Chapter 10 The Price of Secrets

The dimly lit study felt smaller, suffocating under the weight of the letter in Alexander's hands. He read it again, the words etched in his mind like a warning carved in stone.

"The storm is coming."

A storm his grandfather had seen brewing long before his death.

Elena sat beside him, her gaze locked onto his face. "Alexander," she said, voice steady despite the tension in the air. "We need to talk about this. What do they want from you?"

Alexander exhaled, his grip tightening around the letter. "Control."

Elena frowned. "Control of what?"

His jaw tensed. "Lancaster Industries."

A chill ran down her spine. "But you're the sole heir. The company belongs to you."

Alexander's expression darkened. "Not entirely. My grandfather made deals—some of which I don't even know about. But Morello and his people think they have leverage over me."

Elena's thoughts raced. "And do they?"

Alexander hesitated. It was slight, barely noticeable, but Elena caught it.

Her heart sank. "Alexander…"

He looked at her, his deep blue eyes conflicted. "There's something I need to tell you."

Elena's stomach twisted. "Then tell me."

Alexander stood, pacing the length of the study. The flickering firelight cast long shadows across his sharp features, making him look like a man caught between past and present.

"My grandfather controlled this empire with an iron grip," he began. "He was ruthless, calculated. But despite his power, there were certain… investments he couldn't make without outside help."

Elena leaned forward, bracing herself. "What kind of investments?"

Alexander stopped pacing and turned to face her. "Illegal ones."

A silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.

Elena's throat felt dry. "Like what?"

Alexander exhaled sharply. "Money laundering. Offshore accounts. Business acquisitions that weren't exactly legal."

She swallowed hard. "And Morello was involved?"

Alexander nodded. "Not just involved—he facilitated a lot of it."

Elena's mind reeled. She had always known Alexander's world was different from hers, but this… this was beyond what she had imagined.

"Elena," Alexander said, stepping closer. "I never wanted this life. I tried to stay away, to run my company cleanly. But Morello—he doesn't care about that. He only sees what he can gain."

Elena met his gaze, searching for any sign of deception. But all she found was truth, raw and exposed.

"What does he want from you now?" she asked softly.

Alexander clenched his jaw. "A deal. One I can't accept."

Elena's pulse quickened. "And if you refuse?"

His expression darkened. "Then he comes after everything I care about."

The implication hit her like a freight train.

He comes after me.

Elena's breath hitched. "Alexander… what do we do?"

He was silent for a long moment before speaking, his voice edged with determination.

"We fight."

Later That Night

Alexander stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse, staring out at the city below. The skyline glittered, oblivious to the war waging in his mind.

Behind him, Elena paced the room. "There has to be a way to get ahead of this."

"There is," Alexander said. "But it's risky."

Elena stopped. "How risky?"

He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Morello's power comes from the secrets he holds. If we find something—something incriminating—we can use it against him."

Elena's mind immediately went to the Lancaster estate. "Your grandfather's office. If he was keeping records of his dealings, they might still be there."

Alexander's gaze sharpened. "You're right."

Elena hesitated. "But won't Morello know we're looking?"

Alexander smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Let him. If he wants to play games, I'll make sure he regrets it."

Elena shivered. She had seen this side of Alexander before—the calculated strategist, the man who could dismantle an empire with a single move.

And now, Morello was his target.

The Lancaster Estate

They arrived under the cover of darkness. The massive mansion stood silent, its grandeur untouched by time.

Alexander led Elena inside, moving swiftly through the corridors. They entered the study, where dust motes danced in the moonlight.

He went straight to the large wooden desk, pulling open drawers, searching for anything of value. Elena moved to the bookshelves, running her fingers along the spines, looking for something out of place.

Minutes passed. Then—

"I found something," Alexander said.

Elena turned as he pulled out a black leather journal from a hidden compartment in the desk.

He flipped through the pages, his brows furrowing. "It's a record of transactions. Names, dates… and Morello's signature on several of them."

Elena stepped closer. "This is it, isn't it?"

Alexander nodded, his grip tightening on the journal. "This is what we need."

But before they could celebrate, a sound echoed through the mansion—

The distinct click of a gun being cocked.

Elena froze.

Alexander turned sharply.

A man stood in the doorway, a gun aimed directly at them.

"Elena Lancaster," the man said, his voice smooth. "You and your fiancé have been very busy."

Her blood ran cold.

Alexander stepped in front of her protectively. "If you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't be talking right now."

The man smirked. "True. But I have orders to bring you in."

Alexander's muscles tensed, his mind working rapidly. Then, without warning, he moved—

In a flash, he knocked the gun aside, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting it. The gun clattered to the floor.

Elena reacted instinctively, grabbing a heavy book and slamming it into the man's head.

He staggered, dazed.

Alexander didn't hesitate. He threw a powerful punch, knocking the man unconscious.

Breathing heavily, Elena turned to Alexander. "What now?"

He picked up the journal and slipped it into his coat. "Now, we finish this."

Elena's heart pounded. There was no turning back now.

And she wasn't sure if they would come out unscathed.