Chapter 17

"You blindsided us, Ethan!" Jack yelled and rushed into my office, slamming the door behind him. Ben trailed closely behind, his face gloomy. "Why in the world would you announce that without informing us?"

I tried to remain composed as I reclined in my chair. "It had to be done. Emily wasn't safe in Willow Creek. She had to come back, and the media would've found her eventually."

Ben raised his hands in the air. "But you didn't think to give us a heads-up? Now she's in the spotlight, and we have no control over the narrative! Not to mention the press is all over her."

"I couldn't wait for approval," I shot back. "This was the only way to get her out of there, and it was my decision."

Jack squinted his eyes. "Your decision? Emily is now in much greater risk because of you. And now we're exposed; everyone is watching us."

I got out of my chair, growing impatient. "We were exposed the moment my father died. It has nothing to do with the press. It's about having control over what happens next."

Ben leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "Do you think this is control? Emily finds herself in the center of this media frenzy. She has too much on her plate."

I gave a headshake. "She will be alright. When she returns to New York, I will be able to handle things. Here, she will be safe."

"Safe?" Jack laughed. "Perhaps from the media. But what about the rest of it? You are aware of the stakes. Ethan, you're playing with fire."

I gritted my teeth, my anger exploding. "I had no other option. I did what had to be done."

My phone buzzed before anyone could answer. I frowned as I looked down at the screen and noticed a message from an unidentified number that read, We need to talk. Urgent

Jack took note of my face and moved in closer. "What is it?"

After a moment of hesitation, I shook my head. "Nothing important."

Ben scowled. "Are you sure?"

Taking my jacket from the back of my chair, I mumbled, "I'll take care of it. This conversation is over."

I pushed by them and made my way to the door without saying anything else. I wanted room to think, space. One thing Jack and Ben were correct about was that things were getting out of control and I wasn't sure how long I could control them.

Just as I was about to reach the elevator, two big men in suits suddenly obstructed my way. Their presence was immediately unsettling.

One of them whispered, "Mr. Monroe," in a low, authoritative voice. "You need to come with us."

I froze. "Who the hell are you?"

The other man came forward. "Mr. Alvarez wants to speak."

Alvarez Victor.

I kept a straight face despite being gripped with fear. "I don't have time to deal with this."

The man expressed, "You don't have a choice," in a tone that made it clear this wasn't a request.

Before I could answer, they held onto me by the arms and pulled me toward the lift. I made an unsuccessful attempt to pull free. These men weren't here to bargain; they were pros.

With the windows tinted so darkly that I couldn't even determine where we were headed, the SUV rushed through the city. Between the two men, I sat silently, my thoughts racing. Victor Alvarez was a name I knew well, too well. My father had worked with him and kept him close, but I never knew the details. I thought I was going to find out now.

We pulled into an underground garage and the car slowed. The men pulled the door open, hauled me out, and dragged me along a little corridor that smelled of wet concrete.

They stopped in front of a metal door and knocked twice. It opened instantly, revealing a high-ceilinged, darkly lit space. Victor Alvarez was standing there.

Wearing a well fitted suit, he stood in the center of the room with his dark hair slicked back and a composed smile on his face.

"Mr. Monroe," Victor said in a calm tone. "It's been a while."

I gave him a frowning look. "Kidnapping me wasn't necessary."

Victor laughed and pointed to a chair in the middle of the space. "Please have a seat. This is a business meeting, not a kidnapping."

After some hesitation, I sat down. The two men watched me intently from the doorway.

Victor approached with an unwavering smile. "Your father was a good man. ambitious. And extremely... resourceful."

I folded my arms. "If this is about my father's dealings with you, those ended when he died."

Victor's smile dimmed a bit. "Your father's debt didn't die with him, Ethan. You inherited it. Monroe Enterprises was built on more than just real estate and investments. There were other... operations."

My hands squeezed beneath the table. "What sort of operations?"

"Arms deals," Victor answered nonchalantly, as though he were talking about a business lunch. "Monroe Enterprises was the perfect front for moving weapons, very discreet, very profitable. And now, you're in charge."

My blood ran cold when I heard it presented this way, even though I had always thought my father had more sinister activities. "I'm not getting involved in that."

Victor smiled more broadly. "You have no other option. Your father owed me a lot, and that debt is yours now. You will either lose everything or carry on with the operations."

I clinched my teeth and muttered, "I don't care about the money."

Victor answered, lowering his voice to a perilous whisper, "It's not just about the money. It has to do with power. Command. Monroe Enterprises will fail if you don't, and everyone who depends on it will go down with you. The board, the investors, your employees, they'll all know you failed."

I gave him a raised eyebrow. "What if I expose you? What if I go to the authorities?"

Victor's laugh was hollow. "You think the authorities don't know? Ethan, your father had high-ranking acquaintances. I also do. If you try to cross me, you won't just lose your company. You'll lose your freedom."

My heart was racing in my ears as I looked at him. He had me trapped, and he knew it.

Victor's eyes met mine as he leaned closer. "You have one week to decide. Continue the operations, or everything you and your father built will burn to the ground."

I took a deep breath, my thoughts whirling. I had to decide whether to join Victor and carry on my father's illicit enterprise or to turn my back and watch it all come crashing down.

Victor adjusted his suit jacket and straightened. "I'll be in touch."