Chapter 39 The Deal
Even with solid evidence, Antonio could spin this. Make it look like I'd manufactured everything out of obsession. And my father, already doubting my judgement, might believe him.
At the very least, he might hesitate long enough for Antonio to destroy evidence, eliminate witnesses, and cover his tracks.
I'd thought I had all the leverage.
But Antonio had just flipped the entire situation.
"So here's my counteroffer," Antonio said, leaning back in his chair. "I'll let Amelia go. I'll stop undermining you to your father. I'll even support your position as heir—publicly, enthusiastically. And in exchange, you give me something I want."
"What?"
"The Brooklyn docks. Full control. All revenue, all operations. You sign over your stake to me, and you convince Dominic to approve the transfer." His eyes glinted. "That's my price for the girl's freedom."
He was referring to the Brooklyn docks. One of our most profitable operations. The docks generate millions of dollars in revenue annually. We have strategic control over shipping routes.
It was extortion.
"That's insane. My father would never approve—"
"Then convince him. Tell him you want to focus on other operations. Tell him you're consolidating your interests. I don't care what story you tell; just get it done." Antonio stood. "You have one week. Sign over the docks, or I keep the girl. And if you try to show that evidence to Dominic, I'll make sure he believes you fabricated it all because you're obsessed."
"You can't—"
"I can. And I will." He moved to his office door and unlocked it. "But I'm reasonable, Jeremy. I don't want a family war either. So I'm giving you what you want—the girl. And all you have to do is give me what I want—the docks. Simple transaction."
I stood there, hands clenched into fists, rage burning through my veins.
He'd outmanoeuvred me. Used my evidence against me. He turned my attempt to save Amelia into a form of extortion.
And I had no choice but to accept.
Because if I refused, Amelia stayed with him. And if I went to my father anyway, Antonio would claim the evidence was fake—and he might be believed.
The Brooklyn docks for Amelia's freedom.
My family's trust for her safety.
"Give me one week?" I asked quietly.
"One week. Get me the paperwork, signed by you and approved by Dominic. Then the girl goes free."
"No. Amelia goes free now. Today. You get the docks when the paperwork is finalised."
Antonio studied me, then nodded. "Fine. She goes free today. But if you don't deliver on those docks within one week—" His voice dropped. "—I'll make sure she regrets it. And so will you."
"Understood."
"Good." He moved back to his desk. "Now get out of my office. And Jeremy? Don't try to fuck me on this deal. I have resources you haven't even discovered yet. I will bury you if you cross me."
I grabbed my briefcase and walked to the door.
"Jeremy." Antonio's voice stopped me. "One more thing. The girl doesn't know about our arrangement. And she never will. As far as Amelia knows, I released her out of the goodness of my heart. If you tell her otherwise—if you tell her what you traded for her freedom—the deal's off. Understood?"
He didn't want her to know I'd given up the docks for her. Didn't want her to feel the weight of what she'd cost me.
Or maybe I didn't want her to know how much she was worth to me.
"Understood," I said.
I left the office and walked back to the car where Luca and Nico waited.
"How'd it go?" Luca asked.
"He's releasing Amelia. Today."
"Just like that?" Nico's eyes narrowed. "What did you give him?"
"The Brooklyn docks. Full control. I have one week to get my father's approval on the transfer."
"Jeremy, that's—" Luca started.
"I know what it is. But it's done. Amelia goes free, Antonio backs off, and we move forward." I climbed into the car. "Take me to the main house. I need to see her."
As the car drove toward the mansion, I stared out the window.
I'd come here planning to destroy Antonio with evidence. To take him down properly, legally, within Family rules.
Instead, I'd made a deal with a traitor. Given him more power. More resources.
All for one blind girl who probably didn't even know what she'd cost me.
My father would be furious when I asked him to approve the transfer. He would question my judgement even more. Would wonder if Antonio was right about me being compromised.
But Amelia would be free.
Safe.
She would be free from Antonio's control.
And that was worth any price.
Even if that price meant sacrificing my family's trust.
Even if it meant giving a traitor exactly what he wanted.
