The ride back to the safehouse was silent.
Evangeline sat beside Killian, but the space between them felt miles wide.
Damian's words echoed in her head:
"You were supposed to lead. You were born into this."
"They're coming for you both."
She hadn't processed all of it yet. Couldn't.
But she knew one thing—Killian Vale had secrets far darker than she'd imagined.
And they were now tangled in something much bigger than revenge.
When they arrived, Laurent scanned the perimeter before giving the nod. The house was tucked into a quiet district of Milan, fortified, secured.
But even inside, Evangeline felt exposed.
She followed Killian into the sitting room. He poured himself a drink but didn't offer her one.
Good.
She didn't want whiskey. She wanted answers.
"You're really not going to say anything?" she asked finally, her voice low.
Killian didn't turn around. "I was going to tell you."
"When? After they killed me?"
He slowly turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "No. After we were safe."
"You think that matters now?"
He sighed and sat on the edge of the couch, fingers gripping the glass tightly. "I walked away from all of it when I was twenty-two. My father had just died, and they came for me. Men in suits. A woman who called herself 'the Executor.' Told me I was the heir to a dynasty that spanned nations."
Evangeline's breath hitched.
"They ran black market arms deals, controlled media outlets, owned shell banks. Quietly. From the shadows. It wasn't just about money—it was about control."
"And you said no," she murmured.
He nodded. "But you don't just walk away. Not really. So I went dark. Built my empire to be clean, or as clean as I could. I kept a team—Laurent included—watching for any trace of them. Until recently, they left me alone."
Evangeline stepped closer, eyes burning. "Until me."
Killian's jaw clenched. "I didn't know they were watching you. Not until Paris."
She crossed her arms. "And Damian?"
Killian's face darkened. "They recruited him. Probably years ago. He was the perfect puppet. He knew your weaknesses. And mine."
Evangeline's heart twisted painfully. "He told me he loved me. That I was the only real thing he ever had."
"And do you believe him?" Killian asked, voice quieter now.
"I don't know," she whispered. "I don't know what's real anymore."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Killian stood, walked to her, and gently touched her arm. "I never wanted to drag you into this."
"But you did." Her eyes met his. "And now we can't go back."
He nodded. "No. But we can go forward. Together."
She didn't answer. Couldn't.
Her world had shifted. Again.
---
Two Hours Later – Rooftop Balcony
Evangeline couldn't sleep.
The Milan night was cold, but she stood on the balcony anyway, wrapped in a silk robe, watching the city lights shimmer in the distance.
Her thoughts spun wildly—Damian's betrayal, Killian's legacy, the faceless syndicate hunting them.
Behind her, she sensed movement.
A woman stood at the edge of the terrace, dressed in black.
She hadn't heard the door open.
That alone made her blood run cold.
The woman was striking. Silver hair braided down her back, obsidian eyes that held no warmth.
She smiled—but it wasn't kind.
"Evangeline Sinclair," the woman said softly. "You've stirred quite a storm."
Evangeline backed away slightly, her hand reaching for the knife tucked into the pocket of her robe. "Who are you?"
The woman tilted her head. "I'm called many things. But for tonight… I'm just a messenger."
Evangeline's pulse spiked. "Did Damian send you?"
A laugh. "Damian? No. He's a pawn. Charming, reckless—but still a pawn."
"Then you're with the syndicate."
The woman stepped forward. "I am the Executor."
Everything inside Evangeline went still.
The same title Killian mentioned.
"I came to see you before the board votes," the woman continued calmly. "Before we decide whether you're a liability… or an opportunity."
"What the hell does that mean?"
The Executor smiled faintly. "You've proven… useful. Resourceful. Intelligent. You held your own even as the world tried to break you."
Evangeline's grip tightened on the hidden blade. "Get to the point."
"We're offering you a choice."
"I don't want anything from you."
"But you do," the woman said. "You want to destroy Damian. Protect Killian. Uncover the truth. And perhaps, survive."
Evangeline's breath caught.
"You can't stop what's coming," the Executor added, her voice almost kind. "But you can shape it. If you join us."
Evangeline stared at her. "Why would you want me?"
"Because you're more like us than you think. And because Killian… loves you."
Evangeline flinched.
The woman turned to leave. "Think about it. You'll have three days."
She stepped onto the ledge of the balcony.
"Wait—"
But the Executor was already gone.
Vanished into the night.