Chapter 103
Ryan POV
I stood in the doorway of our bedroom, watching Evelyn organize her blog on her iPad. My stomach churned with guilt as I adjusted my tie.
"I'll be at the office all day," I said, trying to keep my voice casual. "Just some meetings with clients about the sustainable design project."
Evelyn looked up from her desk, her blue eyes trusting as she signed, [Have a good day. I'll be here working on book reviews.]
I crossed the room and kissed her forehead, my hand resting briefly on her growing belly. "Take it easy today, okay? Remember what the doctor said about breaks."
She rolled her eyes and playfully shooed me away, signing, [Go to work, worrier.]
As I closed our apartment door, my smile vanished. I wasn't going to the office. Magnus and I were going to find Maxwell—the dangerous criminal who had recently approached Evelyn. I hated lying to her, but waiting for Francis to tell us the truth about Amelia wasn't an option anymore. Not when Evelyn's safety might be at stake.
Magnus was already waiting in his black sedan when I reached the parking lot. I slid into the passenger seat, noting his grim expression matched my mood.
"You look in poor shape, kid," Magnus commented as he pulled away from the curb. "What's wrong?"
I stared out the window at the passing buildings. "This is my first time lying to Evelyn. Makes me feel like I'm turning into Bryce."
Magnus glanced over, his expression softening slightly. "Even if she knew what you were doing, she wouldn't hold it against you."
"I don't like it," I admitted, the words tasting bitter. "Keeping secrets from her."
Magnus drove in silence for a moment before responding. "Sometimes we protect the people we love by shielding them from certain truths. It's not the same as what Bryce did to her."
I pulled out the small gold card my father had given me the night before. It was heavier than it looked, with strange markings etched along the edge and the Carter family name embossed in the center.
"My dad said this would get us in," I explained, turning the card over in my hands. "Apparently, my grandfather had some... connections... that might be useful today."
Magnus raised an eyebrow but didn't seem surprised. "Most respectable families have histories they don't discuss at dinner parties."
We drove for another twenty minutes, heading toward the industrial district. When Magnus turned onto a familiar street, I sat up straighter.
"This is where Evelyn was brought," I said, tension rippling through my body as we approached a nondescript warehouse surrounded by a chain-link fence.
Magnus nodded as he pulled up to the gate. "That's precisely why I think Maxwell might help us. He showed Evelyn a certain kind of mercy. He gave her information about her mother, about me."
Before we could speak to the guards at the gate, at least ten armed individuals surrounded our car. All wore hats, sunglasses, and face masks despite the overcast day. Their weapons weren't pointed at us yet, but the threat was unmistakable.
One man approached my window. "You've made a mistake coming here. Turn around and leave now."
I rolled down the window and held up the gold card. "I think your boss might want to see this."
The man studied the card carefully before speaking into a radio. After a moment of hushed conversation, his demeanor changed completely.
"Welcome, Mr. Carter and Mr. Turner. Please step out of the vehicle for a security check."
We complied, allowing them to search us thoroughly for weapons or listening devices. Finding nothing, they escorted us through a side entrance into the warehouse.
Inside was nothing like I expected. Beyond the industrial exterior was a reception area that wouldn't have looked out of place in a high-end corporate office. We were led to a waiting room with leather sofas and modern art on the walls.
"Mr. Maxwell will be with you shortly," said our escort before leaving us alone.
A young woman in a revealing outfit appeared moments later with a tray of drinks. "Coffee? Water? Something stronger perhaps?"
"Water is fine," Magnus replied, his eyes constantly scanning the room. I nodded in agreement, taking the glass she offered.
Once she left, Magnus leaned closer. "We're being watched," he whispered, his lips barely moving. "At least three cameras that I can spot."
I resisted the urge to look around, instead taking a slow sip of water. The tension in the room was palpable, like the air before a storm.
After about fifteen minutes, I heard raised voices from a nearby room. One of them was female and strangely familiar.
"I need more money, Maxwell! Do you have any idea what I've been through?" The woman's voice was high-pitched with anger.
"Your problems are not my concern," came a calm male reply. "Our father made it clear you were to receive an allowance, not unlimited access to family funds."
Magnus and I exchanged glances. I moved closer to the partially open door, recognizing the woman's voice with a jolt. It was Serena – Bryce's former mistress who had tried to destroy Evelyn's life.
"I'm your sister!" Serena hissed. "I deserve—"
"You deserve nothing," Maxwell cut her off, his voice suddenly cold. "You abandoned our mother when she was sick because you wanted to be rich. You chose Bryce Finch over family."
"I need protection," Serena insisted, her voice wavering. "I need a weapon."
"Absolutely not," Maxwell replied firmly. "You've proven yourself irresponsible and reckless. I won't arm you."
"But—"
"This discussion is over." There was a pause, then Maxwell's voice rose slightly. "Take this woman out of here. And kill the idiots who let her into my room."
I froze, blood running cold at the casual order of execution. Through the crack in the door, I could see Serena being escorted out by two guards, her face flushed with anger and fear.
When the room had cleared, Maxwell stepped into view. He was a tall man with short blond hair, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit. His face was handsome in a conventional way, with sharp cheekbones and clear blue eyes that looked eerily similar to Serena's.
His gaze suddenly locked with mine through the doorway. His expression didn't change as he stepped toward us.
"Mr. Carter," he said smoothly. "It seems you've acquired some free information. And free information is the most dangerous kind."
Magnus moved to stand beside me as Maxwell entered our waiting room.
"Does that mean I need to be eliminated now?" I asked with forced lightness, immediately regretting my words when several armed guards raised their weapons and aimed directly at me.
To my surprise, Maxwell burst out laughing. "You joke in the face of death," he said approvingly. "I like that." He waved a hand, and the guards lowered their weapons. "Just a joke, gentlemen. Stand down."
He gestured toward a hallway behind him. "Why don't you both join me in my office? I believe we have matters to discuss that require... privacy."
As we followed him down the corridor, I could feel Magnus's tension matching my own. We were walking into the lion's den, unarmed and unprotected, with only my father's mysterious gold card as insurance. I could only hope it would be enough to get us the information we needed – and get us out alive.