DaoistoHrSfA

**She built walls no man could breach… until him.**  

Kathleen Palmer’s cybersecurity empire, *SafeHaven*, was born from the scars of her past—until a magnetic stranger at a Veloria gala ignites a fire she can’t control. Too late, she discovers the truth: he’s **Carl Harris**, the ruthless billionaire whose company is poised to destroy hers.  

Carl came for a business deal, not the storm of desire Kathleen unleashes in him. But when their explosive affair uncovers a shocking secret—**they met as children in the same foster home**—their battle of wits becomes a fight for redemption.  

Now, with assassins hunting them and Carl’s orphaned niece caught in the crossfire, Kathleen must choose: **trust the man who lied to conquer her… or lose the family she never knew she craved

"NO" Safe Heaven

The pier stretched into the horizon, the wooden planks groaning under the weight of the tide. Kathleen stood at the edge, the salt-kissed wind tangling her hair as the sun bled into the sea.

She'd read Ava's email three times.

The words were a noose around her throat.

He stood a breath away, his silhouette carved against the dying light. No suit tonight—just a black sweater and jeans, his hands shoved into his pockets. The ocean roared between them.

Kathleen didn't turn. "You owe me answers."

Her spine stiffened. *Of course he did.*

Carl stepped closer, his voice rough. "Ava's right. Harris Consolidated owns SafeHaven's debt. But I didn't orchestrate it."

Kathleen whirled. "Then who did?"

"Hansen." His jaw flexed. "He's been working behind my back. Using my name to pressure your investors."

The admission hung between them, raw and ugly.

Kathleen studied his face—the shadows under his eyes, the tension in his shoulders. The man who'd lied to her, hunted her company, and now stood here looking like *he* was the one betrayed.

Carl reached into his jacket. Pulled out a folded document.

Kathleen took the paper. A loan transfer agreement—SafeHaven's debt, signed over to her.

Her breath hitched. "This is a *billion-dollar* leverage. You're just—handing it to me?"

Carl's gaze never wavered. "I told you. I'm done lying."

The wind howled. The pier trembled.

Kathleen's pulse roared in her ears.

Carl watched the emotions flicker across Kathleen's face—shock, suspicion, a fragile hope.

He'd gambled everything on this moment.

She clutched the document like a lifeline. "What do you want in return?"

The truth nearly tore from his throat. But he forced himself to step back. "Nothing."

A laugh escaped him—harsh, unpolished. "Fine. I want you to *trust* me. Even if it's just this once."

The sunset painted her in gold and fire. Her lips parted—

Carl's blood turned to ice. He answered. "What's wrong?"

The principal's voice was tight. "Mr. Harris, there's been an incident. Alina's safe, but—"

Kathleen grabbed his arm. "Carl. *What happened?*"

For a heartbeat, he hesitated. Then—

Ava Lopez was elbow-deep in code when her phone buzzed.

**Unknown Number:** *Tell your boss to back off. Or the next leak won't be corporate.*

A photo followed—a grainy shot of Kathleen leaving the pier with Carl.

Then her laptop pinged—a security alert.

*SafeHaven's servers were under attack.*

Entangled