Chapter twelve

The black SUV sped through the streets, its tires screeching against the asphalt as Ethan maneuvered through traffic with ruthless precision. Mia sat beside him, her heart slamming against her ribs as she clutched her phone.

Oliver's terrified face flickered across the screen. The grainy footage showed him tied to a chair, his wide eyes red from crying. A vest wrapped around his small torso, wires leading to an unseen detonator.

Then the video cut to black.

Mia's breath hitched. "Tell me we can stop this."

Ethan's jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around the wheel. "We will." His voice was steel, unwavering. "I won't let Nicholas win."

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Where is he keeping Oliver?"

A vibration against Ethan's wrist. He tapped a button on the dashboard, putting the call on speaker. Mark's voice filled the car.

"We traced the signal. The trigger's coming from the Belleview Charity Gala."

Mia's stomach twisted. "A gala? That's a public event with cameras, security. You think Nicholas would risk keeping Oliver there?"

Ethan's knuckles went white against the wheel. "No. But I think that's where we'll find the detonator."

Her mind spun. The gala would be filled with New York's elite, politicians, socialites, investors. If Nicholas had placed the detonator there, it meant he had people on the inside.

Mia turned to Ethan. "Then we need a plan."

The Setup

Back at Ethan's penthouse, the energy was electric. His security team had spread blueprints of the Belleview Hotel across the conference table. Mark pointed at the ballroom's layout.

"The signal originates from here," he said. "High-tech security, multiple exits, and more eyes than we'd like."

Ethan's gaze darkened. "Nicholas isn't stupid. If he planted something, he has eyes inside."

Mia folded her arms. "So how do we find him without tipping him off?"

Ethan exhaled sharply. "You'll wear a wire."

She blinked. "What?"

"I'll go in as your date," he continued, ignoring her shock. "No one will suspect you."

Mia shook her head. "This isn't some spy movie, Ethan."

"No," he agreed, his voice calm but firm. "But it's the only way."

Their eyes locked. The tension between them was tangible, an invisible rope pulling them closer despite the storm raging around them.

Mia swallowed. "And if I get caught?"

Ethan stepped toward her, closing the space between them. "I won't let that happen."

His fingers brushed her wrist.

A shiver ran through her.

The Belleview Gala

The Belleview Hotel stood like a palace of glass and gold, its chandeliers casting a dazzling glow over the ballroom. Guests in designer gowns and tailored suits swirled across the marble floor, champagne flutes in hand, laughing, toasting to fortunes and power.

Mia descended the grand staircase, her navy silk gown hugging her figure like a second skin. The moment she stepped onto the floor, all eyes seemed to turn toward her.

But only one gaze held her.

Ethan stood at the base of the staircase, devastating in a black tuxedo. The crisp lines of his suit, the controlled power in his stance, the sharp glint in his cobalt eyes, he looked like a man who ruled this world.

And tonight, he was her date.

His gaze swept over her, dark and unreadable.

"You clean up well," he murmured as she reached him.

Mia arched a brow. "Flattery won't make me forget you dragged me into this."

Ethan smirked. "Noted."

His hand slid to her lower back as they stepped into the ballroom. She stiffened, but he leaned down, his breath warm against her ear.

"Relax," he murmured. "We need to blend in."

Mia forced a smile as they moved through the crowd. She kept her movements fluid, but inside, her stomach coiled with tension. The small device hidden in her clutch was transmitting everything back to Ethan's team.

A live feed of their every word.

She whispered, "Do you see anything?"

Ethan's hand tightened slightly on her waist. "Far-right balcony. Man in a gray suit. Earpiece, not drinking. He's watching the exits."

Mia followed his gaze.

Her pulse spiked.

"That's one of Nicholas's men."

Ethan's grip on her waist didn't loosen. "Then we're in the right place."

The music shifted to a slower melody.

Before she could react, Ethan turned to her and extended his hand.

"Dance with me."

Mia blinked. "Are you serious?"

His lips barely moved. "Yes."

She hesitated.

"Trust me," he murmured, his voice dipping low.

Mia exhaled sharply and slid her hand into his.

The moment he pulled her close, the world seemed to shrink. His palm pressed against the small of her back, the warmth of his touch searing through the silk of her gown. The scent of his cologne wrapped around her, dark and intoxicating.

Their bodies moved in perfect sync, swaying to the waltz.

"You're tense," he murmured against her ear.

Mia swallowed. "We're about to disarm a bomb. Forgive me for not being relaxed."

Ethan smirked. "I told you I won't let anything happen to you."

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Then, he leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "I'd burn the world for you, Mia."

She sucked in a breath.

But before she could say anything, a soft vibration buzzed against her hip.

Her clutch.

She pulled it open.

Her blood ran cold.

Inside, nestled among the folds of fabric, a small screen flickered.

00:30

00:29

The bomb was inside her bag.

Her body went rigid.

Ethan noticed instantly. "What's wrong?"

Mia's breath hitched. "The bomb"

His eyes dropped to her clutch.

"Fuck."

00:28

00:27

They only had twenty-seven seconds.

Ethan grabbed her wrist. "We need to move. Now."

Panic surged through her veins. "Ethan…"

He pulled her toward the exit, his grip unrelenting. "Don't panic. We'll figure this out."

00:20

Mia's heart slammed against her ribs. "We can't leave. There are people everywhere"

Ethan turned, his face unreadable. "Then we get to the terrace. Now."

They wove through the crowd, keeping their movements smooth, controlled. Mia's legs felt like lead, but Ethan's grip never loosened.

The terrace doors loomed ahead.

00:15

00:14

Ethan shoved them open. The cool night air hit her like a slap.

He pulled her behind a stone pillar.

"Mia, listen to me." His hands cupped her face. "I need you to hand me the bag."

Her throat tightened. "Ethan"

His eyes burned into hers. "Trust me."

Her fingers trembled as she handed it over.

Ethan moved fast, his hands working with terrifying precision. He yanked off his tuxedo jacket, wrapping the clutch inside it.

00:10

He took a sharp breath, his muscles flexing.

Then he hurled the bundle over the edge.

The bag sailed into the air, plunging into the darkness.

Mia clamped a hand over her mouth.

00:05

00:04

A deafening explosion rocked the night. A fireball erupted over the water, the shockwave rattling the terrace.

Mia's body jolted. Ethan shielded her, his arms locking around her as debris rained down.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, Ethan exhaled shakily.

"We're alive," Mia whispered.

His grip on her waist tightened.

"Yeah," he murmured, his breath warm against her temple. "We are."

But before relief could settle, Ethan's phone buzzed again.

Nicholas's voice filled the line.

"That was impressive, Blackwell. But did you really think that was the only bomb?"