Page 92 of Discretion at Its Finest

“So you bought out the government to hold me hostage.”

“This is for your own protection.”

“You emphasized that already.”

He exhaled once through his nose. “You think any elite in their right mind is going to let the head of the fastest growing industry in the country go to waste over half a billion dollars? Over a failing business that’s been doomed from the start? Not to mention the chaos you caused in less than three months. You are an asset and a liability, Reid.” He leaned back in his seat. “And assets become invaluable… while liabilities get buried if they’re deadly enough.”

“I’m not your property.”

“You are,” he countered coolly, “because the only thing more dangerous than a powerful man… is a powerful man out of control, a man with too much knowledge, ambition… a man who knows the power he holds over the world… and takes it anyway.”

His gaze sharpened. “You will disappear, Reid. Permanently, if necessary.” He tapped the folder once. “Financial terrorism, fraud, racketeering are just some charges off the top of my head—but God, with the evidence I can plant, you won’t see freedom again.” Another smile widened across his face when he noticed I didn’t have much else to say. “You think I won’t do it?” he asked softly.

I didn’t flinch. “I think you already decided.”

“Good.” He rose from his chair, straightening his jacket. “Then we understand each other.”

Yes we did… a little too well for that matter.

He grabbed his suitcase. “It’s been a pleasure, Mr. Kaufman.” He walked to the exit and I kept my eyes fixed on the wall ahead.

“Likewise…Russel.”

His footsteps stopped. He turned back to look at me. “You finally recognized who I am?”

“There are only a few elites desperate enough to stay in power. You’re so afraid your legacy will be targeted, so you jumped in front of the gun before it could fire.”

My eyes found his and I could see the fear in them for a fleeting moment before he motioned to the guards with only a tilt of his head. Before I knew it, I was over the table, a hand shoved between my shoulder blades, my face pressed into the cold metal of the table. His slow footsteps sounded again and he held the edge of the table, glaring down at me.

“Or maybe… I just took control of the hand holding it.”

I shoved back against the guards, the metal edge of the table cutting into my ribs as I fought for leverage. They held firm, pressing down harder.

He checked his watch, unbothered. Then he straightened once more, and walked toward the door without looking back.

“This isn’t over,Frederick!”

He paused at the threshold.

“No.” The door swung open. “This is just the beginning, Reid.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “Oh… andwelcome to the family.”

Chapter thirty-six

Genevieve

Parents cheered, kids shouted, the whistle blew, and Eugene, my sweet, brilliant boy, was sprinting down the field with all the determination his tiny legs could muster. I forced a smile when he glanced back at me, waving proudly before he toppled over his two feet, quickly getting up and running after the ball once again.

“Careful, Lovebug!” I yelled out on instinct, knowing he probably wouldn’t listen.

I clapped with the other parents when they finally scored a goal, smiling like everything was normal.

Ignoring the fact that I had been living in my own personal hell this past month. My stomach was twisting with nausea and fear every second I tried to breathe while the man I loved sat in a concrete box somewhere, staring at the same four walls.

My fingers toyed with my engagement ring, my mind drifting elsewhere as the game went on. It was a gorgeous day today. Spring weather was coming in beautifully, but with everything going on, I could barely enjoy it.

Someone sat down comfortably beside me. I didn’t turn at first, not until he spoke, pulling me straight out of my thoughts.

“You’re holding up better than I expected.”