Eva

7

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I’m halfway through reconstructing my notes from memory—scribbling every detail I can recall since the break-in—when a sharp knock echoes through my apartment. The sound is firm, commanding, and entirely unexpected.

I freeze, my pen hovering over the notebook. Another knock follows, more insistent this time. My pulse quickens as I glance toward the door. After everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours, surprise visitors are the last thing I need.

Grabbing my phone, I inch toward the door and peer through the peephole. What I see makes my stomach flip.

Dominic Kane.

He stands like he owns the building, sharp suit and chiseled features out of place in my shabby hallway. His piercing blue eyes are locked on the door, his jaw tight. He’s not here for a social visit.

For a moment, I consider ignoring him, but something tells me he won’t leave quietly. Sighing, I unlock the chain and pull the door open, leaning against the frame to block his entry.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, keeping my voice steady.

His gaze sweeps over me, sharp and assessing, cataloging every detail of my disheveled appearance. “You’re hard to ignore, Ms. Stone.”

“Not the answer I was looking for,” I shoot back. “Why are you at my apartment?”

“Because you’re reckless,” he replies, stepping closer, his voice low and clipped. “And because I have questions.”

I straighten, refusing to let him intimidate me. “Questions? Or accusations?”

His lips press into a thin line, his patience visibly thinning. “Let me in.”

“No.” I fold my arms across my chest, meeting his intensity. “If you have something to say, say it here.”

For a moment, his expression hardens, and I expect him to argue. But then, to my surprise, he takes a step back. “Fine. Have it your way.”

I step outside, closing the door behind me. The hallway feels too small with him standing so close, his presence suffocating in ways I can’t explain. My arms tighten across my chest as I try to steady myself.

“Well?” I ask briskly. “What do you want?”

“An explanation,” he says, his voice low but firm. “Why are you so interested in me? In my company?”

The directness of his question catches me off guard. “It’s my job.”

“Don’t give me that,” he snaps, his voice cutting through the air. “This isn’t just about journalism. You’ve been digging into places you don’t belong, talking to people you shouldn’t. Why?”

Anger and indignation flare in my chest. “Maybe because your company is at the center of a major story,” I say, my voice rising. “People are leaking information, systems are being hacked, and you’re acting like you have nothing to hide. You expect me to walk away? Not a chance.”

His eyes narrow, and for a moment, I expect him to lash out. Instead, he exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”

“Then enlighten me,” I counter, stepping closer. “Because from where I’m standing, you look just as out of your depth.”

The words hang between us, charged and electric. I expect him to fire back, but his expression shifts instead. There’s a flicker of something softer, almost vulnerable, but it vanishes as quickly as it appeared.

“I should walk away,” he mutters, more to himself than me. “But you’re already too involved.”

“What does that mean?” I press, frustration mounting.

“It means we’re running out of time,” he says tightly. “Whoever’s behind this—they’re not just coming for me. They’re coming for you too.”

The weight of his words sinks in, and for a moment, I can’t respond. He’s right. The break-in, the photos, the threats—they’re all connected to whatever storm is brewing around Kane Enterprises. And I’m caught in the middle of it.

“What do you want from me?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

“To stop making this harder than it needs to be,” he says, stepping closer. “If you want the truth, you’re going to need my help.”

I blink, startled. “You want to work together?”

“I don’t want to,” he corrects sharply. “But it’s the only way to get ahead of this. You’re chasing a story. I’m chasing answers. Maybe if we pool our resources, we’ll actually get somewhere.”

The idea feels absurd, like mixing oil and water. But as much as I hate to admit it, he has a point. Whoever’s behind this is playing a dangerous game, and if Dominic Kane is willing to help, I’d be stupid to refuse.

“Fine,” I say, crossing my arms. “But if we’re doing this, it’s on my terms.”

He raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Your terms?”

“Yes,” I say firmly. “No secrets. No games. If we’re working together, I need full transparency.”

“From you too,” he counters, his tone equally sharp. “If I’m putting my neck on the line, I need to know I can trust you.”

The irony of his demand isn’t lost on me, but I nod. “Agreed.”

