"We need to go public," Damien said.
Aria stared at him across the motel room. Dawn light crept through the curtains, painting everything grey and tired. "You want to hold a press conference?"
"Victor already controls the narrative. Every headline is his version of the truth." Damien stood by the window, hands in his pockets, shoulders squared. "I need to tell my side before he buries us completely."
"And what is your side?"
"The truth." He turned to face her. "My father was a criminal. I spent ten years cleaning up his mess. I failed in some ways. I succeeded in others. But I never stopped trying."
Aria rose from the bed. Crossed the room to stand beside him. "They'll tear you apart."
"Probably." His mouth curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "But you'll be standing besi
