Chapter 24: A Dangerous Proposition

The morning air was thick with unspoken tension. Even as Sarah moved through the house, preparing breakfast, she could feel Ethan's thoughts spiraling. He stood by the window, gripping a cup of coffee he hadn't taken a sip from, his gaze distant.

Sarah knew he was still replaying his father's words in his head. She wanted to tell him it would be okay—that they could figure this out—but she also knew Ethan wasn't the type to rely on blind optimism.

She set a plate of eggs and toast on the table and walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Eat," she murmured against his back.

Ethan let out a slow breath, placing his free hand over hers. "Not hungry."

She sighed. "You need to keep your strength up. Whatever's coming, you can't face it on an empty stomach."

He turned in her arms, finally looking at her. "You're not afraid?"

Sarah met his gaze without hesitation. "Of your father? Yes. Of you? Never."

Ethan's fingers brushed along her cheek, his touch achingly gentle. "I don't want you caught up in this."

"I already am," she reminded him. "So, let's figure out a plan. Together."

Ethan exhaled, nodding. "Fine. But first, I need to find out what he's really after."

An Unwelcome Meeting

By noon, Ethan had left the house, heading toward a location his father had texted him. He had debated ignoring it, but he knew that wouldn't make his father go away. If anything, it would make him escalate.

The meeting spot was a high-end hotel, the kind Ethan had grown up in when his father was traveling for business deals that were never quite legal.

He entered the bar lounge, immediately spotting the man who had haunted his childhood. Daniel Carter.

His father was seated in a leather booth, a glass of whiskey in his hand, looking as composed as ever. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly styled, his suit pristine. But Ethan knew better than to be fooled by his polished exterior.

"Son," Daniel greeted smoothly as Ethan slid into the seat across from him. "You look well."

Ethan leaned back, arms crossed. "Cut the crap. What do you want?"

Daniel chuckled, swirling his drink. "Straight to business, just like me. Fine. I have a deal, and I need you to be part of it."

"I'm out of that life," Ethan said flatly.

Daniel smirked. "No one is ever truly out, Ethan. You, of all people, should know that."

Ethan clenched his jaw. "If I say no?"

His father's smile didn't waver. "Then I start looking for other ways to get what I want. And trust me, son, you won't like my methods."

Ethan's fists tightened under the table. He hated that Daniel always spoke in threats disguised as pleasantries.

"What's the deal?" he asked, not because he was interested, but because he needed to know what his father was planning.

Daniel took a sip of his whiskey before setting the glass down. "There's a property acquisition happening soon. Prime real estate. The kind of deal that requires a sharp mind and a steady hand. I want you to oversee it."

Ethan scoffed. "You have a dozen guys who could do that."

"None like you," Daniel said smoothly. "You have the instincts, the connections. People trust you more than they trust me."

Ethan shook his head. "I don't trust you. And I won't be your pawn."

Daniel sighed, feigning disappointment. "I was hoping we could do this the easy way." He reached into his pocket and slid a photo across the table.

Ethan's blood ran cold.

It was Sarah.

A candid shot of her walking down the street, completely unaware she was being watched.

Ethan's hands curled into fists. "You son of a—"

"Now, now," Daniel interrupted, his voice calm but laced with warning. "I haven't done anything… yet. But if you refuse me, I can't promise her safety."

Ethan wanted nothing more than to lunge across the table and wipe that smug look off his father's face. But he couldn't lose control—not when Sarah was at risk.

He forced himself to stay calm. "You don't touch her."

Daniel raised his hands in mock surrender. "That's entirely up to you."

Ethan's jaw ticked. "What's the deadline?"

Daniel smiled, knowing he had won. "You have forty-eight hours to decide."

Ethan stood abruptly. "This conversation is over."

As he turned to leave, Daniel called after him, "Oh, and Ethan?"

Ethan stopped but didn't turn.

"Say hello to Sarah for me."

Rage boiled beneath Ethan's skin, but he walked away without another word.

The Storm Within

By the time Ethan returned home, his entire body was humming with tension. Sarah was in the kitchen, cleaning up, but she stopped the second she saw his face.

"What happened?" she asked, worry laced in her tone.

Ethan set his keys on the counter, exhaling sharply. "He knows about you."

Sarah's stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

He pulled the photo from his pocket and slid it across the counter. Sarah's breath hitched as she saw herself in the picture.

"I don't know how long he's been watching, but it's clear he's not bluffing," Ethan said, his voice tight with barely restrained anger.

Sarah swallowed hard, pushing the photo away. "So what do we do?"

Ethan met her gaze, his eyes dark with determination. "I keep you safe. No matter what it takes."

Sarah reached for his hand. "And what about you? I don't want you to do something you'll regret."

Ethan's fingers curled around hers. "The only thing I'd regret is letting him hurt you."

A heavy silence settled between them.

Sarah knew Ethan was capable of many things, but she also knew he was walking a fine line. If his father pushed too hard, Ethan would push back—harder.

And that terrified her.

She tightened her grip on his hand. "Promise me one thing."

Ethan's gaze softened just slightly. "What?"

"Promise me you won't become him," she whispered.

Ethan's breath hitched, as if her words had struck something deep inside him.

Finally, he nodded. "I promise."

Sarah exhaled, stepping closer. She rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat.

No matter what happened next, they would face it together.

But deep down, she knew—this was only the beginning.