Chapter 92: Perfect Opportunity

Brianna’s POV

The next day, the only thing occupying my mind is finally meeting Marcel.

Every hour at work drags by at a painfully slow pace.

I barely pay attention to anyone, barely hear a single conversation around me.

All I can think about is finally getting Leah out of here and the relief it would bring.

Not only that, but she has to pay for the stunt she pulled with Dominic. Just like her friend did.

The second work ends, I head straight for our usual meeting place: Le Château Noir.

It’s an exclusive French restaurant tucked away on a quiet street in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, known less for its food than for the privacy it offered its guests on the upper floor.

Politicians, CEOs and celebrities came here when they wanted conversations to remain behind closed doors.

Marcel had introduced me to the place years ago during one of his visits to New York. Ever since, it had become our preferred meeting spot whenever meetings with clients brought him to New York.

The hostess greets me the moment I step through the doors.

“Good evening, Ms. Laurent. This way please.”

She leads me through the softly lit dining room, past tables occupied by well-dressed couples and businessmen speaking in hushed voices, before stopping outside one of the restaurant’s private dining suites.

“This room has been reserved under Mr. Morel’s name. He has informed us he is on his way here but would you care for something while you wait, ma’am?”

“A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.”

“Certainly.”

A waiter returns moments later with the wine.

I swirl the deep red liquid around my glass before taking a slow sip. My mind keeps replaying yesterday's confrontation over and over again.

Every time I think about Leah, my irritation only grows. I need Marcel to get here now so I can finally deal with this once and for all.

Twenty minutes pass in agonizing silence before my phone buzzes against the table.

Marcel: ‘I’m here.’

A smile spreads across my lips.

Finally.

I signal for another glass of wine before resting comfortably in my chair.

A minute later, the private suite’s door swings open.

I look up and watch as Marcel makes his way inside.

He looks exactly as he always does. His thick blonde waves remain as unruly as ever, one stubborn lock falling over his forehead while the rest curl naturally around his ears.

A neatly trimmed beard, now streaked lightly with gray, frames his jaw alongside an equally well-kept mustache, making him appear older, rougher… more masculine than the man I’d first met years ago.

Dressed entirely in black—a fitted turtleneck beneath a worn leather jacket, dark jeans and polished boots—he looks every bit the brooding private investigator.

His sharp blue eyes immediately find mine and a slow smirk spreads across his face.

He slips into the chair opposite me.

“Chérie…” His gaze shamelessly travels over me. “You look stunning. As always.”

“Save it.” I glare at him. “I only have a few minutes before I head back to be with my husband. So, skip your flirting. What did you find?”

A quiet laugh escapes him. “Fiery.” He shakes his head to himself. “As always.”

Instead of answering, he motions toward the waitress standing nearby. She immediately steps forward and fills his wine glass.

Marcel watches the liquid rise before lifting the glass to his lips. He takes an unhurried sip then gently places the glass back onto the table.

Only then, does he meet my eyes.

“The information I found…” His gaze grows more serious. “…concerns Leah Elliot’s ex-boyfriend.”

I lean forward. “The ex-convict?”

“Yes. Diego Valdez.”

Every muscle in my body stiffens. “And? What about him?”

“Well…” Marcel lightly taps a finger against the side of his glass. “It seems Valdez has been looking for your Leah Elliot.”

My brows knit together. “What do you mean?”

“I had some contacts in Atlanta look into him.” He begins, “Apparently he’s been asking around for her, talking to old associates, paying people for information. From what I’ve gathered, word has spread through parts of his old network that anyone who spots Leah should report it. He’s even put a fee on her.”

My lips part open and I tilt my head, curious.

“Why?” I ask Marcel, “Why would he be looking around for her?”

Marcel lifts a shoulder. “That, I’m not entirely sure of yet. But everything seems connected to his arrest several years ago.”

He studies me. “She appears to have been involved somehow. You remember what I told you when I first investigated her?”

I nod slowly.

“She practically disappeared from Atlanta. She has almost no online presence. Very little to no family information. And judging by everything I’ve found out now… she definitely has a dark past. It also seems like she might be here… hiding from Diego Valdez.”

I fall silent.

Interesting.

Very…

Interesting.

I don’t particularly care why this man wants Leah. While it’s worth finding out why, the main point is simply that he is.

If someone this dangerous is searching hard for her, then it’s definitely serious and it seems he’ll probably do almost anything to find her.

It also means Leah must be hiding from him. Otherwise, how could he not know she’s been living in New York this whole time?

A slow smile spreads across my face.

This…

This is perfect.

Marcel watches my expression carefully.

“I can keep digging. Give me another week and I’ll probably have the full story.”

“No.” I cut him off immediately. “I don’t need another week.”

He frowns. “What?”

“My patience is gone, Marcel.” I lean back against my seat. “It’s better I speak to him… directly.”

Marcel instantly shakes his head, “No, Brianna. That isn’t a good idea. Not only is this man dangerous but I’ve heard he’s a total nut job. And quite frankly, I’d rather not explain to your father why I let you walk into something like that.”

I merely shrug.

“Well, if he’s as dangerous as you claim, then I suppose you’ll just have to make sure I’m protected.”

“And as for my father,” I wave the concern away. “He doesn’t need to know. As always, this stays strictly between us.”

Marcel frowns and bores his eyes into mine, “Brianna, there has to be some other way to get that girl fired. It’s never that serious that you’d have to get involved with a criminal.”

I scoff, “I don’t care that he’s a criminal. And no, I’ve tried everything but Leah remains protected by Dominic’s father. I want her out and I want her out now.”

Marcel opens his mouth as though preparing another argument.

Before he can speak, I glance at the clock on the wall.

I don’t have time for further talk. I’ve made up my mind on this matter already.

Carefully, I reach for my handbag resting on the chair to my left, and rise from my seat.

“That’ll be all, Marcel.” I smooth down my jacket. “Set up the meeting. As soon as possible.”

Without waiting for his response, I turn and walk out of the private dining suite.

By the time I reach my waiting car, I suddenly feel the annoyance and anger I have towards Leah resurface yet again.

There’s no way I’m letting this go.

If this is the only way to get her packing, then I’m willing to take any risk at all.

No matter how dangerous.