“Honestly, Grayson is so good to everyone. Why would anyone who knows him burn him?”
“You’d be surprised what people will do for a big payday,” Eric says, tapping the folder on the desk. “I put together the top twenty people closest to Grayson for Blake.”
“We’re going to start digging,” Blake confirms.
“I included my banking information and welcomed him to dig into my life,” Eric adds.
“I don’t have much to offer, but what’s mine is Grayson’s,” Mia says. “And we’re signing a prenup anyway.”
I catch her hand, lacing her fingers under the table, at the mention of a topic that we’ve fought about since long before my father passed. I’d been against it and Mia for it, but my opinion had changed when my father told me that he had one with my mother, who was the love of his life. Of course, I know Mia loves me. I know she isn’t after my money, but my father reminded me that life is long and hard, and I want to know she stays because she keeps loving me. So rather than cheat her in a prenup, he instructed me to be generous—to make sure that if she falls out of love, she leaves. I’m damn sure not going to let her fall out of love with me.
“I’ll offer up full access to my everything,” Davis interjects. “I don’t work here, but I’m close to Grayson, really fucking close and a data source to all his private affairs.” He eyes Blake. “I’d welcome some help ensuring I’ve secured his documents.” He grimaces. “Though from what I understand about this group involved, it’s probably too late.”
“We’ll take a look at your data for breaches this afternoon,” Blake offers before eyeing the table. “To be clear,” he adds, “this threat has a three-month expiration. After which, no one with any skin in the game remains engaged. That’s when the payout expires.” He motions to Davis. “I brought him up to speed. Everyone here knows that Ri hired the Dungeon.” He doesn’t give anyone time to reply. “I know,” he adds, “that three months feels like forever, but it’s not forever. That said, Eric has one additional statistic that brain bomb of his conjured up that we need to discuss. It’s a conclusion I came to without his complicated brain, which means we landed at the same place in different ways and need to take notice.”
My gaze sharpens on Eric. “Why do I know I’m not going to like this bomb?”
He doesn’t hold back. “I believe Mia will be a target,” he says.
Mia hugs herself. “Because I’m seen as the traitor.”
“No,” I say. “No one sees you as a traitor, Mia.”
“You just had a gun held to your head,” Blake corrects. “That affected you, whether you’ve admitted that yet or not.”
“And you’re newly back in Grayson’s life,” Eric adds. “New can mean vulnerable, but the good news in this, Mia, is that we can use that to our advantage.”
“Exactly,” Blake agrees. “Because we’ll be watching and ready and so will you.”
“She’s not bait,” I say, no give to my voice.
“No,” Blake confirms. “But she is a target. Ri saw her as that and I guarantee you he made sure the Dungeon knew her as that as well.”
“Target,” I repeat. “Are you telling us she’s in danger?” Blake hesitates and that control I don’t have spirals furthers out of reach.
His lips press into a hard line, and he says, “We can’t rule that out as a possibility.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Mia
I’m a target.
Again.
I wait for the panic to rush over me, but it doesn’t. There’s something powerful about knowledge and being prepared, I decide, which is why I say, “At least we know this time.”
“I’m taking Mia out of the country for three months,” Grayson announces.
“No,” I insist, turning to Grayson. “No. I’m not willing to run from this. I know this is unsettling, Grayson, but I also know you want to control this situation as much as I do.”
“Which is why we’re leaving the city.”
“I’m exactly who we want them to target. Let’s catch these assholes and get back to our life.”
“This feels too obvious anyway,” Davis says. “She was already a target. Any logical asshole will know we’ll be watching her.”
“Too obvious are words that too often get people in trouble,” Blake snaps. “The enemy believes you think that and makes it work for them. Look,” he leans on the table, “let’s just play this cautious but not extreme, Grayson. You both can go about your normal days, as soon as the fucking press allows it, and we’ll keep you and Mia safe.”
“Hurting Mia is the way to hurt me,” he says. “The rest, I don’t give a shit about.”
“Of course, you do,” I say. “This is your father’s brainchild that you and Eric have turned into something he’d be proud of. We’re staying here and fighting for it. And I have a client who needs me right now, not to mention my excitement to define my role with the company, and just go home. I want to go home.”
There’s a knock on the door, and Nancy walks in, shuts the door, and leans on it. “My God. A temp came in for one of the attorneys. He was digging through the desks. He was a reporter. He’s locked in the conference room. Security called the police.”
Grayson stares at her for several long beats, which might seem like a non-reaction, but those of us who know him know otherwise. He’s simmering hot inside, irritated by the lack of control he’s experiencing and I truly believe the only reason he hasn’t taken that control back is that his every move is dictated by fear for me. I don’t know how to fix that, but I know I have to, we have to because shackling his instincts isn’t good for him, us, or the company and its employees.
“Give every employee on staff here in the corporate offices a bonus equal to their Christmas bonus,” he responds, “including yourself, Nancy. It’s the least I can do for the hell you’re all enduring.”
She blinks and instead of greedily just accepting, she says, “That’s a lot of money, Grayson.”
“And this is a bloody mess. Do it. Make it happen today.”
“Okay. Yes. I’ll get with accounting now. Do you want to press charges?”
“I’ll handle the reporter,” Davis offers. “I’ll be right there, Nancy.”
“Thanks, Davis.” She turns a questioning look on Grayson.
“Go make that payday happen,” he says.
She nods and exits the office. Then, as if he’s read my mind, as often it seems he does, his gaze shifts and lands on me. “You’re right. We need to take our life back.” His attention shifts to Blake. “This is why I just want to do an actual sit-down in-depth interview, not a quick press conference, and get this over with. We need the fascination with all things us to end.”
“I don’t disagree with that strategy,” Blake replies, “but you need to talk to Reese Summer first.”
“I don’t like this idea that Grayson needs an attorney,” I state. “Why does he have to defend himself from the FBI, who should be protecting him right now?”