The hallway falls silent as the weight of our agreement settles between us. It feels precarious, like a house of cards waiting to collapse, but it’s the best chance we have.

My phone buzzes, breaking the tension. I glance down, my stomach twisting as I see the sender: another anonymous text.

Dominic notices my hesitation. “What is it?”

I swipe the screen, opening the message. My breath catches as I see the photo—a grainy image of Dominic and me standing in the hallway, locked in conversation. The timestamp is less than a minute ago.

Below the photo is a single line of text:

“Trust him, and you’ll both fall.”

My chest tightens, and I turn the screen toward Dominic. His jaw clenches as he reads the message, his expression darkening.

“They’re watching us,” I whisper, the words barely audible.

He looks up, his blue eyes sharper than ever. “Then it’s already started.”

Dominic doesn’t wait for me to process the message. “We’re going inside,” he orders, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitate, my instincts screaming to assert control, to not let him bulldoze his way into my space. But the image on my phone erases any argument I might have had. Someone is watching us. Right now.

I push the door open, stepping inside with Dominic close behind. His movements are calculated, his eyes sweeping the apartment like a hawk searching for prey. The space feels smaller with him in it, his presence commanding and intense.

“Lock the door,” he says without looking at me. I do as he asks, the sound of the bolt sliding into place strangely reassuring.

He moves to the window, tugging the curtains shut before pulling his phone from his pocket. He types a quick message, his jaw clenched tightly. The silence stretches, the weight of his focus amplifying the tension in the room.

“Who are you texting?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Adrian,” he replies, his tone clipped. “I’m having my team trace the message and check the surrounding area for surveillance.”

“You think they’re nearby?” I step closer to the window, my pulse quickening.

“I know they are,” he says, his voice low and steady. “The timing of that photo wasn’t a coincidence. Whoever sent it wants us to know we’re being watched.”

I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself. “Why? What do they want?”

He finally looks at me, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. “Control. Fear. If they can make us doubt ourselves, make us second-guess every move, they’ve already won.”

“Then why work with me?” I counter. “Why not shut me out completely? Wouldn’t that make things easier for you?”

His gaze doesn’t waver. “Because you’re already involved. If I don’t help you, they’ll use you to get to me. And I won’t let that happen.”

There’s something in his voice—determination mixed with something deeper, something I can’t quite place. I should feel reassured, but all I feel is the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

“I don’t need your protection,” I say, my tone firmer than I feel. “I’ve handled threats before.”

“This isn’t the same,” he says sharply. “These people aren’t bluffing, . They’ve already escalated from threats to action. The break-in, the photos, the messages—this is just the beginning.”

I want to argue, to push back against his arrogance, but the memory of the break-in stops me. Whoever these people are, they’ve already proven how far they’re willing to go.

“What do we do?” I ask finally, my voice quieter now.

Dominic steps away from the window, his expression dark and unreadable. “We stay ahead of them. That means no more lone wolf investigations, no more risks without backup. From now on, we work together.”

The words should feel reassuring, but instead, they set my nerves on edge. Working with Dominic Kane means giving up control, trusting someone who’s spent most of his life keeping people at arm’s length. But as much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. I can’t do this alone.

“Fine,” I say, crossing my arms. “But we do this my way. I’m not some pawn in your game.”

His lips twitch, almost like he’s fighting a smirk. “Agreed. But if I say something is too dangerous, you listen. No arguments.”

“Deal,” I reply, though the word tastes bitter on my tongue.

Before I can second-guess my decision, his phone buzzes. He glances at the screen, his expression hardening. “Adrian’s team found something.”

“What?” I ask, my heart racing.

He holds up a hand, motioning for silence as he presses the phone to his ear. “Adrian, talk to me.”

I watch as his jaw tightens, his body going still. Whatever Adrian is saying, it’s not good.

“When?” Dominic asks sharply. A pause, then, “Keep eyes on him. I’m sending coordinates. Don’t engage until I get there.”

He ends the call, his gaze locking onto mine. “Heller,” he says grimly. “They’ve tracked him to a location downtown. He’s meeting someone, but Adrian’s team hasn’t identified who yet.”

“Do you think it’s the same people who’ve been watching us?” I ask, my pulse quickening.

