19
The safe house turned out to be a fortress disguised as a coastal mansion. I sat in the study, watching the sun set over the ocean while Sofia’s team swept the grounds for the third time. My phone – a new, secure one Leo’s tech people had provided – buzzed constantly with updates.
None of them good.
“Stock’s down sixty percent.” Sofia entered, her head wound now properly bandaged. She tossed a tablet onto the coffee table. “Leo’s board is calling for his resignation. The DA’s office has opened three separate investigations, and your father’s old partners are distancing themselves publicly.”
I scrolled through the news coverage, each story worse than the last. Nathaniel had played his hand perfectly. The evidence he’d released was a masterwork of manipulation – real
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Marry My Ex–husband’s Rival
documents twisted with fake ones, truth blended with lies until they became indistinguishable.
“Any word on his location?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Sofia shook her head. “He’s gone dark. But our sources say he’s still in the city. Whatever his endgame is, he’s not done yet.”
My hand drifted to my stomach, the slight swell a reminder of everything at stake. “He won’t stop until he’s destroyed us completely.”
“That won’t happen.” Leo’s voice came from the doorway. He looked exhausted, his suit wrinkled and still damp from the warehouse. But his eyes burned with the same intensity I’d fallen in love with.
“How bad?” I asked as he crossed to kiss my forehead.
“Bad enough.” He loosened his tie, dropping onto the couch beside me. “The tech team managed to contain some of the leaks, but the damage is done. The press is having a field day.”
Sofia handed him a fresh report. “Your contacts in the DA’s office are holding for now, but they’re under pressure. If Nathaniel releases the second wave of documents he threatened…”
“Then we find him first.” Leo’s arm slipped around my waist, pulling me closer. “How’s the baby?”
“Fine. The doctor you sent checked everything.” I leaned into his warmth, drawing strength from his presence. “Leo, I’ve been thinking. Maybe if I turned myself in, explained about the
money-”
“No.” His voice turned sharp. “Nathaniel’s twisted everything. The evidence he released
makes it look like you helped him kill your father for the inheritance. One wrong move and you’ll end up in prison.”
“He’s right,” Sofia added. “We intercepted communications between Nathaniel and several
judges. He’s got people positioned to make sure any case against you sticks.”
Tears of frustration burned my eyes. “So we just hide? Wait for him to destroy everything you’ve built?”
“No, cara.” Leo’s fingers caught my chin, turning me to face him. “We fight. But we do it
smart.” He looked at Sofia. “Tell them.”
Sofia nodded, pulling up something on her tablet. “We found a pattern in the documents Nathaniel released. Inconsistencies that prove some of them were forged. If we can find his forger…”
“We can prove he fabricated evidence,” I finished, hope flickering to life.
“Better.” Leo’s smile held a predator’s edge. “We can find him. The forger’s work is distinctive – someone known in certain circles. Someone who’ll talk, with the right persuasion.”
I studied his face, seeing the dangerous gleam in his eyes. This was the side of Leo I was still learning to accept – the mafia boss capable of calculated violence when necessary.
“What do you need me to do?”
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ry My Ex–husband’s Rival
“Stay safe.” He kissed my temple. “Let me handle this part.”
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“Like hell.” I pulled back to meet his gaze. “Nathaniel’s threatening both our lives, our future.
I won’t sit here and wait to see which one of us he destroys first.”
“Victoria-”
“I know his patterns, his habits. I lived with him for years.” My voice strengthened with conviction. “And I know the forger’s work too – I saw enough of Nathaniel’s fake documents during our marriage. Let me help.”
Leo and Sofia exchanged looks. Finally, he nodded. “Okay. But we do this carefully. No. unnecessary risks.”
“Speaking of risks,” Sofia interrupted, checking her phone. “Our source just confirmed Nathaniel’s meeting his banker tonight. Private club downtown.”
“The one where he launders money through the casino?” I asked, remembering overheard conversations from my marriage.
Leo’s eyebrows rose. “You knew about that?”
“I knew about a lot of things. I just didn’t let myself understand what I was seeing.” I squeezed his hand. “Not anymore.”
“The club’s security is tight,” Sofia warned. “Getting inside won’t be easy.”
A plan began forming in my mind. “Unless you’re on the guest list.” I met Leo’s questioning look. “Nathaniel’s banker has a weakness for charity events. And I just happen to know his favorite cause is having a fundraiser tonight.”
“No.” Leo’s voice turned hard. “It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s our best chance.” I touched his face, feeling the tension in his jaw. “Trust me. Please.” The war in his eyes was painful to watch. Finally, he pulled me close, pressing his forehead to mine. “If anything happened to you…”
“It won’t.” I kissed him softly. “Besides, I’ll have the city’s most powerful mafia boss watching my back.”
His laugh was rough. “You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?”
“Maybe.” I smiled against his lips. “But what a way to go.”
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