CHAPTER 9

The minutes felt like hours as Fiona stood beside Darwin, staring at the glowing lights of Bay City, each one representing a potential threat, a rival, or an obstacle in their path. The air between them was thick with the weight of their shared knowledge. The trap was set, and it was only a matter of time before it would snap shut.

Fiona knew they couldn't afford to wait around. Bella and William had already made their move, and while Fiona had spent the last few days covering her tracks, the danger was still very real. Darwin was right to be worried. Once their enemies knew they were no longer hiding in the shadows, everything would change.

“We need to get ahead of them,” Fiona said, breaking the silence that had lingered since Darwin had caught up with her. Her voice was steady, even though her insides were churning with anxiety. “We can’t afford to wait for them to make the first move.”

Darwin nodded, his face taut with determination. “I’ve already started moving pieces into place. But you’re right. We can’t just wait for them to come to us. We need to take the fight to them.”

Fiona’s mind raced as she absorbed his words. This was it—the moment when they could either win or lose everything. Darwin had always been the one in control, the one who played the game by his own rules. But now, Fiona was learning how to play, too. Her role had never been so clear. She was in this fight to the bitter end, and nothing, not even her own doubts, could deter her.

“Do you have a plan?” Fiona asked, her gaze locking onto his.

“Not yet,” Darwin admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “But I’m working on it.”

Fiona could see that he was struggling. This wasn’t just about business for him anymore; this was personal. Bella’s betrayal had cut deep, and William’s vendetta was a wound that hadn’t fully healed. But Fiona wasn’t about to let him carry the burden alone. They were in this together, whether Darwin liked it or not.

“We don’t have time to wait,” Fiona said, stepping closer to him. “We need to put pressure on them now. Take away their leverage.”

Darwin looked at her, a mixture of surprise and admiration in his eyes. “You’re not wrong. I’ve been trying to do everything on my terms, but sometimes that’s not enough. You have a point.”

Fiona’s heart thudded in her chest. For the first time, Darwin was willing to listen to her ideas. She had spent so many years as his shadow, following his lead and obeying his every command. But now, it was her turn to be the one in control, to show him that she wasn’t just the woman who had been left behind.

“I can get close to William,” Fiona said, her voice low but filled with certainty. “If I can get him to trust me, even for a moment, I can find out what he’s planning. We need to know what he has on us, what his next move is.”

Darwin’s jaw tightened. “That’s dangerous. He’s not someone you can just charm. He’ll see through you in a heartbeat.”

Fiona smirked. “Maybe. But I know how to play his game. I’ve spent years watching people like him, learning how they think. I’m not going to let him outsmart me.”

Darwin hesitated for a moment, his gaze darkening as he weighed her words. The tension in the room thickened, but Fiona held her ground. She wasn’t going to back down. She couldn’t.

After what felt like an eternity, Darwin finally spoke. “Fine. But we do this my way. We do this carefully, and we do this together.”

Fiona nodded. “Agreed.”

---

The next day, Fiona found herself standing in front of the grandiose building that housed R&K Electronics. It loomed over the city like a fortress, a monument to William Newton’s ambition and drive. Fiona couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger as she looked at it. This was the man who had been plotting against them for years, and now, she was going to face him head-on.

She adjusted her coat and took a deep breath before stepping into the building. The lobby was pristine, everything about it screamed power and control. The receptionist didn’t even glance up as Fiona approached the desk.

“I’m here to see Mr. Newton,” Fiona said, her voice calm and collected, despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

The receptionist looked up, clearly unimpressed. “Do you have an appointment?”

Fiona nodded, her expression unwavering. “I do. He’s expecting me.”

The receptionist’s eyes flickered with suspicion, but she didn’t argue. With a curt nod, she gestured for Fiona to take a seat. Fiona sat down in one of the sleek, modern chairs, her mind working overtime as she considered her next move. This was a delicate operation, and she couldn’t afford to make a misstep.

Minutes later, a sharp click echoed through the lobby, followed by the sound of footsteps. Fiona stood up just as a tall, imposing figure appeared in the doorway. William Newton.

His gaze locked onto hers immediately, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. William’s presence was magnetic, and Fiona could feel the weight of his power even before he spoke.

“Fiona,” he said, his voice smooth, but with an edge of something darker underneath. “What a pleasure.”

Fiona forced a smile, extending her hand. “Mr. Newton. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.”

William didn’t take her hand, his gaze unwavering. “Of course. I’ve heard a great deal about you. I have to admit, I’m curious as to what you want from me.”

Fiona kept her composure, even as a chill ran down her spine. This was it—the moment that could change everything. If she played her cards right, she could get what she needed. But if she misstepped, she knew the consequences could be deadly.

“I’m here to talk business,” Fiona said, her voice steady. “There’s a lot at stake right now. And I believe we can help each other.”

William raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Go on.”

“I know what you’re after,” Fiona continued, her tone low, almost conspiratorial. “And I know what Darwin has been hiding from you. But if you want to get what you want, you’ll need my help. I can be the bridge you need to get to him.”

William studied her for a long moment, his eyes narrowing as he weighed her words. For a second, Fiona wondered if he would see through her deception, but then his lips curled into a smile.

“Interesting,” he said, his voice cold. “You want to play both sides? You think you can outsmart me?”

Fiona held his gaze. “I don’t think—I know.”

William chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “We’ll see about that.”

---

As Fiona left R&K Electronics, her heart pounded in her chest. She had taken the first step in a dangerous game, and the stakes were higher than ever. But this was her only chance to take down their enemies. She couldn’t back down now.

As she made her way to the elevator, Fiona’s phone buzzed. The message was brief but filled with urgency.

They know.

Her blood ran cold. The trap had been sprung.