eck, and he reached up to massage i

ugh the windshield rose the city's skyline, with

hit him-he was

illage with Eliana behind the wheel. At some p

ar, and an uneasy realizatio

g to see, until he finally caugh

n with a young man whose me

lts," the man said, hi

?" asked Eliana, h

man passed her a thin folder. "Yo

brow as a suspicion began

st page. The words stared back at her. "Analysis of DNA

hands, and her gaze darkened wi

ed the belief that she was an orphan. If that we

ing. Even with her talents and resources

d thrown her away didn't

ots left her with a swirl of em

shing back to her family d

subordinates had

ack to meet the Murray family? I did some digging. Besides you, they've got six

ands without hesitation. "Complicated

. We're shifting our headquarters to Qidence this year. H

id, "So, this was part of your plan all a

an't avoid. Eighvale's market has been wrecked. Some unknown group came after us hard,

hould be ready to pack up at a

s something came to mind. "Oh-while you were gone, we landed a big contract.

offer?" Elia

covers, we can name any pric

"Then let's make this ou

even faded, a faint noise

the curly-haired man on his way, and

p, his eyes trailing in the

" he asked, curiosi

e one who brought us into Qiden

though his hand went to his neck.

e and twisted it. That's all," sh

eyes narrowed slig

," Eliana said

ance, a quiet doubt l

ad happened earlier, the throbbing in

attered was that Elian

nd Dad must be waiting," Carl sa

d, making no move to argue and le

nfidence, determined to

but the streets of Qidence were a mess-heavy tra

ce paid off as they passed throu

the first time, she began to believe Carl's boast t

ter of such a family, moving the Onyx Syndicate's head

olled to a stop and she stepped out, only to spot sever

d one of them. "Briar, what's g

ead in greeting before answering, "There's been...

he picture became

chest man, had been pulled into a high-profile

rray-the eldest and second sons-we

a crushing hit, and the staff were

and those still loyal were no

ugh the words couldn't qu

on his sleeve. "Come on.

With a dazed expression clouding his feat

e scene-a slim young woman knelt before

ake me unless I cut ties with our family. You don't have to worry; it's only for appearances.

yes slid shut, her expression one

ed move, partly to stall for time and build their influence, and

care, Leyla Murray-the adopted daughter-deci

ismissed had quietly offered to

to put as much distance between he

speak. He strode forward and

stared at him in disbelief.

did. And why shouldn't I? You're just looking

began, her

We don't give a damn. You're n

Then she let out a sharp laugh and rose to her feet. "Alrigh

n this. From this moment on, your troubles aren't mine,

Stella could react and scribbled his nam