“I can’t, Crane.” I moved into the kitchen, putting more distance between myself and Adele. “It’s not that simple anymore.”
“The hell it isn’t. Someone tried to kill you. You think I’m going to let you stay there and wait for them to try again?”
“Adele’s father is here, and they only just reunited. She’s happy with him. I don’t want to take that away from her.”
Crane knew Adele’s father was in Virginia—but that was all he knew. He didn’t know it was Dimitri, and he’d never asked.
“If that’s the case, we’ll figure out the custody arrangement from here—with lawyers and proper channels. But you need to be somewhere safe, and clearly Virginia isn’t—”
“No.” The word came out firmer than I intended. “Whoever attacked us can still trace us back to Virginia and finish the job. I need to find out who’s behind this—who wants us dead. Because until I know that, until I have proof, we’re not safe anywhere.”
“And you think you can find proof by staying in the middle of it?”
“Yes.” My voice didn’t waver. “I have a feeling it has something to do with Ravencrest Global.”
Not just a feeling. I knew with absolute certainty. My instincts had settled on Selene from the moment the attack happened. The timing was too convenient, right after she’d made a scene at the board meeting.
There was a sharp inhale on the other end of the line. “Isabella,” Crane said quietly, the calm in his voice turning razor thin, “Ravencrest Global isn’t just another corporation. It’s a powerhouse. People would kill for a share in it. Even if it’s just one percent.” His voice hardened. “If someone has set their sights on that company, they won’t care that Adele is four years old. If she’s a threat to their ambitions, they’ll eliminate her without hesitation.”
“I know.” My voice hardened. “But the good thing is that I have access now. A seat on the board. Resources. I can watch them up close. Figure out who’s making moves against us.”
“Or you could get yourself killed.”
“I won’t. I’ll be careful. I’ve already doubled security for Adele, and I’m not taking any unnecessary risks.”
Crane sighed, long and heavy. “You’re being stubborn.”
“I learned from the best.”
“That’s not funny, Isabella. This is serious. You have a daughter to think about.”
“I am thinking about her. About the fact that someone sent us a bloody animal heart with a death threat. That someone tried to shoot us in broad daylight. My daughter is in danger—and I need to know why. I need to know who isbehind this.”
“Be careful, Isabella. If this is pack politics, it’s more dangerous than you realize. I should know—I’m an Alpha myself.”
“I know. I’ll be careful.”
“And if things go south—if you change your mind—”
“I’ll call you.” My tone softened. “I promise.”
“I mean it. Anything you need, any time of day or night, you call me.”
“I will.”
We said our goodbyes, and I ended the call feeling both reassured and unsettled. Crane was right to be worried. This was dangerous.
But what choice did I have? Run again? Spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder? Let whoever was behind this think they’d won?
No. I wasn’t that woman anymore. I wasn’t going to run, and I wasn’t going to let them break me a second time.
Adele and I spent the rest of the morning watching TV. Thankfully, she’d recovered from the shock of what happened—thanks in no small part to Dimitri. She felt safe. Reassured. And that was all I ever wanted for her.
By afternoon, my phone beeped. An email notification from Ravencrest Global.
Emergency Board Meeting – 3:00 PM.
I stared at the message, unease curling in my stomach. Two hours’ notice? That was never a good sign.
