Chapter eighty-twoChloe A pregnant silence filled the air. I stared blankly at Tristan who sat on my sofa, grinning at me like we were two souls connecting over a heart-to-heart. His wife, my mother, or ex-mother, whatever role she was assuming at the moment, sat beside him, her eyes roving every nook and cranny of the living room. "State your business," Addison spat with so much venom, it startled me as well. The man I had grown up calling Father smiled even wider. But the look in his eyes told me exactly what he thought of Addison. The same thing he had always thought of her. A nuisance. A bother and someone who I shouldn't associate with. Perhaps it had been foolish of me to allow them into my home. I was pretty surprised to find them outside my gate too. It wasn't like I could turn them away. Tristan was tricky, if he wanted to see me, he would find a way to do so anyways. "It is sad to see my daughter return without so much as a visit." He said, his smile dimming as he sp

Eighty FourNathan Cameron and I sat in my office, surrounded by a sea of papers and files. We had been working together for months, trying to uncover Eduardo's secrets and bring him to justice. Right at that moment, I stared at Cam in shock. He had said something that looked like we were finally making headway. "You're serious?" I asked arching a brow at Cameron who sat across my desk. What he had just said was... Intriguing. Cameron leaned forward and looked me in the eye. "I've been tracking Eduardo for the past few weeks," he said, his voice low and serious. "Of course I'm serious!" I leaned in, my heart racing with anticipation. "Tell me, again." I growled, "This is fucking too good an opportunity." Cameron grinned at me and I could see the glaze of excitement in his eyes. "Eduardo is falling out with the mafia," he said. "With the way I see it, They'll cut ties with him completely, soon enough." A chuckle slipped from my lips as I reclined in my chair. Eduardo's power

86Chloe I and David huddled together at the kitchen table, our once-confident expressions replaced with visible concern. Our faces were etched in worry. We had been preparing for the court case for weeks, rallying people to our side and putting together a solid case. Something that would take Tristan down. But now? With the judge missing, we had no idea what to do now that our plan had been thrown into disarray. It was as if the rug had been pulled out from under our feet, leaving us disoriented and lost. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. It felt more like my face had been bashed against the floor. Two days had passed since Tristan had walked into my home, disturbed my peace, and left a trail of disturbing thoughts in my mind. Leaving now was not an option. Not when the crazy man could drive a sword down her belly and be done with her. The silence in the room was thick, broken only by my shuddering breaths. I couldn't afford to wake either Addy or Della. It was barely seven in the

NathanI sat across from Eduardo in his office, the hum of the air conditioning the only sound in the room. Eduardo leaned back in his leather chair, looking intently at me with his piercing black eyes. I maintained my composure, keeping my gaze level with Eduardo's, my expression calm and collected.At least I hoped on the outside I looked like I wasn't restraining myself from bashing his head against a wall. "Why a casino business?" Eduardo asked, his voice heavy with skepticism. I knew that Eduardo was not one to mince words, so I prepared his answer carefully. Cameron was quiet and it wasn't surprising. His job was to listen in and detect things I may not have noticed in the conversation and in my surroundings. "We all know how very profitable that business is," I replied smoothly, leaning languidly against the sofa I sat on. Eduardo raised an eyebrow at my response, clearly expecting more of an explanation."Yes, but it has a rather high risk," Eduardo pointed out, leaning forw

NinetyNathanForget each other. A mirthless laugh slipped from me at her words. I ran my fingers through my hair, wondering where to begin.  Was it that easy for her to toss me aside? For her to forget me?"Chloe," I called and when she looked at me, blue eyes hard with resolve, I felt I was losing her already. "I could never forget you if I tried." "Try harder," was her retort and she tapped the car door again, asking me to open it. No way in hell. I had her trapped in my car, there was no way I would let her go so easily. Why was she acting like I was some piece of muck? I knew I messed up. I had done her wrong, completely. But I was trying to make up for all my mistakes. Why couldn't she give me a chance to set things right?"Chloe,""Nathan, this is getting crazy!" She snapped. "I don't want you anymore. I don't need you in my life and I cannot stand the sight of you!" Every word was like