Maya blinked, letting each word settle, each strategy imprint itself in her mind. Danger thrummed in the air, but it no longer paralyzed her. Instead, a sharp focus anchored her-she belonged here, in this fight, by his side.
Damien’s hand slipped from her cheek as he leaned back, eyes dark and calculating. “That trip triggered something-it caught his attention. We knew it was risky, but it had to be done.”
“We expected him to make a move, and we were prepared-but not this fast. Orion’s involvement, Miller showing up-it wasn’t a coincidence. That was the first sign something was off.”
Maya’s brow furrowed, her pulse quickening.
“Sienna was right. The campaign was meant for Altair-Orion was never even in the picture. We had no business with them. But they forced their way in, manipulated the table… and stole the contract.” His lips twisted into a bitter line.
Maya swallowed, her eyes widening. It wasn’t just bad timing-someone had orchestrated
this.
“Orion is one of the largest talent agencies in the world-they’re not strangers to us. But they’ve always stayed neutral among the Five Families, which is why we’ve never conducted business with them: to avoid conflict and keep the field fair. That’s why their sudden involvement immediately raised red flags. They don’t move like that unless someone is pulling the strings.”
“The day Miller showed up was the same day Nick got word from his intel in Moldova-at one of Viktor’s checkpoints. That place had been quiet for years, but right after our trip, unusual activity started increasing.”
He shook his head, his voice hardening. “At first, we weren’t sure if their sudden involvement was tied to Viktor. All we had were fragments of the puzzle. That’s why I told Trina to find a way to get rid of him, make it look like he messed up. Enough reason to terminate the contract, make it appear purely business. That way, whoever sent him would be misled into thinking their suspicions were wrong, while we worked to confirm ours.”
“We did some digging and discovered that Orion is a sinking ship, crawling with rats. That’s why Nick left yesterday morning-he tracked one desperate enough for money and a way out, squeezed intel, and returned last night with the answers.”
“He found out Orion’s basically an empty shell. Viktor’s been pumping cash in to keep it afloat, just to watch me. And Miller? They knew he had a link to you. Enough to make him
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useful. They sent him to provoke me… to confirm their suspicions.”
Harper tapped her chin and snapped her fingers. “Aha! That explains it! That’s why Lee looked suspicious that morning.” She swung her finger toward Ashcroft, eyes gleaming. “And why the boss didn’t kill you-even after you c**k-blocked him. Makes perfect sense now!”
Everyone froze, all eyes on Harper. Maya’s cheeks flushed bright with embarrassment, while Damien felt a flicker of unease, swallowing hard at her words.
Ashcroft let out a sharp cough, as if he’d choked on his own words. His eyes snapped toward Harper, and he jabbed a finger at her. “You really don’t have a filter, woman! And why do you have to put it that way?!”
He raised his hands defensively, a mix of exasperation and amusement in his expression. ” Hey! To be fair, I didn’t know, okay? If someone had given me a heads-up, do you really think I’d have knocked on his door last night?”
Harper rolled her eyes with a smirk. “Yeah, yeah, whatever!” She waved off Ashcroft’s protest and turned her attention back to Damien. “Sorry to interrupt boss, please, continue.”
Damien cleared his throat, forcing his composure back. “But Miller is weak. Seeing you again lit something inside him-jealousy. It cracked his mask and exposed him. His emotions made him sloppy, and that… gave me exactly what I needed.”
Maya’s lips parted. “So… this is what Ms. Trina meant when she said I did everyone a favor?”
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.