Chapter 103: Power Has a Price

Soren’s POV

Killian explained everything—Davina’s out of prison, and Raisel could be her next target. He promised to protect her. And he didn’t ask for anything in return. Not money, not favors. Just a quiet promise.

When I asked him why—why risk so much for someone else—he said, “Helping Raisel this time… it makes her see me like a brother. And I want to protect the last family I have left.”

That stuck with me.

I spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, unable to shake the unease building in my chest. All I could do was stare at the sliver of morning sunlight cutting through the window. My stomach twisted with anxiety.

Footsteps echoed down the hall. I didn’t need to look—I already knew it was one of Killian’s guys.

“Morning, Soren,” Brian chirped as he placed a grocery bag on the table, humming some old tune like life was normal.

“Brian, is Killian here?” I asked, trying to hide the urgency in my voice.

“Boss is in New York,” he replied.

I sighed and headed to the gym area. Working out was the only thing keeping my nerves from breaking.

“You must be worried about your wife,” Brian said casually.

He talked too much. At first, I couldn’t stand him, but maybe being locked in this place long enough makes you appreciate any kind of company—even his.

“Give me your phone,” I demanded.

“I don’t have one,” he said.

“Don’t lie to me.”

He let out a long breath. “You won’t believe it, but I really don’t. I don’t know how to use most tech. Boss put me on this job for that reason alone.”

I grumbled and checked him anyway. No phone. He wasn’t lying.

Back to my workout.

As I pushed through reps, Brian kept talking—about his family back in Russia, how he writes letters to them because it’s the only way he knows. Something about that stuck with me.

Maybe… maybe letters are the way to go.

Raisel’s POV

Hazel and Fiora were glued to the TV when I walked in, coffee mug in hand. The news was, of course, about Davina.

Even free, she still clung to the media like a parasite, playing the victim while the world watched.

A reporter pressed her:

“Miss Davina Leony, you’ve been charged with labor trafficking and second-degree murder. What do you have to say about that?”

“I’m innocent. I’ve never done such horrible things,” she said, forcing out tears. “The law cleared my name. This is all my competitor’s doing. That’s all I have to say.”

She wiped her fake tears as her bodyguard helped her into a car.

The doorbell rang. Fiora answered it, and Killian stepped in, Jace right behind him. We sat down for a tense, silent breakfast.

“What’s the plan for Raisel’s safety?” Hazel asked.

“I contacted Mr. Beau’s lawyer,” I said. “He should be here soon.”

“Good,” Killian nodded, but before he could say more, the doorbell rang again. Hazel opened it.

The lawyer walked in.

“Miss Smith?” he asked, looking at Hazel.

“I’m Raisel Smith,” I corrected him.

“I’ve been trying to reach you. Glad you finally contacted me,” he said.

“I had to change my number,” I explained. “You wanted to talk about Mr. Beau’s property, right?”

“Yes,” he nodded. He looked a little overwhelmed by all the people, so I led him to Soren’s office for privacy.

“I’m curious,” I said, shutting the door behind us. “How did you find my number? And why did Mr. Beau leave everything to me—not Soren?”

He hesitated.

“I found your contact through Soren’s phone,” I lied smoothly. “He told me about all this before he… passed.”

The truth was, I’d hacked into Mr. Beau’s system. But he didn’t need to know that.

Mr. Rutherford finally spoke. “Beau was my friend. He cared deeply for Soren. But Soren never wanted a cent from Dalton. He blamed Dalton for his mother’s pain. Beau respected that. He said you… you stood by Soren after learning everything. You earned his trust. The car you built under his conditions? He was impressed. He believed you were the right person.”

I swallowed hard. Mr. Beau never showed it, but I guess I inspired him. I smiled to myself.

Papers were signed. The property was officially mine.

I was now—on paper—a billionaire.

As Mr. Rutherford stood to leave, he paused at the door.

“One more thing,” he said.

I turned, heart thumping.

“Watch your back. Now that you have power… people will come for you.”

He looked at me with something close to pity.

“Those were Mr. Beau’s last words to you before I heard the news of his passing. He hoped you’d use this power wisely.”

“I will, Mr. Rutherford,” I said, voice firm. “I’ll make sure his trust wasn’t misplaced.”

He nodded once, then stepped out into the hallway.

But even as I stood in the silence, one thing was painfully clear:

Power changes everything.

And Davina out there, was already making her move.