Lena shifted on the bench, wincing as the raw skin on her leg brushed her shorts. The mention of tampering sent a new ripple of unease through her. Kate’s cart had been tampered with, too.
Zach’s jaw flexed. His reply came low and certain. “What’s your gut say? You think it’s tied to the equipment sabotage—or her stalker?”
“Her stalker.” David didn’t hesitate. His tone was flat, but beneath it simmered something cold. “He found her cottage. He got into her office. Identifying her cart, taking out the brakes—it wouldn’t be hard. All it takes is access and motive.”
And obsession. Her breath caught painfully in her throat. That constant, creeping presence she’d always reasoned away—maybe it had never been in her mind at all.
The bandage stretched over her leg, snug and medical-magazine perfect. She stared at it, stark white against her tanned skin. As if this marked her as a target. She didn’t want to feel small—but all at once, she did. Small and hunted.
“Keep it clean,” the guard said. “Watch for signs of infection.”
But he didn’t look at her when he said it. He looked at Zach, as if she wasn’t there.Seriously?
Her lips parted for a sarcastic reply, but the sting in her thigh and the throb of her ankle stole the energy for it. She let out a breath as Zach turned toward her.
“Let’s move upstairs to the boardroom.” His voice was quieter now, gentler, though no less resolute. “We’ll walk through this from the beginning—every incident, every detail. There’s a pattern in his trail somewhere. We just have to find it.”
Lena lifted her gaze to meet his. For a heartbeat, the gray in his eyes lightened—blue breaking through the storm.
And—holy crap—was that a smile?
A real one. Visible. Documented.
She blinked, and the storm rolled back in—locked down tight.
“I mean it,” he said, voice steady, unyielding. “We’ll find him.” Like the outcome had already been decided.
Lena nodded, throat closing around the surge of emotion flooding her. She was grateful—so damn grateful—but her body still trembled. Not from the pain, not anymore. But from the truth she’d been refusing to face.
Someone wanted her hurt.
Maybe dead.
She tried to stand, but her balance wobbled, pain shooting up her leg like lightning. Before she could stumble, David was at her side. His arm wrapped around her waist as though it belonged there.
“Let me help you,” he murmured, voice rich and gravel-soft. “Don’t put your weight on it yet.”
His touch sent warmth cascading into her chest, wrapping around her like a blanket. She glanced up at him and saw it—the worry still in his eyes, the tightness in his jaw, and something else too.
Fierce protectiveness. A kind of silent devotion that made her lungs constrict.
She leaned into him, letting herself be held up—physically and emotionally, just for a moment.
Right now, they didn’t have answers.
But she had him.
And that… that was the beginning of something stronger than fear.
The boardroom pulsedwith cool air and quiet tension. Lena eased into a padded leather chair, propping her injured leg up on another one as suggested—thoughorderedwould be more accurate. David’s tone had brooked no argument, and honestly, she hadn’t wanted to argue. Not when he still hovered nearby as if she might shatter if left unattended. He didn’t hover around anyone—except her.
The table gleamed under the recessed lights, its rich cherry grain elegant and intimidating. It curved in a polished U-shape, with three chairs positioned like thrones at its head. She didn’t need a nameplate to know those were for Nick, Zach, and David. Of course they were.
The rest of the room was sleek and modern. A massive monitor dominated the far wall, sleeping in passive readiness, able to host business charts or fantasy football drafts with equal ease.
Lena’s eyes drifted toward the modest desk tucked into the corner by the door. Away from the head-of-the-empire setup, but still private and wired. Perfect for quiet work—or hiding, if one wasn’t in the mood to face a parade of entitled guests.
She made a mental note. That desk would be hers, at least occasionally. Probably. Hopefully. Okay, she’d have to charm someone for access, but she’d managed harder wins.
