could see the storm brewing beneath the

an repeated, his voice firm. "Yo

ook in Ashley's eyes, the cold calculation.

zed that she had to know more about Julian's past. About hi

d, her voice soft but insistent. "Wh

Ava thought he might push her away. But t

sper. "But my parents...they arranged the whole thing. They want to merge

shock. "You're marry

ds cold, but that's just the way it is. My family's busines

n Julian's behalf. How coul

aw something there that gave her hope. A sp

id, her voice filled with conviction. "You

she saw a glimmer of possibility. A chance for Julian to bre

, and he looked away. "It's

sed to give up. She knew that

ked on his. "What do you mean it's not that si

...complicated," he said, his voice hesitant. "There are a lot of people involved, a lot of in

with possibilities. "What kind of p

as searching for an escape. "I don't know if I can trust you

at Julian. She knew that she had to con

filled with conviction. "I want to help you, to

Ava thought she saw a glimmer of trust. A chan

ooked away. "I'll tell you everything,

sed to give up. She knew that

" Ava asked,

aw a spark of defiance. "Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and

n. She knew that she was taking a risk, but she w

," Ava said, h

t she saw a glimmer of hope. A chance for Julian to break

y, Ava couldn't shake off the feeli

she felt a sense of trepidation.

d on the task at hand. She had to be at the

went through the motions of teaching her

old warehouse. The building loomed above her, its ab

e. The warehouse was dimly lit, the only

d out, her voice ec

. Julian's eyes locked on hers, a

" Julian said, his

unding in her chest. "I

o," he said. "But you have to understand, Ava. My family'

closer. "What do you mean?" she ask

tell you everything," he said. "Bu

asked, her heart po

ous. "You have to promise me you'll ne

nt. But something in Jul

ise," s

oul. "Good," he said. "Because once you

scanning the dimly lit warehouse a

s," Julian said, his voice low and measured. "I

d as Julian's wor

va asked, her voice b

ved in some...unsavory activities," he said. "Thi

kind of activities could Jul

Ava asked, he

ound the warehouse. "I don't know if

eyes locked on Julian's. "

and for a moment, Ava thoug

ll tell you. But you have to pro

rt pounding in her

p breath, his eye

ganized crime," he said, his

in shock. She hadn'

asked, her v

"We're talking embezzlement,

hed in the gut. She couldn't

his?" Ava asked, her voic

need your help," he said. "I need you

. She couldn't believe what

ew she had to make a choice. Was she going t