I'd figure out how to deal with Antonio later. How to gather better evidence. How to take him down without him being able to claim it was manufactured.
But first, I needed to get Amelia out of that house.
The car pulled up to the main entrance.
I climbed out, straightened my jacket, and walked inside.
Ready to finally bring her home.
AMELIA
I was sitting on my bed, listening to an audiobook I couldn't focus on, when I heard footsteps in the hallway.
My door was unlocked. Opened.
"Miss Amelia." The voice resembled Maria's, but it was different. Rushed. "You need to come with me. Now."
"What's happening?"
"Mr Jeremy is here. He's come for you."
Jeremy.
Jeremy was home.
I stood quickly and grabbed my cane. "Where is he?"
"Downstairs. He is in the main entrance. He's—" She hesitated. "He's speaking with Mr Antonio."
Of course he was. They were probably fighting over me. Antonio is probably refusing to let me go.
Maria guided me downstairs quickly. I could hear voices as we approached—Jeremy's, deep and controlled, and Antonio's, oddly pleasant.
"—appreciate your understanding on this matter," Antonio was saying. "The girl will be much happier with you. I was only providing temporary shelter."
"I understand. And I appreciate you keeping her safe." Jeremy's voice. His tone was formal, yet underlying it was a sense of coldness.
They sounded like they were being civil. But I could hear the tension underneath.
We reached the bottom of the stairs. Maria guided me toward the voices.
"Ah, there she is," Antonio said. "Amelia. Your young man has come to collect you."
"Jeremy?" I said, unsure.
"I'm here." His voice was now closer to my ears. Then his hand on my arm—gentle but urgent. "Come on. We're leaving."
"Just like that?" I couldn't believe it was this easy.
"Just like that. Say thank you to my uncle for his hospitality."
The words were said without emotion. It was as if he were reading from a script.
"Thank you," I forced out, though I wanted to do anything but thank Antonio.
"My pleasure, dear girl. Do take care of yourself." Antonio's voice was warm and friendly. Like we were old friends parting ways. "Jeremy, we'll speak soon about that other matter?"
"One week. You'll have what we discussed."
What did they discuss? What was Jeremy giving him?
But Jeremy was already pulling me toward the door. His hand gripped my elbow tightly. Moving fast.
We got outside. I heard a car door open.
"Get in," Jeremy said.
I climbed in and felt him slide in beside me. The door closed. The car started moving immediately.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Somewhere better''
"Jeremy, what did you give him? What deal did you make?"
"It doesn't matter."
"It does matter. I heard you—you're giving him something. What was it?"
"Nothing you need to worry about." His hand found mine in the dark of the car. Squeezed. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."
But I could hear the strain in his voice. The exhaustion. The cost.
"How long have you been back?" I asked quietly.
"I landed three hours ago. Went straight to Antonio's office."
"You didn't even go home first?"
"You were home. And you needed to be safe." He squeezed my hand again. "I'm sorry it took me so long. I'm sorry he took you. I'm sorry for everything."
"It's not your fault—"
"It is. I left you at Crimson. Antonio took advantage." His voice hardened. "That won't happen again."
We drove in silence for several minutes. I tried to process everything. Antonio releasing me without a fight. Jeremy is making some deals. The tension between them was palpable.
Something was wrong. Something Jeremy wasn't telling me.
But right now, with his hand in mine, driving away from that mansion—
I was free.
Away from Antonio's control. I was free from the nightly summons. I was free from Antonio's possessive touches and subtle threats.
I was with Jeremy.
Finally.
"Where are we really going?" I asked.
"Somewhere safe," he repeated. "Somewhere I can protect you properly this time."
"Your home?" I asked.
"No. Somewhere better. You'll see."
The car turned. Drove for another twenty minutes. Then stopped.
"We're here," Jeremy said.
A door opened. Jeremy helped me out.
I heard water. Seagulls. There was a distinct scent of salt in the air.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"Brooklyn. The marina district. I have a property here. Small, private. No one knows about it except Luca and Nico." He guided me forward. "You will live here now. For as long as you want to."
Home.
I stepped inside, and for the first time in days—
I believed I might actually be safe.