Ella’s POV
Cyril was pacing in his study with his phone pressed to his ear. His tone was sharp, direct and it left the person on the other line no room for argument.
“I don’t care how you do it. I want every exit covered and every possible buyer traced. If we go in blind, we’re walking straight into a trap.” He cut the line and threw the phone on the table hard enough that it slid across the polished wood.
I lingered in the doorway, Eleanor behind me, her fingers clutching the hem of my shirt. Cyril’s eyes flicked to me, then to her. His jaw tightened.
“There’s no way in hell I’m going after those girls without preparation,” he said, voice hard. “This isn’t a rescue mission. They just brought a war down on themselves for doing this stupid thing in my territory and wars are not won by f
