TENSION

The air between them was razor-thin.

Ethan's grip on the doorframe was tense, his jaw locked as he stared down the man in black. Milan's enforcer stood motionless, his face unreadable. But Chloe knew better—this wasn't a courtesy visit. It was a warning.

A test.

If she hesitated now, she was as good as dead.

She exhaled sharply and stepped forward, placing a hand on Ethan's arm. "Let me handle this."

He flinched but didn't push her away. Good. That meant he was listening.

She turned to the enforcer, her expression cold. "Milan didn't say you'd be following up."

The man's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Mr. Rinaldi wanted to be sure things were handled properly." His gaze flicked to Ethan. "And that no misunderstandings occurred."

Chloe knew what that meant. If Ethan resisted, he wouldn't live to see morning.

She inhaled, keeping her voice steady. "I already have the information. He's not a threat."

The enforcer tilted his head, unconvinced. "That's not my call."

A sharp prickle ran down her spine. Milan was watching, waiting to see what she would do.

She turned back to Ethan, her nails digging into his wrist in silent warning. If he fought, she wouldn't be able to save him. If he played along, there might be a way out.

"Give me the file, Ethan," she said quietly. "Now."

His eyes burned with betrayal.

But he wasn't an idiot. He had seen the insignia on the enforcer's wrist. He knew what would happen if he pushed back.

With deliberate slowness, he reached into the drawer, pulled out a thick folder, and handed it to her.

Chloe took it, her fingers brushing his for the briefest second. A silent message passed between them. Trust me.

She turned back to the enforcer, holding up the folder. "This is everything. He's done."

The man studied her for a long moment. Then he took the file, flipping through it without urgency. Chloe forced herself to breathe evenly. If he saw the missing page—

He snapped it shut.

"Milan will be pleased."

Chloe barely hid her relief.

But then the enforcer's gaze darkened. "You should leave now, Ms. Laurent. Mr. Hayes and I still have business."

A chill shot through her.

Milan didn't just want the file. He wanted a message sent.

Ethan stiffened beside her. He knew it too.

For a second, she hesitated—then she turned back to Ethan, gripping his wrist again. Hard. "Don't do anything stupid."

He gave her a look that burned with unspoken words.

Then she walked out.

The moment the door closed behind her, she exhaled shakily.

Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to keep walking, not looking back. She had done what she could. Now, it was up to Ethan to use the warning she had given him.

She had saved his life.

For now.