?? ????? ???????

DAMON'S POV:

The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting sharp lines across the desk. I leaned back in my chair, scrolling through the files on Chanderson's hard drive. Names, numbers, transactions—evidence of every dirty deal he ever made.

Across the room, Camila watched me, arms crossed, expression unreadable. She'd been quiet for a while, but I could feel the weight of her thoughts pressing against the silence.

"You think this is over," she said finally, her voice even. "But all you did was take out one man. The system's still standing, and now you're sitting in his seat."

I didn't look up. "That's the point."

She let out a dry laugh. "You sure about that? Because from where I'm standing, you're just another name on a hit list now."

I exhaled, dragging a hand down my face. "Camila, if you have something useful to say, say it. Otherwise, save the lecture."

She stepped closer. "Fine. You kept me alive for a reason. You want the rest of Chanderson's network? People you can't pack into a petty hard drive? I'm your best shot at finding it."

That got my attention.

She smirked. "See? I knew you'd listen."

I closed the laptop and met her gaze. "What do you want in return?"

"Three billion."

I almost laughed. "You really think you're worth that much?"

"Three billion, Damon." Her voice didn't waver.

I studied her for a long moment. She wasn't bluffing. And as much as I hated to admit it, she had a point. I could take down Chanderson, but if I didn't clean up what he left behind, it wouldn't matter.

"Fine," I said. "But you have two days to wrap this up. After that, you're on your own."

"Deal."

She held out her hand. I didn't shake it. Instead, I picked up my phone and checked the time. Two days. Two days of tying up loose ends before I could go home to Astrid.

If there was still a home left to go back to.

Every hour that passed, every unanswered message that rung on my phone, I could feel Astrid's trust in me slipping further out of my reach. I couldn't bring myself to reply, to tell her I lied... because if this is what it takes to secure our future, then so be it.

Camila elbowed my side, removing me from my thoughts. "First stop— The Gala."

~

Camila linked her arm in mine, her hair swept into an elaborate updo, the shimmering gold of her gown catching the low light.

She carried herself with the same lethal confidence as always, but tonight, she looked more dangerous than ever.

"You clean up well," she said, giving me an appraising look as she adjusted the lapels of my tailored suit. "Don't." I smacked her hand off, fastening my cuffs. "Let's just get this over with."

She stepped closer. "If we're going to sell this, you might want to ease up on the hostility. Lovers don't glare at each other like that."

"Lovers?" I forced myself to relax, though my jaw tightened at the thought. "Just tell me the plan."

"We're attending a gala hosted by one of Chanderson's former... more influential partners. Word still hasn't spread about Chanderson's retirement, so they'll still be expecting me to show up with my 'new investor.'" She gestured to me, her smile sharp. "That's you, darling."