Love Denied Ch 7

Chapter 7
Dangerous Alliances
Elena stepped into the dimly lit lounge, her sharp eyes
scanning the room. She had chosen the location carefully, a
private club where discretion was guaranteed. Adrian Kane
was already seated in a secluded booth, his signature smirk
in place as he swirled a glass of whiskey.
She slid into the seat across from him, maintaining a neutral
expression.
“Elena Carter Stone,” Adrian mused. “Still as poised as
ever.”
“Adrian,” she said smoothly. “Still as reckless as ever.”
He chuckled, leaning back. “You called. That means you
need something.”
Elena met his gaze head on. “Ryan Lancaster is coming after
me. He is digging into my past, and your name has surfaced.
I need to know exactly what he has on you before he tries to
use it against me.”
Adrian exhaled slowly, his smirk fading slightly. “Ryan does
not know the whole story. He has pieces, fragments. But if
he keeps going, he might find something neither of us want
in the open.”
Elena’s patience thinned. “Then tell me what it is.”
Adrian took a long sip of his whiskey before setting the glass
down. “Seven years ago, I made enemies. You were smart
enough to walk away before the fallout, but I know for a fact
your name is buried in places it should not be. If Ryan gets
the right information, he can twist it against you.”
Elena felt the weight of his words but did not let it show.
“Then we make sure he never gets it.”
Adrian studied her for a long moment, then smirked again.
“And what do I get in return?”
Elena leaned forward slightly. “I make sure Ryan does not
get to you either.”
Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. “You always were good
at negotiation.”
Elena held out her hand. “Do we have a deal?”
Adrian hesitated, then clasped her hand. “We do.”
A silent understanding passed between them. The enemy of
her enemy was now her temporary ally.
Ryan’s Office – Shifting Tactics
Ryan stared at the latest report on his desk, his jaw
tightening.
“Elena met with Adrian Kane,” Nathan confirmed. “They are
working together now.”
Ryan clenched his fists. “That means she knows I am closing
in.”
Nathan hesitated. “What if this is a dead end? What if there
is nothing to find?”
Ryan’s expression darkened. “There is always something to
find.”
He stood abruptly. “If I cannot break her past, I will break
her present. It is time to go after the people closest to her.”
Nathan nodded. “Who do we target first?”
Ryan’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Daniel Morgan. He has
been her right hand for years. If we shake him, we shake
her.”
Nathan left the office to carry out the orders, while Ryan
leaned back in his chair.
Elena thought she had gained the upper hand.
She had no idea what was coming.
Daniel’s Office – The First Strike
Daniel was in the middle of reviewing a security report when
his assistant rushed in, looking pale.
“You need to see this,” she said, placing a tablet on his desk.
Daniel picked it up, his stomach tightening as he read the
headline.
“Daniel Morgan Under Investigation for Financial
Misconduct”
His blood ran cold. He knew immediately who was behind
this.
Ryan Lancaster.
His phone rang, and without checking the caller ID, he
answered.
“Ryan,” Daniel said, his voice calm despite the fury boiling
inside him.
Ryan’s voice was smooth, almost amused. “I see you have
been keeping up with the news.”
Daniel clenched his jaw. “You are playing a dangerous
game.”
Ryan chuckled. “So is Elena. Consider this a warning. If she
does not back down, this will get worse.”
Daniel exhaled sharply. “You have no idea what you are
starting.”
Ryan’s voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “Neither does
she.”
The line went dead.
Daniel set the phone down, his mind already working on
countermeasures.
If Ryan wanted a war, he would get one.
And this time, he would not win.