Chapter 6 - The Man Who Betrayed Damian Was After Me, and He Knew the One Secret That Could Make Damian Lose EverythingAdrian Cole had been Damian's closest adviser.
He had helped build the original organization.
He had disappeared after a betrayal.
Now he was back.
He wanted the Navarro trust.
But more than that, he wanted Damian destroyed.
He knew Damian loved Isabelle.
He knew Damian was protecting me.
He knew exactly where to hurt him.
Adrian sent a message.
Bring Tessa.
Or Isabelle dies.
Damian looked at me.
I saw the answer in his eyes.
No.
I refused.
“We find another way.”
“There isn't another.”
“There is always another.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
He finally did.
Years earlier, Damian and Adrian had been brothers in everything but blood.
Then Adrian had betrayed him.
He took part of Damian's network.
He killed people.
He arranged my father's murder.
He believed Damian was weak for caring about family.
He wanted control.
Damian wanted out.
That was the difference.
We located Adrian.
A private warehouse.
He had Isabelle.
She was terrified.
Damian walked in alone.
Adrian laughed.
“You finally came.”
“Let her go.”
“She doesn't matter.”
Damian's face hardened.
“She is my daughter.”
“I know.”
Adrian looked at me.
“And you're the key.”
He explained the trust.
The money.
The foundation.
The financial structure.
He wanted access.
He knew I was protected by the law.
So he planned to destroy my reputation first.
He had fabricated financial records.
He would accuse me of stealing.
He would then force the trust into court.
During litigation, the assets would be frozen.
He could manipulate the proceedings.
It was brilliant.
But he had made one mistake.
He believed I was still the frightened young woman from years ago.
I wasn't.
I recorded everything.
Adrian confessed.
The police entered.
He was arrested.
Isabelle was safe.
Damian held her.
She cried.
He did too.
I turned away.
It felt private.
Like something I shouldn't watch.
Later, Damian came to me.
“You saved her.”
“So did you.”
He smiled.
“I think we both did.”
I looked at him.
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“I don't want to be someone you protect because my father asked.”
He went still.
“I want you to choose me because you want to.”
He stared at me for a long time.
Then said:
“I do.”
My heart skipped.
“Why?”
“Because you're the first person who ever saw the worst part of me and still asked whether I could become better.”
I touched his face.
“I think you already did.”
He kissed me.
It was gentle.
Careful.
Nothing like the dangerous world around us.
It felt like a promise.
Not ownership.
Choice.
But the next morning, Adrian's arrest wasn't the end.
It was the beginning.
Because he had given prosecutors evidence of one final person.
A politician.
A judge.
A businessman.
And the head of a private security network.
His name was…
Daniel Whitmore.
The man currently running for mayor.
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And he had one reason to destroy me.
He knew where the original Navarro trust was hidden.
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