Page 101 of High Reward

It’s not a request or a plea. It’s a boundary, clearly drawn.

Victor nods once. “I won’t.”

Two simple words, but I hear the weight of promise behind them.

“This doesn’t change how I feel about you,” I say, needing him to understand. “I’m not any less yours because I demand honesty.”

“I know.” His hands drop to my shoulders, then slide down my arms to capture my hands. “If anything, it makes you more so. Your strength. Your clarity. They’re part of why I…” He stops, swallows. “They’re part of why I love you.”

The words are still new between us, still feel vulnerable to say. I squeeze his hands anchoring us both, then stand up on my tiptoes to kiss him gently.

“We need to tell Lili everything,” I say. “About Sampson, Kara, the Griffin connection. All of it.”

“We will.” Victor lifts our joined hands, kisses my knuckles. “Together.”

I nod, grateful for that acknowledgment.

“We’re learning, Mariposa,” he murmurs as he tugs me toward the door so we can find Lili.

And that, I think, is all anyone can really ask for. Not perfection. Not infallibility. Just the willingness to learn, to grow, and to try again when we get it wrong. That willingness is enough.

With what’s coming for us, it has to be.

Chapter 25

Victor

Thecigarsmokehangsheavy over the front booth of the cigar bar, as does the tension that’s been building for days. Luke leans back against the leather seat, fingers drumming along the top edge. Matteo stands by the window, phone in hand, texting someone. Owen’s laptop sits open in front of him with security feeds cycling across the screen. We’ve been talking for an hour about next steps, with no obvious solution in sight. There are too many problems with no answers.

“Your father’s men are still at your house?” Luke asks, tapping ash from his cigar.

“Three of them by my count. They won’t leave until he orders it.” I take a drink of whiskey, letting the burn distract me from the frustration of not being able to fix anything. “They’re not interfering, just watching. Reporting back to him. I’ll need to make a few trips over there, so they have something to tell him.”

Matteo turns from the window. “And you’re sure these men haven’t been compromised by the Russians or another enemy?”

“As sure as I can be. My father might be a manipulative bastard, but his security protocols are solid, and he would only bring his most trusted men on a trip like this.”

Owen’s eyes never leave his screen. “We’re getting responses from families about the summit. So far, the response has been positive. We just need to set a date. Everyone has committed except for Luke’s family.”

“They’ll come,” Luke says with certainty. “Jamie may send a proxy because he doesn’t leave New York unless he has to, but someone will be here.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to read the message. My jaw tightens as I scan the text.

“What is it?” Matteo asks, noticing the shift in my demeanor.

“Flowers were just delivered to Grace’s apartment.” I’m already on my feet, texting instructions to the surveillance team. “Purple roses. Like the others.”

Owen looks up now and adjusts the laptop. “You want me to pull security footage?”

“Already on it. I have a team watching the place. One of them is bringing the bouquet here now, and the others are pulling footage. They’ll send it directly to you.” I drain the last of my whiskey and set the glass down harder than necessary. “Let’s go see what Kara sent this time.”

Luke stands, stubbing out his cigar. “Need backup?”

“No. Stay and finish discussing what our next steps would be. Get Hunter involved if you have to.” I turn my attention to Owen.

“I need you for this.”

Owen nods, already packing up his equipment.