Chapter 229
But it wasn’t her car. It wasn’t the Sterling limo. And Alistair wasn’t there to open the door.
It was a vintage Holls-Royce Phantom-black, with the crest of a falcon on the door. The Vance family crest.
Liam fr. He watched the heavy doors slammed shut. Through the tinted window, he saw a silhouette-a man, sitting in the shadows.
The car pulled away, merging into traffic, loving Liam standing on the curb, gasping for air, realizing the board had not just been moved.
The entire game had changed.
Inside the Phantom, the silence was absolute. The leather seats amelled of old money and antiseptic.
Skye leaned back, closing her eyes. Her hands were shaking. She clasped them together to still the tremors.
She missed Alistair. He had stayed behind to coordinate with his team, ensuring the fallout from Victoria’s exposure didn’t blow back on his cover. It was a cary sparation, but it left her feeling speed.
“Breath,” a voice said from the shadows.
Skye opened her eyes.
Julian Vance sat on the other side of the expansive rear cabin. He was wrapped in a cashmere blanket, his face pale in the passing streetlights. He looked like a porcelain doll that had been broken and glued back together.
“You put on quite a show,” Julian said. His voice was raspy, weak.
“I did what I had to do,” Skye said. She watched him warily. “Why are you her, Julian? Why pick me up?”
“Becs Liam scored,” Julian said. “And cornered animalshit. I couldn’t let him get to you tonight. And Alistair currently tied up explaining to his superiors why their star undercover agent was plastered on a hillboard.”
“I have security,” Sky said.
“You have employees,” Julian corrected. “Liam can buy employees. He can’t buy me.”
He coughed—a wet, rattling sound that made him wince. He presed a handkerchief to his lips. When he pulled it away, Skyw saw a speck of red.
“You’re sick,”sky mid. It wasn’t a question.
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“Dying,” Julian corrected again. He folded the handkerchief neatly. “But not dead yet.”
He reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a thick envelope. He slid it across the leather seat toward her.
“What is this?” Skywakati.
“The leverage you need,” Julian said. “And the price of my help.”
Skye picked up the envelope. It was heavy.
She broke the seal. Inside were photographs, Documents, Bank statements.
But not about Seraphina.
About Arthur.
She flipped through them. Her a widened.
“Forgery,” Julian said. “High-quality forgery. Liam has hired a specialist to create a paper trail linking your father to the offshore accounts used for the embezzlement. They plan to frame Arthur to get to you.”
Skye felt bile rise in her throat. “Liam… he’s targeting my father.”
“He knows Arthur is your weakness,” Julian said. “But that’s not the price. That’s the warning.”
“What’s the price?” Skye asked.
Julian leaned forward. His eyes-dark and intelligent-locked onto hers.