Chapter 5 - Preston Wasn't Just My Abusive Fiancé—He Was Ronin's Missing Uncle's Son

I felt like the world had tilted.

"No."

Gideon nodded.

"Preston Hayes is Marcus Calder's son."

Ronin stared out the window.

He said nothing.

I couldn't stop shaking.

The man I'd loved for two years was connected to the same family that had destroyed Ronin's.

Everything made sense now.

Why Preston knew about Ronin.

Why he always seemed to know where I was.

Why his father had so much influence.

Why my mother had been afraid.

"What does Marcus want?"

Gideon answered.

"The Black Ledger."

"Why?"

"Because the ledger can expose the entire organization."

"Then why not destroy it?"

"Because someone in the organization needs to inherit it."

Ronin finally spoke.

"No."

Gideon looked at him.

"Your father wanted the organization dismantled."

"Yes."

"Then why are they still using the ledger?"

"Because Marcus believes power belongs to whoever controls the evidence."

Ronin clenched his jaw.

"Where is he?"

Gideon shook his head.

"Not here."

I looked at the ledger.

The final page had one more line.

The heir must marry the guardian.

My stomach tightened.

"What does that mean?"

Ronin looked down.

"I don't know."

Gideon did.

"It refers to an old agreement."

I turned.

"What agreement?"

"When the four families created the network, they arranged marriages to unite the bloodlines."

I stared.

"You mean Preston?"

"Preston was chosen."

"For me?"

Gideon nodded.

I laughed in disbelief.

"He pursued me because of a contract?"

"Not entirely."

"What do you mean?"

Gideon hesitated.

"He was obsessed with making you obey him."

Ronin's eyes turned cold.

"Because obedience was the point."

We reached a safe house.

Clara was waiting.

She had packed bags.

I hadn't seen her since the night at her apartment.

She hugged me.

Then whispered:

"I knew he was dangerous."

"I know."

"I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Because I knew your father had been watching you."

I pulled back.

"My father?"

She nodded.

"He believed the only way to protect you was to make you invisible."

"He failed."

"Yes."

There was grief in her eyes.

Not fear.

Grief.

That night, Ronin and I sat across from each other.

No guards.

No lawyers.

No secrets between us.

At least, not deliberate ones.

"Why did you hire me?" I asked.

He answered immediately.

"Because you reminded me of someone."

"Who?"

"My mother."

I blinked.

"She worked for my father."

"She was his secretary?"

"Yes."

"Then why does that matter?"

"Because she was the only person who could tell him when he was wrong."

I smiled faintly.

"That sounds familiar."

He almost smiled.

Then his expression changed.

"I didn't expect to need you."

"Need me?"

"As my assistant."

"Of course."

"No."

He looked directly at me.

"As a person."

My heart skipped.

He continued.

"Somewhere along the way, you became the person I trusted most."

I looked down.

"Ronin..."

"I'm not asking you for anything."

He paused.

"I'm telling you because you deserve the truth."

I didn't know what to say.

Then a loud crash came from outside.

Gideon rushed in.

"Boss."

"What?"

"Someone hit the south gate."

Ronin grabbed his weapon.

We moved.

Three SUVs had breached the property.

Men flooded the grounds.

One shouted:

"Bring Laurel out!"

Ronin stepped forward.

"No."

The fight lasted minutes.

When it ended, two attackers were captured.

One had a phone.

On it was a video.

Preston.

He sat in a chair.

Clara's mother was beside him.

An older woman.

I didn't know her.

Preston smiled.

"You're looking for me."

I stared.

"Release her."

"Bring the ledger."

"I don't have it."

He laughed.

"Then bring Ronin."

Ronin took the phone.

Preston continued.

"Because your boss has something Marcus wants."

Ronin's eyes narrowed.

"What?"

Preston smiled.

"His blood."

The video ended.

Gideon looked confused.

"What does he mean?"

Ronin remained silent.

I looked at him.

"Ronin."

He stared at the floor.

"Years ago, my father had me tested."

"For what?"

"My bloodline."

I frowned.

"I don't understand."

"The Black Ledger isn't just information."

He looked at me.

"It's a succession document."

"For the organization."

"Yes."

"And?"

Ronin's face hardened.

"It recognizes one bloodline as the legal successor."

"Whose?"

"Mine."

Silence.

Preston didn't want Ronin dead.

He wanted him controlled.

Because Ronin was the key to everything.

Then Gideon's phone rang.

He answered.

His face turned pale.

"Boss."

"What?"

"They found Marcus."

"Where?"

Gideon swallowed.

"In the courthouse."

"Alive?"

"Yes."

"What's he doing?"

Gideon looked at me.

"He's surrendering."

"To whom?"

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Gideon whispered:

"To Laurel."