Page 91 of The Hunter's Empire

"He trusted him enough to use him during Aurelia's kidnapping." The room grows noticeably quieter. "Dad knew something about him."

For the first time during the entire meeting, Stefano pauses. Not for long. Just long enough.

"Marcus knew many things."

"Mr. Rinaldi."

His gaze hardens slightly. "And most of those things died with him."

I study him carefully. He isn't avoiding the question because he doesn't know the answer. He's avoiding it because he does.

Apparently, he realizes I've reached the same conclusion.

"Leave it alone, Ms. Krogen." The warning is immediate.

"Why?"

"Because not every answer improves your life."

I hold his gaze. He holds mine. Neither of us look away. Finally, Stefano closes the last folder with a decisive snap.

"If there was a connection between Marcus and Domenico, it wasn't one he chose to share with me." The statement is carefully worded enough that it tells me absolutely nothing. Which tells me everything.

Stefano rises from his chair and straightens his jacket. For a moment, his attention lingers on the files scattered across the table before returning to me.

"Very few people could have accomplished what you did in Ireland."

I say nothing. Compliments from Stefano are rare enough to be considered historical events.

"You secured information that will influence the balance of power for years to come." His gaze remains steady. "More importantly, you secured it under circumstances that should have caused the operation to fail."

A brief pause follows. Then he inclines his head slightly. A gesture of respect.

"You did exactly what I needed you to do." A faint smile appears. "Thank you."

The distinction isn't lost on me. This isn't a superior congratulating a subordinate. This is one powerful person acknowledging the rise of another.

A few moments later, Stefano gathers his things and leaves the office, leaving me alone with the city skyline, the mountain of secrets spread across my conference table, and far more questions than answers.

The moment the door closes behind him, I head toward the executive boardroom. The walk gives me just enough time to prepare for what I expect will be another exhausting confrontation.

Over the past months, meetings with the senior advisory council have become a battle of endurance. Every decision I made was scrutinized. Every success was questioned. Every mistake, no matter how small, was treated as evidence that I wasn't ready to lead what my dad left behind.

By the time I reach the boardroom, I have already rehearsed half a dozen arguments in my head.

The room falls quiet the moment I enter. Magnus, Conrad, Roman, and Elena are already seated around the long table. Thick briefing folders sit open before them, but none of them appear particularly interested in the documents anymore. Instead, every pair of eyes in the room settles on me.

I take my usual seat at the head of the table and wait.

Normally, the questioning would begin almost immediately. It doesn't. The silence that follows feels unusual, not because it's hostile, but because it isn't.

For several moments, nobody speaks.

Then Magnus leans back in his chair and folds his weathered hands together.

"We received the complete briefing regarding Ireland." His voice is calm. Entirely devoid of the skepticism I have grown accustomed to hearing from him.

I nod once. Magnus studies me carefully before continuing.