The Billionaire’s Bargain

Chapter 12

something they don’t want uncovered.”

Sophie’s pulse quickened. “And you know exactly who that someone is, don’t you?”

Lucas’s gaze held hers, unwavering. “I have an idea.”

The air between them felt charged, thick with tension. Sophie had always prided herself on her instincts, and right now, every nerve in her body was telling her that Lucas Blackwell knew more than he was letting on.

“Calloway,” she said, testing the name on her tongue.

Lucas’s jaw ticked, just a fraction, but it was enough.

“Your silence speaks volumes.” She took a step closer, her voice lowering. “What is it, Lucas? What’s really going on here?”

Lucas exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face before turning toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The city stretched out before them, gleaming and untouchable, but Sophie could feel the darkness beneath the surface—the cracks in the foundation of Lucas Blackwell’s empire.

Finally, he spoke. “Calloway doesn’t like when people ask questions. And he doesn’t give warnings.”

Sophie frowned. “Then who—?”

Lucas turned back to her, his expression grim. “Someone else is in play.”

A chill crawled up her spine. This wasn’t just about Lucas’s business dealings anymore. This was bigger, more dangerous.

She pressed forward. “Who, Lucas? Who else would want me to stop?”

Lucas hesitated, his fingers flexing at his sides. He looked like a man standing at the edge of a precipice, weighing the consequences of stepping forward.

Then, finally—

“There’s another player in town. Someone who operates in the shadows, outside the law. Calloway might be ruthless, but he has rules. This other man? He doesn’t.”

Sophie’s breath caught. “And you think he’s the one who called me?”

Lucas nodded slowly. “If he sees you as a problem, Sophie, he won’t just scare you off. He’ll eliminate you.”

The weight of his words settled over her like a suffocating fog. This wasn’t just about uncovering a corrupt business deal anymore.

This was about survival.

She swallowed hard. “Then tell me everything. No more half-truths.”

Lucas studied her, his expression unreadable. “Are you sure you want that?”

Sophie lifted her chin. “I’m already in this, Lucas. You said it yourself—I’m too close. So either you tell me the truth, or I find it myself.”

A muscle jumped in his jaw. Then, after a long pause—

“All right.”

Lucas grabbed his drink, downing the rest in one smooth motion before setting the glass aside. When he looked at her again, his eyes were dark, resolute.

“But once I tell you, Sophie, there’s no going back.”