Chapter 10: A Risk Worth Taking
Evelyn had never been one to sit on the sidelines. The promise she made to Alexander weighed heavily on her, but she couldn't ignore the growing tension between him and Damian. If she wanted to protect Alexander—and herself—she needed to understand the game being played.
Her opportunity came unexpectedly.
While Alexander was in a meeting with his board, Evelyn received a text from an unknown number.
"I have answers. Meet me at The Raven at 8 PM. Come alone."
She stared at the screen, her heart pounding. There was no name, but she didn't need one. She knew it was Damian.
The Raven
The Raven was a sleek, upscale bar tucked away in the heart of the city. Its dim lighting and plush décor gave it an air of exclusivity, but Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling of walking into a trap.
Damian was already there, seated in a corner booth with a glass of wine in hand. He smiled as she approached, gesturing for her to sit.
"You came," he said, his voice smooth as silk.
"Cut to the chase," Evelyn replied, keeping her tone firm. "What do you want?"
Damian chuckled, clearly enjoying her defiance. "Straight to the point. I like that."
"I don't have time for games," she said. "If you have something to say, say it."
His expression darkened slightly, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by something colder. "Do you even know who you're married to, Evelyn?"
"I know enough," she replied, though the uncertainty in her voice betrayed her.
"Do you?" Damian leaned forward, his tone low and conspiratorial. "Alexander isn't the hero you think he is. He's a man who's built his empire on lies, manipulation, and—"
"And you're any different?" she cut in, narrowing her eyes.
He smirked. "Touché. But the difference is, I'm willing to show my cards. Alexander keeps his close to his chest. Don't you wonder what else he's hiding?"
Evelyn's heart raced. Damian's words struck a nerve, but she couldn't let him see her doubt.
"What's your angle?" she asked.
"My angle," Damian said, sitting back, "is simple. I want to take Alexander down. And you—" He paused, his gaze piercing. "You could be the key to that."
Evelyn stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "This was a mistake."
Before she could leave, Damian grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful.
"Think about it," he said softly. "You're a pawn in his game, Evelyn. But with me, you could be a queen."
She pulled her hand free and walked away without looking back.
Confrontation
When Evelyn returned home, Alexander was waiting.
"Where were you?" he demanded, his tone sharper than she'd ever heard it.
"Out," she replied, brushing past him.
He caught her arm, stopping her. "Don't lie to me, Evelyn. I know you met Damian."
She froze, her breath catching. "How—"
"I have eyes everywhere," he said, his voice low. "Do you have any idea what you've done? He's dangerous, Evelyn."
"I'm not stupid," she shot back, pulling her arm free. "I went because I needed answers. He's in your head, Alexander, and I needed to know why."
"And did you get your answers?" he asked, his tone icy.
"No," she admitted. "But I know one thing—he's not backing down. And neither am I."
Alexander's jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he might yell. But instead, he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Evelyn," he said quietly, "you're playing with fire. Damian doesn't care who he hurts to get what he wants."
"Neither do you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Finally, Alexander spoke. "Stay out of this. For your sake."
But Evelyn knew she couldn't.
Setting the Trap
Alexander's retaliation was already in motion. Late that night, he sat in his office, going over the details with his most trusted advisor.
"We'll leak the documents to the press," Alexander said. "Expose Damian's dealings without tying it back to us."
"Are you sure that's wise?" his advisor asked. "If Carter suspects you're behind this—"
"He'll suspect," Alexander interrupted. "But suspicion isn't proof. By the time he tries to retaliate, we'll have moved on to the next phase."
"And Evelyn?"
Alexander's expression softened, a rare vulnerability breaking through his steely exterior. "She'll be safe. That's all that matters."
The Cliffhanger
Evelyn couldn't sleep. Damian's words haunted her, and Alexander's refusal to let her in only fueled her determination.
She decided to take matters into her own hands. If Alexander wouldn't tell her the whole truth, she'd find it herself.
Quietly, she slipped into his office, her heart pounding as she searched for the key she knew was hidden in the hollowed-out book.
But when she opened the drawer, it wasn't the files that caught her attention—it was a single photograph.
A younger Alexander stood next to a man Evelyn didn't recognize. The two looked close, almost like brothers. But the name scrawled on the back of the photo sent a chill down her spine:
Damian Carter.