Because I needed him close. You know the saying…keep your enemies closer…
But the attack on Isabella and Adele had accelerated my timeline, forced me to act before I had every single piece on the chessboard in place. But I was close now. So close I could taste it.
Soon, I’d burn them all to the ground.
My phone buzzed with a notification. It was a report from one of Isabella’s tech specialists, someone she thought she’d hired independently, but who was actually on my payroll.
She’d been busy over the last couple of days—scrubbing the internet of references to Adele. Reaching out to board members. Calling in favors. Using Crane’s network to apply pressure.
She was fighting for me. Even though I’d been distant, even though things between us were strained and complicated and…painful. The memory of waking up to find her looking at me like she regretted everything we’d shared that night still felt like a knife between my ribs.
But I understood. I’d hurt her so badly five years ago that, of course, she’d put her walls back up. Of course she’d retreat into self-protection the moment vulnerability felt too dangerous.
My office door opened without a knock, pulling me out of my thoughts. Edmund walked in, carrying two cups of coffee and looking tired.
“You need to sleep,” I said with a smile. If there was anyone I was most grateful for in these times, it was Edmund.
“So do you.” He set one of the cups on my desk and settled into the chair across from me. “I talked to Isabella tonight.”
My attention sharpened. “And?”
“She’s planning something. Probably even doing it. I don’t know what it is, but I could see it in her eyes. She’s quite determined to save your position.”
“I know.” Pride swelled in my chest. “She’s magnificent, isn’t she?”
“She is. But Dimitri—” Edmund’s expression turned serious. “She’s also scared. Angry. Confused about where she stands with you. WhereAdele stands.”
“I’ve been giving her space.”
“She doesn’t want space. She wants answers. Reassurance. She wants to know if what happened between you was real or just,” he waved his hand, “adrenaline and old feelings.”
“I can’t push her,” I said quietly. “She’ll run if I push.”
When Edmund left, I dialed Isabella. She answered on the third ring. “Dimitri.”
It was just my name, but the way she said it made my heart ache. Guarded. Careful. Like she was bracing herself for impact.
“I want to see Adele,” I said. “And you. Tomorrow afternoon.”
Silence.
Then, “Dimitri, I don’t think—”
“Please.” The word came out rougher than I intended. “I know things are complicated between us. I know I’ve been distant. But I miss my daughter. And I—” I swallowed. “I miss you.”
More silence. I could hear her breathing, could imagine her biting her lip the way she always did when she was conflicted.
“Where?” she asked finally.
“Azure Pines Resort. It’s private, secure. I’ll have the whole place to ourselves for the afternoon. Just the three of us.”
“That’s—” She paused. “That’s a lot.”
“I know. But we need this. All of us. A chance to just…be together. Without all the chaos.”
“Okay.” The word was soft, hesitant. “What time?”
Relief flooded through me. “I’ll pick you both up at noon.”