MasukANYA’S POV“None of it,” Kane said.I held the last page between two fingers. “None of it is a lie?”“No. I wrote it and non of this is a lie ”He stood near the study door, leaving enough room for me to walk past him. I wished he would deny everything, even though I knew he wouldn't. I wished he would tell me someone had forged the documents, because then I could be angry about another lie instead of facing the fact that the man I was beginning to trust had once planned to destroy my life.“Then explain it,” I said. “Start with Rook Capital.”Kane glanced at the folder before looking back at me. “Liam was already in financial trouble when he borrowed from me. His business was failing because of the decisions he was making, but instead of accepting that and fixing the problems, he kept borrowing money to cover the losses.”“And you helped him?”“I lent him a large sum, with a deadline for repayment. When he couldn't pay, I acquired his outstanding debts from other creditors. That mean
KANE'S POVCassie’s call had ended, but I could still hear the worry in her voice. Anya had taken the keycard to my penthouse. I stared at my phone, my thoughts returning to the black folder I had left in the bottom drawer of my study.Daniel stood on the other side of my desk. “What did Cassie say?”“Anya left in a taxi. She took my keycard.”Daniel studied my face. “So she’s gone to the penthouse.”“Probably.” I dragged a hand over my face. “I swear, I can’t catch a break these past few days. First, Liam turns out to be alive, then Paige’s situation, and now Anya has decided to look for answers herself. Every time I think I’m getting somewhere, something else happens.”“Then call her before you start imagining the worst.”I picked up my phone and dialled Anya’s number. It rang until the call ended. I tried again, but she still didn’t answer.I pushed my chair back and reached for my jacket.“Kane.” Daniel’s voice stopped me. “You need to think about what you’re going to say when you
ANYA'S PovBefore sunrise, I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the six anonymous photographs sent to my phone the day before. One showed me outside a pharmacy, another caught me crossing the road near Ross Tower, and a third showed me getting into Liam’s car. Someone had been watching me, but I had no idea who or how long it had been going on.My phone buzzed with a message through the company directory.Mrs Ross, it's Paige. Please don't tell anyone I'm contacting you. I need to speak to you.I sat up so quickly that my chair scraped against the floor.'Paige? Are you safe?'A few seconds later, she replied.'I think so. Can we talk over the phone? I don't want to put everything in writing.'I called her through the directory. After several rings, she answered.“Paige? Where have you been? I've been worried sick about you. Your number stopped working, and nobody would tell me anything useful.”“I'm sorry, Mrs Ross. I wanted to contact you, but I was told not to.”“Are you hurt? Is
KANE'S POVI did not go home after Anya left. I returned to my office, locked the door, and told my assistant I was not to be disturbed. Jonathan was standing beside my desk when I gave the instruction.He nodded. “Of course, sir.” Then he walked out, closing the door behind him.I opened the bottom drawer of my desk and took out the records Daniel had copied two weeks earlier. There were Rook Capital’s incorporation papers, records of nine purchases of Ross Empire debt, and notes about the loans I had blocked. I found the trading records beneath them. At the bottom of the stack lay a black folder with a label I had typed myself, back when I still thought revenge made me clever.PROJECT RUIN: ROSS.I placed it on the desk and stared at it. I had once stood over a fireplace with a lighter in one hand and this folder in the other, ready to burn it. A phone call about a stapler had interrupted me, and I had let myself believe I would do it another time. I told myself I was waiting until
ANYA’S POVNobody in that room moved. Voss’s smile hung in the air like a held note, and Kane’s hand, which had been warm around mine only a moment ago, went rigid.“I beg your pardon?” I asked.“Oh, I do apologise.” Voss pressed two fingers to his chest. “I assumed Mrs Ross was aware. Forgive me, Mr Maxwell. I would hate to spoil a surprise.”“Get out,” Kane said.“Of course.” Voss buttoned his jacket, nodded to his men, and walked towards the door with the leisurely pace of someone leaving a theatre. “My lawyers will be in touch, Mrs Ross. Do ask your friend about Lisbon.”The door clicked shut behind them.For a moment, I remained where I was, staring at the spot Voss had occupied. Then I slowly let go of Kane’s hand.“Anya,” he began.“Not here.”I turned and walked out of the room before he could say anything else. I could feel his eyes on my back, but I didn't look at him. I passed Mrs Lindqvist’s desk, ignoring the concerned glance she threw my way, and headed straight for my o
KANE’S POVThe call from the lobby came at 9:14 the next morning, while I stood in Anya’s office going over the Halcyon files with her, my coffee growing cold in my hand.“Mrs Ross?” Mrs Lindqvist’s voice came through the speaker. “There are five men downstairs asking to see you. The man in front says his name is Marek Voss. He doesn't have an appointment, and he says he doesn't need one.”Anya looked up from the file in front of her. I had never mentioned Voss to her, but I watched her lips press together as she repeated the name silently, as though she were trying to remember where she had heard it before.“Who is he?” she asked.“A creditor.” I set my cup down. “Liam borrowed money from him. I was hoping he'd wait a few more weeks before deciding to pay us a visit.”“How much money?”“Enough to make this unpleasant.”“That isn't an answer, Kane.”“No, it isn't.” I studied her expression. “And I don't want you walking into a room with a man like Voss without knowing what you're deal







