Ch-40

•~•Solane’s POV

I gripped the phone tighter, my voice straining as I tried not to yell. “What do you want me to do, Dad?”

I let out a sigh, tired. “We just have to keep giving him money….hopefully until he gets bored or goes back to wherever he came from.”

There was a brief hiss on the line before his voice cut in, cold and firm. “The fact that you said he’s sleeping with Melissa makes him dangerous…”

“...I don’t trust that man to keep his mouth shut, no matter how much we give him or how many times. He’s a risk. And risks like him… need to be removed.”

I went still.

Removed—the word echoed in my head, sinking straight into my gut.”

I lowered my voice, careful not to let the words slip out too quickly. “Dad… please don’t tell me you mean what I think you mean.”

“I do,” he said—his voice calm, flat, as though he were saying the sky was blue, not talking about taking someone's life.

Then, quieter, almost gentle, he added,  

“I told you from the beginning…If it ever came to this, if I had to do something ugly to protect you, I would. Without any hesitation.”

“...And Davian? He’s just like Nathaniel Grant. A bastard who deserves to die.”

I let out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose as I shut my eyes for a second.

“Yes, Davian’s a manipulative asshole. A bastard. Does he deserve to die? Maybe. But not by our hands. If we cross that line, there’ll be nothing left to differentiate us from the people who destroyed me.”

“I know, sweetheart. But I don’t care,” he said. “I’ll burn the world if it means keeping you safe from that witch, Melissa.”

I bit down on my lip, another sigh slipping out—I couldn’t continue with this conversation. Not right now.

“Any leads on the person who called me that day?” I asked, steering the topic elsewhere.

“Not yet. But my men are working around the clock. We’ll find them soon, sweetheart.”

A knock came at the door. Sharp. Firm.

“Dad, I’ll talk to you later. Someone’s here.”

“All right, sweetheart. Take care,” he said, his voice softer now. The call ended.

I dropped the phone on the bed and ran my palms down the front of my dress, smoothing out the fabric.

My reflection caught in the mirror. I patted down the side of my hair, adjusted the strap of my dress, rolled my shoulders back, and headed for the door.

And there he was—Davian, leaning lazily against the frame, that insufferable smirk tugging at his lips.

He let out a low whistle, his eyes dragging over me without an ounce of shame.

“Damn. You look hot. Nathaniel Grant’s one lucky bastard to have a goddess like you on his arm.”

I stepped back, folding my arms. “Whatever reason you’re here, make it quick. I have a date with Nathaniel, and his driver will be here any minute to pick me up.”

“You’re right.” He pushed off the frame, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I need more money.”

I blinked, arching a brow. “My dad sent you fifty million this morning. What the hell happened to that?”

He shrugged like I’d just asked about the weather. “I spent it.”

“You spent fifty million in less than twenty-four hours?” My voice cracked in disbelief. “Money you didn’t even earn? What kind of lunatic burns through that kind of cash?”

“Me,” he said, deadpan. “I’m that lunatic. I’ve got things I’m working on. The money your dad sent didn’t cover everything, so now I need more to settle the rest.”

He paused, then glanced casually down the hallway with a crooked grin. “And, uh—you might wanna lower your voice. A staff might walk by.”

I drew in a sharp breath, pressing my lips together. “Whatever,” I muttered, lowering my tone. “But I thought we agreed on a fixed time and amount—not you showing up whenever the mood strikes, demanding more.”

“You’re right,” he said, nodding—calmly, to my surprise. No smug comeback. No smug grin. Just… agreement.

“That money was blackmail,” he continued. “Not something I earned with blood, sweat, or anything close to honesty. I shouldn’t have spent it like that. And showing up again like this? Yeah… it’s inconsiderate.”

My eyes narrowed. I stared at him, waiting for the punchline.

He turned slightly, like he was about to leave—then stopped.

“Before I go, though…” His voice dropped lower. “Just like your father’s money isn’t mine to waste… your secret isn’t mine to keep… Ms. Irene.”

There it was—his punchline. Because of course. There was no way in hell someone like him would actually agree with me, feel pity, or admit he was being too much.

I stared at his back as he walked away. Every instinct screamed at me to chase after him, to beg, to promise I’d have my father send whatever he wanted right away.

But I didn’t move.

My pride wrapped around my ankles like chains.

Instead, I stepped back into the room, grabbed my phone and purse from the bed, and headed out.

He had just turned the corner in the hallway when I stepped out, quietly closing the door behind me.

My heels clicked softly as I trailed behind him, keeping my pace calm—even as the anxiety burned in my chest like fire.

We reached the living room just as the front doors opened and Nathaniel wheeled in. That familiar smile tugged at his lips the moment his eyes landed on us.

“I thought you said you were sending your driver to pick me up,” I said, forcing cheer into my voice.

He shrugged. “Thought it’d be more romantic if I came myself.”

It was cheesy. So cheesy.

And yet my lips still curved into a smile.

Davian cleared his throat. “Well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds. Hope your night’s a good one.”

But just as he turned to go, Nathaniel spoke. “Would you care to join us?”

The smile on my lips dropped. What? Why?

Davian turned back, just as surprised. “You want me to join you on your date?”

“It’s more of a celebration, really,” Nathaniel replied with a shrug.

“We’re celebrating my official appointment as CEO of Grant Holdings. A few friends will be there. And seeing as you’re home alone, I thought you might want to come. Don’t you think so, Solane?”

His eyes met mine—calm, unreadable.

I forced my lips into the smile that had vanished a minute ago. “If… Mr. Foster doesn’t mind… I think he should definitely come along.”

Davian’s grin was all mischief. “It would be an honor.”