Chapter Five: The Move

The kitchen was on the twentieth floor. Sloane led me through a maze of corridors—past offices, past meeting rooms, past a gym I would never use—until we reached a space that looked like it belonged in a restaurant.

Stainless steel appliances. A long island with bar stools. A refrigerator stocked with more food than I'd seen in months.

"Help yourself," Sloane said. "Mr. Kane keeps it stocked for staff."

"He doesn't eat here?"

"Rarely."

I opened the refrigerator. Cold chicken. Roasted vegetables. A container of rice. I assembled a plate and sat at the island.

Sloane leaned against the counter. She didn't eat. She just watched.

"You don't trust me," I said.

"I don't trust anyone."

"That must be lonely."

"It's efficient."

I took a bite of chicken. It was good. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the food hit my tongue. I ate without speaking. Sloane continued to watch.

"You were his fiancée this morning," Sloane said. "Now you're married to his enemy. That's a fast transition."

"He was never my fiancé. Not really."

"You wore his ring."

I set down my fork. "I wore a ring he gave me. I believed a story he told me. That's not the same thing."

Sloane considered this. "Fair enough."

We sat in silence for a while. I finished my food. Sloane checked her phone.

"Mr. Kane wants to see you in the morning. Eight sharp. He'll have an office set up for you by then."

"An office?"

"You'll be working. Not just sitting around being married."

I nodded. I liked that. I didn't want to be a decoration.

"Where do I sleep tonight?"

"The guest suite. Same as before. I'll walk you back."

We returned to the twenty-third floor. Sloane stopped at the door.

"There's a security team on this floor. You won't see them, but they're there. If you need anything, press the button by the bed. Someone will come."

"Thank you."

Sloane nodded. She turned to leave.

"Sloane."

She stopped.

"Why are you helping me? You don't know me."

Sloane didn't turn around. "I don't need to know you. I work for Mr. Kane. He says protect you. I protect you."

"What if he changes his mind?"

"Then I'll stop protecting you. Simple as that."

She walked away. I watched her go. Then I stepped into the suite and closed the door.

The room was the same as before. Still impersonal. Still quiet. I sat on the bed and looked at my phone.

I should call someone. A friend. My father's old lawyer. Anyone who might help me understand what I'd just done.

But there was no one. My friends had all been Julian's friends. My father's lawyer had retired years ago. I was alone.

I'd always been alone. I just hadn't realized it.

I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. The engagement party was happening right now. Cecilia was probably telling guests that I was sick. Julian was probably smiling through his teeth and pretending everything was fine.

I wondered if they'd noticed I was gone yet.

Probably not.

I closed my eyes. I didn't sleep. I just rested.

---

Morning came slowly.

I woke to sunlight streaming through the window. I'd slept in my clothes. My mouth tasted like coffee and nothing else. I sat up, disoriented, before remembering.

The ring on my finger.

The contract.

Adrian.

I showered. I put on the same black dress. I looked at myself in the mirror and made a decision.

I needed new clothes. I needed to look different. The woman who'd walked out of her engagement party was not the woman who would take Julian down.

I found Sloane in the hallway.

"I need to go shopping."

Sloane raised an eyebrow. "Now?"

"Now."

"Mr. Kane wants to see you at eight."

"It's seven. I'll be back by eight."

Sloane considered this. Then she pulled out her phone and made a call. Two minutes later, she nodded.

"There's a car downstairs. I'll take you."

---

The store was small. Exclusive. The kind of place I used to shop before my mother died.

I walked through the racks with purpose. Simple pieces. Dark colors. Nothing flashy. Nothing that would make me look like a bride.

Sloane stood by the door and watched.

"You're not going to offer opinions?" I asked.

"I'm not paid to have opinions."

"You're not paid to stand there either."

"I'm paid to keep you alive. This counts."

I selected five outfits. Black trousers. Gray blouses. A jacket that fit me perfectly. Practical. Professional. I paid with a credit card Adrian had given me that morning. It felt strange, using his money. But it was part of the deal.

I changed into one of the new outfits in the fitting room. When I stepped out, Sloane nodded.

"Better."

"I thought you didn't have opinions."

"That was a fact, not an opinion."

I almost smiled.

We returned to the building at 7:52. I walked to Adrian's office. The door was open. He was at his desk, reading something on a tablet.

"You're early," he said.

"I'm punctual."

He looked up. He noted the new clothes but didn't comment.

"Your office is ready. Second door on the left. The information you provided is being analyzed. We'll have a report by tomorrow."

"Then what?"

"Then we start making moves. Quiet ones. Julian won't know what hit him."

I sat across from him. "I want to be involved."

"You are involved."

"I mean in the planning. Not just providing information. I want to be part of the decisions."

Adrian set down his tablet. He studied me.

"Why?"

"Because it's my revenge. I need to be part of it."

He considered this. Then he nodded.

"Fine. But you follow my lead. This isn't a solo mission."

"I understand."

"Good." He stood. "Come with me. I'll show you your office."

He led me down the hall to a small room. A desk. A computer. A window overlooking the city. Nothing personal. Nothing permanent.

It was perfect.

"The computer is secure. The files you need are already loaded. You'll work with my analyst, Felix. He'll be in touch."

"And you?"

"I have other things to manage. But I'll check in. Every day."

I sat in the chair. I ran my hands over the desk. The surface was smooth, cold.

"This is really happening," I said.

"It is."

"I keep expecting to wake up."

Adrian stood in the doorway. He didn't say anything. He just waited.

"I'm fine," I said. "You can go."

He left. I opened the computer. I started reading the files.

The work was starting.

---

At noon, Felix appeared. He was young, nervous, with glasses that kept slipping down his nose. He handed me a stack of documents.

"The accounts you identified are being monitored. We're seeing movement. Small amounts. Julian is testing the waters."

"Testing the waters how?"

"Moving money out of his personal accounts. Small transfers. Trying to see if anyone's watching."

I smiled. It wasn't a kind smile.

"He knows something's wrong."

"He suspects. He doesn't know."

"Good. Let him suspect."

Felix shifted on his feet. "Mr. Kane said you'd want to be updated. I'll keep you informed."

"Do that."

He left. I turned back to the computer. I worked through lunch. I didn't notice the time.

At six, Adrian appeared in my doorway.

"You should go home."

"I don't have a home."

He looked at me for a long moment.

"You have a suite. On the twenty-third floor. That's close enough for now."

I saved my work. I stood. My back ached. I hadn't moved in hours.

"Adrian."

He stopped in the hallway.

"Thank you. For the office. For the clothes. For... this."

He didn't turn around.

"Don't thank me. I'm not doing this for you."

"Then what are you doing it for?"

He turned. His eyes met mine. And for a moment—just a moment—something passed across his face. Something I couldn't name. It was there and gone before I could be sure.

"I told you. The Ashfords destroyed my father. I've been waiting fifteen years for this. You're a means to an end."

I held his gaze.

"That's fine. So am I."

We stood there for a moment. Neither moved.

Then Adrian turned and walked away.

I watched him go.

I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know who I was becoming. But I knew one thing.

I wasn't going to stop.

I walked to the elevator and pressed the button for my floor.

Tomorrow, the work would continue.