"So what if I'm the CEO of Vertex International?"
"Right now, I only have one title that matters: Claire's fiancé. And if you need me to, I can use my other title..."
Sometimes, having too many identities was a massive liability.
The very first time Dane had been targeted by assassins, it was precisely because
he operated as an off-the-books contractor for The Special Security Division.
He had assisted the SSD on multiple high-risk operations, and his cover had eventually blown.
That slip-up had nearly cost him his life.
If the SSD hadn't mobilized a massive strike team to wipe out the cartel targeting him, Dane wouldn't be standing here today.
Thanks to his federal credentials, he had absolute clearance to enter the hot zone. Silas found himself backed into a corner.
"Fine, come in. I trust your tactical skills, but whatever you see in there, do not lose your head!"
Silas knew he couldn't stop a man like Dane, so he cleared him for entry.
Dane swapped his suit jacket for tactical gear, flashed his badge, and pushed past the barricades.
He was initially blocked by SWAT, but Silas radioed it in, allowing Dane and his two personal operatives to enter the lobby.
"You two stay on the perimeter. Be ready to intercept any targets that slip through the net," Dane ordered the bodyguards who had initially lost Claire.
Meanwhile, another man had just arrived at The Cabinda University.
It was Dewitt.
Dewitt had been delayed by a few days before arriving in Cabinda. His entire plan had been to stay with Claire for a while to act as her personal security.
But the moment he touched down, Claire's phone went straight to voicemail. His instincts immediately screamed that something was wrong.
He rushed straight to the campus. It was a weekday—she should have been in class.
Instead?
Before he even had to ask, the entire campus was buzzing with rumors about a violent hostage situation.
And the hostage was Claire!
"Excuse me, what exactly happened to Claire?"
Dewitt grabbed the arm of a passing student.
"Who the hell are you?" The girl snapped, ready to scream.
She whipped around, only to freeze when she saw Dewitt's striking, rugged face. The insult died in her throat.
"Um, hi... what did you want to know?"
The girl's face flushed a deep crimson.
This guy definitely wasn't a student here, but he was incredibly handsome. Surely he couldn't be a bad guy, right?
She completely forgot that just that morning, Howard had ended up with a slit throat because of a 'pretty' face.
The easily flustered student was Lily Lowell.
She had been fully prepared to loudly declare that Claire had it coming for being so arrogant and flashy on campus.
It was a good thing she kept her mouth shut, or Dewitt might have broken her jaw.
"I heard you talking about Claire. What happened to her?"
Dewitt's patience was virtually
nonexistent but since it concent
his sister he forced himself to repeat the question. .net>
Lily opened her mouth to reply, but her friend Macy Wade yanked her "Who are you? Why are
king about her?"
None of them particularly liked Claire, but with her currently missing after a violent attack, a random man asking about her immediately put Macy on high alert
They could tear each other apart in private, but when dealing with outsiders, the class stuck together.
"I'm her brother. I've been trying to reach her, but her phone is dead. Our family is terrified."
Macy eyed him with open suspicion. "You're her brother? You look absolutely nothing like her."
Dewitt frowned. "Cousin. Not biological."
"Look, either tell me what happened, or I'm calling the police."
Dewitt pulled out his ID and shoved it toward them. "Look. My last name is James too."
Seeing his genuine panic and the verified ID, Macy's suspicion finally wavered.