d, each word a taunt that echoed louder in the silence of the penthouse. She stared at the cei

in Thom's company? Or perhaps it was Viv

uldn't ignore this threat. The stakes had never been higher, and one wrong mo

e window, his silhouette outlined by the soft glow of the sunrise.

he remarked witho

some coffee. The warmth of the cup in her hands offered litt

fter a moment. His tone was unu

before continuing. "Thom... I nee

rows furrowing as he took in

essage pressing down on her. "I got a

ghtened. "Wha

ys comes out.'" She held up her phone, showing him

on the screen, his expression unreadable. Then, he straig

sent this," he said, his

about finding out who sent it, Thom. It's about what happens i

tening. "And I'll handle it, He

s promises, the cracks in their facad

yder. Callum was sharp-eyed and unassuming, the kind of person who could blend into a crowd

leek laptop. Helena handed him her phone, and he be

nutes. "Whoever sent this knows what they're

restless. Helena sat on the edge of the couch, her hands clasped tightly

as sent from a burner phone, but it pinged off a cell towe

on grim. "Keep digging. I

aving Helena and Thom alone in the living r

said, breaking the silence. "We can'

his voice firm. "If we let this unrave

lt, you mean. Because let's not forget, Thom, this arrangement was

ooked as though he wanted to argue. But then his sh

d quietly. "This is my

m, but the cracks in his re

ain appearances, and she knew the stakes were higher than ever. Dressed in an elegant navy gown, she

ck. He was the picture of confidence, charming donors and exchanging

y glance felt like a judgment, every whispered conversation a potential

ping onto the balcony, she took a deep breath, the cool night air

len

standing behind her, h

alone," he said, stepping c

voice sharper than she int

ment, then nodded. "I get

just about me, is it? This is your life, your reputation. You've

hole life trying to prove I'm more than where I came

you've done that, Thom. But

med to disappear. But before anything else could be said, Thom'

he said. "Callum

g for them in the living room. He looked

you find?"

sn't just a warning. It's a threat. And it'

tomach dro

sitated.

the floor tilt beneath her. Vivienne had always been a lo

his voice cold. "And she

they were in deeper trouble than they'd realized. And if th