Chapter 4 - The Man Inside the Study
Dalton’s records exposed far more than stolen money.
For six years, he had manipulated accounts, recruited desperate gamblers, inflated debts, and hidden the profits inside businesses carrying Victor’s name.
Victor spent two days dismantling the scheme.
Emma saw almost none of him.
Then, at midnight on the third night, she found him alone in the study.
He was sitting on the same sofa.
She stopped in the doorway.
Victor looked up.
“You're allowed inside now.”
Emma entered.
“That's dangerous information.”
A faint smile appeared.
“You're getting brave.”
“You canceled my debt.”
“Your brother's debt.”
“See? Brave already.”
Victor laughed.
Emma froze.
She had never heard him laugh.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring.”
“I didn't know you could do that.”
“Do what?”
“Laugh.”
His smile disappeared.
“Careful.”
“There he is.”
Victor shook his head.
Emma noticed a glass of bourbon on the table.
She looked at the rug.
Victor followed her gaze.
“No throwing it tonight.”
“Good. That's an expensive rug.”
“You were asleep on me six hours after we met properly, and you're worried about my rug?”
Emma crossed her arms.
“You pulled me onto you.”
“I was unconscious.”
“Convenient defense.”
Victor looked at her.
The teasing vanished.
“Why didn't you leave?”
Emma knew exactly what he meant.
“That night?”
“Yes.”
“You told me to stay.”
“I wasn't awake.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
Emma thought about it.
“You looked like you needed somebody.”
Victor’s face changed.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, he said, “That's a dangerous instinct around men like me.”
“Maybe.”
“You should be afraid of me.”
“I was.”
“Was?”
Emma smiled slightly.
“I'm reconsidering.”
Victor stared at her for a long moment.
Then Paul burst through the door.
“Boss.”
Victor stood immediately.
“What?”
“We found Dalton.”
“Where?”
Paul hesitated.
“Outside Emma's apartment.”
Silence.
Victor turned toward her.
Emma went pale.
“Why would he go there?”
Paul answered.
“Liam.”
Emma reached for her phone.
Victor caught her wrist.
“Don't.”
“My brother—”
“Paul already sent men.”
Victor's voice remained controlled.
“He's safe.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I made sure.”
Emma stared at him.
“When?”
“The night we found him.”
“You've been protecting Liam?”
Victor released her wrist.
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because then you'd argue.”
“I am arguing.”
“Exactly.”
Paul almost smiled.
Victor glanced at him.
Paul immediately stopped.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
His expression tightened.
Victor noticed.
“What?”
“Dalton got away.”
Victor's jaw hardened.
Paul continued.
“But he left something.”
“What?”
“A message.”
Emma whispered, “For who?”
Paul looked at her.
May you like
“For you.”
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