Chapter 17: Secrets and Shadows

Lily's apartment's walls were streaked with gold as the early sun poured through the blinds. Jack's battered notepad was in front of her as she sat at her dining table. Its contents felt more substantial than the paper on which they were printed. A layer of Victor Kane's criminal enterprise was exposed on each page, including names, dates, and coded transactions. As she dug further, though, she discovered that it wasn't just Victor's scheme exposed; she also discovered links to others she knew and never thought would be involved.

When she noticed Ethan's name scrawled on one of the pages, her breath caught. Although the code next to it was unclear, it was indisputable. He was a part of this complex web, not merely tangentially related to Victor.

She was startled out of her reverie as her phone buzzed on the table. Ethan was the one. Although the communication was brief, it was obvious how urgent it was:

We must speak. I'll be over.

Lily's heartbeat accelerated. She hadn't had time to decide how much to divulge or what to tell him. She couldn't afford to show him the notebook just yet. She stuffed it into a drawer and made an effort to stop her heart from pounding.

A knock reverberated through her apartment fifteen minutes later. After a moment of hesitation, Lily opened the door. Ethan was standing across from her, examining her closely with his keen blue eyes.

He entered without waiting for an invitation, saying, "We need to talk."

"Good morning to you as well," Lily remarked sardonically as he shut the door.

Ethan looked at her, a strained look on his face. "Don't be evasive, Lily. I want to know why you have been avoiding me.

Lily looked at him with her arms folded. "Perhaps I simply needed room."

His eyes narrowed. "Space? Or are you concealing something?

Although the inquiry was too personal, Lily resisted showing signs of panic. "Ethan, what specifically do you think I'm hiding?"

He raked a hand through his hair, clearly annoyed. I'm not sure, but you've changed recently. Far away. Additionally, last night... His jaw tensed as he paused. "You were observed conversing with Jack Monroe."

Lily felt sick to her stomach. "Who told you that?"

Ethan yelled, "That is irrelevant." The fact that Jack poses a threat is what counts. Should you be collaborating with him—

With a stern tone, Lily interrupted, "I'm not working with him." He came over to me. He claimed to know Victor.

When his uncle was brought up, Ethan's expression clouded. "Jack is dishonest. He will say anything to gain support. You cannot trust him, no matter what he tells you.

Lily took a step forward, her temper growing. And what makes you worthy of my trust? Since the day we first met, you have been hiding things. Ethan, don't behave as if you're a moral leader here.

He tightened his jaw and remained silent for a time. Then he sighed, and his shoulders slumped a little. "You're correct. I haven't told you the whole truth. However, Lily, I've been attempting to keep you safe. You are unaware of Victor's level of risk.

Lily's voice was shaking as she shouted, "Then tell me." "Just tell me the truth and stop trying to protect me."

Ethan paused as if considering the consequences of what he would say next. At last, he said something. Victor is more than just an entrepreneur. He is the brains behind a global criminal network that includes money laundering, blackmail, and weaponry deals. From police enforcement to politicians, he has contacts everywhere. Crossing him puts not only your life in danger but also the lives of those around you.

Lily's thoughts were spinning as she gazed at him. After reading Jack's notes, she had a suspicion, but it became even more real when Ethan confirmed it.

"And you?" she whispered. "What role do you play in this?"

The pain flared in Ethan's eyes. "I've been attempting to leave. I've been trying to break up my relationship with Victor for years, but it's not that easy. Lily, he owns people. He also makes sure they don't go without a fight.

Despite herself, Lily felt a twinge of sympathy. She could see the guilt carved across Ethan's face, the weight he carried. However, she was unable to ignore what she had read in the notebook.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she whispered, "I found your name in Jack's ledger." "Ethan, what does that mean? What did you do?

Ethan's face went white, and he briefly gave the impression that he might deny it. His shoulders slumped as he let out a sigh. "I had no other option. Victor used me to relay messages and broker deals. Even though I was not present for the worst of it, that doesn't make me any less guilty. I despise myself because I did my part.

The tenderness in his voice made Lily's heart hurt. But Ethan moved closer, his eyes beseeching, before she could answer.

"Lily, you should avoid Jack no matter what he tells you. He is dangerous in his own right and isn't simply after Victor. He will use you to further his personal agenda.

Lily's thoughts were racing. She was unsure of what to think. Ethan's admonition rang with authenticity, even though Jack had appeared sincere.

She said, trembling, "I don't trust anyone right now."

Ethan extended his arm and touched her arm tenderly. "Believe me, Lily. Please. Even if it means facing Victor directly, I will stop at nothing to keep you safe.

His eyes were so full of sincerity that Lily briefly sensed a glimmer of hope. She knew in her heart that this was far from done, though.

Lily sat back at the table and stared at the drawer containing the journal as Ethan walked away, vowing to keep in touch. She was enmeshed in a game that she hardly understood, and her world was falling apart.

One thing was certain, though: she couldn't depend on Jack or Ethan alone. She had to play her own game if she was going to make it through this, and she was determined to win.