“It’s likely,” he admits. “Heller’s been on their radar for a while. If he’s meeting with them, this could be our chance to get answers.”

“Then let’s go,” I say, grabbing my bag.

Dominic steps in front of me, his hand on my shoulder. “No. You’re staying here.”

“Like hell I am,” I snap, shrugging off his hand. “This involves me just as much as it involves you.”

“This isn’t up for debate, ,” he says, his voice low and firm. “If something goes wrong—”

“Then I’ll deal with it,” I interrupt. “You said we’re working together. That means I don’t sit on the sidelines while you play hero.”

For a moment, he looks like he’s about to argue. But then he sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But if you’re coming, you follow my lead. No improvising.”

I nod, grabbing my jacket. “Deal.”

The ride downtown is tense, the silence between us thick with unspoken words. Dominic’s focus is razor-sharp, his grip on the steering wheel tight. I can feel the weight of his determination, the intensity of his focus.

When we arrive, Adrian is waiting near the entrance to an abandoned warehouse. He’s flanked by two other men, their presence both reassuring and unnerving.

“They’re inside,” Adrian says, nodding toward the building. “Heller and one other individual. We couldn’t get a clear visual, but they’ve been talking for about fifteen minutes.”

“Any sign of additional surveillance?” Dominic asks.

“None,” Adrian replies. “But that doesn’t mean they’re not watching.”

Dominic turns to me, his expression hard. “Stay close. And if I tell you to leave, you leave. Understood?”

I nod, my pulse pounding in my ears.

We move toward the building, the shadows swallowing us whole. Dominic’s movements are precise, his presence a steady anchor in the chaos of my racing thoughts. As we approach the door, he motions for Adrian to take the lead.

The air inside is cold, the faint scent of rust and mildew filling my lungs. We creep down a narrow corridor, the sound of muffled voices growing louder with each step.

When we reach the edge of the room, Dominic holds up a hand, signaling for us to stop. He peeks around the corner, his jaw tightening.

“What is it?” I whisper.

“Heller’s not alone,” he replies, his voice barely audible. “And his guest isn’t here for small talk.”

I lean forward just enough to catch a glimpse. Heller is seated at a table, his posture tense. Across from him sits a man I don’t recognize, his face obscured by shadows. But the air between them is thick with tension, their conversation low and urgent.

Dominic pulls back, his gaze locking onto mine. “We wait. Let them finish.”

I nod, though every instinct screams at me to move, to act. The seconds stretch into an eternity, the tension coiling tighter with each passing moment.

Finally, the stranger stands, his movements deliberate. He slides something across the table—a small device, no larger than a flash drive. Heller hesitates, then snatches it up, his expression grim.

Dominic’s hand tightens around my arm, pulling me back as the stranger heads for the door. “Stay quiet,” he mouths.

The man passes within inches of us, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. I hold my breath, my heart pounding as he disappears into the darkness.

When he’s gone, Dominic steps into the room, his presence commanding. Heller startles, his eyes widening as Dominic approaches.

“Kane,” Heller breathes, his voice trembling. “What are you—”

“Save it,” Dominic interrupts, his tone icy. “Who was that? And what did he give you?”

Heller’s gaze flickers to me, then back to Dominic. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Dominic slams his hands on the table, leaning in close. “Don’t lie to me, Heller. You’re in deep enough as it is. Start talking, or I walk out of here and leave you to clean up the mess you’ve made.”

Heller’s face pales, his resolve crumbling. “He’s a middleman,” he admits. “I don’t know his name. He said the drive has information—proof of who’s behind the leaks.”

Dominic straightens, his gaze sharp. “And you believed him?”

“I didn’t have a choice,” Heller says, his voice desperate. “They’re everywhere, Kane. They’re watching everyone. If I didn’t take the deal—”

“You’d be next,” Dominic finishes, his tone grim.

Heller nods, his fear palpable. “You don’t understand. They’re not just coming for you—they’re coming for everything.”

Dominic glances at me, his expression unreadable. “Then we’d better move fast.”

The cliffhanger builds on the rising tension, positioning Dominic and against an unseen but powerful enemy. Let me know if you'd like to refine or expand any part further!