WALKING THE EDGE

Chloe's heart slammed against her ribs as she caught the shadow shifting outside Ethan's window. The feeling of being watched was suffocating.

Milan was testing her. Again.

She masked her panic with a slow breath, turning her attention back to Ethan. He was still studying her, his fingers drumming lightly against the edge of his desk.

"You expect me to believe that?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

Chloe leaned forward. "I expect you to listen."

Ethan's gaze flickered to the window, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He saw it too. He wasn't a fool—he knew someone was out there. And if he was smart, he wouldn't underestimate her either.

He stood suddenly, walking to a filing cabinet in the corner. He pulled open a drawer, shuffling through folders before grabbing one and tossing it onto the table in front of her.

Chloe's pulse spiked as she saw her own face staring back at her from a surveillance photo.

"I started looking into Milan Rinaldi two months ago," Ethan said, his voice like steel. "And then you showed up."

The room felt colder.

Chloe forced herself to stay still, but inside, alarms were blaring. How much did he know? Did he suspect she was more than a journalist? If he had this much, what else had he uncovered?

She picked up the file, flipping through the pages. It wasn't just her—there were notes about Milan's operations, places he frequented, his known associates. But then she saw something that made her blood run cold.

A note at the bottom of one page.

Unknown female connection—close proximity. Embedded? Investigate further.

She met Ethan's gaze again. "You think I'm working for him."

"I think you're in deep," he said. "The question is, are you trying to climb out, or are you just another one of his pieces?"

Chloe's grip on the file tightened.

Outside, the shadow shifted again.

She was running out of time.

If Milan was watching, she had to play this carefully. Too much hesitation and he'd know. Too much certainty and she might sign Ethan's death warrant.

Chloe reached for her bag, pretending to slip the file inside. But with a quick movement, she tore the bottom page free and crumpled it in her palm.

She stood. "Ethan, if you want to live, burn this file. Tonight."

Ethan's eyes darkened. "And if I don't?"

Her throat went dry.

"Then I can't protect you," she whispered.

A sharp knock at the door made them both freeze.

Ethan's fingers twitched toward his desk drawer—was he reaching for a weapon?

Chloe forced herself to breathe. She turned toward the door, her mind racing. If Milan had sent someone, she was out of time.

Ethan moved first, striding toward the door and unlocking it in one swift motion.

The door swung open.

Chloe's stomach dropped.

A man stood in the doorway, dressed in black, his eyes void of emotion. A familiar insignia gleamed on his wrist.

Milan's enforcer.

Ethan saw it too. His expression barely changed, but Chloe knew he understood the danger now.

"Mr. Hayes," the man said, his voice eerily polite. "I believe you have something that doesn't belong to you."

Chloe's heart pounded.

Ethan's gaze flicked to her, silent questions burning in his eyes. Was she part of this? Would she help him?

She was standing between two choices.

If she hesitated now, Milan would know.

If she picked the wrong side, Ethan wouldn't survive the night.

And for the first time since this mission began, Chloe wasn't sure whose life she was truly trying to save.