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Marcus recovers quickly. “Yes, well... Perhaps this is an opportunity. Robert, William—I’ve been meaning to show you my wine cellar. Some exceptional vintages you might appreciate before we discuss business.”
“Wonderful idea,” Crystal chirps. “Luke, dear, do you want to join them?”
“Of course,” I say, standing. “I’d love to see your father’s collection.”
As we follow Marcus toward the cellar, I pass close to Lila. Our eyes meet briefly, and I’m struck by the tension in hers. She knows something—something that makes her worried.
But there’s no time to decode her look. Marcus is already launching into a detailed history of his wine collection, leading us past his study where, hopefully, Jaxson’s man has found whatever we need.
Once we emerge from the wine cellar a few minutes later, I catch a glimpse of Jaxson’s man slipping back into position, adjusting his uniform. Whatever he did in the study,he’s done now.
The night isn’t over, though. As Marcus leads the two board members into his study, he firmly shuts the door, excluding me from their business plans. And judging by the careful way Lila’s watching everything, there’s more happening here than even I understand.
I just pray that whatever the PI team had planned worked because being this close to Marcus while he plots against my father is getting harder by the second.
A cold fury starts to build as I watch Lila direct her staff with too much precision, her timing too perfect. If she’s involved in this—after I explicitly told Gibson to keep her out of it—there will be hell to pay—for both of them.
Twenty-Three
THREE HOURS EARLIER
Lila
I meet Jaxson Gibson in the back of an unmarked van parked two blocks away. The space is cramped with surveillance equipment, and Jaxson’s team moves with practiced efficiency as they prep for tonight. We have a few hours before dinner service begins at the Davidson mansion.
“These are your points of contact,” Jaxson says, indicating one man that I recognize from my staff interviews last week. “Ryan’s posing as one of Marcus’s household staff, Curtis as your sous chef. They’ll handle the technical aspects—you just need to create opportunities.”
“The study is our primary target,” Curtis explains, showing me blueprints. “But we need his personal devices, too. Marcus keeps his phone close, but he’s careless with his tablet.”
My hands are steady as I take the small device they give me. “And this will copy everything?”
“Just needs thirty seconds of contact. But Lila—“ Jaxson’s expression turns serious. “Ryan will gain access to the study. We’re only giving you a drive in case an opportunity arises for you to use it—understand?”
“I’ve got it,” I confirm, meeting his eyes.
“Lila, If anything feels off about this entire plan—you abort. Luke was explicit about keeping you out of this. I’m already risking his wrath involving you at all.”
“Luke doesn’t get to make my decisions.” The words come out sharper than intended. “I’m doing this for Jim,” I say in a softer yet still firm voice, “For all of Sterling Motors’ employees who’ll lose everything if Marcus succeeds.”
A tech suddenly interrupts with last-minute equipment checks. I use the time to review the plan, trying not to think about Luke’s reaction if he discovers my role in this.
The Davidson kitchen is controlled chaos when I arrive. Curtis seamlessly integrates with my regular staff, while Ryan circulates with the household servers. Everything appears normal—exactly as it should. Then Luke walks in.
Even though I prepared myself for this, the sight of him hits me like a physical blow. He looks devastating in a charcoal suit that emphasizes his broad shoulders. Crystal hangs on his arm, picture-perfect as always, and the reminder stings more than it should.
I focus on plating the first course, hyperaware of his presence but maintaining professional distance. The preparations proceed smoothly until I see Marcus’s tablet, temporarily abandoned on the table, while he joins Crystal as they greet the first arriving guests.
My heart begins to pound. I give a furtive glance around to see if anyone is near. Taking a deep breath for courage, I connect the copying device. Thirty seconds. Just thirty seconds...
Footsteps approach the dining room, and I freeze, feeling lightheaded.
“Daddy,” Crystal’s voice carries through the opening. “The Hendersonsjust arrived...”
The footsteps move away, and I give a shaky exhale. With trembling fingers, I disconnect the thumb drive from the tablet, my pulse racing. Hurriedly, I place the drive in my pocket, where its weight feels like it’s burning a hole. I slip back to the kitchen, my heart in my throat, expecting someone to call out at any minute, revealing my deception.
The real test comes later when Ryan needs access to Marcus’s private files. The diverted tour to the wine cellar buys him crucial minutes, but I can barely breathe until he’s clear.
Now, watching Luke follow Marcus and the other men downstairs, I pray we got enough. The weight of everything Jaxson’s team hoped to discover rides on how successful we are tonight. They are looking for proof of Marcus’s plans, his offshore accounts, and the shell companies he’s using to orchestrate Sterling’s hostile takeover. Hopefully, we have all the evidence we need.