“Good,” Ian said. “Because her life is in danger. You need to help us get her out of Vince’s reach.” “I’ll do what I can,” Richard said firmly. “Excellent. We’re about to tell you who ordered the hit on your shipment. One question first, purely professional: what exactly is in those trucks? Something illegal?” “Rare earth metals,” Richard said. “A government contract. Highly sensitive, fully authorized.
I still can’t figure out who leaked it. I’ll be blunt: if you two hadn’t stepped in, there would have been bloodshed, and I’d have been ruined. I’ve frozen the contract until I know who the mole is.” “How many people knew the route?” Ian asked. “Just me, the buyer, and my deputy.”
“That narrows it down nicely,” Ian said dryly. “I think so too,” Richard replied. “But I need proof. Greg has worked with me for years. I trusted him.” “Then let’s test him,” Ian said. “And while we’re at it, let’s take down the people trying to steal your shipment.” “How?” Richard asked.
“You still have contacts in law enforcement?” Ian asked. “Possibly.” “Then here’s the plan. If it works, you clean your business out, Vince goes away for a long time, and Emily gets to sleep at night.” Richard listened carefully as Ian laid it out. “I’m in,” he said without hesitation. “It’s solid. Smart.”
“I never would’ve guessed Vince was behind this,” Richard added. “That man is filth. We did business for years. I helped him out more than once, and this is how he repays me.” “Then let’s move,” Ian said. “Today you call in your deputy and change the route. I’ll coordinate with law enforcement.” “And me?” Emily asked. “You call Vince,” Ian said. “Tell him you have the documents. We need to see whether the updated route reaches him.”
An hour later they sat in a small coffee shop. Emily drifted into sad memories. Not long ago, she and Sam had sat in a place like this, drinking coffee, eating ice cream, and talking about the future. Neither of them had imagined that his closest friend was really a trafficker. Emily looked at Ian with gratitude. If not for him, she might already be gone.
“Ian,” she said quietly, “I don’t know how to thank you. But tell me honestly—do you have some personal reason for going after Vince this hard? You’re putting yourself at risk.” “I was going to talk to you about that later,” Ian said. “But since you asked…” He hesitated. “Emily, I’ve fallen for you. Hard. Please let me finish before you say anything.
We’re getting Sam out. That’s not up for debate. But think clearly—what exactly can he offer you? You latched onto him in a desperate moment. You mistook gratitude for love. What you really needed was someone to protect you.” “Ian, please,” Emily said. “Let’s not do this.”
“What kind of life can he give you?” Ian pressed. “He has no money, no family, no stable career, no home. You’ll get tired of that fast. I can give you security, respect, a future. My career’s taking off. I’ll have my own firm soon. Let him go, and we don’t have to make this awkward.” “I love him exactly as he is,” Emily said firmly. “I don’t care what’s in his bank account. I belong with him.”
“That’s a shame,” Ian said through clenched teeth. “Are you going to abandon the case because I said no?” Emily asked, her heart pounding. “I care about my professional reputation,” Ian said coldly. “Personal matters stay outside the courtroom.” He turned to the window, shutting down completely. His warmth was gone. Emily felt a fresh wave of fear. What if a wounded ego made him reckless?
