Chapter 129 #129
Chapter 129
~Dwayne's POV~
I sat in my office, replaying the board meeting in my mind.
Dante's face when I'd presented. The shock. The anger.
Perfect.
Luke knocked and walked in. "You're smiling. That's either really good or really concerning."
"Just thinking."
"About how badly you just destroyed Dante's ego?"
"Among other things."
He sat down. "So what's the actual plan here? Because that presentation was brilliant, but I know you. There's more to it."
"You're right. There is."
"Care to share?"
I leaned back in my chair. "Dante's going to try to copy the ALP system. He can't help himself. I thought about this yesterday night.”
"How? You filed the patents."
"He'll try to find a workaround. Or steal the source code."
"From where?"
"From Shailyn."
Luke frowned. "Why would she give it to him?"
"She won't. But he'll pressure her. Manipulate her. Try to use her pregnancy against her."
"And?"
"And she'll pretend to cooperate. Feed him false information. Bad code. Things that look right but won't work."
Luke grinned. "Sabotage from the inside."
"Exactly. By the time he realizes it's all useless, we'll have moved on to the next phase."
"Which is?"
"That depends on what Father does next."
"You think Tyler's going to make a move?"
"I know he will. He's been too quiet lately. That's not like him."
"Maybe he's just watching. Waiting."
"Maybe. But I doubt it."
Luke crossed his arms. "There's something else bothering you. What is it?"
I hesitated. "I don't think Shailyn's told me everything."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean she got her memory back weeks ago. It feels as if she's holding back."
"You think she's keeping secrets?"
"I think she's learned to protect herself. And that includes keeping cards close to her chest."
"Can you blame her?"
"No. But it makes things complicated."
"When have things not been complicated?"
Fair point.
"And another thing," I said. "We never talked about the babies."
"What about them?"
"About that night, what happens after they're born. About telling people the truth. About everything."
"Have you tried bringing it up?"
"Not really. Things keep getting in the way."
"Then make time. That's not something you can just ignore."
"I know. I will. Soon."
Luke stood. "Well, good luck with all that. I need to head out. Got a meeting with my contact about Frederick."
"You think you'll find him?"
"I will. It's just a matter of time."
"Keep me posted."
"Always."
He left, and I sat there alone with my thoughts.
The babies. Shailyn. Dante. Tyler. Frederick.
Too many moving parts. Too many variables.
But we were winning. Slowly but surely.
I just had to keep everyone safe long enough to finish this.
Mental note: talk to Shailyn about the babies. Tonight if possible.
\---
I left the office around six.
The parking garage was mostly empty. Just a few cars scattered around.
I got into mine and started the engine.
My phone buzzed.
Security team leader: Mr. Belmar, we've spotted a vehicle following you since you left the office.
My pulse quickened.
Me: What kind of vehicle?
Security: Black sedan. No plates visible. Staying about three cars back.
Me: Stay on them. Let me know if they make a move.
Security: Copy that.
I pulled out of the parking garage, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror.
There. Three cars back. Black sedan.
Could be nothing. Could be coincidence.
But my gut said otherwise.
I took a left turn. The sedan followed.
Another left. Still following.
Not coincidence.
I called Luke. "Someone's tailing me."
"Where are you?"
"Main Street. Heading toward the bridge."
"I'm sending backup. Can you lose them?"
"I can try."
I accelerated, weaving through traffic.
The sedan kept pace.
Shit.
I pressed the gas harder, taking a sharp right onto a side street.
The sedan followed.
"Dwayne?" Luke's voice came through the phone. "What's happening?"
"They're still on me. Getting closer."
"Where's your security team?"
"Behind them. I think."
"You think?"
"It's hard to tell with all the—"
Headlights. Bright. Blinding.
Coming straight at me.
From the front.
"Luke—"
"What? Dwayne, what's going on?"
The car was speeding. Too fast. Directly toward me.
No room to swerve. Buildings on both sides.
"Dwayne!"
I yanked the wheel hard right, trying to—
The other car jerked in the same direction.
Deliberate. This was deliberate.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
One second. That's all I had.
One second to decide.
Brake? Swerve? Accelerate?
The headlights were right there. Ten feet. Five feet.
Luke's voice was yelling through the phone.
My security team was screaming in my earpiece.
And the only thought in my head—
Shailyn.
God, please keep Shailyn safe.
And then….I felt the impact.