Just doing a security assessment on her home; in case there’s fallout.”
“Smart.”
“Why’d you go to see her?”I ask, curious, but I have a good idea.
“Asked her to prepare communications to the membership that explains we’ve been compromised.”
“You think Elena’s going to leak material?”
“She’ll do what she can to attack The Sanctuary.I feel confident about that.But it’ll be known she’s the one dripping scandals so the fallout should be limited to those she doesn’t care if she offends.She’ll aim to do enough to hurt me without making her situation more precarious.”
“That’s probably a good assessment.So Alicia’s drafting communications?”
“They go out tomorrow.I wanted them to go out tonight, but she convinced me to wait until I can be in the office and reachable.She’s also sending in her staff to assist with triage.We’ll do New York-based members tomorrow.Depending on how they react, I’ll either do one-on-one meetings or have a membership meeting.She thinks that most inquiries will come from those whose marriages might be impacted, and the business segment won’t immediately connect the risk.Since I’ve identified the leak and stopped it, she’s predicting minimal backlash.And she says it’s good that I’m addressing the leaks.That will be important for rebuilding trust.”
“You weren’t counting on that source of income anyway,” I say, although if I’m honest, a part of me recognizes there’s something there that could be leveraged.Perhaps I’ve spent too much of my career valuing intelligence, but it’s an undeniable truth that a place where the wealthy gather offers valuable insights—at least for those who listen and watch closely.
“True,” he says, swirling his wine, the light catching the crystal.“I didn’t expect Elena to walk away so cleanly.No pressure.No attempt to bury it.”He glances at me.“That tells me she’s confident—or calculating.Possibly both.”
“Maybe she has backup operations we don’t know about,” I say, giving the idea consideration.“Or maybe she’s taking stock.Laying low while she plans.”That was Quinn’s theory.“It all happened fast.I’d imagine she’s as angry at Moira for setting up the meeting with you as she is at you.And me.And KOAN, for that matter.KOAN isn’t a well-known entity.She’s probably researching it.Figuring out what she’s up against.If self-assessment is a strength, she might be recognizing the role she played.She trusted too easily, all because she assumed greed was universal.”
We settle onto the sofa, and for the first time in days, I allow myself to relax slightly.The immediate threat is over.Pierce is in custody, Elena is on the run, and KOAN has the information they need to unravel the broader conspiracy.The wine soothes the agitated nerves.
Agitated because… Why?But I know the reason.Typically, I finish a project and move on.Repercussions always follow a project, but I’m not usually close to those involved.Now I am.And I’m uneasy about what’s going to unfold.If not this week, next week, a month from now.Someone like Elena Vasquez could choose to play the long game.The White House hasn’t made any announcements.Even Pierce’s detainment hasn’t hit the news wire.
“What happens now?”Adrien asks.“With us, I mean.”
We’ve already said I’m not going to walk away and I returned to his place tonight.I exhale, shifting slightly on the sofa to fully face him.“I don’t know.I’ve never mixed personal and professional like this before.”
“And?”
“And I find myself missing those walls I used to build.”He silently assesses.He’ll read this all wrong if I don’t explain.“I’m not feeling like celebrating right now.We won.We succeeded.And yet, I’m…”How to explain?“I care about you.I’m worried about you.”I hesitate, then say it—plain, unguarded.“I love you.And that’s new for me.It makes everything feel higher risk.”
He stills.His arm doesn’t slide away this time—it tightens.
“Brie,” he says quietly.“I love you too.”
The simplicity of it hits harder than any declaration.No certainty.No promises.Just truth.
We sit there for a moment, letting it settle.
“Before, we didn’t get into what our day-to-day lives looked like.This case brought us back together, but it gave us both insights into our…businesses.”
“A look behind the image.”He sounds doleful, dejected even.
